Marblehead High School Principal Michele Carlson sent an email Tuesday at 10:30 p.m. alerting families that graffiti had been discovered in a school bathroom, containing “hateful words and symbols, including a swastika.”
Carlson’s email continued: “As a school community, this behavior does not reflect our values and will not be tolerated. MHS administration and Superintendent Robidoux are addressing this in accordance with our handbook and support from law enforcement. Thank you to the students who reported these incidents, allowing us to take swift action to maintain a safe and respectful environment for all students and staff.”
Carlson had sent an email to families on Oct. 3 asking for their support in addressing graffiti in MHS bathrooms and encouraging students to report anything inappropriate. In Tuesday’s email, she said additional graffiti had been found.
Wednesday afternoon, Robidoux wrote to the Current, “Due to the fact that this is an ongoing investigation, further details cannot be shared at this time. The overarching message is that hate of any kind will not be tolerated in Marblehead Public Schools. School officials will continue to collaborate with law enforcement and community partners and work to create and maintain a culture of acceptance, understanding and belonging.”
Marblehead parent Yael Magen, who also sits on Robidoux’s Anti-discrimination Committee, reacted to news of the graffiti in an email to the Current.
“Two years ago on October 7th, the Jewish people woke up to a new reality. The largest number of slaughtered and tortured Jews in one day that was not seen since the Holocaust. It was a 21st-century pogrom in the most ravage and evil way. My son David reached out to Mrs. Carlson and requested to include a mention about October 7th in the morning announcements. The message was very touching and I heard from many other students that they really appreciated the message. And once again, on our memorial day, just like previous Holocaust memorial days, a swastika was found in Marblehead school’s bathroom.”
Magen added: “The anti-discrimination sub-committee was born because of the increasing antisemitic incidents and curriculum that has infiltrated our schools. We must not only take reactive measures when these recurring incidents occur but rather also proactive measures. Education and discipline are the key and we must start treating antisemitism as a true disease that once again is destroying our societies. Hate for your religion is not acceptable in western society, in America, in Massachusetts and in Marblehead. We must not allow this incident to pass us by without it being a teaching moment in our district. We must make a district plan and take proactive actions to combat antisemitism in our schools. The writing is literally on the wall.”
