Swastika Found On Lab Desk At Long Reach HS

COLUMBIA, MD — School officials are investigating a swastika found on a lab table at Long Reach High School, the principal reported Thursday afternoon.

While it was not clear when the act occurred, because the lab tables are in constant use, Long Reach Principal Joshua R. Wasilewski said that officials were looking into it. The administration would take disciplinary action if needed, he added.

"I want to be clear that hate symbols have no place in our school community," Wasilewski said.

There will be school-facilitated conversations where students in the classes that were affected may discuss what happened.

"This will be part of our continued efforts to shape a community and school environment that has authentic and positive relationships across difference," Wasilewski said.

Swastikas have appeared at several schools around Maryland in the past several years.

Last year in Montgomery County, swastika vandalism was found at an elementary school, on a high school football field and at a park. Two Montgomery County high school students were charged with vandalism in 2014 after swastikas were drawn on school buses, a synagogue sign and a vehicle.

There was a spike in hateful behavior targeting people based on their faith or race in Howard County in the first semester of the 2016-2017 school year. Administrators were notified that individual students at Oakland Mills, River Hill, Atholton and Mount Hebron made racist posts on social media.

Also in Howard County, a 24-year-old Clarksville man was charged in December with 42 offenses including a hate crime after police said surveillance linked him to swastikas and other graffiti drawn in public places over an eight-month period. He is due at trial in June.

• Hate Crime and 41 Other Charges Lodged Against Clarksville Man
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Below is the full text of the letter from the Long Reach High School principal on May 18:

Dear LRHS Community,

Yesterday, May 17, it was reported that an image of a swastika was found on a lab table. As these tables have been in use throughout the year, we are unsure at this time as to how recent this occurred. However, please know that we will investigate the incident and take action in accordance with the Howard County Code of Conduct. I want to be clear that hate symbols have no place in our school community.

As part of our response, we will be facilitating Restorative Circles with the classes that were directly impacted. Our purpose will be to process what occurred and allow students to share their perspectives and feelings related to this incident. This will be part of our continued efforts to shape a community and school environment that has authentic and positive relationships across difference.

Sincerely,
Joshua R. Wasilewski
Principal

Image via Wikimedia Commons.