Somers board reaffirms response to swastika incidents, plans April community forum
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Summary
Board members and administrators reiterated that recent swastika and racially offensive incidents are being investigated and that the district will host a community Tusker Cafe in April, presented by the Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center, to broaden community education and dialogue.
Board members and the superintendent addressed several recent incidents in which swastikas and racially offensive language were discovered on district campuses, saying each incident is being taken seriously, investigated, and addressed through existing district protocols.
"Each incident has been taken seriously, addressed promptly, and investigated in accordance with our district protocols," the superintendent said, adding that the district will continue to prioritize professional development for staff and strengthen instruction on empathy and tolerance. "Words and active hate, including antisemitism and the dehumanization of others, are never acceptable," the superintendent said.
Administrators said educators are auditing curriculum, enhancing instruction around empathy and tolerance in developmentally appropriate ways, and reviewing the code of conduct and progressive-discipline practices to ensure consequences and education are commensurate with infractions. The superintendent described the approach as two-tiered: education for students, staff and families, and updates to discipline and code-of-conduct language when needed.
The board also announced a community forum in April as part of the district’s Tusker Cafe series that will include the 13 Driver’s Licenses assembly presented by the Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center; the superintendent said middle-school students will have an opportunity to attend in March and the community forum will repeat the assembly for broader local participation. The town supervisor, Rob Scurano, expressed solidarity with the schools and is participating in the partnership.
Student leaders and staff described the school assembly experience as meaningful; the RISE Club and student representatives said the exhibit and reflective work sparked important conversations on remembrance and standing up against injustice.
The district said it will continue to communicate with families and hold forums as details are finalized.