As Police Investigate Racist Pictures from Howard County Students, 'Conversation Circles' Form

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — After multiple Howard County high school students made racist posts on social media this week, those involved face disciplinary action and local leaders are calling for discussion.

"We returned to school this week following an emotional and sometimes polarizing election," Howard County Public School System Superintendent Renee Foose said in a statement. "In the past several days, some students have posted hurtful and insensitive messages on social media, and these images have gone viral."

Students at River Hill and Atholton high schools allegedly posted racist images.

"On Friday, we received information regarding a racist picture that was posted on social media," River Hill High School Principal Kathryn McKinley said in a statement.

The post showed a white girl holding a gun, accompanied by threatening racist language.

"An investigation into the incident began and the police were notified immediately," said McKinley on Monday, adding: "At this point, the investigation is ongoing."

In another case, an Atholton High School student posted a selfie with her white face painted black plus text containing a racial slur. The junior was "very apologetic" once the photograph was shared across social media and reached administrators, Howard County Public School System spokesman John White told The Washington Post.

Education officials said that the school system was trying to make the incidents part of a teachable moment.

Students at River Hill engaged in "conversation circles" Monday where they could discuss their feelings, with administrators and other staff on hand for support.

"We will continue to work together to broaden the dialogue and provide opportunities for ongoing conversations about how we want to move forward as a school community," Principal McKinley said. "River Hill High School is committed to maintaining a safe and respectful learning environment that is free from hate, prejudice, slurs, bullying or any type of uncivil behavior."

The County Council issued a statement condemning hate speech and discrimination.

"The results of any election, particularly this one, should neither embolden nor justify anyone to attack or threaten another person or group based upon who that person supported in the election or for any other reason; such behavior, particularly in our schools, must not and will not be tolerated," the council said in a statement.

County Executive Allan Kittleman asked adults to lead young people in discussions about tolerance.

"In the midst of this troubling time, we have an opportunity for parents, guardians and educators to talk to our youth," Kittleman said. "We need to discourage bullying, vandalism and intolerance. We need to promote positive dialogue. We need to demonstrate that Howard County will always be a place where every person is valued as a part of our family."

While Superintendent Foose said the school system "takes no stand on the election and will not interfere with free speech," she noted: "...we will enforce the Student Code of Conduct."

See the school system's policy on responsible use of social media.

Among the stipulations are that students do not use profanity, weapons, terrorism or violence in their posts.

Full statement from Superintendent Renee Foose

Dear HCPSS Community,

We returned to school this week following an emotional and sometimes polarizing election. In the past several days, some students have posted hurtful and insensitive messages on social media, and these images have gone viral.

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) takes no stand on the election and will not interfere with free speech. However, we will enforce the Student Code of Conduct. This week, we took the following measures to reinforce our core values, and support our students and staff:

• Many teachers have already made this a teachable moment by encouraging dialogue about our government’s checks and balances, and what it means to live in a diverse and inclusive society. HCPSS is committed to creating and maintaining positive educational experiences for all students.
• Staff was provided with guidance for reinforcing safe, supportive and positive school environments from the Association of School School Psychologists.

We continue to encourage our students to engage openly in conversation about diverging views with civility, dignity and respect. Many schools have already planned opportunities for student dialogue beginning on Monday with administrators and students working together to facilitate these discussions.

I hope these conversations continue in your home. You may want to consult this resource from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Together, we can ensure the goal of educating students in an inclusive school community, where every individual is valued. Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,
Renee A. Foose, Ed.D.
Superintendent

Statement from County Executive Allan Kittleman

Earlier this year in my State of the County address, I spoke about the resurgence of anger and hostility in our community and that it must stop. It saddens me that so many before us fought and sacrificed to stop injustice and discrimination; yet we continue to witness insensitive actions and speech. I am disheartened by recent accounts of intolerance that I’ve heard and even more discouraged by efforts to use pictures or events from months or years ago to continue to perpetuate an environment that promotes hatred and bullying.

I know many have blamed this anger on what was a long, heated and emotional national election. However, the election is over, and we must now come together as a nation.

As our President and President-Elect have both said, we all want what is best for this country. We need to unify our country in an inclusive and respectful way and work together to do so. As President Obama appropriately said the day after the election, “We’re not Democrats first. We’re not Republicans first. We are Americans first.”

A person’s religion, heritage, race, sexual orientation or gender identity/expression should never determine how they are treated. In Howard County, we celebrate and cherish our diversity, which has made our County one of the best places to live in the country.

As community leaders, parents and role models, we need to work harder to promote acceptance and civility. I believe it is our responsibility to make sure future generations know why the values we share are so important. In the midst of this troubling time, we have an opportunity for parents, guardians and educators to talk to our youth. I also urge our youth to seek out trusted adults with whom to speak and who will help them understand why the actions we are seeing in our schools and on social media are not acceptable.

We need to discourage bullying, vandalism and intolerance. We need to promote positive dialogue. We need to demonstrate that Howard County will always be a place where every person is valued as a part of our family.

