EASTHAMPTON, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - An Easthampton elementary school community is speaking out after a swastika was found drawn in chalk on a school playground. Mountain View School families received a letter from the district Wednesday afternoon condemning the symbols and calling them hate-based and antisemitic.

Western Mass News obtained this letter sent to Mountain View School families on Wednesday afternoon saying swastikas were discovered drawn in chalk on the school playground.

In the letter, Easthampton superintendent wrote, “this symbol of hate has no place in our schools or in our community.” The district also said it has “zero tolerance” for hate-based or discriminatory behavior — including antisemitism and said school administration is conducting a thorough investigation.

Easthampton Police told Western Mass News officers were called after the chalk drawings had already been removed by school staff, meaning investigators never saw the symbols firsthand.

We spoke with Easthampton Police over the phone on Friday afternoon and they said that unfortunately, there are no cameras or witnesses in the area, so they don’t have any further leads.

Police said they do not know who was responsible, or even when the drawings were made whether it was overnight or the morning of or during school is still unknown. One Easthampton resident shared their frustration with Western Mass News, “I think it’s definitely something that if it comes up parents should definitely educate their kids about it, they should know not to keep doing that. Not everything is appropriate for kids to be doing, and parents can tell them that and it’s okay, it’s the same as not touching a hot stove,” said Easthampton resident Jessie Klitus-Flaim.

We did speak to one Jewish parent off camera who shared the letter with Western Mass News told us they appreciate the district’s communication, saying they feel the school has been transparent and proactive in keeping families informed.

We also asked police about social media posts claiming other symbols or messages had been seen around town. Police said the only other incident they’re aware of involved “Free Palestine” written on a boardwalk near the pond, but they do not believe it is connected to the school incident. However, this isn’t the first time a swastika was found in or near a school here in western Mass., “I’ve heard of a few instances at local schools if the use of slurs before and similar instances but it’s shocking every single time it happens,” said Klitus-Flaim.

The district is also encouraging parents to speak with their children about antisemitism, hate, and bias, and included educational resources in the letter sent home to families.

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