Dear Needham Public Schools Families:

As we begin the winter break, allow me to share the following updates:

•  Racist and Hateful Graffiti  Twice in the last two weeks hateful and racist graffiti, including the use of a swastika, racial slur, and a homophobic slur, have been found written into a boys' bathroom stall at Needham High School. Principal Aaron Sicotte and his staff are working with teachers, students, and the police to find the perpetrator(s) and ensure appropriate consequences are applied.

This kind of unsettling behavior is not representative of the students of the Needham Public Schools, and when a hateful act like this occurs, the entire school community rises to condemn it.  While it may be discomforting to address an incident like this, especially on the eve of winter break when everyone is focused on vacation plans or holiday preparations, it is important to acknowledge the behavior and the steps we are taking to address it.   Of course, we want to acknowledge the behavior without amplifying and drawing unwarranted attention to it. We will strive to keep families informed when incidents like this occur knowing that we must also seek balance in our efforts to act and communicate.

It is important to note that students brought this graffiti to the attention of school staff.  Principal Sicotte acknowledged the importance of this in an email to the high school community:  "Coming forward to report offensiveness like this is a great example of actively stepping forward. I appreciate all of the times students report concerning items and the many times each day a student says to a friend that something shouldn't be done or said. Those can be hard moments, but they highlight the depth of character of so many of our students and the essence of what make NHS the strong community it is. We have incredible students and adults in this building, and offensive behavior like this does not reflect who we truly are." Mr. Sicotte is spot on.

Finally, the district, students, and staff are engaged in work at every level to support equitable opportunities and nurture safe, inclusive, and welcoming schools and classrooms for each child. Unfortunately, the Needham Public Schools and the Needham community are not immune from racist, anti-semitic, and homophobic slurs despite our ongoing efforts to combat fear and hate through, for example, the curriculum, school programs, and School Improvement Plans.  Sadly, there is no guarantee that this behavior will not be repeated; our efforts to confront racism and hate are robust but imperfect. Please know, however, that when it does occur, our students and staff will act and move quickly to ensure no student or staff member feels targeted or unsafe within the Needham Public Schools.