LA QUINTA -- Seven seniors at a Southern California high school are facing disciplinary action for participating in a game called "Beat the Jew" in which losers were subjected to "incineration" or "enslavement," a school administrator said Friday.
In the game, "Jews" are taken, blindfolded, by car to a place off campus and have to make their way back to base while pursued by "Nazis," said Sherri Johnstone, assistant superintendent for personnel at the Desert Sands Unified School District.
It was not immediately clear what either punishment comprised for losing players, she said.
"There was no threat; there was no crime," Superintendent Sharon McGehee told The Desert Sun newspaper.
"They just played a game that had an ugly, insensitive stupid name."
Many students said they didn't know the name of the game when they played or didn't think about the insensitive nature of it and have since apologized, McGehee said.
Organizers had put up a Facebook page announcing the game, and it was "friended" by some 40 students, of which seven participated, Johnstone said.
Seven seniors at La Quinta High School could be suspended or barred from graduation, among other measures, Johnstone said.
"This is appalling to us," she said.
"We want our students to understand the horror of a title like this."
The district about 130 miles east of Los Angeles referred the matter to police because of the possibility that the game contained a threat, said La Quinta police Lt. Jason Huskey.
No threat had been found so far, but the investigation was ongoing, he said.
The district started investigating a week ago after students reported the game to administrators.
The game was promoted online, attracting about 40 students.
Seven showed up to play one evening in the campus parking lot, Johnstone said.
The district is working with Jewish organizations to review its tolerance curriculum.
A voluntary tolerance program will be held after school next week
In the game, "Jews" are taken, blindfolded, by car to a place off campus and have to make their way back to base while pursued by "Nazis," said Sherri Johnstone, assistant superintendent for personnel at the Desert Sands Unified School District.
It was not immediately clear what either punishment comprised for losing players, she said.
"There was no threat; there was no crime," Superintendent Sharon McGehee told The Desert Sun newspaper.
"They just played a game that had an ugly, insensitive stupid name."
Many students said they didn't know the name of the game when they played or didn't think about the insensitive nature of it and have since apologized, McGehee said.
Organizers had put up a Facebook page announcing the game, and it was "friended" by some 40 students, of which seven participated, Johnstone said.
Seven seniors at La Quinta High School could be suspended or barred from graduation, among other measures, Johnstone said.
"This is appalling to us," she said.
"We want our students to understand the horror of a title like this."
The district about 130 miles east of Los Angeles referred the matter to police because of the possibility that the game contained a threat, said La Quinta police Lt. Jason Huskey.
No threat had been found so far, but the investigation was ongoing, he said.
The district started investigating a week ago after students reported the game to administrators.
The game was promoted online, attracting about 40 students.
Seven showed up to play one evening in the campus parking lot, Johnstone said.
The district is working with Jewish organizations to review its tolerance curriculum.
A voluntary tolerance program will be held after school next week
