SYOSSET, N.Y. (WCBS 880) — While the Syosset School District is still investigating a recent anti-Asian bias incident at the middle school, police say the actions did not rise to the level of criminal charges.
Parents at the school tell WCBS 880’s Sophia Hall that an Asian-American student in the sixth grade was surrounded by a group of students at recess. They say the children spewed anti-Asian statements and then the victim was either kicked or shoved.
On Monday, the Syosset Schools Superintendent sent a letter to parents to update them on the situation, but stressed that no details could be released publicly because of the students’ ages.
“Privacy laws prevent us from providing specific information to the public, but at this point in our investigation, we have substantiated statements of bias made by children of varying ethnicities directed at children whose ethnicities differed from their own,” the letter read.
The parents of the victim reportedly told police that they do not wish to press charges in the incident.
The school district is also investigating “more serious allegations of hateful speech and physical aggression,” but, at this time, the district has not found evidence to substantiate the claims.
The superintendent says hate is not tolerated in the school district but, Asian-American parents say they are very upset but the incident.
“This impacts everyone,” said one mother. “We really want to see real action, not just words that they are going to do something.”
A rally to stop Asian hate was held over the weekend and hundreds attended in Syosset. But, parents still think more should be done, with one mother saying she wants more transparency.
“When it does happen, be transparent. Be open about discussing it with the kids, not just shy away from it and then try to kind of make the story go away,” she said.
A spokesperson for the school district did not return WCBS 880’s request for the superintendent to speak on the incident.
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