Districts’ Responses to Questions on Addressing Antisemitism

Investigations

Issues

On November 3, PDE contacted the DEI officers or other leadership of 26 districts across the country to ask them 3 questions:

  1. Has [District]’s Department of [Equity and Inclusion] developed plans to ensure that Jewish students are able to learn in a non-hostile environment?
  2. Can you please tell us how the district defines “intimidation,” harassment,” and “threat”?
  3. Finally, how is the district addressing reports of antisemitism in the wake of October 7?

We followed up on November 11 with all districts who had not responded to request answers. Below are districts’ responses (or lack thereof). PDE also pulled these districts’ statements on 10/7 Hamas Massacre to those issued following George Floyd’s murder. Districts are listed by state.

CALIFORNIA: Los Angeles Unified School District

FLORIDA: Broward County Public Schools

FLORIDA: Duval County Public Schools

  • No response to questions
  • No statement on George Floyd found
  • No statement on October 7 found, but district marked Holocaust Education Week (Nov. 6-10)

FLORIDA: Hillsborough County Public Schools

  • No response to questions
  • No statement on George Floyd found
  • Counseling document provided regarding October 7

FLORIDA: Miami-Dade County Public Schools

FLORIDA: Orange County Public Schools

  • No response to questions
  • No statement on George Floyd found
  • No statement on October 7 found, but district marked Holocaust Education Week (Nov. 6-10)

FLORIDA: Palm Beach County Public Schools

Georgia: Gwinnett County Public Schools

Hawaii: Hawaii Department of Public Instruction

Illinois: Chicago Public Schools

Illinois: District 113

  • Response to questions:
    • Yes, the District 113 Department of Equity and Inclusion is actively developing plans to ensure a safe and non-hostile learning environment for all students. Our commitment to fostering inclusivity extends to all students, and we are dedicated to addressing the unique needs of each community within our school district. To that end, we also have identity support groups and clubs that extend past the pedagogical and curricular work we do directly with staff. Some of these groups are actively creating spaces and public service announcements, helping to support a climate of belonging.
    • The district defines “intimidation,” “harassment,” and “threat” in accordance with policies 5-20 and  7-20. Our definitions are crafted to encompass a broad understanding of these terms, acknowledging the importance of maintaining a safe and respectful learning environment for all students.
    • As a public school district, the following policies and guidelines set essential expectations for staff and students:
    • We take reports of antisemitism seriously and have implemented measures to address and respond to such incidents promptly. Our district is committed to fostering an environment that condemns discrimination. In the wake of the events on October 7, we have reviewed our protocols and are actively working to reinforce our commitment to combating antisemitism within the school community.
  • No statement on George Floyd found
  • Statement on October 7

Maryland: Baltimore County Public Schools

  • Response to questions:
    • Please refer to the statement issued by Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers regarding the war in Israel and Gaza.  Along with the statement, you will find resources intended to support families and educators/staff in conversations regarding the crisis.  Additionally, the Department of Equity & Cultural Proficiency works in close partnership with schools to provide support, coaching, and resources.  
    • BCPS defines “intimidation” and “harassment” in Superintendent’s Rule 5580 Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment or Intimidation; and BCPS defines “threat” in Superintendent’s Rule 3720 Behavior Threat Assessment.
    • At this time, while BCPS has not seen a rise in antisemitic incidents, our superintendent has made it clear that we will act swiftly in response should those incidents occur.
  • Superintendent statement on George Floyd; June 2020 announcement of virtual discussion about race and equity; Board of Education Black Lives Matter resolution passed on June 9 but has since been taken down
  • Statement on October 7

Maryland: Montgomery County Public Schools

Maryland: Prince George’s County Public Schools

  • Response to questions:
    • To your specific inquiries numbers 1 & 3 about the Office of Equity and Excellence and the district…we consistently engage our system in professional learning about protected classes (including religion) and have systems in place to engage employees so that they are equipped with the tools and knowledge to support safe and supportive work (and non-hostile) and learning environments.
    • We have a very small Jewish population in our school system — I personally (in my role) work closely with the Jewish Community Relations Council (of Greater Washington) attending (and presenting at!) their events to ensure that we are clear about what the emergent issues are so that staff and students get the support they need. In this partnership, I’m aware of significant instances of anti-semitism that occur in the region and use my time with school leaders to raise awareness about trends  that impact the entire region (though the reported instances they bring to our attention haven’t occurred in our school system).  To that end, given our small Jewish population and how hate (including anti-semism) spreads, I know that we have an important responsibility to have a work and learning environment where we all know that we have a responsibility to speak and act against anti-semistism and hate especially when the targeted group has low numbers in representation.
    • To date, I have not received a reported instance of anti-semitism, so we continue to move in a proactive way.
  • Statement on George Floyd has been taken down; June 2020 video about school safety given the “critical discussions underway about the role of law enforcement”
  • Statement on October 7

North Carolina: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

North Carolina: Wake County Public Schools

  • Response to questions:
    • Within the last several weeks, we have provided communication to all of our principals around this topic.  My department has been collaborating with our Student Support Services Department to collaborate on support and resources to schools and students.  We have offered individual support to principals and counselors when they have communicated specific needs of addressing these concerns.  We have also been in partnership with the Jewish Federation on additional support and resources.  We know that there is still more work that we can do, and I invite you to connect with me or members of my department so that we can work in partnership.
    • I am attaching a copy of Board Policies 1710 and 1720 on Discrimination, Harassment and Bullying for your reference. 
  • Statement on Racial Equity (post-George Floyd)
  • No statement on October 7 found

