Racial Slur Found Written On Desk At Darien School: Superintendent

DARIEN, CT — Another racial slur was found scrawled on property at Middlesex Middle School, marking the second such discovery at the school in a week, according to outgoing Superintendent of Darien Public Schools Dr. Alan Addley.

In a note to families and staff on Wednesday morning, Addley said the racial slur was found on a student's desk.

A racial slur was found written in a 7th grade boys bathroom at MMS last week. Overall, there have been five similar incidents this school year.

In January and February, the N-word was found written in a sixth grade girls bathroom at MMS, and last October, the same word was found inscribed on a playground pole at Hindley Elementary School.

"This repeated behavior is disheartening, and once again, I want to reaffirm that our commitment to confronting hate, promoting inclusion, and ensuring every student feels safe remains steadfast," Addley said in his note.

As with prior incidents, both school administration and police are investigating, Addley said.

"We will continue engaging students, staff and families in meaningful dialogue and reinforcing the importance of respect and empathy through ongoing programs and conversations," Addley noted.

On Thursday night, Addley and other administrators will attend a regional event titled "Stop Hate Together," which will be hosted by the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, the Darien Police Chief, and the Chief State’s Attorney's office.

The event is open to surrounding communities and all interested members of the public. Addley urged residents to attend if they can.

The event will take place at 6 p.m. at the Darien Library, and it will focus on how the state and communities are responding to hate crimes, how they are identified, reported, and investigated, and how communities can play a role in preventing them.

"I understand that these repeated challenges can feel discouraging, but the District remains resolute in our efforts to create a safer and more inclusive environment for all students," Addley said. "Together, we can make a difference. I believe in the strength of our community and the power of our collective action."