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Code of Conduct, DASA And Safety

DASA FORM

 

DIGNITY FOR ALL STUDENTS ACT (DASA) 

All students have the right to go to a school that is safe, welcoming and comfortable. 

The biggest characteristic that needs to be demonstrated at Newfane High School is that of dignity…to ourselves and to others. On July 1st , 2012 the Dignity for All Students Act went into effect across our state. The Act is designed to make sure that all students feel safe within school and at all school functions. 

Here are the basics on what the Act means: 

Goal of the Act

Create a safe and supportive school climate where students can learn and focus, rather than being discriminated against or harassed with words or actions by other students or school personnel. 

 

Who is protected?

All students in public schools in NYS are protected. 

 

What does it prohibit?

The Dignity For All Students Act prohibits harassment and discrimination of students by other students and school personnel. The Act includes cyberbullying and makes it a school issue if the cyberbullying disrupts a student’s ability to learn. Cyberbullying is defined as the use of the Internet and related technologies to harm other people, in a deliberate, repeated, and hostile manner. In serious cases, school administrators are obligated to contact law enforcement. 

 

Where does it apply?

To any behavior on school property, in school buildings, on school transportation and at any school sponsored activity. According to the New York State Education Department, students may also be disciplined for conduct that occurs outside of the school that may endanger the health or safety of pupils within the educational system or adversely affect the educational process. 

 

So what does this mean to us? 

We need to be more careful about how we talk, text, post and behave around each other. We need to realize that treating others poorly may negatively impact the lives of those targeted, and we have no right to take away any student’s right to be free from discrimination or harassment. Some key thoughts follow: 

 

Tolerance—we must accept differences among other people 

Sensitivity—we must understand that our words and actions can offend and hurt others 

Respect for others—we must always show that all students have the right to learn and feel welcome and safe at school. 

 

What follows is a list to help us understand that showing dignity means treating people with all sorts of different characteristics with respect. We have known this before, but now it is a New York State law that we must never treat students inappropriately because of any of the following:

Race

Weight

National Origin

Ethic group

Religion or Religion practices

Mental abililties

Physical abilities

Sexual orientaton

Gender identity or expression gender

Religion practices

 

The Challenge 

Basically, this act is a long way of getting to the idea expressed most simply in The Golden Rule: treat others as you would like to be treated. Don’t treat another student poorly because of how they look, act, who their friends are, or because of the color of their skin, religion or where they came from. Never use physical actions or words in any way to disrespect others and take away their freedom to learn and feel safe in our school. 

 

What to do If you or someone you know is being discriminated against or harassed, take action. You can help. Talk to someone. What to do if you or someone you know is being discriminated against or harassed, take action. You can help. Talk to someone. 

 

At school, you can talk to any of our staff members, including the DASA coordinator who may be the principal or assistant principal (listed below), the SRO, the counselors, teachers, or the school psychologists. You may also complete a Dignity Report Form below and send that directly to your school's DASA coordinator.  You may email it or drop the form off at the school’s main office. 


The DASA Coordinators for the Newfane Central School District are as follows: 

High School
Molly Sheldon, Assistant Principal
Middle School
Dan Bedette, Interim Admin
Elementary School
Thomas Lyons, Principal
Early Childhood Center
Carrie Miller, Principal

 

 

 

 

 

Safety

  • Every student deserves a safe and orderly school, an educational environment where they feel welcome and supported. In accordance with New York State’s Safe Schools Against Violence in Education (SAVE) Legislation, Newfane's district-wide school safety plan identifies specific safety and security programs that focus on prevention, intervention and crisis response.  This district-wide plan is available for review at the district office.

    Building-based emergency response plans are in place at all Newfane schools detailing how to respond to emergencies that could affect the health and safety of children. These plans reflect the protocols defined in the district-wide plan.  Each school has designated staff members who have been trained to respond in emergency situations.

    During an emergency, every possible step will be taken to ensure student safety.  If a crisis occurs during school hours, we are prepared to keep your children secure and safe at school should a situation arise that prevents or postpones dismissal (e.g. weather emergency; biological or chemical incident). Our schools, government officials and first responder agencies will make every effort to provide a steady, reliable flow of information, using the mass media and every means possible (e.g. telephone, e-mail, website). 

    Please be sure the school has current phone numbers to reach you or your designee. If you have questions about your child’s school, please contact your principal.

    District-Wide Safety Plan

  • According to the Children's Internet Protection Act, all school districts are required to address Internet Safety instruction within our student's curriculum instruction.  Our district would like to extend this awareness of Internet Safety by also addressing the more global issues of Digital Citizenship and parent involvement in our students' digital lives.

    Below, you will find online resources that we have identified that correspond to the same topics of Digital Citizenship your children will be exploring throughout their Kindergarten to Grade 12 school career.

    These resources are not intended to be legal advice nor are they all inclusive.  We as a school district are not the experts regarding the continually changing digital landscape. We will continue our study of advice and guidance that is provided to our students.  At any time, if you have a resource you have found to be excellent, please contact your child's school.

  • Parents’ Bill of Rights for Data Privacy and Security

Code of Conduct

The Newfane Central School District is committed to providing a safe and orderly school environment where students may receive and district personnel may deliver quality educational services without disruption or interference. Responsible behavior by students, teachers, other District personnel, parents, and other visitors is essential to achieving this goal.

The Code of Conduct is reviewed annually by the Board of Education. The updated Code of Conduct is available below as a PDF: