logo
Antisemitic hate speech found at Williams Middle School in Longmeadow

Antisemitic hate speech found at Williams Middle School in Longmeadow

Yahoo12-03-2025
LONGMEADOW, Mass. (WWLP) – An antisemitic hate speech was found written inside the boy's bathroom at Williams Middle School in Longmeadow on Tuesday.
In a letter sent to family members of students on Tuesday from Principal Nicole Forys and Superintendent of Schools Marty O'Shea, a police report has been filed after 'Heil Hitler' was written in large print on the outside of a boy's bathroom stall.
Westfield Middle School to raise awareness of antisemitism after swastikas found
The superintendent says the public school system is committed to creating school environments free from hate, racism and discrimination in any form. Resources have been shared within the letter for educators and parents for combatting hate in schools.
LPS Bullying Policy
LPS Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan
'This act of hate speech is profoundly troubling and disheartening. Certainly, antisemitism, like all forms of racism, bias, hate, and discrimination, is not tolerated. It is not consistent with the policies or values of Longmeadow Public Schools and it is not aligned with the Williams Middle School charter to be a welcoming and affirming community that celebrates all. This painful incident reminds us that our efforts toward respect, inclusivity, and tolerance are essential and must be ongoing,' states in the Superintendent's Newsletter.
To report antisemitic incidents or threats, the school urges to submit an anonymous online tip at SandyHookPromise.org.
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.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

With A Few Words, Indiana Changed The Landscape For Educational Entrepreneurs
With A Few Words, Indiana Changed The Landscape For Educational Entrepreneurs

Forbes

time2 hours ago

  • Forbes

With A Few Words, Indiana Changed The Landscape For Educational Entrepreneurs

With eighteen words tucked into a 37-page education bill, the Indiana state legislature took a major step towards easing the lives of educational entrepreneurs. Those words? 'A public school, charter school, or nonpublic school shall be considered a permitted use in all zoning districts.' While that might not seem like much, according to educational entrepreneurs, it removes one of the major barriers to starting a new school. For some background, an educator cannot simply open a new school anywhere they want. Different plots of land are zoned differently and siting a school on a plot of land can require reaching out to the local planning authority for permission. In some parts of Indiana prior to this year (and in states all across the country to this day) local municipalities were able to restrict schools from operating in areas under their zoning control. What's more, as a report about Florida by the Teach Coalition documented, some localities regulate private schools differently than public schools, creating far more hoops for private schools looking to open. In many municipalities, educators need to file for a 'change of use' permit (sometimes called a 'variance' or 'conditional use permit') before they are able to operate a school, asking planning authorities to grant them the opportunity to operate there. This requires school leaders to go before a zoning board, city council, or other authorities that do not have to approve their application. These bodies routinely request copious documentation from architects, engineers, traffic analysts, and others in order to win their support. There can be hearings, often with opportunity for public comment, site visits, and more. All of this takes time and money and does not necessarily lead to a yes from the authorities. And, because the criteria can be so ambiguous, school leaders are at the mercy of boards with lots of reasons to deny an application if they want to. For example, schools can be denied on aesthetic grounds, with their facility deemed 'incompatible' by a planning board. But compatibility is in the eye of the beholder, and in practice this gives boards a catchall mechanism to say no. The incentives of the situation are such that boards are more likely to be punished for saying yes to something that they shouldn't have than for saying no to something that they should. When a building deemed an eyesore or one that mucks up traffic gets built, people ask 'who let that happen?' But if students spread between a bunch of different schools are getting a subpar education because they don't have better options, there is not one person or body to blame. Thus the risk aversion. As a result, planners' scales start tipped towards no, and educators have to push a stone uphill to change their minds. Indiana did away with all of this. By moving schools, of all types, into 'by right' zoning status, educators don't need to go through the approval process. Usually by simply filing the appropriate paperwork with planning authorities, schools are able to operate. Boards do not have a veto, so there is no need for hearings, and more certainty for school leaders. To be clear, 'by right' zoning does not suddenly make everything into a free for all. Schools still have to abide by zoning regulations, there is simply an affirmative understanding that they are permitted to do what they are doing until someone can demonstrate otherwise. Rather than having to convince authorities that they are compliant, authorities would have to actively seek out issues to block their progress. Moving schools to 'by right' zoning does not fix all of the issues that educational entrepreneurs, especially those that are looking to start smaller schools, encounter when trying to get started. Many municipalities treat any institution with more than five unrelated children attending them for a regular period of time to be 'schools' and subject them to the same regulations as a 1000-student high school. Whether it is fire suppression, parking mandates, fencing, lot size, designated recreation space, or more, there is little flexibility for small school operations looking to use unconventional, but perfectly appropriate, facilities. Utah took a big step to deal with these issues last year with the passage of SB 13. That legislation allowed for schools of less than 100 students to be classed as businesses permitted to open in all zones in the state. They would be subject to the International Building Code, the standard for commercial properties that does not have the same requirements as the code for school buildings. What moving schools to 'by right' zoning does do is ease confusion and establish a baseline level of certainty. Whereas big property developers have the time and resources to make change of use applications and win some and lose some, educators do not. They do not have the money lying around to conduct traffic studies, let alone to conduct studies that eventually comes to nothing. Add in architectural reports, engineering reports, and more, and one can easily see that the risk is far too great. Indiana made a big step towards changing that. States like Indiana have made substantial investments in the demand side of school choice, dramatically increasing the supports available to families to choose their child's school. But, if states do not put the same effort (or possibly more!) into the supply side of school choice, there will not be enough options for those parents to choose.

