More Hate Symbols Found At Summit High School

SUMMIT, NJ - Another round of hateful writing and symbols was found in a Summit High School bathroom and according to Superintendent June Chang, this may be the last update received.

"Earlier today, Ms. (Stacy) Grimaldi sent a letter to high school families informing them of an additional discovery of hateful writing and symbols found in a Summit High School bathroom," Chang said in an email. " We sincerely hope this is the last incident."

Grimaldi is the Summit High School principal.

According to Chang, the updates being sent out since these incidents first started in the week leading up to Thanksgiving, would not be as forthcoming.

Related Stories:

• Swastikas Found In Summit Middle School
• Investigation Into Summit Schools Swastika Graffiti Continues
• Swastikas Found In Summit High School
• Summit Mayor: Fight Against Hate At Interfaith Menorah Lighting
• Summit Declares 'No Home For Hate' At Menorah Lighting

"As part of our ongoing consultation with local authorities, it has been determined that it is in the best interest of the investigations to refrain from broadly communicating about additional incidents should they occur," Chang said. " We will continue to respond immediately to any potential further reports, and work closely with the police."

Chang said they remain committed to the planned district-wide response and the programming that was outlined in the letters sent by each principal today. The details of those programs were not provided to the media.

Swastikas and other examples of hate-laden graffiti were found in bathrooms in both Summit Middle School and Summit High School over the last few weeks. Initially, Chang apologized for not informing the public when the first round of graffiti hit Summit Middle School.

"We are looking at our communication protocols moving forward. Please rest assured parents will be contacted at the most appropriate time should any similar incidents occur," Chang said then.

The symbols drew swift condemnation from Summit officials and Mayor Nora Radest and Common Council President David Naidu spoke out about the incidents at a "No Home For Hate" rally at Temple Sinai's menorah lighting last Tuesday.

Radest said that every time a hateful word is uttered or a loathsome symbol is drawn, each and everyone in Summit is wounded and the community as a whole is wounded as well.

"These are not just words and symbols on a wall, they are attacks on fellow students, friends and neighbors," Radest said. "They are not abstract attacks. They are personal."

For his part, Naidu said that Summit is a community that condemns the use of hateful symbols and speech, the ideologies that underlie them, and the individuals who seek to maliciously use them to sow fear and division.

"More importantly, we are a community that will not sit idly when this happens," Naidu said. "For history teaches us, evil flourishes when good people are silent. Well, we will speak out, we will educate, we will show compassion, we will punish those responsible, and we will act."

Chang, who was in attendance for the ceremony, said that they will continue to seek out and take disciplinary action on those involved in the defacing of school property.

"As we have stated before, the Board and I remain very clear; acts of hate will not be tolerated in the Summit Public Schools," Chang said. "Working to prevent further acts of hate like these is an ongoing effort."

(Photo courtesy of Google Earth)

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