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Concord-Carlisle students testify that antisemitism affects school experience; call for bystander training and peer support
Summary
Students from Concord-Carlisle High School described feeling isolated, avoiding public spaces and hiding Jewish identity after local incidents; the Jewish Student Union seeks bystander training, inter-school connections and clearer school responses.
Several Concord-Carlisle High School students and a longtime teacher told the commission that antisemitism has affected student safety, belonging and daily school life.
Students described classmates avoiding them, public chalking and social-media incidents, and a lack of transparent school responses that left parents and students unsure about next steps. One student said the Jewish Student Union (JSU) meetings provide relief and a sense of belonging; another said that classmates left school rather than stay because they did not feel safe.
Teacher and JSU advisor Kelly Kirstein said the JSU meets weekly and has seen students express relief and generate actionable ideas for improving school climate. Panelists proposed a middle-school bystander-training program and cross-district connections of student affinity groups so young students could practice intervention scenarios in small groups and build peer support early.
Students also described the difficulty in filing reports and that some district guidance encouraged verbal reports instead of written complaints, a practice students said reduced transparency and accountability.
Ending: Students asked the commission to recommend bystander training for middle and high schools, clearer reporting pathways, and outreach to connect student affinity groups across districts so peers can support one another.
