Welcome to Lakeland Schools

DASA - Dignity for All Students Act


The goal of the Dignity Act is to create a safe and supportive school climate where students can learn and focus, rather than fear being discriminated against and/or verbally and/or physically harassed. All public elementary and secondary school students have the right to attend school in a safe, welcoming, considerate, and caring environment.

New York State Education Department Office of Curriculum, Instruction and Field Services Student Support Services

Every person has a right to his or her own beliefs. Regardless of those beliefs, educators have an obligation to ensure that all students in our schools feel safe, both physically and emotionally.

How we respond to messages of hate and bigotry is critical. If we condemn or alienate someone, we may lose that person entirely; but if we don’t respond, especially with a mind to thoughtfully educate, we silently encourage those messages.

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.” Dr. Seuss

Dignity for All Students Act Reporting Form


Joseph Spatola,  Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services - jspatola@lakelandschools.org
914-245-1700 ext. 39075

Lakeland Central School District Dignity Act Coordinator
Mel Rafferty, Supervisor for Alternative Programs - mrafferty@lakelandschools.org 
914-528-0600

Benjamin Franklin ES Building Dignity Act Coordinator 
Jonathan Valente - jvalente@lakelandschools.org

914-245-7444

George Washington ES Building Dignity Act Coordinator 
Deana Hartung -  dhartung@lakelandschools.org
914-528-2021

Lincoln-Titus ES Building Dignity Act Coordinator 
Tracy Mecca - tmecca@lakelandschools.org
914-528-2519

Thomas Jefferson ES Building Dignity Act Coordinator 
Chris Urso -
curso@lakelandschools.org
914-245-4802

Van Cortlandtville ES Building Dignity Act Coordinator 
Dr.  Frank Yanoti -
fyanoti@lakelandschools.org
914-528-1354

Lakeland Copper Beech MS Building Dignity Act Coordinator 
Joseph Sayegh - jsayegh@lakelandschools.org
Michael Bollati - mbollati@lakelandschools.org
Jesicca Stock - jstock@lakelandschools.org
914-245-1885

Lakeland Copper Beech MS Building Dignity Act Coordinator 
Samantha Schulman - sschulman@lakelandschools.org

914-245-1885  

Lakeland Copper Beech MS Building Dignity Act Coordinator 
Jessica Stock - jstock@lakelandschools.org 

914-245-1885

Lakeland High School Building Dignity Act Coordinator
Samantha Stein - sstein@lakelandschools.org
Christina Canon - ccanon@lakelandschools.org
914-528-0600 

Walter Panas High School Building Dignity Act Coordinator 
Samantha Sherwood - ssherwood@lakelandschools.org
914-739-2823