• Dignity for All Students

    At Hillside Elementary School, we believe all students are entitled to attend a school free from harassment, bullying, discrimination, and cyberbullying. 

    The New York State Legislature has passed the Dignity for All Students Act which became effective July 1, 2012.  The Dignity for All Students Act, referred to as DASA, states that no student shall be subjected to harassment or discrimination by employees or students either on school property or at a school function.  DAC prohibits harassment or discrimination based on a student’s actual or perceived race, color of skin, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sex, sexual orientation, or gender.

    The Dignity Act requires that at least one staff member at every school be thoroughly trained to handle human relations in the areas of race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender, and sex (Education Law §13[3]). This staff member should be referred to as the Dignity Act Coordinator (DAC).

     

    Dignity Act Coordinator (School):  Michael LaRocco
                                                      LaRoccoM@hohschools.org

    Dignity Act Coordinator (District): Melissa Szymanski
                                                      SzymanskiM@hohschools.org 

     

    If any student believes they have been subjected to harassment or discrimination by employees or students on school property or at a school function, they may complete the complaint form below. Families and members of the school community may also complete a form when they believe an incident has taken place that requires investigation and follow-up.

     Incident Reporting Form

    Instruction for Students

    In order to foster civility:

    • Second Step
    • PBIS
    • Digital Citizenship
    • Health Education

     

    Student Rights

    No student shall be subjected to discrimination based on their actual or perceived:

    • Race
    • Color 
    • National  origin 
    • Disability
    • Sex
    • Weight 
    • Ethnic  group
    • Religion
    • Religious practice
    • Sexual orientation
    • Gender (including gender identity and expression) 
    • Other (Describe) ___________________________ 

     

    Bullying

    Bullying is the intentional, unprovoked abuse of power by one or more individuals to inflict pain on or cause distress to another individual on repeated occasions

    • The behavior can take many forms including physical, verbal and emotional abuse, social exclusion, intimidation, racial/ethnic slurs, and sexual harassment
    • Bullying online and through digital technologies is known as cyber-bullying

     

    US Department of Education defines bullying as

    • An Imbalance of Power
    • The Intent to Cause Harm
    • Repetition

     

    Cyberbullying

    “Cyberbullying” shall mean harassment or bullying as defined above where such harassment or bullying occurs through any form of electronic communication.

    What to Do About Cyberbullying?

    • Students should not react to the bully
    • Students should block or delete the bully
    • Students should always share with a trusted adult
    • Report inappropriate behavior to the site
    • Save evidence with a screenshot
    • Speak with an adult or the Dignity Act Coordinator in your school
    • If the cyberbullying consists of threats of violence, lewd material, stalking, or hate crimes, reach out to local law enforcement

    Bullying

    Code of Conduct

    The Code of Conduct applies to all students, school personnel and visitors on school property and grounds; at school-related events, activities and functions; during a school sponsored trip; on school transportation; and at all school sponsored programs whether offsite or onsite.

    District Code of Conduct

    School Code of Conduct

     

    Appropriate Use Policy

    Students are expected to use technology in an acceptable manner. These expectations have been defined by the Board of Education in their Acceptable Use Policy. 

    Acceptable Use Policy



    Resources

    Incident Reporting Form

    District Code of Conduct

    School Code of Conduct

    NYSED DASA Website

    http://www.p12.nysed.gov/dignityact/ 

    NYSED DASA Brochure

    http://www.p12.nysed.gov/dignityact/documents/DignityActBrochureUpdateFinal.pdf