1. Syracuse City School District Dignity for All Students Act Training
Building level presentation for faculty and staff
Shirelle Dowdell and Craig Heckman

2. Dignity for All Students Act – General Requirements
May include off campus conduct if it materially affects school environment
DASA is about the treatment of students by other students or by staff/faculty
Dignity for All Students Act – General Requirements
No student shall be subjected to harassment by employees or students on school property or at a school function
School property includes buildings, playgrounds, athletic fields, and school buses
School functions include school-sponsored extra-curricular events or activities
Employees must receive training

3. Respect is a learned behavior
Prevention starts before an incident occurs
Establish a collaborative partnership with persons in parental relationship to support a unified message against bullying, harassment, intimidation, and discrimination
Establish a responsive classroom environment
Establish an environment of trust
Practice de-escalation techniques
Communicate with students about their role in prevention and intervention
Be a role model by treating all students and colleagues respectfully
Demonstrate appropriate boundaries and positive relationships
Teach a respect for inclusion of differences
Make personal connections with students
Include skills to practice respect in daily activities
Teach problem solving and positive relationship skills
Read and learn about tolerance and acceptance

4. Reporting is not tattling
Create supportive classrooms and classroom rules, and encourage a culture of respect for differences among students
Reporting is not tattling
Actions to intervene inspire a likelihood of others to intervene
No teasing allowed
Gossip is not cool
Everyone is welcome here
We treat everyone equally

5. School Personnel Responsibility
Discuss with students the school procedures and forms that may be used for reporting incidents to the Dignity Act Coordinator
Listen to student complaints & reports of harassment, discrimination, and bullying
Take the student’s complaints & reports seriously
School personnel must notify an administrator within one day of the report
Follow up on what you can do to aid in the investigation
Check to ensure that needs for counseling, mediation, or conflict resolution have been assessed and addressed
All students should feel safe and supported in all classrooms

6. At What Point is it Bullying/ Harassment?
A single act of teasing or name-calling likely is not “harassment”
However, name-calling or teasing which is particularly vicious or persistent may constitute harassment, and should result in more serious consequences such as formal discipline

7. Staff-Student Bullying/Harassment
Staff can be guilty of bullying or harassment
Offensive comments
Name-calling (beware of nicknames)
Inappropriate jokes
Talking about a student behind his/her back to other students
Excessive or unequal discipline

8. Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is defined in DASA as any harassment or bullying that occurs through any form of electronic communication
Social media sites
Text messaging
Blogs

9. Reporting Incidents
All employees have obligation to report any harassment or bullying by one student against another student, including, through social media sites
Minor incidents should be dealt with immediately at the classroom level
Serious incidents or recurring incidents should be reported to the Dignity Act Coordinator
You must complete a Student Harassment Form
DASA Complaint Form available on SCSD website

10. What must be reported?
Any serious complaint by students that they are victims of harassment or bullying
Repeated conduct towards a student occuring over a period of time that appears to be negatively targeting that student or is detrimental to the student, regardless of whether the student complains
Any conduct against a student that causes you to have concern regarding the student’s physical or emotional wellbeing “

11. What happens after a complaint is filed?
DASA coordinator
Reviews complaint to determine if DASA investigation is warranted
Investigates allegations
Makes recommendations
Principal
Reviews recommendations; takes appropriate action
An investigation may include requests for written statements, interviewing witnesses, gathering documents, etc.

12. Confidentiality Concerns
Employees and administrators should only share DASA information with other school employees who need to know that information
DASA complaints should not be discussed with students or parents
Refer questions to Principal or DASA Coordinator

13. Questions?