FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — A noose was found on the campus of McAuliffe Charter School in Framingham, school officials said in a statement to the school community on Wednesday.
Police alerted school officials that the noose was found hanging from a structure outside a school building on Friday, also known as Juneteenth, which commemorates emancipation from slavery.
In a letter sent to parents, school officials say the police are investigating the hateful act against the community and are still working to find out who is responsible. The school has been closed because of the novel coronavirus, meaning no classes or programs have been going on.
“The police are still investigating this hateful act against our McAuliffe community, and so we do not currently know who is responsible,” the school’s executive director, Kristin Harrison, said in a joint statement with Incoming Executive Director Frank Tipton and Board of Trustees Chairman Bob Berman.
“What we do know is that this racist act is abhorrent and stands in opposition to everything McAuliffe stands for and hopes to achieve,” the statement read. “It is also, unfortunately, yet another example of the hate-filled acts that we have seen take place across our country in response to individuals and communities, including members of the McAuliffe community, taking a stand against racist systems and structures.”
The message goes on to say that diversity, inclusion and empathy are critical values and principles the McAuliffe community upholds. A letter had been sent to students, parents and staff several weeks ago recognizing their African American staff and students, reminding they are fully supported and stand together as a school and are dedicated to work for racial justice.
School officials said three weeks ago, a letter was sent to the school community that read: “To all of our African American students, staff, and families: You matter. Black Lives Matter. We see you, and we support you."
As a school “we are dedicated to working for racial justice, and we know this road is long, slow, and difficult,” the earlier statement read.
Counseling will be made available to students and school employees following the incident, officials said.
In 2005, the school was renamed to honor Christa McAuliffe, a Framingham native and teacher who was among seven astronauts killed in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster in 1986.
Anyone with information on the hate crime is asked to call Framingham detectives at 508-532-5924.
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