Dignity for All Students Act (The Dignity Act) Developed for the employees of Monroe #1 BOCES

Training Objectives 1. Review The Dignity Act 2. Raise awareness and understanding of the BOCES Code of Conduct and potential acts of harassment or discrimination 3. Enable employees to prevent and respond to incidents of harassment and discrimination

The Dignity Act …seeks to provide a safe environment free of harassment or discrimination based on a person’s: Actual or perceived race Color Weight (size) National origin Ethnic group Religion Religious practice Disability Sexual orientation Gender identity Sex

Goal of the Dignity Act No student shall be subjected to harassment, discrimination, or bullying by employees or students The goal of the Dignity Act is to provide New York’s public elementary and secondary school students with a safe and supportive environment free from discrimination, intimidation, taunting, harassment, and bullying, on school property, on a school bus, or at a school function – by other students or school employees.

Definitions Building a common language… Harassment Bullying Drama Conflict Cyber Bullying

Harassment The creation of a hostile environment by verbal threats, intimidation or abuse that causes or would reasonably be expected to cause: Physical Harm Fear For One’s Safety Emotional Harm

Bullying… …harassment where there is an imbalance of power and is, or has the potential to be, repeated. Harassment & Bullying

Conflict/Drama/Harassment The purposeful creation of a hostile environment by verbal threats, intimidation or abuse… Harassment A social interaction characterized by overreaction and excessive emotionality Drama Oppositional interactions or disagreements where power is not used to exploit Conflict

Types of Harassing Behaviors Physical Hitting, punching, tripping Kicking, pushing, scratching Damaging, stealing property Social/Emotional/Relational Excluding or threatening to exclude Spreading rumors Discriminatory behavior Using threatening looks or gestures Extortion

Cyber Bullying Using technology with the intent to intimidate, harass, threaten, embarrass or otherwise cause harm Via cell phone, computer (text messages, pics, online) or other device Aggression/Abuse Goto video

Cyber Bullying Facts 1/3 of teenagers cyber bullied Girls experience it more than boys More likely to cyber bully if they believe adults and bystanders will not intervene… Often those who are victims then victimize. Remember parents cannot see the signs often It is like the “lord of the files”. You wouldn’t let a 10 year old run around the house with a sharp knife. It is a powerful tool that could hurt them. Myspace research:

Education: Teaching Online Civility Educate: Just as we do with interpersonal skills, teach students to use technology safely, responsibly, and ethically P4: Pause and Ponder Prior to Posting! Miranda Warning! P4

Understanding Diversity How does diversity influence relationships? How do relationships influence learning?

Youth Voice Project, 2010-Stan Davis and Charisse Nixon.

Impact Lonely Low self-esteem Afraid and intimidated Lower grades Anxious Depressed Humiliated

Prevention is primary Teaching students life skills: Model the behaviors we want the students to exhibit. Are we doing this now, and how can we do it better? Recognizing and managing emotions Developing caring and concern for others Establishing positive relationships Making responsible decisions Problem solving Handling challenging situations Behaving ETHICALLY and RESPECTFULLY *Are we doing this now, and how can we do it better?

Reporting The law requires you to: Report harassing, bullying or discrimination of a student within 24 hours to the student’s program administrator or DAC. Submit a written report to program administrator or DAC within 2 working days.

Reporting Links to forms may be found at www.monroe.edu Support a culture for reporting by students

www.monroe.edu/dignity

Students feel supported when adults: Youth Voice Research Project Top three adult actions reported by youth as helpful: Listened to me Gave me advice Checked in with me after to see if harassing behavior stopped Remember that kids often do not report harassment and bullying because they think adults will make it worse (we need to build trust).

Other Ways to Intervene Immediately stop the harassment, or report to someone who can; take appropriate immediate actions to provide for safety. Refer to the harassing behavior and the school rules against harassment. Support the target.

Goal Improved School Climate through: Prevention Reporting Response