Steps Forward to Combatting Antisemitism in our Schools

On August 1, 2025, Superintendent Dr. Hunter outlined several initiatives for the 2025–2026 school year to support staff, students, and families in our Jewish community and to work diligently to combat antisemitism in our schools. Our goal is to ensure that everyone feels safe, welcomed, respected, and has a true sense of belonging. The initiatives and programming below will continue to grow as the summer progresses and the school year begins. We also want to emphasize that this work is not a replacement, nor a substitute for, our efforts in anti-racism, LGBTQ+ inclusion, or other DEIB initiatives.

 

Staff Professional Development

• All staff and School Committee will receive training in preventing and addressing antisemitism during the early part of the 2025-2026 school year.

  • Update: We have partnered with Facing History and Ourselves to deliver a comprehensive and interactive workshop, "An Introduction to Confronting Contemporary Antisemitism." The goals of the workshop include, Establishing a shared foundational understanding of contemporary antisemitism for all PreK-12 educators; Exploring the current manifestations of antisemitism and process how antisemitism impacts individuals and communities; and Engaging with (classroom) resources to increase knowledge of both historical and contemporary antisemitism.

• The elementary schools are developing behavior management tools for staff this year that will name antisemitism and best practices in how to respond to young children. 

Student Learning

• K-5 students will receive explicit lessons on using words that are not hurtful based on religion with progressive explanations for older students about antisemitism. 

  • Update: Elementary students (K-5) are receiving explicit instruction from the Open Circle curriculum on using inclusive, non-hurtful language, with related lessons on recognizing discrimination; demonstrating empathy and courage in situations where students witness bullying or unfairness; developing an understanding of the difference between intent (what someone meant to do), impact (how their actions affect others), and applying this knowledge to their daily interactions.

• The Concord Middle School Playbook Initiative will focus its first bystander scenario on antisemitism.

  • Update: At CMS Middle school students engaged with The Playbook Initiative, an anti-bias, anti-discrimination, and bullying prevention program. One of Playbook Initiative's upstander scenario this year focused on how students response to antisemitism, specifically how to report hate crime symbols, and subsequent discussions about school and student safety.

• All grade 9 students will receive anti-bias training with a specific discussion of antisemitism.

• Review the curriculum for teaching of Holocaust

Culture

• Students and families will have the option to indicate religion in upcoming culture surveys to ensure disaggregation of Jewish families is possible, allowing for baseline data as we have for other groups.

  • Update: Our annual Panorama survey was distributed to staff, students and families during the month of November 2025. 

• Student voice is very important.  A goal is to form a CCHS Jewish Student Union for those interested and consider Jewish Heritage Month and other ways to celebrate Jewish culture and contributions.

Fiscal Resources

• The schools submitted a Hate Prevention Grant application to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on July 25, written specifically to address needs in antisemitism.

  • Update: Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Shelly Chin, submitted a Hate Prevention Grant application to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. We were awarded $35,000 for each district, totaling $70,000 to support hate prevention and reduce incidents of bias and hate.

• Collaboration with other groups is ongoing for additional grants or other fiscal opportunities to support the work. 

Community

• Focus groups of parents are beginning to be planned with parents and administrators.  Additional dates will be provided to ensure access for all who are interested.

• Ongoing collaboration will continue with the town leaders and committees.

• A District antisemitism Coalition will meet three times this year with an array of stakeholder representatives to share the work, progress, and ensure accountability. 

  • Update: The first meeting of the Antisemitism Coalition is scheduled to meet in December 2025.