LOWER MERION — Lower Merion School District officials say a student at Lower Merion High School drew a Nazi symbol on his body and showed it to another student.
In a letter published Friday, April 24, to the district’s website, Superintendent Frank Ranelli addressed the issue.
“I wanted to let you know that our administrators at the District and at Lower Merion High School are aware of and responding to an incident that occurred earlier today. An LMHS student, who had drawn a swastika on his body, showed the symbol to another LMHS student, who is Jewish,” Ranelli wrote in the letter.
According to Ranelli, the act violated District Policy 235 on Student Rights and Responsibilities. It specifically prohibits hate speech or symbols.
Ranelli wrote that he wanted to be perfectly clear that using hate speech or displaying hate symbols will not be tolerated in the schools.
“Any students involved in such acts will face consequences as outlined by policy in the Student and Family Handbook,” he wrote.
According to Ranelli, after the incident, the student who displayed the image left campus and posted a video on social media that threatened another student.
Ranelli said the video did not reference the earlier incident, but it did contain concerning language.
“In addition to conducting an internal investigation, LMSD reported these incidents to Lower Merion Township police, who are responding swiftly and according to their protocols as well. The student who instigated these incidents will not be in school, pending a disciplinary hearing and due process. Further information about the students involved will not be shared to ensure student privacy,” Ranelli said.
Ranelli concluded by writing that if any students need support in light of the incident, they are urged to reach out to a counselor or another trusted adult at their school.