Police probing months-old anti-Semitic incidents at Boston school

A suburban Boston middle school is investigating two anti-Semitic incidents there from months ago that were only reported to police last week.

The incidents at the F.A. Day Middle School in Newton, Massachusetts, occurred in October and January, according to the Newton Tab. Superintendent David Fleishman and Mayor Setti Warren in a joint letter to the community on Friday noted the late reporting to law enforcement.

Newton Police spokesman Lt. Bruce Apotheker told the Tab in an email statement that police were “forwarded an anonymous letter” on February 22 informing them of the incidents. He said the police are working with the school administration.

School principal Brian Turner said in a letter to parents on Thursday that the incidents are being investigated by police and school officials.

In the October incident, what is described as “hateful graffiti” was discovered on a bathroom wall at the school. In January, a swastika was imprinted in the snow.

“My initial response to these incidents did not convey the moral outrage I felt at this violation of our core values,” Turner wrote in his letter, according to the Tab. “I apologize for not promptly and publicly notifying the school community about these unacceptable actions.”

Fleishman said he would hold discussions with leaders in the school district leadership to determine how to handle these issues going forward.