Yet again, a slur was found written in a bathroom at Middlesex Middle School, schools Superintendent Alan Addley said in an email to student’s families and school staff. The latest of several similar incidents at Middlesex in recent years was found Thursday.
“Sadly, this is not the first time we have had to confront such acts of hatred that are unacceptable in our school community,” Addley wrote. Other than calling it an “instance of hate speech,” he didn’t indicate which slur it was.
Other incidents of racial or antisemitic graffiti were found at the school in late January (the “N” word), in early February, (same slur). Graffiti featuring a swastika was found in November. A similar spate of graffiti with slurs was found at the school in 2019.
“Both the school administration and the Darien Police Department are investigating this most current situation,” Addley wrote. “Students found responsible for such behavior will face appropriate disciplinary consequences in accordance with our district policies.”
Addley said parents are an important and necessary part in reducing their children’s antisemitic actions:
“[S]chools cannot solve these complex issues alone. We recognize that addressing these matters requires the ongoing support of our entire community.
“In addition to school programming, I implore families to continue to engage in open and age-appropriate conversations with your children about the power of words and the importance of creating an inclusive environment for all students. It is through such discussions around the dinner table that we can collectively make a difference and guide our young people toward understanding, empathy, and respect.”
Full Text of Addley’s Message
The superintendent’s announcement, as received by Darienite.com, was emailed at 6:05 p.m., Thursday. Here’s the entire text:
Dear Families and Staff,
It is with deep concern and disappointment that I am informing the community of yet another instance of hate speech in our schools. Yesterday, the middle school administration learned that another racial slur was found inscribed on a stall in the seventh grade boys’ bathroom. Sadly, this is not the first time we have had to confront such acts of hatred that are unacceptable in our school community.
As your Superintendent, once again, I want to emphasize that these actions—whether they manifest as words, symbols, or behaviors—are deeply hurtful and have no place in our schools.. These actions are against everything we stand for as a District and community: inclusivity, respect and kindness. Despite our ongoing efforts, it is disheartening to see these incidents persist.
We continue to take these matters very seriously. Both the school administration and the Darien Police Department are investigating this most current situation, and we will continue to address these issues with the urgency, transparency, attention and educational response they require. Students found responsible for such behavior will face appropriate disciplinary consequences in accordance with our district policies.
Ongoing efforts to address these issues across the district include: class lessons; assembly presentations; small student group discussions; staff and student ADL workshops; new extracurricular clubs; collaboration with the United Jewish Federation of Stamford, New Canaan, and Darien; and community conversations.
However, the schools cannot solve these complex issues alone. We recognize that addressing these matters requires the ongoing support of our entire community.
In addition to school programming, I implore families to continue to engage in open and age-appropriate conversations with your children about the power of words and the importance of creating an inclusive environment for all students. It is through such discussions around the dinner table that we can collectively make a difference and guide our young people toward understanding, empathy, and respect.
While I am deeply concerned that we are continuing to face these challenges, I remain hopeful. I believe in the potential of our young people and in the resolve of our community to foster an environment where every student is valued, respected, and free from the harms of hate and intolerance.
Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to creating a school community where all students thrive.
Sincerely,
Alan Addley, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools