Racist Graffiti Found at the Tynan School

The Tynan School custodial staff discovered racist graffiti on doors of the building on Wednesday morning. BPS released the following statement:

At the Boston Public Schools (BPS), the safety and wellbeing of our students is our top priority. We take very seriously any incident that causes harm to members of our community.

Earlier this morning, custodial staff of the Joseph P. Tynan Elementary School in South Boston discovered hateful graffiti painted on several areas of the exterior of the school. Boston School Police and Boston Police were immediately notified and arrived on the scene. The Boston Police Department is investigating and the Civil Rights Unit of BPD has been informed of the incident.

The Boston Public Schools does not and will not tolerate hatred, discrimination, or bias of any kind. BPS treasures the cultural diversity of our community, which includes young people and adults of an extraordinary array of racial, ethnic, religious and other identities.

BPS Behavioral Health staff and school psychologists are currently on site at the Tynan to provide support for any students and staff in need, and we are discussing this incident with students in an age appropriate manner. All parents are receiving phone calls, emails, and letters home to inform them about the incident. These communications are being provided in the languages families speak at home. The Boston Public Schools and staff of the Tynan School will continue to support all of our students in the coming days and weeks in partnership with Behavioral Health staff, the Office of Equity, the Office of Operations, and other central offices. Boston School Police will be present at the school today.

Incidents like this are in no way reflective of the safe, secure, and supportive environment that the Boston Public Schools are committed to fostering, nor the values embodied by our students, staff, and families, each of whom are valued members of our community.