Ossining parents urge School Board to take more action to address antisemitism in schools

Parents attended a meeting with school officials Wednesday where they said there have been several swastikas found at different schools since 2019, with the most recent at Anne M. Dorner Middle School.

News 12 Staff

Mar 30, 2023, 2:14 AM

Updated 556 days ago

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Ossining parents are urging the school board to take action and stop antisemitism after swastikas have been found multiple times in schools
Parents attended a meeting with school officials Wednesday where they said there have been several swastikas found at different schools since 2019, with the most recent at Anne M. Dorner Middle School.
"We've spoken to the board about this before and it happened again,” said parent Ari Rolnick. “For a child of mine to understand this is taking place in his school, he can't feel safe. He can't feel this is a proper learning environment."
Parents say they know there's no magic fix, but they think the board's response so far has been lackluster.
School Board President Katherin Crossling was ready to reassure parents.
"There is no place for symbols of hate in our schools,” she said. “During this school year, schools across America have seen an increase in antisemitism and we are finding that Ossining is not immune to this trend."
Crossling said the district is working with the Anti-Defamation League on training and reporting. She also says they have arranged activities like Unity Day, a Holocaust speaker and the superintendent is exploring the idea of a community task force.
"I don't want it diluted with general remedies like all symbols of hate. We need to address this specifically,” Rolnick says.
Parents told News 12 they want to see more transparency, better communication and possibly restorative justice where they can address the student body and show them how hate is affecting their classmates.