Students Learn about the Dignity Act

At the start of school all students learned about the new Dignity Act which calls for a zero tolerance of bullying behavior in school.  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, includes but is not limited to, acts of discrimination and harassment based on students' race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practices, disability, sexual orientation, gender/gender identity, or sex.

Harassment means the creation of a hostile environment by conduct or by verbal threats, intimidation, or abuse that has or would have the effect of interfering with a student’s educational performance, opportunities or benefits, or mental, emotional, or physical well-being or causes a student to fear for his or her physical safety. DMS is committed to providing a safe and comfortable environment where all students can receive an education free from the distractions of bullying and/or harassment.

On the first day of school all students in grades 4-8 participated in a group activity to create pieces of a video that we will submit in the Stop Bullying Video Challenge.  At each grade level groups of students worked to create posters, scripts, brochures, background music, and a RAP to use for this video and within our school to promote the Dignity Act and our commitment to Stop Bullying.  Students also designed a promo item that we will purchase for all school members to be worn as a constant reminder.


Help us STOP BULLYING!