'The N Word Cannot Be Used At Lincoln-Sudbury High School'

SUDBURY, MA—In a note before December break, Superintendent Bella Wong addressed the students of Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School about an incident that had taken place at the school, one that brought up the use of the "N Word."

She wrote, “Words, such as the n-word, and other racist, ethnic, homophobic, xenophobic, and/or misogynistic terms, have tremendous power to hurt and impede one’s frame of mind to learn. Despite efforts to teach otherwise, many of our students continue to experience micro aggressions in school that include targeted and/or non-targeted use of hateful expressions. There is no room for this behavior in a community that aspires to be a place where everyone belongs and asserts to provide an excellent education for all of our students. To be clear, these words should never be used to target another person on campus. These words should never be depicted, written, broadcast or otherwise displayed at any school events (including pre-game/pre-event music)."

Wong continued in an update this week to the school community, informing them that members at school have continued to meet and listen to students, colleagues and families to talk about the use of the "n-word" at school, on notices posted by students, and the use of the N-word on social media.

She's discussed a draft form of guidance items with School Council, Academic Council, Exec TA, FAC, School Committee, with groups of or individual faculty, parents and students.

"I am thankful for the interest and many thoughtful contributions to the discussion of this subject," she writes. "It is clear there is a range of opinions on who and how the word can be used in an open society and this can create confusion about use of the word in school, at L-S. In order to support a learning environment consistent with our core values that feels welcoming and accepting to all our students it is clear that clarification of guidance on the use of the n-word in school is necessary and important.

Here is the updated guidance/rule for the school:

The n-word may not be used in the public arena of the LS school environment. The school environment includes campus, the school bus and at any school sponsored events. This also includes postings on social media or any other posting that has a reasonable probability of intersecting with and affecting our school environment. How we respond in the moment and/or in meting out consequences will take into account the context of how the word was used. For example, who said the word, who was the word said to, how did the word enter into the public arena, and what was the underlying implicit or explicit intent of expression?