An Illinois elementary school is under fire for possible discrimination after parents claim their children were invited to a remedial program only targeting minorities. They have taken their concerns to the school district, which, in a document, has allegedly said only at-risk students were invited.
The incident occurred at Hunt Club Elementary School in Oswego, Illinois. This began when parents realized only certain families had received an invitation to the program. Parents have expressed their concerns to CBS News Chicago, which sent an investigator to the district. The video has received over 100,000 views and thousands of likes.
One Illinois parent, Fil Torres, claims that despite the “feel-good title,” the program is essentially “summer school remediation.” Torres describes how he and his wife were recently informed by the school that their children were on track. After receiving the letter, his wife contacted neighborhood parents who hadn’t received anything. He claims, “The only difference between our friends and us is that they are white.” A partial internal document was uncovered by CBS New Chicago investigators, which reads that “eligible and at-risk students include, quote, anyone with a race other than white.”
The Illinois father describes this as painful, stating, “For them to do this, it opens up old wounds.” Parents received a follow-up letter explaining that students “with various tags” were invited to the program. When asked for further explanation, the district and the school board quoted “federal Title 1 guidelines.” These guidelines include students who are “part of a historically disadvantaged racial/ethnic group.” The superintendent released a statement, claiming that the school doesn’t believe in labels. However, he claims the data shows that there’s “an opportunity gap amongst students within specific subgroups.”
Illinois Parents Fired Up Over Program Invite
Other parents have commented on the TikTok video, claiming to be from the same district. One grandparent alleges her grandkids go to the school, which she describes as a “racist district.” Another agrees, claiming, “Lots going wrong there and there has been for years.” Other parents are speaking out about receiving the letter. One parent claims she received the letter even though her child “is in double acceleration.” Another says, “I got this same email. And was so confused!” Another expresses confusion, stating, “[My kids’] teachers don’t set up conferences with me because they are doing so well in class.”
This video is getting attention as many commenters have experienced similar treatment when they were in school. They are outraged to still see it happening. However, several of the comments are from parents in the district who received the letter. They speak about being confused and how their students didn’t need the program.
Torres is unsure if amends can be made after this. However, he and other parents hope the students who do need academic support can still get it.
