Former yearbook advisor at north suburban high school apologizes for controversial pro-Palestinian quote

GLENVIEW (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - The former yearbook advisor at Glenbrook South High School is apologizing for poor judgment in allowing a controversial quote about the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel to be printed in this year’s edition.

Brenda Field acknowledged a lack of supervision in allowing a quote from a sophomore about the attacks to be included in the GBS yearbook. In a letter posted to the District 225 website, she apologizes to that student and all students as well staff the board and community.

“I did not understand the antisemitic nature of the passage and the pain it caused to Jewish people,” she wrote.

After parents and residents expressed outrage, the school board suspended Field this week and said she may no longer teach or advise on the yearbook.

An investigation found the quote was taken out of context and that Field did not tell school administrators about it or push student editors to remove it.

Here is the full letter:

The events of the last month regarding the publication of the 2024 Glenbrook South yearbook require that I extend my heartfelt apology to students, staff, the Board of Education and the entire Glenbrook community for my poor judgment and lack of supervision relating to the publication of the yearbook. It is clear to me now that the publication of a quote attributable to a sophomore student interviewed by the yearbook staff required more reflection on my part as yearbook advisor before printing and publication of the yearbook.

I realize that I failed to understand the depth of feeling about the issue, nor did I anticipate the anger the quote created in our community. I did not understand the antisemitic nature of the passage and the pain it caused to Jewish people. I failed to more forcefully and directly exercise my role in giving guidance and advice to the editors regarding the use of the quote. I should have exercised more supervisory responsibility.

I also recognize that the concerns I had about the quote should have been reviewed with my Principal before allowing it to be printed and published. The seeking of her advice would have been consistent with the expectations of Board policy and the Student Handbook.

Most importantly, I failed to anticipate the impact the quote would have on the students and staff of the District. In particular, I want to apologize to the quoted student and her family for any problems and discomfort our publication decision has caused for you.

I have come to realize through this experience that in my role of promoting ethical journalistic standards for our yearbook students, I need to be more cognizant of the potential resulting harm to others, which is not acceptable. It is my sincere hope that my 23 years of unwavering support for our students and their work is not completely diminished by this act of poor judgment on my part.

Brenda Field

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