Beverly School System Addresses Accusation Of Student Racism

BEVERLY, MA —Beverly school officials are reaching out to students and parents after a Beverly High School student raised concerns on social media about the racist attitudes of some of her classmates.

"What is sad is the amount of racism from the kids (I) go to school with. (K)ids are using racial slurs against myself for being (H)ispanic and my (A)frican (A)merican friends, including the n-word," the student wrote Tuesday in a Facebook group for Beverly residents. The student also said students had been posting dismissive messages about the death of George Floyd on their social media accounts.

Beverly Superintendent Suzanne M. Charochak said Wednesday a school administrator reached out to the student as soon as officials were alerted of the message, which drew more than 170 comments responses in less than 24 hours. She said she has sent out communications to parents at all grade levels, as well as a message sent directly to high school students addressing the message.

"No doubt about it, the unrest is happening because there are a lot of concerns around the systematic racism that exists," Charochak said. "We're making sure we're addressing it in anyway we can through dialogue, by reaching out to people who have been affected by it and by reflecting on our own implicit biases."

Read Dr. Charochak's message and see resources for parents on the Beverly Public School System Website.

Charochak said the school system has posted resources for parents of kids ranging in age from preschool to high school to help them have the "really difficult conversations they need to have." Since the school system shifted to a remote learning model in March, the school has been keeping records of contacts between students and staff.

"The situation we're in is very isolating for a lot of students. They may have access to some peers, but that access to trusted adults through school is not the same," Charochak said. "We're making it clear that school is open. We're here and if someone is having a problem, they can contact a teacher or a guidance counselor or someone at school for help."

Dave Copeland writes for Patch and can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).