Swastika found in New Rochelle middle school bathroom

A school spokesperson says students will be assembled to learn about hate symbols and their impact.

News 12 Staff

Mar 15, 2019, 9:28 AM

Updated 1,859 days ago

Share:

Swastika found in New Rochelle middle school bathroom
A swastika was found etched in a boy's bathroom at Albert Leonard Middle School in New Rochelle on Thursday.
Parents received a robo call about the swastika, and district officials now say they're going to use this as a teaching tool.
School officials released a statement that reads, in part, “Anyone caught defacing school property anywhere in the district, particularly with signs of hate, will face significant consequences.”
A school spokesperson says students will be assembled to learn about hate symbols and their impact. Parents tell News 12 they agree with teaching kids about the meaning and history of the symbol. “They should be doing this kind of thing to begin with.  They do learn about those things, but this is definitely a good idea.  Education is really the key to stopping this kind of behavior.”
Rabbi Evan Hoffman, of Congregation Anshe Sholom, says he doesn't believe the person responsible knows the symbol's significance. "This is not just a benign symbol but rather a very, very hateful symbol," he told News 12 via phone.
The symbol has been removed, and the New Rochelle School District and police department are investigating.


More from News 12
1:37
Elmsford PD: Man arrested on weapons charge during ‘extreme risk protection order’ raid

Elmsford PD: Man arrested on weapons charge during ‘extreme risk protection order’ raid

2:18
Amazing weather today, light rain tomorrow afternoon through Thursday

Amazing weather today, light rain tomorrow afternoon through Thursday

0:44
Ex-Mount Hope supervisor released from prison after guilty plea in child sex case and ‘judicial error’

Ex-Mount Hope supervisor released from prison after guilty plea in child sex case and ‘judicial error’

0:25
Cortlandt Manor tax preparer known as ‘The Magician’ accused of $100 million tax fraud

Cortlandt Manor tax preparer known as ‘The Magician’ accused of $100 million tax fraud

0:42
Porch collapse in Dutchess County leaves 1 injured

Porch collapse in Dutchess County leaves 1 injured

Vote 2024: Ask your questions for Congressional District 16 Democratic candidates

Vote 2024: Ask your questions for Congressional District 16 Democratic candidates

0:54
Mandatory seat belt law proposal for charter buses spurred after fatal Orange County crash

Mandatory seat belt law proposal for charter buses spurred after fatal Orange County crash

0:41
Rockland Community College library and student union closed indefinitely due to water damage

Rockland Community College library and student union closed indefinitely due to water damage

0:23
Vandalism at New Hampton park prompts search for culprit

Vandalism at New Hampton park prompts search for culprit

1:00
Headlines: Officer charged in illegal eavesdropping, drug dealer arrested again, missing woman

Headlines: Officer charged in illegal eavesdropping, drug dealer arrested again, missing woman

0:25
Port Chester man arrested after burglary leads to standoff in Elmsford

Port Chester man arrested after burglary leads to standoff in Elmsford

0:26
MTA introduces electric-powered vans to Access-A-Ride fleet

MTA introduces electric-powered vans to Access-A-Ride fleet

0:32
Orange County DA: 2 men arrested in Walmart knife fight that injured a police officer

Orange County DA: 2 men arrested in Walmart knife fight that injured a police officer

0:51
Authorities unable to determine cause of loud boom noise in Carmel

Authorities unable to determine cause of loud boom noise in Carmel

0:24
Hyde Park School District honored nationally for music education excellence

Hyde Park School District honored nationally for music education excellence

Guide: Alcohol addiction recovery support and resources

Guide: Alcohol addiction recovery support and resources

2:54
Prison conversations shed light on Robert Durst's mental state, depths he went to evade justice

Prison conversations shed light on Robert Durst's mental state, depths he went to evade justice

1:55
Gov. Hochul, state lawmakers reach 'conceptual' agreement on state budget

Gov. Hochul, state lawmakers reach 'conceptual' agreement on state budget

0:35
Police: 41-year-old man recovering from stabbing at New Rochelle sports lounge

Police: 41-year-old man recovering from stabbing at New Rochelle sports lounge

New DMV comes to downtown Port Jervis

New DMV comes to downtown Port Jervis