Settlement Reached in Virginia School Antisemitism Case

A Jewish family, the Vasquez/Roy family, has reached a settlement with the Nysmith School for Gifted Children in Herndon, Virginia, following the expulsion of their three children amid allegations of persistent antisemitic bullying. The family reported that their 11-year-old daughter faced severe harassment from peers, including being called a "baby killer" and being mocked for her Israeli heritage. The situation escalated to the point where, just two days after the family reported the incidents to the school's headmaster, they received an email expelling all three children.

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The settlement, announced by Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, includes a payment of $100,000 to the family, along with the coverage of attorneys' fees. Additionally, the Nysmith School has agreed to implement new policies aimed at preventing discrimination. These measures include issuing a non-discrimination statement, adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, and establishing a committee to review and investigate discrimination complaints. The school will also engage an independent monitor to oversee the committee's work and provide annual antisemitism training for staff.

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Attorney General Jason Miyares emphasized the importance of creating a safe learning environment, stating, “Combating antisemitism is a top priority for my office. Every child deserves to learn in an environment free from hate, intimidation, or fear.” The Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington welcomed the settlement, with Chief Operating Officer Guila Franklin Siegel expressing hope that it would provide comfort to the Vasquez/Roy family and serve as a reminder to school officials about the need to combat antisemitism.

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Despite the settlement, the handling of the situation by Nysmith School has drawn significant criticism. The Jewish Community Relations Council highlighted the school's initial inaction and subsequent expulsion of the children as a "callous disregard of student safety and health." Critics argue that the school’s response to the reported bullying was inadequate and that the settlement is a necessary step toward accountability.

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• “Combating antisemitism is a top priority for my office. Every child deserves to learn in an environment free from hate, intimidation, or fear,” — Jason Miyares, Virginia Attorney General

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• “To call the facts of this case an outrage would be an understatement.” — Guila Franklin Siegel, Chief Operating Officer, Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington

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• “With this settlement, Nysmith School administrators have finally accepted responsibility for their callous disregard of student safety and health.” — Guila Franklin Siegel

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Moving forward, the Nysmith School will be required to implement the agreed-upon policies and training programs over the next five years. This settlement not only addresses the specific case of the Vasquez/Roy family but also aims to set a precedent for how schools handle allegations of antisemitism and bullying in the future.

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