Dignity for All Students - DASA
Reporting and Investigation:
Why Reporting Matters: Bullying can’t be effectively addressed unless incidents are reported. As students, parents, school employees or other observers, we all play a crucial role in creating a safe environment. If you witness bullying behavior or know a child has been bullied, harassed or discriminated against, please follow these steps:
- Verbal or Written Complaint (Students, Parents, Community Members): Reach out to any school personnel (teachers, administrators, etc.) with a verbal or written complaint.
- Verbal or Written Complaint (School Employees): Timely Reporting: In accordance with State law, school personnel have a duty to report any incidents they observe or become aware of. Within one school day, employees must refer the information to the appropriate district staff for investigation. The district reporting form should be filled out within two school days.
- No Silence Allowed: Even if the target doesn’t complain, failure to report observed incidents or incidents that employees have been made aware of, may be considered unlawful discrimination or harassment.
- Reportable Incidents: School personnel are required to report their awareness of student-to-student and staff-to-student incidents.
- Seek Guidance: If you’re unsure about the reporting process, don’t hesitate to ask your supervisor or Dignity Act Coordinator for guidance.
- Dignity Act Coordinators:
Matthew Berry
Sara Simon-Shult
Investigation and Accountability:
All complaints will be documented and investigated according to regulations and procedures.
The building principal will provide a quarterly report to the Superintendent based on complaints filed.
If you disagree with the investigation results, you can appeal to the Superintendent of Schools or the Board of Education.
Reporting Crimes:
If bullying, harassment, or discrimination constitutes a crime, the Building Principal or DASA Coordinator will promptly report it to law enforcement.
The Superintendent of Schools will also be notified within one day.
Statewide Reporting:
Verified bullying incidents meeting state criteria will be included in the statewide reporting system. Data collection is part of the School Safety and the Educational Climate (SSEC) annual reporting.
The Board will review annual reports relevant to bullying and school climate, considering potential policy modifications and additional training.
Designation and Role of Dignity Act Coordinator (“DAC”):
The Board of Education will annually designate at its organizational meeting at least one staff member for each building, who has been trained in human relations in the areas of race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity and expression), and sex. In addition, the Board shall appoint a district-wide coordinator. The Dignity Act Coordinator (“DAC”) is accountable for implementation of this policy and for coordinating and enforcing this policy.
Prevention:
Cooperation with and respect for others is a key District value. Prevention programs in our district aim to reduce bullying and improve students’ relationships by integrating prevention strategies into classroom instruction.
To this end, the District has established a Positive School Environment Team (“PSET”) for each District school building. The PSET will consist of one (1) team teacher leader; two (2) teachers; one (1) psychologist and/or counselor; one (1) clerical staff member (a member of the CSEA bargaining Unit); and two (2) parents. The members of the PSET will be listed on the District’s website.
The PSET will collaborate with the Dignity Act Coordinator to identifying social patterns of harassment, bullying and discrimination and for developing programs and initiatives aimed at increasing awareness and sensitivity and helping employees prevent and respond to harassment, bullying and/or discrimination.
Intervention:
Adults and bystanders play a crucial role in preventing problems early on. When they notice bullying or harassment, they can step in to help. This intervention focuses on education, skill-building, and sometimes remediation. Remedial actions aim to correct the behavior, prevent it from happening again, and protect the person being targeted. Remediation can be directed at the individuals involved or at the whole school or district.
Additionally, the intervention prioritizes the safety of the person being bullied. School staff should either refer the student to appropriate resources or intervene according to the school’s policy. The Dignity Act Coordinators will be listed on the school district’s website
Training:
All employees must receive mandatory annual training on the Dignity for All Student’s Act. Training will be reflected in the District’s annual professional development plan, new teacher orientation, and will be considered in the budget process. Student should receive annual training on the identification and reporting of bullying, harassment, discrimination and cyberbullying. Also, students must receive training on the safe and effective use of electronic devices.
The DAC, administrative employees and other staff, such as school counselors, social workers, and school psychologists who have specific responsibilities for investigating and/or resolving complaints of bullying, shall receive training to support implementation of this policy, regulation and on related legal developments.
Confidentiality:
Our school district respects everyone’s privacy, especially when it comes to harassment. We try not to share complaint details, or the names of people involved with anyone who doesn’t need to know. But sometimes, we must reveal this information to make sure things are handled fairly and promptly. The person in charge of investigating complaints will talk to everyone about privacy rules.
Your statement is very important to our investigation of alleged student bullying, discrimination and/or harassment. All efforts will be made to keep the information you provide confidential. Retaliation or threats of retaliation against any person involved in an investigation of harassment, discrimination, or bullying is a violation of the law. If you believe you are subject to such action as a result of your cooperation with this investigation, please contact the Dignity Act Coordinator.