Feds move to restrict funding for Virginia schools, punishing support for transgender students
Feds move to restrict funding for Virginia schools, punishing support for transgender students

Associated Press

time17 hours ago

  • Associated Press

Feds move to restrict funding for Virginia schools, punishing support for transgender students

The Trump administration appears to be following through on its threat to withhold federal funds from public schools in Northern Virginia after they refused to roll back policies that support transgender and gender non-conforming students. The U.S. Education Department announced Tuesday that it has placed Fairfax County Public Schools and the school systems in Arlington, Alexandria, Prince William and Loudoun on 'high-risk status,' a move that it claims lets it attach specific conditions for releasing funding. Arguing that the schools are violating federal civil rights laws by accommodating students based on their gender identity, rather than their sex assigned at birth, the department says it will require the districts to pay their expenses upfront and then request reimbursement in order to receive over $50 million in grants and other funding. The department said it's also 'commencing administrative proceedings seeking suspension or termination of federal financial assistance.' 'States and school districts cannot openly violate federal law while simultaneously receiving federal funding with no additional scrutiny,' Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in a press release. 'The Northern Viriginia (sic) School Divisions that are choosing to abide by woke gender ideology in place of federal law must now prove they are using every single federal dollar for a legal purpose.' Responding to a complaint filed by the right-wing group American First Legal, the Education Department's Office of Civil Rights (OCR) contends that, by letting transgender students use bathrooms and locker rooms that match their gender identity, FCPS and the four other school districts are violating Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination based on sex in educational programs that receive federal funds. Facing an Aug. 15 deadline to accept an agreement that would require them to rescind their existing policies, the schools all announced last week that they will instead continue to accommodate students based on their gender identity, asserting that those supports are crucial to creating an inclusive, safe environment for all and consistent with both state law and previous court rulings. Under Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, the Virginia Department of Education issued 'model' policies in 2023 recommending that schools recognize students' legal sex as shown on their birth certificate that FCPS declined to adopt. In addition, the Virginia High School League banned transgender girls from competing in girls' sports earlier this year in response to an executive order by President Donald Trump. A petition calling for transgender women and girls to be prohibited from entering female-only 'private spaces' and athletic competitions statewide was advanced on Monday by the Virginia State Board of Health. However, the Virginia Human Rights Act includes gender identity among the characteristics protected from discrimination, including in 'educational institutions.' In her statement on Friday, FCPS Superintendent Michelle Reid requested that the Education Department pause any further actions until the issue of how Title IX relates to transgender students is 'clarified by the courts.' Though the U.S. Supreme Court hasn't weighed in on bathroom policies, the justices have agreed to hear two cases on the right of transgender female athletes to compete on women's teams later this year. According to Reid, FCPS has up to $160 million in federal funding hanging in the balance. While it's unclear which funds are being targeted by the Education Department's new reimbursement conditions, FCPS counts on federal money to support free and reduced-price student meals, special education, workforce development and other programs. In a new statement shared Tuesday night, FCPS said it received OCR's notification of its 'high-risk status' just after 4 p.m. and is now reviewing the letter. 'We are reviewing OCR's current letter in detail and will respond after we have completed our review. While this matter is pending, FCPS policies and regulations will continue to stay aligned with Virginia law and the rulings of the federal Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. 'FCPS remains dedicated to creating a safe, supportive, and inclusive school environment for all students and staff members, including our transgender and gender-expansive community. Any student who has a need or desire for increased privacy, regardless of the underlying reason, shall continue to be provided with reasonable accommodations. 'We look forward to continuing our strong start to our school year, resolute in our commitment to academic excellence and opportunity for each and every student in a safe and welcoming environment.' FCPS adopted its regulations allowing students to use facilities, participate in programs and be identified based on their gender identity in October 2020. According to the county's most recent youth survey, which was conducted among eighth, 10th and 12th-grade students in 2023, only 2.3% of respondents, or 595 students, identified as transgender, though another 1.7% or 453 students said they were unsure. Separately, there were 427 respondents, or 1.6%, who identified as nonbinary. ___ This story was originally published by FFXnow and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.

