Long Island school nurse reassigned for wearing 'ICE' jacket on 'Superhero Day'

Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News on Jun 12, 2025

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NEW YORK — An elementary school nurse on Long Island has been reassigned amid backlash sparked by the jacket she wore for “Superhero Day,” which allegedly had the letters “ICE” written across the back.

“The Amityville Union Free School District is aware of an allegation involving a district staff member who affixed an acronym to their clothing that was perceived by some members of the school community as offensive or inappropriate in the educational setting,” school officials said in a statement. “The District takes all concerns related to the school environment seriously, particularly when they may impact students, staff, or families.”

The district did not provide further details, but the president of the Amityville Teachers’ Association, Nakia Wolfe, told Newsday the “acronym” spelled out ICE. She said the employee, a nurse, wore the jacket to Northwest Elementary School, a K-2 building, on Wednesday, the same day as a moving-up ceremony for the kindergartners. It was also “Superhero Day,” which saw students dress up as characters including Batman and Spider-Man.

Wolfe declined to name the nurse, but told Newsday she was “shocked” to learn of the person's choice in wardrobe.

“Why would you come into a setting of learning to make any type of political stance like that?” Wolfe said. “It’s just completely inappropriate.”

Members of the Amityville Community were quick to echo the sentiment. Resident Marquise Gordon called the incident “utterly disgusting” during an interview with News 12.

“We got kids that’s just trying to get their education,” said Gordon. “How dare you show up to a school in that type of, and set that type of precedent, knowing what’s going on in the world right now?”

Fellow resident Jackie Sauls added: “People are already fearful as it is.”

District officials in a statement said the nurse “was immediately reassigned to a non-school setting” pending an investigation.

“Our top priority is to ensure that our schools remain safe, inclusive, and welcoming spaces for all students and families,” it continued.

The incident comes after days of demonstrations in Los Angeles — aimed at protesting surprise ICE raids and President Donald Trump’s immigration policies — escalated from mostly peaceful to include vandalism, rioting and violent classes with law enforcement.

On Saturday, President Trump announced that he would deploy the National Guard, despite protests from California Gov. Gavin Newsom and the city’s mayor, Karen Bass. Their arrival on Sunday proved a flashpoint that resulted in a curfew being implemented for much of the downtown area.

In the days since, protests have spread to major cities across the United States.

During an appearance on Fox News 5 on Wednesday, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said officers arrested 86 anti-ICE activists in lower Manhattan the day prior.

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