The Dignity Act
In 2012, New York State leaders implemented the Dignity for All Students Act (The Dignity Act), which reads:
It is hereby declared to be a policy of the State to afford all students in public schools an environment free of discrimination and harassment. The purpose of this article is to foster civility in public schools and to prevent and prohibit conduct which is inconsistent with the school’s educational mission. No student shall be subjected to harassment by school employees or students on school property or at a school function; nor shall any student be subjected to discrimination based on a person’s actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender or sex.
The Ithaca City School District is committed to creating safe and caring learning environments where ALL students can succeed.
Dignity Act Coordinators
ICSD Dignity Act Protocol
Step 1: Student, staff member, or caregiver experiences, witnesses, or hears about bullying, harassment, discrimination, or hazing.
Step 2: If immediate help is needed AND if there is a safety issue, all witnesses or students subjected to harm find a staff person. Individuals alleged to have violated The Dignity Act are separated and intervention occurs to ensure safety.
Step 3: The Dignity Act Reporting Form is helpful to catalog the details of the event and should be completed by a student, staff member, or caregiver in a timely manner. Copies should be immediately provided to the appropriate Dignity Act Coordinator (see above).
Step 4: The Dignity Act Coordinator or their designee begins an investigation and resolution process of the complaint in accordance with Board Policy 0115-R: Student Harassment and Bullying Prevention and Intervention.
Step 5: Caregivers are notified (notification may occur earlier depending on the situation). If an investigation deems that the event occurred, every attempt is made to permanently stop the bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, discrimination, or hazing as outlined in the Code of Conduct, which may include education, restorative practices, remediation, and/or consequences.
Step 6: Consequences to the individual who has violated The Dignity Act cannot be shared with the target without express written consent from them and their caregivers.