Incident at WMS 01/08/2026
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Weston Middle School
January 9, 2026
Dear WMS Families, On Wednesday January 7th, one of our sixth-grade students noticed and brought to a teacher’s attention a marking that looked like a swastika on a side panel of their lab desk in science class. It was then reported to me by a staff member, and in collaboration with our security team, we have initiated an investigation that includes a thorough interview of students. Due to the swastika’s location and the miscellaneous graffiti surrounding it (some of which appears to be much older), it is unclear whether this swastika was drawn recently. The investigation is ongoing, and as of now, we have not yet determined who is responsible. We have been clear in past communication that this is antisemitism and has no place in our school community. Any member of our school community who engages in this type of conduct will face significant consequences, which could include suspension or expulsion. There continues to be a lot of proactive, positive work happening at WMS to create an inclusive community where all students and staff feel safe and accepted. This includes whole-school community gatherings, team community meetings, the use of restorative practices to build positive connections and resolve conflicts, and our CONNECT advisory block, which has an ongoing thread of togetherness and belonging. Additionally, we have systems in place to support student safety. Our online reporting system, Say Something, provides an option for students and adults to share important information anonymously. We are also about to begin a pilot initiative with SmartPass technology, a digital hall pass platform, to enhance student accountability, and we have installed extra security cameras to provide enhanced coverage in hallways and corridors. Parents, we strongly encourage you to discuss with your child what occurred and how your family’s values firmly support the inclusive work we are doing as a school. Additionally, strong words of reinforcement from you about why it is important to stand up and do what’s right (even when it’s not easy) when confronted with hate speech or actions would go a long way in helping to support our work. We continue to partner with resources and experts at the district level to help support our school. We have reported this incident to our partners at ADL Connecticut and are in conversation with them regarding appropriate and responsive actions. A special thank you to the Mothers in BLUE and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), all of whom support us in this work. Together, we continue to work towards building a stronger school community grounded in acceptance, respect, and resilience. Sincerely,
Jason Bluestein Principal |
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135 School Road, Weston, Connecticut, 06883 Main Office: (203) 221-6360 Attendance Line: (203) 221-6361 |
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