A swastika was found painted on the wall of a boys’ bathroom at Hingham High School today, according to an email from Interim Principal John Buckley to the school community. The hate symbol was immediately removed.
"It should go without saying that antisemitic symbols have no place in our school,” Buckley said. “If we are able to locate the perpetrator, the actions would warrant severe disciplinary consequences under our school’s Code of Discipline."
In a separate communication, Katie Roberts, Superintendent of Hingham Public Schools, noted that hate has no place in the school system or town.
In a statement posted to Facebook, Steven Weiss of Congregation Sha’aray Shalom had this to say:
“In response to the recent discovery of an antisemitic symbol of hate in a boy’s restroom at Hingham High School, the Hingham Hull Religious Leaders Association condemns this act of hate and stands united against prejudice and in support of the Jewish Community. Acts of hatred diminish the sanctity of the individual as well as the community, both of which we tirelessly endeavor to elevate. We call on all members of our community to speak out against this and all acts of hate and remain united as we continue working together to build a stronger and more supportive community.”
This is not the first expression of hate that school administrators have been forced to confront. In 2021, then-superintendent of schools Gary Maestas sent a letter to the school community warning of an uptick of "racially charged" comments.
Katie Sutton a representative of the the Hingham Unity Council told the Hingham Anchor at the time that there was an ongoing series of aggression that included use of the "N" word.
"No clear consequences have been laid out to address this harmful behavior," she told the Anchor.