Syosset Elementary School Principal Target Of Racist Harassment

SYOSSET, NY — Mi Jung An, the principal of Syosset's South Grove Elementary School, as been the victim of racist harassment, the district said. The harassment has been reported to the Nassau County Police Department, which is investigating.

The harassment is not new, but has been ongoing. The district said it was avoiding using its communication platform to bring more attention to the issue or repeat the words said so it wouldn't "exacerbate the harm to Ms. An." But the harassment recently shifted to take a "racial tone," the district wrote, and it started speaking out.

According to the district, the harassment has taken the form of letters sent to the district's main office, as well as hand-made signs that have been posted around South Grove Elementary School. Whenever one was received or found, it was immediately reported to the police.

In an email sent to Syosset families, Superintendent Dr. Tom Rogers spoke out against the harassment, calling it "disgusting."

"The district condemns all acts of hate or intolerance and we will continue to cooperate with the police investigation," Rogers wrote. "Divisive personal attacks against any member of our community are an affront to us all."

The district did not detail the content of the messages.

An has been the principal of South Grove since 2016. Before she came to the Syosset School District, she worked in Rockland County for 19 years in a variety of roles, including as a teacher and a principal.

Rogers asked anyone with information about who was behind the harassment to the Second Precinct at (516) 573-6200 and ask to speak to a detective.