Upstanders

  • The Upstander movement is an ongoing and exciting process focused on transforming Gates Chili Middle School (GCMS) from a culture of student bystanders into a community where everyone is aware of the importance of taking a positive stand for all students. The initiative promotes student and staff involvement in school wide programs and activities. Bullying situations have been reduced and the social climate of our school has improved because of students taking action in a positive way to stand up for themselves and others.  

    Students and adults can work together to make Upstanders an important part of our school. The emphasis on the meaning of being an Upstander is a way to help our Spartan Way values of Respect, Responsibility, Compassion and Hard Work become that much more understandable and meaningful daily. 

    Upstanders are students or student groups that choose to take a positive stand on behalf of themselves and others. They are heroes and are responsible examples to others. Upstanders:  

    • Stand up for their beliefs, while respecting others.
    • Do what they think is right, even if they stand alone.
    • Are not simply bystanders; they act to interrupt bully behavior and/or support the target of bullying.
    • Pay attention if something that is happening is wrong and do something to make things right.
    • Show compassion toward others. 

    Our students will participate in a school-wide Upstander lesson once a month in one of their class periods. The Upstander lessons are all aligned to New York State Social-Emotional Learning benchmarks.  

    DASA:  THE DIGNITY FOR ALL STUDENTS ACT      

    New York State passed the Dignity Act for All Students in 2012. 

    This act states that:  

    “No student shall be subjected to harassment by employees or students on school property or at a school function; nor shall any student be subjected to discrimination based on a person’s actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity or expression), or sex by school employees or students on school property or at a school function.”

    Questions regarding DASA (Dignity for All Students Act) can be forwarded to Ms. Kenyala Rollins, Redwings Community Assistant Principal, 585.247.5050