To our SOMS families:
Today, it was brought
to our attention that hate speech was written in one of the bathroom
stalls. The words “Naughty N***ers Get Lynched” were found. This was
reported to the SOPD as a hate crime, and is under
full investigation. This is extremely disheartening and concerning,
especially following our ongoing lessons and discussions about racism,
bigotry, and Anti-Semitism.
This rhetoric is not
accepted here and we are making every effort to identify the student(s)
involved and to turn this into a teaching opportunity for our children.
As an immediate response to this hate speech,
a town hall took place today with 7th and 8th graders to talk about the
hurtful words that were written. 6th grade students will be addressed tomorrow.
Our goals at SOMS are
to reinforce tolerance within our community and to have our students
pride themselves on inclusivity and acceptance. This can only happen if
students recognize the seriousness of hate speech,
reflect on it, and learn how to reject this type of hate—both at home
and within the school community. In our efforts to continue to make our
school a welcoming community, we ask that you please speak with your
children at home too. Frank conversations about
acceptance of race, gender, and religion are much needed during this
time.
When we were accepted
into the “No Place for Hate” program, we joined a nationally recognized
initiative to combat issues of hate and to minimize incidents of bias
and bigotry from happening again in the future.
This is an ongoing process and we will continue to be diligent in our
efforts, and hope that families will join us in helping our students.
In addition, our school
is looking to partner with community leaders to bring additional
awareness to this issue, and to educate our children further, so that we
can have a better understanding of people who
may be of a different race, religion, or other identity group. Our
primary goal is to teach acceptance. We hope that these conversations
will continue in classrooms and at home around the dinner table.
We appreciate your partnership.
Lynn A. Irby
Principal
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