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DASA Information for Parents and Students

Welcome to the West Babylon Dignity For All Students Act (DASA) Information Page for Parents and Students
 

A group of students stand behind a table at an event, smiling at the camera.

 

The West Babylon School District is deeply committed to providing a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environment for every student. Our commitment is founded on the principles of the New York State Dignity For All Students Act (DASA), which strictly prohibits harassment, bullying, and discrimination on school property and at school functions.

This page is designed to inform our community—parents and students alike—about DASA, clarify what constitutes bullying and cyberbullying, and outline the vital steps to take if you or your child experiences or witnesses these behaviors.

Understanding the difference between conflict and bullying is key to ensuring a respectful school community. Please review the information below to learn more about our definitions, examples, and the critical reporting process we have in place to uphold the dignity of all students.

  • Bullying happens when someone hurts or scares another person on purpose and the person being bullied has a hard time defending him or herself. Usually, bullying happens over and over. This can include:

    • Punching, shoving, and other acts that hurt people physically
    • Spreading bad rumors about people
    • Keeping certain people out of a "group"
    • Teasing people in a mean way
    • Getting certain people to "gang up" on others
    • Threatening another person
    • Inappropriate comments regarding someone’s race, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practices, mental or physical abilities, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

  • Cyberbullying is when children, teens, or adults bully each other using the Internet, mobile phones or other cyber technology. This can include:

    • Sending mean text, email, or instant messages
    • Posting nasty pictures or messages about others on social media sites, in blogs or on web sites
    • Using someone else's user name to spread rumors or lies about someone

  • Typical Peer Conflict vs. Bullying:

    • Conflict, while sometimes uncomfortable, can be an opportunity for equal partners in the situation to learn how to solve problems. This will happen by both people working the problem out through healthy and positive means such as meeting with a guidance counselor or teacher.
    • Bullying is done by someone perceived to be more powerful than the target and is unwanted, negative, and meant to cause harm to the bullying target through physically or emotionally damaging means that are repeated or threatened to be repeated.

    Accidents or Misunderstandings:

    • Someone says something and did not know it would upset you, and then apologizes.
    • A person accidentally bumps into you or pushes past you, and says “sorry”.
    • A person does not agree with you, but respects your opinion.
    • A person borrows something without asking but gives it back when asked.
    • The student stops when asked and does not do it again.

    Bullying:

    • The student thinks it is fun to upset another student and does not stop when asked.
    • A student takes another student’s property to purposely upset him/her.
    • A student sends mean or inappropriate messages to another student’s phone or email.
    • The student does not stop when asked.

  • All employees of West Babylon School District are mandated reporters of the Dignity For All Students Act. If a student in being harassed or bullied/cyberbullied, please contact a staff member immediately.

    • Parent
    • Teacher
    • School Counselor
    • Social Worker
    • Administrator
    • DASA Coordinator (building based)