Danvers Schools Strengthens Anti-Defamation League Partnership

DANVERS, MA — Danvers Public Schools has strengthened its partnership with the Anti-Defamation League and launched a series of Climate, Culture & Transparency sessions with high school and middle school parents in response to a series of racist, antisemitic and homophobic acts in the schools — and throughout the town — in recent years.

Superintendent of Schools Lisa Dana said in a letter to the school community that "as part of our ongoing commitment to improving and strengthening our school culture" the district has strengthened its partnership with the Anti-Defamation League to include professional development with district faculty and staff.

Dana said the district will use those resources to respond to any incidents of bias and hate "the moment it occurs."

This week, the high school also launched its first Climate, Culture & Transparency sessions that drew 15 parents. The Holten Richmond Middle School — where two incidents of antisemitic graffiti, including swastikas, were found in bathrooms in recent weeks — was to host its first session on Thursday.

Dana said Danvers Principal Adam Federico reported "a very productive" discussion in the first high school meeting.

The district has pledged more communication, transparency and a better public response to any incidents following a rash of troublesome cases of hate in and around Danvers Public Schools, which include accusations of racist and homophobic hazing within the boys high school hockey program over the past two years, racial profiling at a local business this fall, public displays of a Confederate flag and an apparent noose and the graffiti in and near the middle school.

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)

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