Statement from the Howard County Council on Post-Election Behavior in the Community

This critical time in our history calls upon all Howard Countians to demonstrate why Howard County is one of the best places to live in the America. We have just completed a very heated and divisive campaign season, one that, regardless of which candidate people supported, has brought stress, concern, and anxiety to many in our community.

We know that it will take some time for healing and reflection. However, with the election now behind us, we must now focus on what brings us together. We must remember that Howard County's diversity is our strength as we move beyond 'tolerance' to the greater goal of embracing and understanding each other’s differences and to reinforce our already strong sense of community.

Unfortunately, across the United States, we are seeing horrible examples of behavior as a result of the election from both those whose candidate won and those whose candidate loss. Worse yet, we are also receiving reports of similar incidents here in Howard County, a number of which are related to our students and teachers both while in school and through social media. We are deeply disappointed and saddened to hear this. There is no place in our community for any occurrence of hate speech and intimidation, no matter what the reason or who is being targeted. These actions and behaviors are not acceptable and must be rejected.

It is the public policy of our County, as outlined in the Human Rights Subsection of the Howard County Code, that that we “shall foster and encourage the growth and development of Howard County so that all persons shall have an equal opportunity to pursue their lives free of discrimination.” It further elaborates that “Discrimination practices based upon: Race, Creed, Religion, Disability, Color, Sex, National origin, Age, Occupation, Marital status, Political opinion, Sexual orientation, Personal appearance, Familial status, Source of income, or Gender identity or expression, are contrary to the public policy of Howard County.” We believe that both our words and our actions must support this as, we the council, stand firmly against actions to the contrary.

The results of any election, particularly this one, should neither embolden nor justify anyone to attack or threaten another person or group based upon who that person supported in the election or for any other reason; such behavior, particularly in our schools, must not and will not be tolerated.

The County Council is asking parents, educators, and other members of the community to do your part and urges you all to use this time in our history and these incidents as opportunities for teachable moments and open dialogue with our children and with our neighbors across the community. We pledge to do the same. We must stand together against hate and intolerance of any type directed at any one in our community. Together, we can and we will get through these turbulent times and ensure Howard County remains one of the greatest places to live in the United States for everyone in our community.

River Hill principal's letter on Monday, Nov. 14

RHHS Update from the Principal

On Friday, we received information regarding a racist picture that was posted on social media. An investigation into the incident began and the police were notified immediately. At this point, the investigation is ongoing.

At River Hill High School we will not tolerate any harassment, bullying, and/or discrimination of any kind. All HCPSS policies will be followed when dealing with such situations to ensure our schools are a safe place for our students and our staff. Today, our students were able to participate in Conversation Circles with members of the Student Services Team, Administrative Team, and Cultural Proficiency office to provide a safe place for students to share their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. We will continue to work together to broaden the dialogue and provide opportunities for ongoing conversations about how we want to move forward as a school community. River Hill High School is committed to maintaining a safe and respectful learning environment that is free from hate, prejudice, slurs, bullying or any type of uncivil behavior.

Responsible Use of Technology and Social Media (Policy 8080)

Students must act in a responsible, civil, ethical and appropriate manner when using technology for HCPSS-sanctioned activities. Students may not reveal personally identifiable information (e.g., home phone numbers, addresses or social security numbers) except in specific circumstances where such information is required to complete academic assignments. In such circumstances, prior written consent from the parent or legal guardian of the student is required.

To ensure student safety and acceptable standards of technology use, all students will be given instruction on the responsible use of technology and social media.

Students will access only those network resources for which they have obtained permission, using the account assigned to them.

Students will not create, access, share, download, store or print content that:

• Depicts profanity, obscenity, the use of weapons, terrorism, or violence.
• Promotes use of tobacco, drugs, alcohol, or other illegal or harmful products.
• Contains sexually suggestive messages.
• Is sexually explicit or obscene.
• Depicts gang affiliation.
• Contains language or symbols that demean an identifiable person or group or otherwise infringe on the rights of others.
• Causes or is likely to cause a disruption to school activities or the orderly operation of the school.
• Contains rude, disrespectful or discourteous expressions inconsistent with civil discourse or behavior.
• Constitutes bullying, cyberbullying, harassment or intimidation in violation of Policy 1040 Safe and Supportive Schools, or Policy 1060 Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment, or Intimidation.

If a student, while using HCPSS sanctioned technology or social media, discovers that another student may be the target of bullying, stalking or other harmful behavior, the student must report the findings to a teacher or administrator. The school system reserves the right to enable or disable interactive features on social media to remove content that is inconsistent with the stated purpose, mission, and guidelines posted for the use of social media. The school system may access, monitor, archive, audit, purge or disclose the public contents of material that is created, stored or accessed through personal social media when possible and permitted by law.

Failure by any student to comply with this policy will result in the temporary or permanent termination of technology access privileges, in addition to any applicable disciplinary action or financial obligation.

Choose civility pic by Elizabeth Janney, taken at the Howard County Library in Ellicott City.