New Jersey: Lakewood Public School District

  • No response to questions
  • No statement on George Floyd found
  • No statement on October 7 found

Nevada: Clark County Schools District

  • Response to questions:
    • The Clark County School District (District) is committed to providing a safe, secure, and respectful learning environment for all students and employees at all District facilities, school buildings, on school buses, on school grounds, and at school-sponsored activities. The District strives to address incidents of discrimination based on race, bullying, or cyberbullying to ensure there is no disruption to the learning environment. Upon receiving a report of discrimination based on race (which includes religion), bullying, or cyberbullying, school administrators immediately take necessary actions to stop the discrimination based on race (including religion), bullying, or cyberbullying behavior and ensure the safety and well-being of the reported victim(s) of the discrimination based on race (including religion), bullying, or cyberbullying behavior, then begin an investigation into the reported incident. 
    • The Clark County School District partners with national and local organizations, such as the Israeli-American Council (IAC) and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), to provide professional learning on all forms of antisemitism and bias, and provides practical guidance on addressing antisemitism and countering prejudice in educational settings, while promoting human rights, citizenship education, and equality.
    • District Policy 5137 includes intimidation, harassment, and threats as part of the bullying definition as repeated or pervasive nonverbal threats or intimidation such as the use of aggressive, menacing, or disrespectful gestures; Threats of harm to a person, to his or her possessions, or other individuals, whether such threats are transmitted verbally, electronically, or in writing.
    • In light of the recent world events, schools have been reminded with a renewed sense of urgency of their obligations to ensure non-discriminatory environments. The District continues to be committed to creating safe and respectful learning environments that are free from discrimination based on race, color, culture, language, religion, ethnicity, or national origin.
  • No statement on George Floyd found
  • No statement on October 7 found

New York: East Ramapo Central School District

New York: Kiryas Joel School District

  • Response to questions:
    • The Kiryas Joel School District operates only one public school, exclusively for students with special needs. All non handicapped pupils attend one of many private religious schools (yeshivas) located in and around the community.
    • We are well aware of the rise of Antisemitism and do everything in our power to safeguard our students and staff.
  • No statement on George Floyd found
  • No statement on October 7 found

Ohio: Beachwood City Schools

Pennsylvania: Philadelphia Public Schools

Texas: Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District

Texas: Dallas Independent School District

  • Response to questions (via phone call w/ Dr. Sharon Quinn):
    • “Continuing plans for what we already have and the assurance that our staff knows that we are going to continue to operate as usual and reinforce and level set on what our original plans are. We have a code of student conduct, Ms. Neily, that we operate by, and it is designed to display various levels of student conduct expectation. And one of those expectations is that everyone should be able to learn in a safe environment. So when you ask the question about Jewish students in particular, it’s designed for each and every student. And so all of our teachers are expected to keep our students safe. All our students are expected to speak as they wish to be spoken to. All of our students are expected to celebrate and appreciate differences. If you have a difference of opinion to communicate that with in a peaceful environment. However, since we cannot mandate beliefs, we can mandate actions, right? So that being said, if there are actions that are counter district in this student code of conduct, there are also levels of consequences for misbehavior. So what I mean is that it’s going to be the same if you bullied someone as if you hurled a racial slur, if you disrespected someone in a way that damaged their sense of wellbeing, their sense of belonging. So our teachers are very familiar with our code of student conduct. Our administrators are very familiar, and you can get a copy of that online if you’d like to see the Dallas Code of Student Conduct and all of the various offenses, there are actions that will be taken.”
    • Definitions for “intimidation,” “threat,” and “harassment” are not in the Student Code of Conduct
      • “What you may not see is intimidation means, threat means. We’re working with this framework, understanding what those terms mean, and that’s why we have the code of student conduct.”
    • Well just say, for instance, if I’m a principal and I got a report from a student or a parent, then I would look to the code of student conduct to see where that falls, and then I would apply the appropriate consequences for that. And so a lot can be answered in the code of student conduct. … [An executive director in Dallas ISD] shared with me some resources that he has been giving to his principals in his feeder just to keep them aware. ‘And so I will share my screen with you, Nicole, and you can just see, and I asked him, did he share that with his colleagues. And he said that it was available to them if they wanted to use it. … And I’m keeping it on file because if someone asks me about it, I can shoot these resources out to them.
    • Stand with us for high school and its educational materials, antisemitism and the Jewish community. … And so these are specific, and so as I said, as a district, we still abide by all of the code of student conduct, the professional standards. But here is something that is germane for high school students, germane high school students, and the Jewish community. And then of course, the Upstander curriculum that I talked about that was written by our friends at the Holocaust Museum. So here you have just a lot of links to additional resources that will help campuses to discuss, understand, appreciate all of the people who have given their lives, and just respect the extended families and show empathy to those guys who have family members and friends of Jewish descent. And just a way to educate. There’s video series about antisemitism, 10 things you can do to fight antisemitism. There’s a booklet.”
  • Statement on George Floyd and Resolution on the Commitment of Dallas ISD to Black Students and Black Lives
  • Statement on October 7

Texas: Houston Independent School District

Virginia: Fairfax County Public Schools