Antisemitic Gesture Alleged At York High

ELMHURST, IL – York High School received a tip this week that a student displayed an antisemitic gesture toward another student, the school reported Thursday.

Principal Jessica Hurt emailed a statement to the school's families about the allegation. It was not sent to the media; a resident forwarded it to Patch.

After receiving the report Wednesday night, the school's deans launched an investigation, contacted parents and interviewed students, Hurt said.

She did not say what the investigation found. Patch left a message for comment Friday morning with Elmhurst School District 205's spokeswoman, Tonya Daniels.

"I want to assure you that discrimination of any kind is not tolerated at York High School. Bullying, intimidation, harassment or hate of any kind diminish a student's ability to learn and a school's ability to educate and will not be tolerated," Hurt said. "Preventing students from engaging in this type of disruptive behavior and providing all students equal access to a non-hostile learning environment where all students and staff feel a sense of belonging, safety and support remains a top priority."

She said the school asks parents to talk with students about the impacts of their words and actions.

The school received the allegation through Quick Tip, an anonymous reporting system.