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Schools

Port Chester Schools Adopt Anti-Bullying Policy

Anti-bullying programs will be created to stay within the Dignity for All Students Act.

The Board of Education of the Port Chester-Rye Union Free School District have adopted a Student Bullying Prevention and Intervention policy in accordance with the new law.

“This particular policy will be a living document,” said School Board President James Dreves. “As we learn more about what student bullying is and what we have to do and what the time frame is, we may very well adjust this. We are following the guidelines and I think we’ve done a very good job putting together this particular regulation.”

Director of Health and Safety Joseph Durney has taken the lead on adopting an anti-bullying program and conforming with the state's Dignity Act. Durney has attended full-day training sessions on the anti-bullying program with other members of the administration and has been advising principals and other members of the leadership team.

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“We reviewed, revised and [the Board] adopted a new board policy that is in alignment with the Dignity Act,” said Durney. “We based it primarily on New York State School Board’s sample policy. It was reviewed and some changes were made.”

“A lot of hard work went into this and a lot of hard work will be involved as we continue to make sure that bullying is not a part of Port Chester. We assure you that will not be the case,” said Dreves.

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New York State signed the Dignity for All Students Act into law on Sept.  13, 2010 and the law took effect on July 1 of this summer. The Dignity Act seeks to provide students with a safe and supportive environment in the State’s public elementary and secondary schools.

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