HERKIMER-FULTON-HAMILTON-OTSEGO (HFHO) BOCES DIGNITY FOR ALL STUDENTS ACT (DASA) PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY

HFHO BOCES recognizes that a safe and supportive learning environment is essential for promoting student attendance and academic achievement. Discrimination, harassment and bullying, including but not limited to taunting, intimidation, and cyber-bullying (harassment or bullying through any form of electronic communication or social media) can interfere with a student’s ability to learn and the BOCES’ ability to educate its students. Therefore, the BOCES is committed to promoting civility and creating an environment that is free of discrimination, harassment, bullying, and cyber-bullying.

HFHO BOCES prohibits any action on or off school property that creates or forseeably creates a risk of substantial disruption within the school environment, or where it is foreseeable that the conduct might reach school property. This includes all forms of discrimination, harassment, bullying, and cyber-bullying of
students by school employees or other students. The BOCES prohibits all forms of discrimination, harassment, bullying, or cyber-bullying based on actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion or religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender or sex.

Students who fail to act in a respectful, dignified, and civil manner toward others while on school property or at a school sponsored function, may be subject to disciplinary action, including a referral, detention, in-school suspension, short term out-of-school suspension, or long term out-of-school suspension. These consequences may also apply to students who engage in discrimination, harassment, bullying, or cyber-bullying off school property when the behavior creates or forseeably creates a risk of substantial disruption within the school environment, or where it is foreseeable that the conduct might reach school property.

The BOCES will investigate and document every reported incident of discrimination, harassment, bullying, or cyber-bullying. Students, parents, school employees, or concerned community members may report incidents. Dignity Act Coordinators will interview alleged victims, witnesses, and other relevant individuals. Disciplinary consequences will be assigned as appropriate according to the Code of Conduct.