The Dignity for All Students Act (DASA)

What is the Dignity for all Students Act?

    Bethlehem Central Schools DASA Coordinators

  • Jody Monroe, District Coordinator
      • Kathy Johnston, District Coordinator
      • Marna Meltzer, BCHS Coordinator
      • Mark Warford, BCMS- Patroon 2 Coordinator
      • Dave Zadoorian, BCMS- Patroon 1 and Mohawk Coordinator
      • Dianna Reagan, Eagle Elementary School Coordinator
      • Katherine Kloss, Elsmere Elementary School Coordinator
      • Laura Heffernan, Glenmont Elementary School Coordinator
      • David Ksanznak, Hamagrael Elementary School Coordinator
      • Heidi Bonacquist, Slingerlands Elementary School Coordinator

New York State’s Dignity for All Students Act (The Dignity Act) took effect on July 1, 2012. Just as with the district's Code of Conduct [PDF], the new law seeks to provide the State’s public elementary and secondary school students with a safe and supportive environment free from discrimination, intimidation, taunting, harassment, and bullying on school property, a school bus and/or at a school function. The Dignity Act includes, but is not limited to, acts of discrimination and harassment based on a student’s race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender (defined to include gender identity or expression), or sex.

School officials understand the impact bullying and harassment
can have on a school environment. More than a physical threat, bullying creates a climate of fear and makes learning difficult for all students. The new law calls for each school to appoint a Dignity Act Coordinator who is trained to address issues in areas protected by the law and is accessible to the school community.

The names of each DASA coordinator are listed above. To email a coordinator, click on their name.

 

More information on DASA and student rights

• BCSD Code of Student Conduct [PDF]

• Athletic Handbook & Code of Conduct [PDF]

• New York State Education Department Website

• New York State Education Department DASA brochure [PDF]

• New York State Center for School Safety DASA Fact Sheet [PDF]

• New York State Education Department DASA Presentation [PDF]