Parents and students call for education and support after antisemitic vandalism at Glenridge Elementary

Parents, students and district leaders addressed a recent incident of antisemitic and racist graffiti at Glenridge Elementary School and urged the School District of Clayton to expand education, outreach and support for affected students and families.

The board heard multiple public comments describing the vandalism and asking for action. "What happened is horrible," parent Thomas Gershman said, asking the district what concrete changes it would make to address antisemitism and racism. Several speakers read prepared statements urging curriculum changes and better communication with families.

Tara Hoisington, whose remarks were read by a parent at the meeting, asked the district to "evaluate whether our curriculum is explicitly defining and calling out antisemitism and to check in with social-emotional needs for our Jewish students and others impacted." Jenny Kaufman, who identified herself as the mother and granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, described a nearby case in which school staff removed hate speech but did not…