I have no details yet. Our super Super is preparing a statement which will be sent home to parents.
Update November 23, 2016 4:29 PM Letter sent to Parents:
From: Timothy J. Steinhauer, Ed.D. <noreply@mtlsd.net>
Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2016 2:25 PM
To: Parents
Subject: Recent Incident
Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2016 2:25 PM
To: Parents
Subject: Recent Incident
Dear Parents,
This morning we were made aware that an image of a swastika had been created on the playground of Washington Elementary School on October 12, 2016. It was drawn into the mulch and was not permanent. On that day the image was photographed and has since been circulated on social media.
After an immediate and thorough investigation, the sixth grade student responsible for creating this image admitted responsibility to the Mellon Middle School administration. The Mt. Lebanon Police Department was notified and other appropriate actions will ensue.
Have no doubt that we are committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all of our students. We have and will continue to act swiftly to address any issues that are offensive in accordance with our long-standing history, policies, and practices of nondiscrimination. There is zero-tolerance of discriminatory behavior in our schools.
Please continue to notify your child’s teacher or principal if you are made aware of any issue that may create a non-inclusionary atmosphere. Likewise, if you have concerns about your child’s reaction to this incident or wish to discuss further, please contact your school counselor, principal, or me.
Respectfully,
Timothy J. Steinhauer, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
This morning we were made aware that an image of a swastika had been created on the playground of Washington Elementary School on October 12, 2016. It was drawn into the mulch and was not permanent. On that day the image was photographed and has since been circulated on social media.
After an immediate and thorough investigation, the sixth grade student responsible for creating this image admitted responsibility to the Mellon Middle School administration. The Mt. Lebanon Police Department was notified and other appropriate actions will ensue.
Have no doubt that we are committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all of our students. We have and will continue to act swiftly to address any issues that are offensive in accordance with our long-standing history, policies, and practices of nondiscrimination. There is zero-tolerance of discriminatory behavior in our schools.
Please continue to notify your child’s teacher or principal if you are made aware of any issue that may create a non-inclusionary atmosphere. Likewise, if you have concerns about your child’s reaction to this incident or wish to discuss further, please contact your school counselor, principal, or me.
Respectfully,
Timothy J. Steinhauer, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
18 comments:
This isn't the first post election hate incident. Another occurred in which one or more children were chanting "Build the Wall" at JMS.
Somehow, I had a feeling that this would be blamed on the election. It couldn't possibly be related to my previous post. Kids have been hearing for over a year, "Kill the deer." When we don't like something, we kill it.
Elaine
2:49 PM, I updated this post with the letter from the superintendent. This incident occurred on October 12, 2016.
Elaine
This event transpired more than a month ago ? Dr. Steinhauer DID NOT act swiftly when notifying parents.
This was once incident among many. No parent notifications.
I am tired of the hate mail that I am getting. I am not anti-Semitic. I posted a photo that was taken back in October. I mentioned nothing about building a wall. I shared a Facebook comment that was sent to me. I am not equating the Holocaust to deer killing. That is outrageous.
For those of you who do not have a strong opinion on deer killing, shame on you. Our children have learned through White Buffalo and our commissioners that it is OK to kill deer. If they get in the way, just kill 'em. No coexisting is permitted here in Mt. Lebanon. At a commission meeting, I was told by a former Mt. Lebanon blogger that she will NOT coexist in Mt. Lebanon. This is the mentality that our children have been exposed to. Seeing deer killed is a teaching moment, said by Jody Maddock on August 15, 2015. So much hate in this town, even if it is filled with some of the finest ladies in Mt. Lebanon.
From a financial standpoint, add up how much has been spent on killing deer over the years. It is sinful. Deer are always going to be here. It is our state animal.
I'm offended that if such chanting did occur, that it was condoned in our schools. Permitting such behavior is morally wrong. Where was the administration? Where were the teachers? Why was it covered up?
It always comes back that it is my fault.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Elaine
I believe the chanting student(s) was disciplined and the entire class was lectured about the incident. I do agree that this region suffers from **too much hate** and that the deer hate is extremely damaging to children. Recently, the FBI released info on hate crimes in this region and PIttsburgh's reported incidents were much higher than expected from a statistical point of view. For example, Pittsburgh had twice the number than Philly despite the fact that Philadelphia is 5x larger. I didn't think your post, Elaine, compared the deer killing to the holocaust -- I think you were pointing to an overlap in hate and highlighting how it impacts the community. I hope that everyone can take a deep breath and show more compassion.
