Howard High Drawing Part Of 'Disturbing Trend': HCPSS Officials

ELLICOTT CITY, MD — Drawings of a swastika and genitalia at Howard High School are part of a "disturbing trend in Howard County," school leaders said. Found in the snow on the field hockey field, the message left an impression on the community and prompted a call for parents to have a conversation with their children about civility.

"An act like the one at Howard was easily erased by sweeping the snow. However, the impact it had on others cannot be so easily swept away," Howard County Board of Education Chair Mavis Ellis and Howard County Public School System Superintendent Michael Martirano said in a joint statement on Wednesday, Jan. 16.

Drivers on Route 108 as well as students and staff arriving at school Tuesday morning could see the swastika and penis drawings, officials reported.

RELATED: Swastika, Genitalia Drawing In Snow Condemned As 'Hateful Act'

"While this may not officially be considered a crime, we strongly condemn this act of hate and will hold the responsible person accountable to the extent permitted by our discipline policy," the two said in the letter.

"We are seeing a disturbing trend in Howard County, and across the country, of messages and actions being instigated on various groups of people for no other reason than hate or ignorance of the impact it may have," the statement said. "These acts are not a 'prank' or 'joke,' and HCPSS will continue to work closely with HCPD to hold those who commit these acts responsible to the full extent permitted by law and system policy."

Ellis and Martirano explained schools were doing to address the problem. In addition, they asked families to talk with children about their words and actions, promoting civility.

"While we will continue to work with the student who committed these acts in a restorative approach and leverage their actions to become learning opportunities, we cannot stress enough the importance of families talking to their children about the impact of hate symbols and speech," the letter said. "We ask all Howard County families to engage your children in conversations about acceptance of all people and the impact their words and actions can have. Just like we do in our schools, please engage our young people about the importance of practicing civility and being mindful of the impact their actions have on others."

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