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Hutchinson Central Technical High School Dignity for All Students Act (DASA)

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Welcome to Hutch Tech’s Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) reporting site. Please feel confident that each report submitted will receive the attention it deserves by the entire Hutch Tech Administrative team. We take BULLYING and its demoralizing effects on our students’ seriously. This site was constructed by school personnel in the hopes of providing an avenue for students and their families to make school administration aware of any acts of bullying that take place on school grounds and/or during school sanctioned events. The Dignity For All Students Act was passed by the New York State Legislature on September 13, 2010 and required that the act be fully implemented by each district by July 1, 2013. The law required that school districts and their buildings provide each student with a safe and supportive environment free from discrimination, intimidations, taunting, harassment, and bullying on school property, a school bus, and/or at a school function. At Hutch Tech, we are committed to the principles and objectives outlined in this law. What is bullying? As defined by the Dignity For All Students Act, bullying is an “unwanted, aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time”. It goes without question that students who feel unsafe and/or uncomfortable while at school are more likely to find it difficult to learn, feel isolated from the school community, and fail to reach their academic potential. It is for this very reason that we have created this site to help eliminate bully like behavior in our school.

Examples of bullying include, but not limited to:

• Verbal: Name calling, teasing, inappropriate sexual comments, taunting, and threatening to cause harm.

• Social: Spreading rumors about someone, excluding others on purpose, telling other students not to be friends with someone, and embarrassing someone in public.

• Physical: Hitting, punching, shoving, kicking, pinching, spitting, tripping, pushing, and taking or breaking someone’s things.
   

To report an incident, please complete the HT Bullying-Harassment Form located on the left side of this page.

REPORTING (obligation of all school personnel)

• It is the obligation of anyone who witnesses an act of harassment at school to report the act to an Administrator or the DASA Coordinator.

• Reports may be made by any member of the school community (student, parent, teacher, aide, monitor, volunteer, staff member, etc.)

• Reports may be made verbally to a student’s teacher, administrator, or school personnel.

• Reports may be submitted in writing, including electronically, anonymously or by identifying party.

• All reports will be investigated.

• Reporting system will be made known to all school constituents.

• Forms will be available on the school website, in the front office, the Counseling Suite and in the office of the DASA Coordinator.

• Written reports will be submitted to the mailbox of the DASA Coordinator.

• Reports will be reviewed by the DASA Coordinator and Student Support Team within 24 hours of receipt (one school day).

INVESTIGATION PROCEDURE

The goal is to end bullying, harassment and intimidation, prevent future incidents, ensure the safety of the student(s) targeted and obtain prompt, equitable resolution to a complaint.

• Whenever a complaint of bullying is received, whether verbal or written, it will be subject to a preliminary review and investigation.

• The DASA Coordinator shall make all reasonable efforts to resolve complaints informally.

• The investigation process will be started and assigned by DASA Coordinator.

• Targeted student(s) (victim) will be interviewed by trained personnel (Administrator, School Counselor, Student Support Staff) using the Hutch Tech Interview Form.

• Accused student(s) (bully) and witnesses will be interviewed by an Administrator or Student Support Staff member using the Hutch Tech Interview Form.

• The forms will be submitted to the DASA Coordinator.

Follow-Up

• The DASA Coordinator will determine as to whether the complainant needs any accommodations to ensure his/her safety.

• The DASA Coordinator will review all reports.

• The Tech Resolution Form will be completed by the DASA Coordinator and signed by all parties involved, indicating the investigation has taken place.

• The DASA Coordinator will report back to all parties the outcome of the investigation and the action taken to resolve the complaint.

• The DASA Coordinator will impose and document consequences, if charged, on the Hutch Tech Resolution Form.

• In some cases a parent conference will be held.

• All plans of support for the bully or victim(s) will be documented on the HutchTech Resolution Form.

• The situation will be informally followed-up a few weeks after the resolution.

• A report will be appropriately documented as per New York State Education requirements.

CONSEQUENCES

Appropriate consequences may range from a warning to expulsion from school. Listed below are some consequences that may be imposed.

• Parent conference

• Mediation

• Referral to Student Support Team

• Referral to Counseling Department

• Detention

• Referral to School Resource Officer (police)

• In-school suspension

• Out-of-school suspension

• Immediate due process and/or expulsion from school