After Highland Park and Deerfield disclosed two incidents of antisemitic vandalism late last month, Township High School District 113, which serves students in both communities, sent a letter to families warning of a rise in discriminatory incidents at schools.
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In the letter, Superintendent Chala Holland warned of a “deeply concerning pattern” over the last several weeks, including “multiple incidents of antisemitism, racism and the use of anti-gay slurs,” with reports coming “directly from our principals.”
The letter also noted the recent antisemitic vandalism, warning of “hate-fueled language, slurs and symbols inflict real harm,” targeting people’s identity, disrupting learning and engagement, and undermining “the safe, welcoming environment that every student and staff member deserves.
“Let me be entirely clear: antisemitism, racism, and identity-based discrimination have no place in our school district, and they will not be tolerated,” Holland said.
There is a “collective responsibility” to address “acts of hate” in the community, Holland said, listing key tenets: accountability, growth, and restoration.
Behavior or language that demands or targets people based on race, religion, or protected identity “will be met with immediate investigation and firm consequences,” she warned.
Alongside these “firm disciplinary measures,” she championed the district’s “restorative practices” to ensure students “understand the real impact of their actions, develop empathy, and learn how to repair harm across differences.”
She called for staff to “maintain vigilant, inclusive spaces” for students, asking parents to reinforce similar principles at home and encourage “open conversations about empathy, respect and civil discourse,” and for students to “stand up for your peers” and “speak out against hate and intolerance.”
“Our schools must be safe havens for learning and community. I invite all of us — students, staff, and families — to stand united against hate and work together to build a district where every individual is treated with dignity and respect,” Holland said.
According to a release earlier this year from the Anti-Defamation League on its annual Audit of Antisemitic Incidents, 2025 saw an increase in the number of physical assaults, even while overall antisemitic incidents decreased from 2024, although numbers remain “considerably higher” than before 2023.