Bellmore Students Learn About Core Values During Anti-Bullying Assemblies

In September students throughout the Bellmore School District learned that a safe and respectful school environment is as important as classroom learning during the schools’ annual Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) assemblies.

New York State’s DASA, was signed into law in September of 2010 and was written to combat bias-based bullying, harassment and discrimination in public schools. The law also emphasizes awareness and sensitivity in relations with others.

At Winthrop Avenue School, Principal Sally Curto discussed with students the school rules and Code of Conduct, which is tied into the district’s core values of respect, dedication, integrity, trust and teamwork. She also emphasized the habits of happy students, which include being proactive and having a plan in mind, working before playing, listening before speaking, working together to create synergy, exercising, reading and knowing that everyone can win. She explained that these messages are designed to ensure that the students are all on the same page at the beginning of the school year.

“You are all Star Polishers who polish, not tarnish, one another,” Curto told students. “We all have bad days, but that is not an excuse to be unkind or not do our work.”

Photo: Winthrop Avenue Principal Sally Curto is pictured with Bellmore Star Polishers after a DASA assembly to discuss school rules, the Code of Conduct and core values.

Photo courtesy of Bellmore Public Schools