An elite private school in northern New Jersey was forced to close after a threatening message targeting the black and Hispanic communities was found scrawled on a bathroom wall. The Dwight-Englewood School in Englewood discovered the hateful messages around 6 p.m. and immediately reported it to law enforcement before scrubbing it away. The school remained closed on Wednesday as police and administrators investigated the incident to ensure the safety of the community. The school’s head declined to comment on the situation, and local law enforcement agencies did not respond to requests for additional information.
The Dwight-Englewood School has previously faced racism scandals involving its student body, including a recent incident where several middle schoolers created a group text sharing racist jokes and offensive language. The school took this matter seriously and brought in outside counsel to determine appropriate disciplinary actions for the students involved. Details about the threatening message found on Monday were limited, with school administrators refraining from sharing specifics of the message. Baffled parents expressed concerns about the lack of information provided by the school regarding the threat. The decision to close the campus for an additional day was made to allow for a thorough investigation and to provide support to faculty and staff.
Gregersen urged parents to speak with their children about the incident and handle discussions appropriately based on the child’s age. Campus security footage from the evening the message was discovered is being analyzed by the police as part of the investigation. Nearly half of the Dwight-Englewood School’s students are students of color, and the school offers financial aid to about 20% of enrolled students. The cost of tuition for the upcoming school year ranges from $45,320 for kindergarten to $59,235 for grades 6-12. As the investigation into the threatening message continues, the school is taking measures to ensure the safety and well-being of its diverse student body.
The hateful graffiti found in the school’s bathroom was disturbing for the community, leading to the decision to close the school temporarily while authorities looked into the matter. The incident followed a previous racism scandal at the school involving students sharing offensive messages, indicating a pattern of racist behavior that the school must address. School officials are working to identify the individuals responsible for the threatening message and ensure that appropriate actions are taken to prevent similar incidents in the future. The school’s communication with parents and the community about the incident has been limited, causing concerns among parents about the handling of the situation.
Concerned parents are seeking more information and transparency from school administrators regarding the threatening message found on the bathroom wall. The decision to delay the school’s reopening was made to conduct a thorough investigation and provide support to faculty, staff, and students affected by the incident. As authorities analyze security footage and work to identify the person responsible for the graffiti, the school is emphasizing the importance of open communication and discussions about the incident with students. The diverse student body at Dwight-Englewood School highlights the need for a safe and inclusive learning environment, free from racism and discrimination. The school’s commitment to addressing such incidents and ensuring the well-being of its students is crucial in fostering a respectful and accepting community.
