A student’s ability to learn and to meet high academic standards and a school's ability to educate its students is compromised by incidents of discrimination or harassment, including bullying, taunting, or intimidation. The Dignity Act makes it the official policy of New York State that all students in public schools have the right to an education free of discrimination and harassment.
The Dignity for All Students Act includes, but is not limited to, acts of discrimination and harassment based on a student’s race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender (defined to include gender identity or expression), or sex.
The Dignity for All Students Act defines material incidents of harassment as a single incident or a series of related incidents where a student is subjected to harassment and/or discrimination by a student or school employee on school property or at a school function that creates a hostile environment by conduct, with or without physical contact and/or by verbal threats, intimidation or abuse, of such a severe or pervasive nature that:
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has or would have the effect of unreasonably interfering with a student’s educational performance, opportunities or benefits, or mental, emotional and/or physical well-being; or
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reasonably causes or would reasonably be expected to cause a student to fear for his or her physical safety.
BCSD's Dignity Act Coordinators
In compliance with New York State Education Law, at least one staff member at every school must be thoroughly trained in human relations in the areas of race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender (which includes a person’s actual or perceived sex, and gender identity and expression), and sex. This staff member should be referred to as the Dignity Act Coordinator (DAC).
If you have been the target of such behaviors listed above or know someone who has, we encourage you to speak to a teacher, principal, or school employee.
The following employees have been appointed as Dignity Act Coordinators and are available to help you.
Batavia High School
Greg Ciszak, School Counselor
gciszak@bataviacsd.org
585-343-2480 ext. 2002
Batavia Middle School
Sheri Crossett, School Counselor
scrossett@bataviacsd.org
585-343-2480 ext. 3000
John Kennedy Intermediate
Eric Knapp, School Counselor
erknapp@bataviacsd.org
585-343-2480 ext. 5008
Jackson Primary / Robert Morris
Carina Bamann, School Counselor
cebamann@bataviacsd.org
585-343-2480 ext. 4006
To report an incident of bullying as outlined above, please use the secure form below. This form can be filled out by any person concerned about bullying or harassment.
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