June 5, 2025

A Message from the Acting Superintendent

Dear families,

We need your help.  In the past 24-hours, two more incidents of anti-semitism on school property have been reported. 

Incident 1 - After school Wednesday afternoon, elementary children playing youth LAX on the admin field found a swastika scratched onto the old playground equipment. They reported it to a parent who then emailed us. This morning we notified the Weston police as well as our Director of Security and Director of Facilities. The police investigation is open.

Incident 2 - Late Thursday morning (today), Principal Dan Doak notified me that swastikas were found on a classroom desk.  School Resource Officer Kim and the “Mile of Safety” officer were notified.  Principal Doak and Assistant Principal Walters will investigate and coordinate with SRO Kim and the Weston police department as appropriate.  The investigation is on-going. 

We need your help.  If age appropriate, we encourage you to speak with your children. 

1. Students in Grades 6 - 12 know that swastikas are hate symbols directed at Jewish people.  They have been educated through classes, discussions, assemblies, guest speakers, books, signs around the schools, etc. 
2. When concerning behaviors happen, the reactions of some students can be  “It was just a joke” or “It wasn’t that serious” or “It’s not really that big of a deal” or “They just want attention” or other comments minimizing the situation.  Please help us make it clear:   Drawing swastikas is hate-based behavior targeting Jewish people.
3. Please help emphasize that the impact on Jewish people and most everyone when seeing swastikas, is horror.  The history of swastikas is so terrible that people feel fearful, angry, threatened and unsafe. 
4. Please encourage your children to share any information they may have about these swastika incidents with a trusted adult.  It is not “snitching” if information stops people from getting hurt. 
5. Depending on your children, perhaps ask them to share their thoughts about these situations.  Do they have questions?  Suggestions? 

Again, we are still investigating these incidents.  We are working with SROs and the Weston Police Department and thank them for their help.  We also thank the parents and students who reported these incidents. 

Thank you for your attention.

Sincerely,

Deborah Low