School districts are removing titles from classrooms and libraries in response to student mental‑health crises; PEN America data show many banned titles include suicide, depression or grief themes. District leaders in some cases defended removals as temporary, targeted curriculum choices tied to immediate student welfare considerations. Separately, New York City is rolling out lessons on Jewish and Muslim American history as educators and officials try to counter rising antisemitic and anti‑Muslim incidents. Both developments place curricular decisions at the center of debates over safety, free expression and how schools respond to social tensions and student wellbeing.