Westfield Middle School to raise awareness of antisemitism after swastikas found
WESTFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A symbol of hate and violence, specifically a swastika, was found drawn on a student's notebook at Westfield Middle School on Monday.
In a letter sent to family members of students on Tuesday from Principal Jesse McMillan, several incidents are being investigated concerning swastika drawings. On Monday, a drawing of a swastika was found on a student's notebook. Principal McMillan also reports that swastikas were found earlier this month inside a school-issued device, and on an eraser found on the floor.
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The principal says the school has zero tolerance for hate speech and that they are working to enhance protocols for future incidents, 'While we believe strongly in education as our primary tool to combat prejudice, we will also implement severe disciplinary consequences for any student found creating or promoting hate symbols or engaging in antisemitic behavior.'
In response to the incidents, the middle school plans to hold education sessions for all students and with the help of a new partnership with the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts to develop age-appropriate educational resources.
The school is asking family members to have open discussions with their children about hate symbols and their historical content. They will encourage students to report any concerning behavior to a trusted adult. Resources are available on the Anti-Defamation League's website.
There has been a 140% increase in antisemitic incidents in 2023 with 8,873 across the U.S.
The Anti-Defamation League reports
'Hate symbols of any kind have no place in our school community. Such actions create an unsafe learning environment, inflict real harm on our students and staff, and fundamentally contradict our educational mission. I want to assure you that we take these matters very seriously,' Principal McMillan reiterated in the school community's letter.
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
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It seems like a lifetime ago, but last weekend Bass announced that she had struck a deal with Harris-Dawson, the council president, to find the money to restore her plan for hiring 480 police officers next year. Bass said Harris-Dawson has committed to identify the funding for those hires within three months. Councilmember Bob Blumenfield, who sits on the budget committee, said he is open to finding the money but was not part of any promise to do so within 90 days. That's it for this week! Send your questions, comments and gossip to LAontheRecord@ Did a friend forward you this email? Sign up here to get it in your inbox every Saturday morning.