Elaine, they blame the messenger ... I saw nothing anti-Semetic in your news story. You were just reporting.
What it really comes down to is the fear that the reporting you share here, based largely in fact and therefore serving as the mirror image of MTL Magazine, will lower property values and therefore bring the whole excessive-taxing-Ponzi scheme down.
These silly, self-important people will do anything to keep their own mirage alive ... the same people who wouldn't co-exist with Muhammad Ali when he wanted to move into Virginia Manor...
They attack you because of what comes up in Google searches of "Mt. Lebanon."
Too much truth. Transparency.
Dr. Margolis makes an excellent point. In addition, I would like to adduce a recent article in REASON on-line by Elizabeth Nolan Brown, associate editor for Reason.com, entitled "Hate Crimes, Hoaxes, and Hyperbole." It would seem that a portion of the reported "hate crimes" in America are actually either post election non sequiturs, or what is worse, "set-ups"; "hate crimes" perpetrated against certain minorities or groups by those very minorities or groups themselves in order to cast aversions upon those who voted for Trump. From Ms. Brown's article:
For instance, the message scrawled on an Elon University whiteboard post-election—"Bye Bye Latinos Hasta La Vista"—was actually "written by a Latino student who was upset about the results of the election and wrote the message as a satirical commentary," according the school's vice president for student life. The same for a Nazi flag that went up over a house in San Francisco last week.
I would also point out that this "hate" business goes in both directions. Trump supports have been attacked and sent to hospitals in various reported incidents across the USA, and the "student" marches we have witnessed on the nightly news that have disrupted traffic were not the result of "inclusiveness."
Finally, when it comes to elementary and high school kids, while they often reflect the attitudes of their parents, the fact that they often find unique ways of "yanking the chain of their elders" is certainly not unknown! Some kids get great enjoyment out of watching parents, teachers, or other authority figures going ballistic over their pranks. Remember the Mt. Lebanon High School yearbook "semaphore" kids?
Before anyone jumps the shark here, in the interest of full disclosure I did NOT vote for Trump, and I did NOT vote for Clinton.
Why are my comments never posted? I don't think they are in any way threatening or vulgar. They simply offer an alternative point of view. Freedom of speech and transparency are hot topics on this blog, so why the effort to cover up my speech?
11:24 PM, freedom of speech and transparency are hot topics on this blog, but you are forgetting one thing. I am not a government entity. I have the right, under the First Amendment, to publish my blog any way I want, including the right to choose not to post your comments.
Elaine
You're right, you do have the right to publish your blog as you wish, including comments. However, if you refuse to ever hear out or share any differing viewpoints and opinions, then you are just as bad as the Mtl. government and magazine. Just as they refuse to listen or respect your opinions and represent the radical side of their argument, you become the radical side of yours. Perhaps, if more people would be open to debate and compromise, our community would be a more peaceful place. Always has to be one way or the other. Sad :(
I don't share the ones who accuse me of being racist. Or a hater of Jews.
So I guess I was wrong sharing the photo of the swastika, because, according to you, I need to be respectful of differing viewpoints and opinions. Open to debate. OK, got it.
Elaine
"Lunatic Fringe." Now that is certainly not offensive. There were reasons for not posting your comments. Thanks for proving my point.
This post is about how hate is spreading to our kids. You are a hateful person. The Facebook comment included this statement: "We need to come together as a community and challenge this type of behavior." Stop being part of the problem.
I don't have any more time for your bullshit, 7:06 PM. Thinking of instituting the full name policy again. Or going back to private status. It kept out the trolls.
Elaine
7:06: Are you one of the Commissioners? Are you trying to goad Elaine? You need to find something else to do with your time. I applaud Elaine for her transparency. There is no place for hatred, bigotry, and discrimination in our community. Not now, not ever!
Hey 7:06---
Back down. You are nothing but an anonymous bully. It must make you feel so good inside to insult Elaine, the host of this blog.
N.
No students were disciplined in the chanting incident. No students were lectured. The entire student body nor all parents were informed of the incident. School mishandled and buried it.
When did this chanting incident occur??? My daughter goes to JES. I have heard nothing about this!
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