The Dignity Act was signed into law on September 13, 2010 and took effect on July 1, 2012.

The goal of the Dignity Act is to create a safe and supportive climate where students can learn and focus, rather than fear being discriminated against, harassed, bullied, or cyberbullied.

From the NYS Department of Education website:
https://www.nysed.gov/student-support-services/dignity-all-students-act-dasa

The Sodus Central School District seeks to create an environment free from harassment, bullying, and discrimination, to foster civility in its schools, and to prevent conduct which is inconsistent with its educational mission. The District, therefore, prohibits all forms of harassment and bullying of students by employees or other students on school property and at school functions. The District further prohibits discrimination against students, including, but not limited to, those acts based on a person's actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender, or sex by school employees or other students on school property and at school sponsored activities and events that take place at locations off school property. In addition, other acts of harassment, bullying, and/or discrimination which can reasonably be expected to materially and substantially disrupt the education process may be subject to discipline or other corrective action.

The Board of Education recognizes that learning environments that are safe and supportive can increase student attendance and improve academic achievement. A student's ability to learn and achieve high academic standards, and a school's ability to educate students, is compromised by incidents of discrimination or harassment, including but not limited to bullying, taunting, and intimidation. Therefore, in accordance with the Dignity for All Students Act, the District will strive to create an environment free of bullying, discrimination and/or harassment and will foster civility in the schools to prevent and prohibit conduct which is inconsistent with the District's educational mission.

Click on the links to our reporting form found on this page. You may print a copy of the form and return it to your school's main office or directly to one of the DASA Coordinators (listed above). There is also an option to report online via Google Form. Once submitted, the DASA Coordinators will receive an email to your report. A DASA Coordinator will review and respond to each report in context with our School Policy and Code of Conduct. Please note:

• All complaints will be treated in a confidential manner. Anonymous reports may limit the school's ability to gather sufficient information necessary to respond to the complaint.

• False reporting of incidents may result in disciplinary consequences.

• Any reports made during summer months will be addressed as the administrator is available.