NORWELL - School administrators are investigating after a swastika was discovered last week in a boys’ bathroom used by seventh and eighth-grade students.
According to a message sent to families, the antisemitic symbol was found on the back of a stall in the seventh-grade boys’ bathroom on Friday, Dec. 19. School officials said the image was reported by students, who were commended for bringing the matter to administrators’ attention.
The symbol was removed immediately, and an investigation into the incident is ongoing, the school said.
Administrators addressed all seventh and eighth-grade students during lunch following the discovery. Because the bathroom appeared to have been used only by those grades prior to the report, discussions focused on the meaning of the symbol and its historical connection to Nazi Germany and the Holocaust. Students were encouraged to come forward if they had any information related to the incident.
In their message to families, school leaders said they were “deeply saddened” by the incident and emphasized their commitment to maintaining a safe and inclusive learning environment.
The school also referenced its ongoing Respect, Equity, and Inclusion committee, a working group established earlier this year. Administrators said the committee’s work includes bringing members of the school community together, promoting dialogue, and fostering a sense of belonging for all students.
“As an institution, we must continuously examine how we can promote the humanity of all of our students,” the message stated.
School officials encouraged families to speak with their children about equity and inclusion and shared educational resources to help guide conversations about discrimination. Those resources included videos on microaggressions and the history of the swastika, as well as a guide titled Empowering Young People.
Counselors and administrators remain available to students and families who have questions or concerns, the school said, and officials invited community members to share additional resources that may be helpful.
The investigation remains ongoing.