Dignity for All Students Act

New York State’s Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) 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. 

DASA defines harassment as “creation of a hostile environment by conduct or by verbal threats, intimidation or abuse that has or would have the effect of unreasonably and substantially interfering with a student’s educational performance, opportunities or benefits, or mental, emotional or physical well-being.” 

Onteora is firmly committed to upholding the tenets of DASA, and the Board of Education approved the following Dignity for All Students Act coordinators:

Onteora High School                                                         Onteora Middle School                                                        
Dieter Schimmelpfennig, Vice Principal                          James DiDonna, Principal
845-657-2373 ext. 2110                                                    845-657-2373 ext. 2210
E-mail: dschimmelpfennig@onteora.k12.ny.us               E-mail: jdidonna@onteora.k12.ny.us

Bennett Elementary
Gabriel Buono, Principal
845-657-2354
E-mail: gbuono@oteora.k12.ny.us

Woodstock Elementary
Scott Richards, Principal
845-679-2316
 E-mail: srichards@onteora.k12.ny.us

The DASA legislation also amends section 801-a of New York State Education Law regarding instruction in civility, citizenship, and character education by expanding the concepts of tolerance, respect for others and dignity to include: an awareness and sensitivity in the relations of people, including but not limited to, different races, weights, national origins, ethnic groups, religions, religious practices, mental or physical abilities, sexual orientations, gender identity, and sexes. 

To learn more about DASA, visit the New York State Education Department website.