Westfield BOE Addresses 'Unacceptable' Swastika Symbol

WESTFIELD, NJ — Speaking on behalf of the Westfield Board of Education, President Gretchan Ohlig condemned the etching of a swastika in a panel in a Franklin Elementary School bathroom while praising the response of Principal Eileen Cambria.

“The board was made aware of the incident at Franklin," Ohlig said. "Acts like this are unacceptable and Dr. Cambria and her staff have and continue to handle the response to this event in a way that makes that clear."

The swastika was etched in the bathroom by a student according to an email sent home by Principal Eileen Cambria and reported on by TAP.

Parents were sent the email by Cambria on Wednesday and she said that before the end of the school day, a student did admit to etching the symbol and appropriate consequences will be administered

“Please take the time to talk to your child at home about this symbol of hate. It is not an easy conversation, but it is a very important one," Cambria said in the email. "We are working hard at school to teach respect for all. I know that you will address this at home as well.”

The incident came in midst of the district celebrating the "Week of Respect" which saw inclusive programs running in every school in Westfield.

"The district remains focused on educating our students on issues of diversity and inclusiveness and will continue to partner with families and our community in doing this work," Ohlig said.

This is not the first time this has happened at Franklin Elementary School. The district dealt with a hate symbol on the first floor bathroom in February 2017 according to a report from TAP.

At that time, Doug Sagal, head rabbi of Temple Emanu-El in Westfield told TAP that there has been a rise in anti-Semitism the likes of which the country hasn't seen since the 1930s.

"I believe very strongly that we as a community need to send a clear and unambiguous message that hatred and bigotry of any kind will not be tolerated in the Westfield community," Sagal said in the report.

Superintendent Margaret Dolan would not comment on the specifics of the incident or the email sent home to parents by Cambria, but said that respect and kindness are taken seriously by the district.

“During this Week of Respect and throughout the school year, we continue to incorporate into lessons and model ways our students can and should be respectful and kind," Dolan told Patch. "Our administrators and teachers take this responsibility very seriously. It is an important part of our work as educators.”

Similarly, Ohlig would not comment further on the latest issue.

"We cannot discuss the specifics of this incident or the consequences imposed,” Ohlig said.

(Photo courtesy of Google Earth)

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