Nathan Brinkman | June 14, 2024
(EdNews Virginia) — Arlington’s Yorktown High is ending the school year mired in a controversy over antisemitism, EdNews Virginia has learned.
“Several students and parents have shared concerns that the Yorktown yearbook has a senior quote which is considered antisemitic,” Principal Kevin Clark wrote in a June 5 email addressed to the school community.
EdNews Virginia obtained Clark’s email from the concerned parent of a Yorktown student, after requests to the school district were unsuccessful.
“All yearbook quotes are reviewed by administration and yearbook staff,” Clark explained in his email. “Due to an oversight, this quote was allowed to be printed. Yorktown condemns all use of hate speech and language that promotes violence.”
The Yorktown incident follows heightened tensions on American campuses in the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas massacre and Israel’s military response. Sinclair Media’s Crisis in the Classroom noted last month that area students were being recruited to engage in a “School Strike for Gaza.” Parents Defending Education additionally flagged Yorktown High School for hosting a student club “with strong anti-Israel or pro-Palestine positions.”
EdNews Virginia twice emailed Arlington Public Schools — on June 6 and June 10 — for information or comments on this matter. To date, however, the district’s spokesman has not responded.
READ PRINCIPAL CLARK’S JUNE 5 EMAIL: