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Safe Schools & DASA

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. If you feel your child is not learning in an environment free of these behaviors, please fill out the DASA Reporting Form and return to the Dignity Act Coordinator at your student's school.

Dignity for All Students Act Reporting Form (online)

Dignity for All Students Act Reporting Form (printable)

District Safety Plan

This District-wide safety plan has been developed to comply with the mandates of the Safe Schools Against Violence in Education Act (“Project SAVE”) and the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education at 8 NYCRR Section 155.17(e)(1). The Board of Education appointed a District-wide School Safety Committee, comprised of representatives of the administrators, faculty, staff, parents, and school safety personnel to develop the plan. It is a general overview of the Building-level Emergency Response Plan (ERP) which is in place to guide staff and students of the North Rose Wolcott Central School District when responding to an emergency. It also sets forth the required drills to keep staff and students familiar with the standard response procedures.

Dignity for All Students

New York State's Dignity for All Students 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.  DASA specifically provides  that "no student shall be subjected to harassment or bullying by 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 (including gender identity or expression), or sex by school employees or students on school property (which includes the bus), or at a school function.

 
The North Rose-Wolcott Central School District is committed to providing all of our students a safe and comfortable learning environment that respects the dignity of all. Our schools are continuing the implementation of a K-12 Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) approach. PBIS, or "Cougar Pride" as we call it at NRW, enables school staff to utilize data to monitor and intervene to reduce challenging behavior. The approach also helps staff to recognize and acknowledge students’ positive behavior.


Bullying:

  • Bullying is described as an unwanted, aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. This behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time.
  • Bullying can occur before and after school hours, in a school building, on a playground, on a school bus while a student is traveling to and from school or on the internet.
  • Cyberbullying occurs when harassment or bullying happens through any form or electronic communication.

According to the United States Department of Education, bullying generally involves the following characteristics:

  • An Imbalance of Power
  • The Intent to Cause Harm
  • Repitition 

The Dignity for all Students Act ensures each school in New York State has a plan to both prevent and respond to harassment/bullying. The North Rose-Wolcott Central Schools have updated school protocols and response systems to ensure a safe environment for all students, staff, parents and community members where students are ready to learn.


We recognize that despite our best efforts, students and parents may need additional assistance to respond to bullying/harassment. To ensure a quick response to parent and student concerns, the district has developed a reporting process. 


Each school has identified a building coordinator to better support students and family members. If you have any questions and/or concerns please contact your Building coordinator, the District Coordinator or our SRO.

Reporting Process

Students, please take the following steps:

  • Talk to any staff member for assistance.
  • Talk to assistant principal or principal.
  • Talk to school resource officer.

Parents, please take the following steps in order:

  • Contact your child's teacher or school counselor.
  • Contact the assistant principal or principal (if the situation is not resolved).
  • Contact the school resource official (if the situation is not resolved).
  • Contact the superintendent.

Resources

Contact Us

Megan Paliotti
NRW District Dignity Act Coordinator

Benjamin Stopka
NRWES Dignity Act Building Coordinator

Scott Hassall
NRWMS Dignity Act Building Coordinator

Lisa Visalli
NRWHS Dignity Act Building Coordinator