An anti-Semitic Instagram post targeting the Mountain View Los Altos High School District was removed last week, according to MVLA Superintendent Eric Volta and Los Altos High School Principal Tracey Runeare in a community letter sent out last week.
The district has reported the post to the Los Altos Police Department and the investigation into who was involved is ongoing, officials stated in the letter.
The post was published by an Instagram account called @los.altos.nazi.party that shows a Nazi party propaganda poster with a blond male and female that says “Society, Culture and Politics.” The post location was set in Los Altos High School and the caption said, “We meet on Tuesday next week in the quad.” The page owner has not yet been identified. The account’s profile also contains a swastika that overlays the LAHS eagle logo.
Savannah Slotnick, a wife and a friend of local community members who attended LAHS, said it is dangerous to see students playing with posts that can hurt the Jewish community. She said there needs to be education in place for children who are not aware of history and the trauma it has caused people.
Slotnick said she married into a Jewish family and many of her husband’s family died in the Holocaust. Slotnick said she takes this issue seriously and does not want the district to belittle the situation.
Superintendent Volta told the Town Crier he was alerted of the incident late Tuesday evening and met up with Principal Runeare the following morning to discuss the matter.
Volta said that he does not know what action the police will take, but they are speaking with a few students who “may or may not be involved.” They are also speaking with Jewish students on how they can be supported during this time.
Volta said once the school finds out who is involved, they will go through the proper procedure of holding them accountable, such as education surrounding the Holocaust and disciplinary actions.
“This is a beautiful community,” Volta said. “Anything that detracts from our community is just not acceptable.”
Those who may have helpful information regarding this incident are asked to email Principal Runeare at [email protected].
