Massachusetts

Principal: Student Discovers Hand-Drawn Swastika on Desk of Newton Elementary School

The discovery was made Monday at the F.A. Day Middle School

Officials are investigating after a student discovered a hand-drawn swastika on a desk at a middle school in Newton, Massachusetts.

The discovery was made Monday on a desk at the F.A. Day Middle School, according to Principal Jackie Mann.

The principal, who sent out an email to parents to alert them of the situation, said the student told a faculty member who reported it to school officials.

"The image was accompanied by threatening language. We immediately initiated the district protocols for investigating incidents of hate, which included notification of the Newton Police," wrote Mann.

She added that the parents of the children in the class where the symbol was discovered were directly notified.

Mann said she is proud for those who spoke up and reported the incident and that the behavior will not be tolerated.

"We are all outraged when symbols of hate appear anywhere in our community," wrote Mann. "They are counter to our core values and will not be tolerated. Acts such as these do not reflect the work we have dedicated ourselves to here at Day, including our anti-bias lessons and Anti-Defamation League Peer Mentoring Program."

The incident is under investigation by both school officials and Newton Police.

Contact Us