A swastika and the letters “KKK” were found drawn in Tilden Middle School in Rockville, Principal Irina LaGrange wrote in a letter to families last week.
During a media briefing Monday, County Council President Gabe Albornoz condemned the incident.
“I want to make some comments condemning the racist symbols that were found on a student desk at Tilden Middle School,” Albornoz said.
It was reported to school staff on Thursday that a swastika and the letters “KKK” were drawn in pencil on a classroom student desk, LaGrange wrote.
“The illustrations were inappropriate and unsettling. This behavior is unacceptable, and it will not be tolerated at Tilden Middle School,” she said. The Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) is investigating and school administration will address the incident through the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Student Code of Conduct.
LaGrange encouraged parents to talk with their children to help them understand the weight of “intolerable symbols, words, and actions.”
Albornoz echoed the principal’s words and condemned the “unacceptable and hurtful behavior.” He asked parents to “please talk to your children about the impact that these words and symbols have on your own children, but also in general to classmates,” he said.
