In the six days since a Branham student posted a picture of eight students forming a human swastika on the football field, news about the incident has spread across the internet and appeared in numerous publications.
The Jewish News of Northern California was the first professional news outlet to publish an article on Thursday afternoon. NBC Bay Area aired a report on TV at 5:30 p.m.
In the following days, major media outlets including The Guardian, CBS News, NBC News, New York Post, Independent, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, SFGATE and The Mercury News ran stories, as did Jewish Breaking News and EdSource. Media companies distributed the stories to other sites like Seattle Times.
The situation also drew comments on online forums like Reddit and from prominent figures like California state senators Dave Cortese and Scott Wiener, Assemblymember Gail Pellerin and Israeli writer Hen Mazzig.
One news outlet, JFeed, published an article with incorrect names: “District Superintendent Kristen Coniaris,” “ADL regional director Sara Goldschmidt,” Jewish Community Relations Council of Silicon Valley “council chair David Pine” — none of these people exist.
The article was published at 5:49 a.m. on Monday, but it quotes Rachel Cohen, a parent who they claim spoke to reporters “outside Branham High on Monday.”
Since the incident, school and district staff have worked to respond. Over the weekend, Principal Beth Silbergeld created slides about antisemitism, swastikas and hate speech. Teachers went through the slides in class on Monday morning.
Silbergeld also responded to inquiries from media, and the district and Branham offices fielded calls from alumni, community members and people nationally who wanted to know more about the incident or express outrage.
“There is a danger of a single story being applied to who Branham is as a community. The actions of a small group of students do not accurately represent the mindset of the more than 1,800 other students here. When there are attacks or people calling out our community on social media, they are doing that from limited information about a single story,” Silbergeld said, adding that violent and threatening comments will be reported to police.
In a statement sent to the entire Campbell Union High School District, Superintendent Robert Bravo said “the district considers this an instance of hate violence as referred to in CA Education Code § 48900.3” and “will respond firmly, thoughtfully, and within the full scope allowed by Board Policy and California law.”
Read Bravo’s full statement here.
Dear CUHSD Community,
In recent days, our community has been deeply shaken by a social media post created by several students at Branham High School that included a swastika and a quote attributed to Adolf Hitler. The swastika is an unmistakable symbol of genocide, hatred, and antisemitism. Its use, especially in an educational community committed to safety, belonging, and respect, causes real and lasting harm. Antisemitism in any form is unacceptable in our district. We unequivocally condemn any expression or action that demeans or targets individuals because of their race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, or any other protected characteristic.
I have heard from many community members who are sincerely worried that the students involved will not face consequences strong enough to reflect the seriousness of their actions. I have also received messages from those who question whether the students should be disciplined at all. I want to be very clear: the district considers this an instance of hate violence as referred to in CA Education Code § 48900.3. The district will respond firmly, thoughtfully, and within the full scope allowed by Board Policy and California law.
Student discipline in California is governed by the Education Code, which establishes specific criteria for when and how schools may impose disciplinary action, including suspensions and recommendations for expulsion. We are legally required to follow those procedures, ensure due process for the students involved, and apply consequences that align with both the law and our Board Policies. While student privacy laws prevent us from sharing individual disciplinary outcomes, I can assure you that the response will be significant, appropriate, and reflective of the harm caused.
Equally important, our response cannot be limited to discipline alone. We are committed to using this incident as an opportunity to deepen education around antisemitism, hate symbols, and the historical atrocities associated with them. We will continue working with students, staff, and community partners to strengthen our culture of respect and to ensure that every member of our school community feels valued and safe.
I ask our community to remain united in rejecting hate and in supporting the ongoing work of education and accountability. Together, we must uphold the values that define our district and ensure that our schools remain places where all students can learn without fear, discrimination, or intimidation.
Thank you for your partnership and your trust.
Sincerely,
Robert Bravo, Ed.D.
CUHSD Superintendent
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