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Swastikas discovered in bathrooms at Wellesley Middle School

WELLESLEY, Mass. — Two swastikas drawn in pen were discovered in boys’ bathrooms at Wellesley Middle School on Friday, according to a letter Principal Mark Ito sent to the school community on Monday.

“Although we continue to investigate, any help from the community of known leads would be appreciated,” Ito said.

Ito said school administrators have also been faced with an increase of cases involving students making comments that are racist and anti-Semitic. The students claim the comments are jokes.

“Although we understand where middle school students are in their adolescent development, we also know that values and actions are formed throughout a child’s life, and as adults, we need to react to harmful behaviors when they happen,” Ito said.

Wellesley Public Schools Superintendent David Lussier said language and actions grounded in hate are unacceptable and will not be tolerated in the district.