Police and school officials are investigating two anti-Semitic incidents that took place months apart at F.A. Day Middle School this school year, Principal Brian Turner announced in a letter to families, Jonathan Dame reports on Wicked Local Newton.
‘Hateful graffiti,’ swastika found at Newton’s Day Middle School
by Village 14 | Feb 25, 2016 | Newton | 28 comments
Why is this being released to the public now???? I can’t imagine how current students and families felt when it happened (twice) and then no publicity! This crime is about hate, and if we remain silent, our silence tells the people who do this that it is no big deal. Newton is NO place for hate.
Why is this being released to the public now???? I can’t imagine how current students and families felt when it happened (twice) and then no publicity! This crime is about hate, and if we remain silent, our silence tells the people who do this that it is no big deal. Newton is NO place for hate.
I think Mr. Turner needs some training. I can’t imagine being a current student and feeling that he doesn’t care about my feelings. Middle school is a very hard time for students, and he was hiding something that is very emotional.
He needs extra training, and he should speak to some people who grew up in Germany in 1940’s. Fleishman created this environment. He is the ultimate CEO of the school system, and this is yet another failure in leadership (IMHO)
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
I think Mr. Turner needs some training. I can’t imagine being a current student and feeling that he doesn’t care about my feelings. Middle school is a very hard time for students, and he was hiding something that is very emotional.
He needs extra training, and he should speak to some people who grew up in Germany in 1940’s. Fleishman created this environment. He is the ultimate CEO of the school system, and this is yet another failure in leadership (IMHO)
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
This is quite disturbing. These incidents happened in October (swastika on bathroom wall) and January (swastika imbedded in snow.) What was the response at the time? White washing the wall; covering up the snow? Who knew? Why now and not sooner? An explanation needs to come with the apology.
This is quite disturbing. These incidents happened in October (swastika on bathroom wall) and January (swastika imbedded in snow.) What was the response at the time? White washing the wall; covering up the snow? Who knew? Why now and not sooner? An explanation needs to come with the apology.
I hope Newton Residents call and share their concerns with the school committee, mayor, and superintendent to name a few.
I hope Newton Residents call and share their concerns with the school committee, mayor, and superintendent to name a few.
Looks like the school, superintendent and mayor agree with the comments above, that the response was inadequate. Here’s text from a letter the Day community just received:
February 26, 2016
Dear Newton Community,
As you may now be aware, two incidents of anti-Semitism occurred this year at Day Middle School. The District, the Mayor’s Office, and Newton Police are working together to investigate these incidents.
Newton Public Schools are committed to creating a learning environment that is safe, welcoming, and supportive for all. Hate crimes are a direct violation of our core values and are not tolerated. We must take this opportunity to reflect upon our values, engage in dialogue, and strengthen our educational efforts.
The initial response to these incidents was not commensurate with the severity of the offense. We are, therefore, reviewing our current protocols. If we find that there is lack of clarity on what needs to happen when incidents occur, we will strengthen our protocols working closely with our principals and other administrative leaders in our schools.
Over the next few weeks, we will be meeting with the Day staff and community. We expect a productive conversation and an open process of collaboration.
Sincerely,
David Fleishman, Superintendent of Schools
Setti D. Warren, Mayor
Looks like the school, superintendent and mayor agree with the comments above, that the response was inadequate. Here’s text from a letter the Day community just received:
February 26, 2016
Dear Newton Community,
As you may now be aware, two incidents of anti-Semitism occurred this year at Day Middle School. The District, the Mayor’s Office, and Newton Police are working together to investigate these incidents.
Newton Public Schools are committed to creating a learning environment that is safe, welcoming, and supportive for all. Hate crimes are a direct violation of our core values and are not tolerated. We must take this opportunity to reflect upon our values, engage in dialogue, and strengthen our educational efforts.
The initial response to these incidents was not commensurate with the severity of the offense. We are, therefore, reviewing our current protocols. If we find that there is lack of clarity on what needs to happen when incidents occur, we will strengthen our protocols working closely with our principals and other administrative leaders in our schools.
Over the next few weeks, we will be meeting with the Day staff and community. We expect a productive conversation and an open process of collaboration.
Sincerely,
David Fleishman, Superintendent of Schools
Setti D. Warren, Mayor
I have heard, but lots of things are out there, that the teachers reported this to the principal and assistant principals right when it happened. The building administration did nothing.
I have heard, but lots of things are out there, that the teachers reported this to the principal and assistant principals right when it happened. The building administration did nothing.
A comment was removed because it violated house rules. Unfortunately, this topic brings out the loonies. Let’s keep it classy, folks.
A comment was removed because it violated house rules. Unfortunately, this topic brings out the loonies. Let’s keep it classy, folks.
If he really was outraged he should have called an emergency faculty meeting and extended homeroom so the entire school could discuss ig. Not try to sweep it under the rug and tell those staff who reported it it wasn’t a big deal and they were overreacting.
If he really was outraged he should have called an emergency faculty meeting and extended homeroom so the entire school could discuss ig. Not try to sweep it under the rug and tell those staff who reported it it wasn’t a big deal and they were overreacting.
Prime example of how NOT to handle things. Amazed that he neither reported to the police nor the superintendent. What in hell was he thinking?
Prime example of how NOT to handle things. Amazed that he neither reported to the police nor the superintendent. What in hell was he thinking?
