Student at West Jeff Middle School says she’s a target of anti-Semitism

The family of an eighth-grader at West Jefferson Middle School in Conifer is alleging that the student has been the target of anti-Semitic acts, and a discrimination complaint has been filed against Jeffco Public Schools with the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights.

According to Isabella Grunspan, who addressed the Jeffco school board at its regular meeting Thursday, West Jeff students have targeted her daily not only for being Jewish but also for standing up for other minorities.

Subscribe and read more here: www.canyoncourier.com/content/student-we...target-anti-semitism
By Sal Christ
Friday, January 13, 2017

UPDATE: Jeffco Public Schools has admitted that it found evidence of anti-Semitic acts and discrimination against an 8th grader at West Jeff Middle School. Furthermore, documents acquired by the Canyon Courier show that the district and others knew about additional anti-Semitic allegations at least as early as last December.

"While the school district says it took immediate action regarding the anti-Semitic comments against eighth-grader Isabella Grunspan, it remains unclear how or when it learned about the allegations or what exact steps it took to address the issue beyond implementing social awareness lessons at the school."
cc/ My Mountain Town

Subscribe and read the latest on this developing story here: www.canyoncourier.com/content/anti-semit...ol-district-confirms
By Sal Christ
Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Former West Jeff family filing lawsuit against Jeffco Public Schools

A former West Jefferson Middle School student and her father are suing Jeffco Public Schools for the district’s handling of the family’s anti-Semitism claims, which originally surfaced in early 2017.

The case, initially filed in the U.S. District Court in Denver in December, also names the United States Department of Education and J. Aaron Romine, the regional director of the Office for Civil Rights, which enforces federal civil rights laws, conscience and religious freedom law and more, as defendants in the lawsuit.

Prior reporting from the Courier indicates that Jeffco Public Schools found merit in the claims of anti-Semitism and district spokeswoman Diana Wilson said in February 2017 that the district took action immediately after the allegations were first reported and disciplined the students involved. At that time, she wouldn’t disclose how many students were involved, how they were disciplined, or any other details.

Read more here: www.canyoncourier.com/content/former-wes...effco-public-schools
By Deborah Swearingen
Friday, February 1, 2019

Contact reporter Deborah Swearingen at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 303-350-1042. Follow her on Twitter @djswearingen.