VIRGINIA BEACH — Parents were notified this week about a racist incident involving students at a Virginia Beach high school that has left many calling for accountability.

The principal of Kellam High School sent a notice about the incident and said a school staff member immediately intervened after witnessing the incident, which involved other students. The principal sent an email on Thursday that said “the students involved will be disciplined to the fullest extent possible based upon the school division’s code of student conduct,” local news station WTKR 3 reported.

Details on exactly what happened were not released by officials, but per local news station WAVY-TV 10, a Black student was approached by a group of white students with a bag full of “perceived stereotypical Black items” and a card with racial slurs.

According to the Virginia Beach Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, criminal charges will not be pursued because the harassment did not reach that level.

The Virginia Beach NAACP released a statement on Thursday, which said in part:

“The rise in emboldened racist behavior in recent years is alarming and unacceptable. Racism should have no place in our schools, our communities, or anywhere in society. It is especially troubling that our youth must continue to endure the painful reality of discrimination. The Virginia Beach NAACP is committed to ensuring that all residents, especially African Americans, can live without fear or undue anxiety due to the color of their skin.

We will continue to monitor this situation closely and look forward to the findings of the ongoing investigation by Virginia Beach Public Schools. We call upon school administrators, educators, and community leaders to take decisive action in addressing these incidents and fostering an environment of respect, inclusion, and accountability.”

More on the racist incident in Virginia Beach and the community’s response.