Yesterday afternoon, staff discovered hateful and offensive graffiti in a student bathroom at Mill Valley Middle School. The graffiti included racist hate speech and anti-semitic imagery. It was removed immediately, and the incident is under investigation. Because we consider this a hate crime, we reported the incident to the Mill Valley Police Department.

When students are at school, we serve in loco parentis - in the place of a parent. That responsibility extends beyond academics. We are entrusted with the care, well-being, and development of every child who walks onto our campuses. We are expected to protect students, guide them, hold them accountable, and help them learn from their mistakes.

The language and images used in this incident are hurtful and unacceptable. Racism, hate, and actions that demean or target others have no place in our schools and are inconsistent with the values of the Mill Valley School District. As your superintendent, I want you to know that these behaviors will not be tolerated.

The Mill Valley Middle School administrators will be addressing these acts directly with the entire student body. We recognize that young people are still learning. Our responsibility as educators is to help them understand the impact of their actions, take responsibility, and grow from the experience. Providing opportunities for learning and growth, however, does not mean excusing harmful behavior. 

I am including our entire Mill Valley School District community in this communication because we share responsibility for the safety and education of all of our children. I encourage you to speak with your children about the power of words, the importance of empathy, and the responsibility each of us has to create a community where everyone feels welcome. These conversations matter, and they are most effective when schools and families work together.

Thank you for your partnership and for upholding the values that define our community.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth