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Dignity for All Students Act (DASA)

Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) took effect as law July 1, 2012. The Act prohibits harassment & discrimination of students by peers & by school personnel. It covers all public & secondary aged students & applies to behaviors on school property, in school buildings, on a school bus, as well as school-sponsored events or activities. Districts will be responsible for identifying at least 1 employee at every school to serve as the DASA coordinator. This individual must be trained thoroughly to "handle human relations" in the protected areas. All schools in the District have named 2 coordinators.

Our building DASA Coordinators:

Please contact either one of them should you have any concerns or wish to report an incident at East.

East High School prides itself on the high standards set by our students, teachers and the school community. Many of our clubs work to support these high expectations through various activities, service projects and school wide initiatives. Ongoing initiatives specifically supporting the prevention of discrimination and harassment are the Unity in Diversity Celebration, Stand Up- Stand Out Club, Youth Leadership Class, Link Crew and the “Carry the Torch” Campaign.

Unity in Diversity is an organization that promotes cultural awareness and provides students an opportunity to share and learn about many cultures represented in our building. Club members prepare and present a school wide assembly celebrating the diversity that exists at East.

Stand Up – Stand Out is focused on the issue of teen bullying. Fast growing in membership, the students promote their message through awareness activities within the school building and also have extended their message to Transit Middle School. Last year, student members met with over 500 seventh and eighth grade students. Their student-led panel presentation promoted kindness, compassion and acceptance.

The Youth Leadership class has been instrumental in supporting the many initiatives and campaigns generated from within the class and by the Shared Decision Making Team. Over the last few years, Youth Leadership has educated and supported the efforts of UNYTS organ and tissue donation. Through informational activities, blood drives and a school wide volleyball tournament, students have understood this mission of helping others.

Youth Leadership and the SDM team facilitated “The Carry the Torch” campaign. In existence over the last 3 years, it has focused on recognizing simple acts of kindness naturally occurring throughout the school community. To “carry the torch” is to embody the character traits essential to a successful learning environment and school community. To carry the torch is to live by the TORCH acronym:

T-Truthfulness is essential
O-Others are important
R-Respect for self, others and community
C-Caring for self, others, and community
H-Honesty –in all academics and activities

In an effort to showcase good deeds, flame shaped cut outs written with the witnessed act of kindness were posted on a giant torch display.  

Finally, the new Link Crew program is in its inaugural year. Built on the belief that students can help students succeed, this high school transition program trains mentors to be Link Crew Leaders. As positive role models, Link Leaders mentor and guide freshmen to discover what it takes to be successful during the transition to high school. Sixty-four Link Leaders have guided our newest students this year into a successful beginning at East High School.

Traditional activities and new initiatives are constantly underway contributing to the caring school community that exists at East High School. Day in and day out, respect and kindness are observed.