The Elwood school district is making some changes to its high school curriculum after getting some unwanted national attention.
District officials say they recently uncovered a string of hateful text messages that were exchanged between students. They say the messages were screen captured, shared on social media and went viral.
Students say the texts targeted peoples' race, religion and sexual orientation.
District administrators would not go on camera, but sent a pair of letters to the community denouncing the students' actions, saying, "There is no place for hate in the Elwood School District."
District officials say the matter is still under investigation and there could be consequences for those involved. But, citing confidentiality, would not reveal any specific actions.
But what the district did reveal is changes to the curriculum that will include "additional historic perspectives from more diverse backgrounds" while engaging in "difficult conversations against intolerance and hate."
Tori DiDiego, an incoming senior at John Glenn High School, says, "I'm embarrassed, honestly, to go to this school."
Elaine Gross with the group Erase Racism, says the district is on the right track by including more lessons about diversity, but adds there should be additional training for teachers.
"There certainly needs to be ongoing education of students and also of educators. In the school is where a lot of this will end up showing its face," says Gross.
The district also made counselors available for any student struggling with the situation. Students are also being directed to the Anti-Defamation League and the Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth Network.