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Brighton parent urges earlier Holocaust education after antisemitic remark at middle school
Summary
A Brighton parent told the school board that a sixth‑grade student at 12 Corners Middle School was the target of an antisemitic remark and urged the district to expand Holocaust education at earlier grades; the board said the incident was addressed and staff will follow up with the parent.
A Brighton parent told the Brighton Central School District Board of Education on Feb. 11 that his sixth‑grade son was the target of an antisemitic remark at 12 Corners Middle School and urged earlier, districtwide Holocaust education.
Ari Shohot described an incident on Jan. 13 in which, he said, "another student in my son's class who has never engaged with him came up to him and said, 'Veil Hitler.'" Shohot said the school administration addressed the incident but he was not satisfied with the outcome and asked the district to bring a speaker into the school for Holocaust instruction. He said he was willing to help underwrite or facilitate that presentation and noted that he is the grandchild of four Holocaust survivors and that his son is the great‑grandchild of five survivors.
"There needs to be a heavy emphasis on holocaust education at earlier ages to combat the rise in antisemitism," Shohot said, and called for "zero tolerance for any form of hate or derogatory speech." He criticized what he described as a missed opportunity after the incident occurred two weeks before International Holocaust Remembrance Day and said students reported that the school announcements that day listed "National Chocolate Cake Day" rather than commemorating Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Board members thanked Shohot for speaking. In response, Dr. McGowan said the district had "addressed the harm that was done" in line with the district code of conduct, described restorative practices and noted limits on sharing disciplinary details because of student privacy. McGowan also acknowledged that morning announcements are student‑generated and said the district "will adjust that practice as well." She asked Dr. Rio to follow up directly with Shohot about Holocaust instruction available in the secondary curriculum.
The exchange ended with Shohot reiterating his request that the district place more emphasis on Holocaust education at younger grades and make clear that hateful actions have consequences; the board invited continued, private conversation to review options.
The matter was raised during the public comment portion of the Feb. 11 meeting; no formal policy change or vote occurred at that session. The board directed staff to continue outreach and follow up with the parent.