Feds move to restrict funding for Virginia schools, punishing support for transgender students
Feds move to restrict funding for Virginia schools, punishing support for transgender students

Washington Post

time17 hours ago

  • Washington Post

Feds move to restrict funding for Virginia schools, punishing support for transgender students

The Trump administration appears to be following through on its threat to withhold federal funds from public schools in Northern Virginia after they refused to roll back policies that support transgender and gender non-conforming students. The U.S. Education Department announced Tuesday that it has placed Fairfax County Public Schools and the school systems in Arlington, Alexandria , Prince William and Loudoun on 'high-risk status,' a move that it claims lets it attach specific conditions for releasing funding. Arguing that the schools are violating federal civil rights laws by accommodating students based on their gender identity, rather than their sex assigned at birth, the department says it will require the districts to pay their expenses upfront and then request reimbursement in order to receive over $50 million in grants and other funding. The department said it's also 'commencing administrative proceedings seeking suspension or termination of federal financial assistance.' 'States and school districts cannot openly violate federal law while simultaneously receiving federal funding with no additional scrutiny,' Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in a press release. 'The Northern Viriginia (sic) School Divisions that are choosing to abide by woke gender ideology in place of federal law must now prove they are using every single federal dollar for a legal purpose.' Responding to a complaint filed by the right-wing group American First Legal, the Education Department's Office of Civil Rights (OCR) contends that, by letting transgender students use bathrooms and locker rooms that match their gender identity, FCPS and the four other school districts are violating Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination based on sex in educational programs that receive federal funds. Facing an Aug. 15 deadline to accept an agreement that would require them to rescind their existing policies, the schools all announced last week that they will instead continue to accommodate students based on their gender identity, asserting that those supports are crucial to creating an inclusive, safe environment for all and consistent with both state law and previous court rulings . Under Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, the Virginia Department of Education issued 'model' policies in 2023 recommending that schools recognize students' legal sex as shown on their birth certificate that FCPS declined to adopt . In addition, the Virginia High School League banned transgender girls from competing in girls' sports earlier this year in response to an executive order by President Donald Trump. A petition calling for transgender women and girls to be prohibited from entering female-only 'private spaces' and athletic competitions statewide was advanced on Monday by the Virginia State Board of Health. However, the Virginia Human Rights Act includes gender identity among the characteristics protected from discrimination, including in 'educational institutions.' In her statement on Friday, FCPS Superintendent Michelle Reid requested that the Education Department pause any further actions until the issue of how Title IX relates to transgender students is 'clarified by the courts.' Though the U.S. Supreme Court hasn't weighed in on bathroom policies, the justices have agreed to hear two cases on the right of transgender female athletes to compete on women's teams later this year. According to Reid, FCPS has up to $160 million in federal funding hanging in the balance. While it's unclear which funds are being targeted by the Education Department's new reimbursement conditions, FCPS counts on federal money to support free and reduced-price student meals, special education, workforce development and other programs. In a new statement shared Tuesday night, FCPS said it received OCR's notification of its 'high-risk status' just after 4 p.m. and is now reviewing the letter. 'We are reviewing OCR's current letter in detail and will respond after we have completed our review. While this matter is pending, FCPS policies and regulations will continue to stay aligned with Virginia law and the rulings of the federal Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. 'FCPS remains dedicated to creating a safe, supportive, and inclusive school environment for all students and staff members, including our transgender and gender-expansive community. Any student who has a need or desire for increased privacy, regardless of the underlying reason, shall continue to be provided with reasonable accommodations. 'We look forward to continuing our strong start to our school year, resolute in our commitment to academic excellence and opportunity for each and every student in a safe and welcoming environment.' FCPS adopted its regulations allowing students to use facilities, participate in programs and be identified based on their gender identity in October 2020. According to the county's most recent youth survey , which was conducted among eighth, 10th and 12th-grade students in 2023, only 2.3% of respondents, or 595 students, identified as transgender, though another 1.7% or 453 students said they were unsure. Separately, there were 427 respondents, or 1.6%, who identified as nonbinary. ___ This story was originally published by FFXnow and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store