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 notify families or provide education, and said Clayton should respond differently: "Our kids deserve to feel mutually respected and safe in their schools and communities."

Nine-year-old Dylan Gelfand, a Glenridge third grader, recounted seeing swastikas and urged the board to "bring someone in from the Holocaust museum to all of our elementary schools" to teach third through fifth graders about Nazi symbols, racism and antisemitism.

Board member Stacy, speaking from the dais, described the incident as personally and professionally hurtful and thanked Clayton Police Department for its quick response. "Immediately following the revelation of this incident, the district leadership did immediately begin working on plans to offer both education and support to our students and families," she said, and asked the community to recognize recent observances such as Jewish American Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month in that context.

Superintendent Dr. Patel said the district "completely condemn[s] any antisemitic acts or any type of hate speech against our Black families," and described steps already underway: staff have engaged with outside organizations and community partners. "Just yesterday, Dr. Poole, our chief officer of equity and inclusion, met with representatives from ADL, JCRC Saint Louis and the NAACP," she said. "We're talking with them, engaging with them on how we can be better."

Dr. Patel said the district will both review curriculum and consider programming, speakers and supports for students and families. She also said the district should do a better job communicating existing work and pledged additional, "necessary, additional steps" and follow-up communication to the community.

The board did not take a formal vote on policy changes at this meeting; public comment and staff updates prompted a commitment to follow up with educational programming and supports.

Parents who spoke asked the district to combine immediate supports (family outreach, counseling check-ins) with sustained curriculum changes that clearly and age-appropriately define antisemitism and other forms of hate. Several speakers requested that the district convene experts such as staff from the Holocaust Museum for classroom presentations.

The meeting record shows members of the community raising repeated concerns about whether current instruction sufficiently addresses antisemitism and whether the district's response should include explicit lessons and family notifications. District leaders said they are reviewing curriculum, arranging partner meetings and planning communications and supports.

The board did not specify a timeline for any new curriculum or mandatory programming at this meeting. District leaders said they would communicate next steps to the community as plans are developed.

Provenance: The transcript includes the initial public comment by Thomas Gershman describing the Glenridge incident, multiple parent statements and the superintendent's and board's responses. Evidence spans public comments starting at the Glenridge remarks and staff responses in the superintendent update.