Richard Bernotas Middle School in Crystal Lake works to right yearbook mistake

CRYSTAL LAKE – When Richard Bernotas Middle School parent Rochelle Bernstein Donahue realized her son’s picture was missing from his eighth-grade yearbook, she reached out to the principal to find out more.

Donahue’s son is part of the school’s Adjusted Learning program, and she soon learned that none of his classmates were included in the yearbook.

"I started getting texts from other parents saying their children weren't in the yearbook either. I put up a post about it on Facebook, and things went crazy," Donahue said.

In the post, she said, “I feel this is discrimination and School District 47 in Crystal Lake has some explaining to do to not only the kids in the class, but to the parents and community as well.” She also urged other parents of students with special needs to take a stand.

She later added that students in the Cross-Categorical learning program were excluded as well.

Principal Jeff Prickett was quick to apologize and try to make things right.

“We were made aware that there were some individuals’ photos that were omitted – we regret this unfortunate oversight,” said Denise Barr, a spokeswoman for Crystal Lake Elementary School District 47. “We’re committed to highlighting all of our students.”

The school will be reprinting all yearbooks and distributing them to those who ordered one to ensure every student is included. Prickett also is calling the families who were affected.

Barr said that several emails were sent to staff and parents acknowledging the problem and discussing a solution.

She stressed that it was an oversight, saying, “We are deeply troubled by this.”

Donahue was happy the school recognized its error, but she said she was angry it happened in the first place.