After a racial slur (the “N word”) was found Thursday in a 6th grade girl’s bathroom, the school’s principal will discuss it with students, and a meeting for parents is being organized for late February, schools Superintendent Alan Addley said.
“The matter is currently under investigation by both the school administration and the Darien Police Department,”Addley wrote in an email sent out at 6:36 p.m. to parents and staff. “We are taking this issue seriously and will address it with the necessary urgency.”
“We are committed to addressing these situations swiftly and transparently, ensuring that our response is thoughtful and thorough, and that all students feel safe and welcome,” Addley said.
Middlesex Middle School Principal Kate Dimoulas and school staff “will address this matter directly with students in upcoming classes and during Flex time,” he said “We also strongly encourage you to have open, age-appropriate conversations at home with your children about the importance of kindness, inclusivity, and the impact of words.”
The school district is organizing a “superintendent conversation” with parents of all Darien students in the week of Feb. 24 in partnership with the Anti-Defamation League, the superintendent said. He said further details will be provided to parents later.
The incident is one of several similar ones in recent years at the school:
• Early last November, antisemitic graffiti was found on a bathroom door
• Twice in the fall of 2019, swastikas were found drawn, first on the exteriors of windows (in September), then on a desk (in October).
In another incident — one not involving graffiti but concerns over anti-semitism in class — last summer a social studies teacher resigned after parents became upset over what some called an inappropriate lesson about the Holocaust. In announcing the teacher’s resignation, Addley said last year that the teacher didn’t mean any harm, but resigned “recognizing that the special relationship of trust between teacher and students (and their families) has been compromised.”
“Frankly, I’m deeply frustrated that we continue to confront these acts of hate, prejudice, and intolerance,” Addley said in the email Thursday evening.
Full Text of the Email
Good Evening Staff & Families,
Unfortunately, the MMS [Middlesex Middle School] administration was informed today that a racial slur—the N word—was found inscribed on a stall in the 6th grade girls’ bathroom. This is not the first time we have had to address such issues, and frankly, I’m deeply frustrated that we continue to confront these acts of hate, prejudice, and intolerance. It is disheartening, and it demands our collective, unwavering commitment to ensure it does not persist.
These actions are hurtful and unacceptable, and they have no place in our schools, town, or society. The matter is currently under investigation by both the school administration and the Darien Police Department. We are taking this issue seriously and will address it with the necessary urgency.
As a district, we remain steadfast in our dedication to creating a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students, where every child feels valued and respected. Acts of hate and intolerance will not be tolerated. We are committed to addressing these situations swiftly and transparently, ensuring that our response is thoughtful and thorough, and that all students feel safe and welcome.
Mrs. [Kate] Dimoulas, MMS principal, and the staff will address this matter directly with students in upcoming classes and during Flex time. We also strongly encourage you to have open, age-appropriate conversations at home with your children about the importance of kindness, inclusivity, and the impact of words.
To further support our community, we are partnering with the Anti-Defamation League to facilitate a Superintendent Conversation for parents (PK-12) the week of Feb. 24. Further details will follow in an upcoming communication.
In the meantime, I want to thank you for your continued support of our schools and for being the positive role models our children need. Together, we can foster a school community where every student can thrive in an environment of respect and understanding.
Thank you for your commitment and partnership in this important work.