Mount Vernon School addresses concerns over Hitler classroom assignment

A screenshot posted on social media from a classroom assignment about Adolf Hitler and World War II at Mount Vernon School was taken out of context and caused distress for some families, a school leader said.

Head of School Kristy Lundstrom responded to the concerns by sharing a message with the Mount Vernon community and the media explaining the assignment’s intent and that it has since been removed from the curriculum.

Rough Draft contacted Mount Vernon School about the incident and a school spokesperson shared Lundstrom’s statement.

“We do not condone positive labels for Adolf Hitler. The intent of the assignment was an exploration of World War II designed to boost student knowledge of factual events and understand the manipulation of fear leveraged by Adolf Hitler in connection to the Treaty of Versailles,” Lundstrom said in her statement.

School leadership removed the assignment from the curriculum after they learned how it was worded.

Lundstrom said in her statement that she met with the school’s chief of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Action, Head of Middle School, and a concerned rabbi and friend of the school. They shared the perspective of some of the Mount Vernon families and supported the school in a review of the assignment and community impact.

She said they worked on understanding the balance of keeping a safe environment for students while sharing history to prevent deniers and to be clear about the atrocities committed. Adolf Hitler and what happened during those times are difficult and traumatic to discuss, she said.

“In this very heavy time, when our Jewish students and families have the added stress of world events, we want to be clear that The Mount Vernon School wholeheartedly denounces antisemitism,” Lundstrom said in her statement.

The school has counselors, faith leaders, and school leaders who will continue to be available to talk to, listen to, and uplift their children, Lundstrom said in her statement.

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