Antisemitic Graffiti Recently Found At 2 Greenwich Middle Schools

GREENWICH, CT — Antisemitic graffiti was recently found at two Greenwich middle schools, according to Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones.

Jones sent a letter to families this past Sunday night and said the incidents were unrelated. The graffiti was discovered at Western Middle School and Central Middle School.

"Our school administration teams investigated both issues and will continue to work with families directly if a student should act in a way which is not appropriate," Jones said. "If our investigation finds any act of violence or belligerence, we do not hesitate to involve the Greenwich Police Department."

Despite a rise in reports of hate incidents on educational campuses since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, Jones said the district is "not seeing a rash of hate crimes or any behaviors out of the ordinary" for the student population.

Still, Jones called hate rhetoric "hurtful and concerning."

"School administration deals with each case through thoughtful and thorough investigations," Jones said. "As a parent, you understand that young children and teens act inappropriately for many different reasons, including a lack of understanding, cognitive or emotional challenges, or not being thoughtful that their words and actions can be hurtful to others."

Included in Jones's letter were some answers to recent questions asked by the community.

Jones noted that specifics on the Holocaust are first introduced in sixth grade using age-appropriate materials from Washington, D.C.'s United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Anti-Defamation League.

In eighth grade, the middle school experience culminates with a trip to Washington, where students visit the Holocaust Memorial Museum. GHS students study the Holocaust in global studies.

The school district has used materials and programs from the ADL for many years, Jones said. Notably, ninth graders have participated in "Names Day," an anti-bullying event. Students again will participate on Nov. 21.

"In 2020, GHS was recognized as the only high school in Connecticut with such a long-standing commitment to this program," Jones said.

According to Greenwich Time, a letter calling for Jones to create an action plan to address antisemitism in the district has garnered over 900 signatures, including First Selectman Fred Camillo and Rep. Jim Himes, (D-CT).

Since Oct. 7, the ADL said it has recorded a significant spike in antisemitic incidents across the United States.

Late last month, preliminary data from ADL Center on Extremism showed that reported incidents of harassment, vandalism and assault increased by 388 percent over the same period last year.

In nearby Stamford, swastikas were found in October in two separate locations on the campus of the Academy of Information Technology & Engineering (AITE). Police are investigating.

Read more from Greenwich Time.