Dear Students, Families, Faculty, and Staff,
Earlier today, it was discovered and reported to school administration that our football field had been vandalized with graffiti. To our disbelief, this vandalism included a swastika. This obscene symbol of pure hate and intolerance has no place in our society and stands in direct opposition to the principles of unity, respect, and inclusion that we hold dear at our school and across our school division.
We immediately reported this incident to our valued partners with the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office and they are investigating.
If you have any information that could assist in the investigation, please contact the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office at (804) 365-6140. We are fully committed to holding those responsible for this disgraceful and unthinkable act accountable for their actions. Additionally, we took immediate steps to remove the graffiti from the field.
This vandalism is not only an attack on school property but an affront to the very principles and values that we stand for as a school and as a school division. We condemn this vile act of vandalism, antisemitism, and all forms of hatred in the strongest possible terms. Mechanicsville High School and all 26 schools in HCPS are places of learning, growth, and respect. We are committed to being a school division where all students, faculty, staff, and community members feel welcome, valued, and safe. Again, we unequivocally denounce this vandalism and the hateful symbol used.
In closing, we will not let these reprehensible and thoughtless actions define who we are as a school or school division. Rather, we reaffirm our commitment to inclusion for all members of our school community and respect for one another. Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Stevens
Principal
Mechanicsville High School
Dr. Michael Gill
Superintendent of Schools
Hanover County Public Schools