Back in 2000, there was swastika and some disturbing threats in Newton South in the bathroom. Parents were immediately notified and those who wanted to kept their kids home. Teachers would walks with us between classes. We had metal detectors during finals week and they ended up expelling the kid when they found him. I am pretty sure there was news coversage of this at the time.
Back in 2000, there was swastika and some disturbing threats in Newton South in the bathroom. Parents were immediately notified and those who wanted to kept their kids home. Teachers would walks with us between classes. We had metal detectors during finals week and they ended up expelling the kid when they found him. I am pretty sure there was news coversage of this at the time.
I am currently a day student and feel that our principal did nothing wrong. Giving this so much publicity is making us do worse in school. When the news car pulled up this morning, no one could concentrate and get work done. This was done by someone who wanted publicity and now he/she has it. Mr, Turner did not write this in the bathrooms, he did not want to encourage the bullies even further. Talking to us about the issue makes us feel awkward, we support our principal and his decisions.
I am currently a day student and feel that our principal did nothing wrong. Giving this so much publicity is making us do worse in school. When the news car pulled up this morning, no one could concentrate and get work done. This was done by someone who wanted publicity and now he/she has it. Mr, Turner did not write this in the bathrooms, he did not want to encourage the bullies even further. Talking to us about the issue makes us feel awkward, we support our principal and his decisions.
Principal Turner and Superintendent Fleishman met with the Day faculty on Tuesday afternoon (3/1/16). At this meeting, Mr. Turner admitted that a teacher informed him of the bathroom graffiti in October — and he did nothing but forward it to an assistant principal to handle. Principal Turner admitted that a student took a picture of the graffiti andshared it with a parent who then contacted Mr. Turner — and he still did nothing more to address the issue. Turner admitted that a faculty member informed him of the swastika — and he did nothing but forward it to a vice principal to handle. And finally, he admitted to meeting with a faculty member on the topic of his inaction on the swastika and telling the faculty member that the incident was no big deal, that such hate speech happened all the time, that the faculty as a whole overreacts to such incidents, and that the faculty member who he was meeting with stirs up trouble. Mr. Turner further stated that at the time he contacted by Mr. Fleishman and the Newton police regarding these incidents, he did not recall the “Burn the Jews” graffiti being reported to him.
Shame on Brian Turner and shame on the school administrators and school committee members who continue to defend him when they know the truth.
Principal Turner and Superintendent Fleishman met with the Day faculty on Tuesday afternoon (3/1/16). At this meeting, Mr. Turner admitted that a teacher informed him of the bathroom graffiti in October — and he did nothing but forward it to an assistant principal to handle. Principal Turner admitted that a student took a picture of the graffiti andshared it with a parent who then contacted Mr. Turner — and he still did nothing more to address the issue. Turner admitted that a faculty member informed him of the swastika — and he did nothing but forward it to a vice principal to handle. And finally, he admitted to meeting with a faculty member on the topic of his inaction on the swastika and telling the faculty member that the incident was no big deal, that such hate speech happened all the time, that the faculty as a whole overreacts to such incidents, and that the faculty member who he was meeting with stirs up trouble. Mr. Turner further stated that at the time he contacted by Mr. Fleishman and the Newton police regarding these incidents, he did not recall the “Burn the Jews” graffiti being reported to him.
Shame on Brian Turner and shame on the school administrators and school committee members who continue to defend him when they know the truth.
You can not fight swastika in Newton middle school with baking hamantaschen class
If you will not support the cause, do you think that someone else will?
Do you think that someone else will be dealing with graffiti swastika in Newton middle school?
Share the information and join us 200 Wells Ave, Newton, Mass on March 20th at 5:30pm, support the cause.
That is the least you can do!
http://www.rememberus.org/3rd-annual-event/
You can not fight swastika in Newton middle school with baking hamantaschen class
If you will not support the cause, do you think that someone else will?
Do you think that someone else will be dealing with graffiti swastika in Newton middle school?
Share the information and join us 200 Wells Ave, Newton, Mass on March 20th at 5:30pm, support the cause.
That is the least you can do!
http://www.rememberus.org/3rd-annual-event/
A Day Student, I understand that your school work was disrupted but it was the person who etched a hate message on a bathroom stall that caused the disruption not the act of dealing with it openly. The students who were greeted with hate speak were being bullied and threatened in middle school where they should feel safe to be themselves as you are.
I realize that these issues, and all issues pertaining to a violation of someone’s civil rights, are awkward to talk about but it’s in talking about them that the reasons they are so hurtful can be better understood as well as the people at whom they are directed. You are fortunate if hateful things are not being directed at you and because you are you can freely stand up for the bullied without fear.
Injustice has to be fought out in the open. Hiding it only makes it worse.
A Day Student, I understand that your school work was disrupted but it was the person who etched a hate message on a bathroom stall that caused the disruption not the act of dealing with it openly. The students who were greeted with hate speak were being bullied and threatened in middle school where they should feel safe to be themselves as you are.
I realize that these issues, and all issues pertaining to a violation of someone’s civil rights, are awkward to talk about but it’s in talking about them that the reasons they are so hurtful can be better understood as well as the people at whom they are directed. You are fortunate if hateful things are not being directed at you and because you are you can freely stand up for the bullied without fear.
Injustice has to be fought out in the open. Hiding it only makes it worse.