Anti-Semitic Graffiti Found At Melrose Middle School

MELROSE, MA — Anti-semitic graffiti was found in two separate boy's bathrooms at Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School, interim principal Jaime Parsons announced Monday.

The first graffiti was found on a urinal in the fourth floor boy's bathroom Friday. After school was dismissed for the day, Parsons said the assistant principal discovered more hateful graffiti in the second floor boy's room on the back of the front door.

Parsons called the superintendent, as well as the Melrose Police Department. Police locked the bathrooms and took pictures of the graffiti while the department of public works removed it from the bathrooms.

It's uncertain how many students saw the graffiti. Police and school officials are reviewing video footage to identify any people who might have information.

A full statement from Parsons can be found here:

Greetings MVMMS families,

I am writing to inform you that two incidents of anti-Semitic graffiti were discovered in separate boy’s bathrooms at Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School. The first incident was located in the 4th floor boy’s bathroom on the farthest urinal partition. It was reported to me by the Assistant Principal after school was dismissed on Friday, November 2. The second incident of graffiti was located on the back of the front door of the boy’s room on the 2nd floor. It was reported to me by the Assistant Principal before the start of school today, November 5, 2018.

In both instances the Superintendent, Melrose Police Department and the Melrose DPW were notified promptly. The bathrooms were locked, the Police Department photographed the graffiti and the DPW removed it from the bathrooms.

We are in the process of investigating this matter including looking at video footage to identify persons that may have information. We do not know at this time if any students saw either drawing. However, it is possible that some children saw the graffiti or heard about it. If your child did witness something that may be helpful in identifying who is responsible, please call me directly at the number below.

Most importantly, please talk with your children and assure them that we do not tolerate any hateful speech or imagery and that MVMMS is a school where everyone belongs. We are a community that is inclusive and supportive of one another and we will not tolerate any hateful or hurtful words and/or symbols. We expect that every person at MVMMS feels safe, supported, and respected.

Although it saddens me to know that someone drew this hateful graffiti in our school, I believe we can use this as a learning opportunity for our students. All students will participate in a learning activity and community circle related to discrimination and harassment during their A block class on Tuesday, November 13, 2108.

Photo by Mike Carraggi