DASA and Anti-Bullying Information and Resources

New York State’s Dignity for All Students Act (The Dignity Act) seeks to provide the State’s public elementary and secondary school students with a safe and supportive environment free from discrimination, intimidation, taunting, harassment, and bullying on school property, a school bus and/or at a school function.

The Dignity Act was signed into law on September 13, 2010 and took effect on July 1, 2012. Amendments to the act are effective as of July 1, 2013 and are noted below under ***DIGNITY ACT NEWS***.

The original legislation amended State Education Law by creating a new Article 2 – Dignity for All Students.  The Dignity Act also amended Section 801-a of New York State Education Law regarding instruction in civility, citizenship, and character education by expanding the concepts of tolerance, respect for others and dignity to include: an awareness and sensitivity in the relations of people, including but not limited to, different races, weights, national origins, ethnic groups, religions, religious practices, mental or physical abilities, sexual orientations, gender identity, and sexes. The Dignity Act further amended Section 2801 of the Education Law by requiring Boards of Education to include language addressing The Dignity Act in their codes of conduct.

Additionally, under the Dignity Act, schools will be responsible for collecting and reporting data regarding material incidents of discrimination, harassment, and bullying.

NYSED Dignity Act Website

Mr. Philip Pressoir

Dean of Students, New Dawn Charter High School II

For more information please e-mail ppressoir@ndchsqueens.org

If necessary, the DASA Incident Reporting form can be accessed on this page. 

New Dawn Charter High School is committed to providing a safe environment to all members of our community.
Despite our best intentions, incidents between students do occur at times. If you wish to report an incident, complete this form and return it to the building Dignity Act Coordinator. Feel free to contact the Dignity Act Coordinator for
additional information or assistance at any time. This form can be completed anonymously by omitting the signature and name. Every reported act of bullying will be investigated. Parents of targets and aggressors will be contacted in cases of confirmed bullying.

Bullying (defined): “Bullying” is a form of harassment that consists of inappropriate and often persistent behavior including threats or intimidation of others, treating others cruelly, terrorizing, coercing, or habitual put-downs and or badgering of others. Bullying occurs when someone purposely says or does mean or hurtful things to another person who has a hard time defending oneself or is in an otherwise vulnerable position.

All complaints will be treated in a confidential manner. Anonymous complaints may limit the school's ability to respond to the complaint. A prompt and thorough investigation will be conducted for all incident reports.