The New York State Dignity For All Students Act (Dignity Act) was signed into law on September 13, 2010. This legislation amended State Education Law by creating a new Article 2 – Dignity for All Students.

• The Dignity Act states that NO student shall be subjected to harassment or discrimination by employees or students on school property or at a school function based on their actual or perceivedrace, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexualorientation, gender, or sex.
• The Dignity Act amended 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.
• The Dignity Act also amended Section 2801 of the Education Law, instructing Boards of Education toinclude language in the codes of conduct to comply with the Dignity Act.

Cato-Meridian has appointed three DASA coordinators, one at each building level. Please contact any of the DASA coordinators if you have a specific question about an issue related to students’ mistreatment on behalf of another student or staff member.

DASA Coordinators:   

Jennifer Sabatino
Elementary School 
315-626-3439, Extension 2822

Robert Wren

Junior-Senior High School

315-626-3439, Extension 3806

DASA Administrative Liaison:

Tyler Baker, Elementary Assistant Principal/Social-Emotional Coordinator
315-626-3439, Extension 1807