Dignity For All Students Act (Plain Language)

The Board of Education recognizes that learning environments that are safe and supportive can increase student attendance and improve academic achievement. A student's ability to learn and achieve high academic standards, and a school's ability to educate students, is compromised by incidents of discrimination or harassment, including but not limited to bullying, taunting and intimidation. The District continues to focus on creating an environment free of discrimination and harassment and one that foster civility in the schools to prevent and prohibit conduct which is inconsistent with the District's educational mission.

The District condemns and prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment of students based on actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender or sex by school employees or students on school property and at school-sponsored activities and events that take place at locations off school property. In addition any act of discrimination or harassment outside of school sponsored events, which can reasonably be expected to materially and substantially disrupt the education process may be subject to discipline.

Definitions and clarification of different offenses

Harassment

Harassment is the creation of a hostile environment by conduct or by verbal threats, intimidation or abuse that has or would have the effect of unreasonably and substantially interfering with a student's educational performance, opportunities or benefits, or mental, emotional or physical well-being; or conduct, verbal threats, intimidation or abuse that reasonably causes or would reasonably be expected to cause a student to fear for his or her physical safety.

Bullying

Bullying is an unwanted aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. In addition, the offender intends to cause harm.   

Hazing

Hazing is intentionally or recklessly engaging in conduct during the course of another person's initiation into or affiliation with any organization, which creates a substantial risk of physical injury to such other person or a third person and thereby causes such injury.

Discrimination

Discrimination is a form of denial of admission into or exclusion on the basis of race, disability, color, sex, weight, sexual orientation, national origin, gender (which includes a person’s actual or perceived sex, as well as gender identity and expression), ethnic group, religion, religious practice.

Reporting procedure

Please report any concerns within 24 hours to Building Administrators and/or Dignity for All Students Coordinators.

Contact information

Administrators:

Elementary School: Christine Taylor (315) 946-2200 Ext: 3501

MS/HS: Katrina Henderson (315) 946-2200 Ext: 2204

Dignity for All Student Coordinators:

Elementary School: Jill Norris: (315) 946-2200 Ext: 3228 and Amy Buel: (315) 946-2200 Ext: 3263                                

MS/HS: Cristi Kuhn:  (315) 946-2200 Ext: 2114 and Jesse Strazzabosco: (315) 946-2200 Ext: 2209

District: Libarid Alexanian: (315) 946-2200 Ext: 6111