Yorkville High School students to face discipline for pair of hate symbol incidents

Two Yorkville High School students that reportedly hung a Confederate battle flag and marked up a sidewalk with a swastika are set to face “consequences in accordance with the district’s policies,” the high school’s principal said in a letter to families.

Since deleted photos on social media reportedly show a male student holding a confederate flag above a high school stairway. Another photo shows a sidewalk defaced with the symbol of Nazi Germany.

School officials believe the two incidents are unrelated, according to Principal David Travis, who called the acts “intentional and deplorable decisions.”

“I want to express my sincere apologies to our students, staff, and community for the disgraceful actions of these two individuals,” Travis said in a letter released Thursday May 13. “This type of behavior has no place at Yorkville High School and is certainly not representative of the values of the Yorkville CUSD 115 community.”

Travis urged students in need of support after the incidents to seek out a school counselor and ask any questions that may arise.

“We will never condone such displays of prejudice, hate, or fear and we will respond accordingly,” Travis said. “Incidents like this may spark feelings of frustration and a desire to retaliate. I implore everyone to realize that these individuals do not represent us as a school community. We need to show our strength and unity by responding through the support and care that we show for each other.”