Wantagh Officials Investigate Anti-Asian Remarks: Reports

WANTAGH, NY — Wantagh School District officials are investigating an incident where anti-Asian remarks were made to members of the Valley Stream girls tennis team last week, according to reports.

Wantagh football players allegedly coughed on and told visiting players from Valley Stream South High School's tennis team to "go back to China," parents, who declined to be identified, told News 12.

In a statement to the outlet, Valley Stream Schools Superintendent Bill Heidenreich said district officials were "disappointed to hear of the unfortunate incident, noting that they have recently seen a "disturbing increase in the use of hurtful speech and other actions against members of the Asian American community."

"We condemn these recent acts that stand in contrast with our belief that everyone be treated with dignity and respect," he added.

Wantagh's superintendent John McNamara described the incident as involving one student who made an "inappropriate comment." He did not indicate if the student was a football player, but he said that they would be held "accountable for their actions and face appropriate consequences as per our code of conduct," News 12 reported.

"Our district will continue to work with all parties involved to educate and move forward on a positive path together," McNamara said.

Valley Stream's athletic director Scott Stueber told Newsday that the two districts have been working together and have been taking statements from the students who witnessed the behavior.

"In a troubling set of circumstances, I can say that we are taking it seriously and Wantagh is taking it seriously," he told the outlet.