Several Missouri middle school students are facing possible disciplinary action after participating in a school prank aimed at Jews.
A number of students reportedly sustained minor injuries, and one child was slapped in the face, during "Hit a Jew Day," an activity organized by sixth-graders at the Parkway West Middle School in Chesterfield. About 35 Jewish students are believed to attend the 850-student school.
The incident came as part of an unofficial "spirit week" that began innocently with "Hug a Friend Day" and "High Five Day." School officials said that during "Hit a Jew Day," most students were only tapped on the shoulders or back, but one student allegedly was slapped.
Principal Lindo Lelonek called an assembly Tuesday to address the incident. Lelonek said discipline will range from parent conferences to suspensions. Four or five students reportedly are involved.
“You wonder where a bunch of sixth-graders come up with this stuff,” said Karen Aroesty, regional director of the St. Louis office of the Anti-Defamation League, according to The Associated Press. “The fact is it’s out there. There are probably parents talking, and things they see on the news, and even things they can pick up on the Internet.”
The ADL was scheduled to meet with local school officials Friday to discuss the matter.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
