Dear PHS Families,

Late yesterday afternoon, we were alerted to an incident of significant racial, anti-Semitic, and obscenely sexualized graffiti in one of our science classrooms.  While much of the graffiti was concealed inside the pull-out, “desk extenders” found within our lab benches, some of it was on the lab bench and inside of its cabinet doors. 

The Pembroke Police Department has been notified, and we are working collaboratively with the department as we conduct our investigation.  As you would imagine, we are early in that investigation, but we are committed to exhausting all of our resources to find those responsible and hold them accountable to the fullest extent of the law and the PHS Student Handbook.

As the proud principal of PHS, this entire incident has me experiencing a range of difficult emotions.  As a school, we strive to embrace diversity, tolerance, and acceptance, and like several other schools across the Commonwealth, we are learning that we must continue – and even improve – those efforts. I feel confident that I am speaking for our entire staff and student body that the actions of these very few individuals do not represent who we are or what we stand for.  Far from it, in fact.  We condemn such hateful, intolerant behavior in the strongest terms, as they speak directly against our Core Values and our Beliefs About Learning, both of which challenge our students to be honorable young adults that help us create a respectful and supportive environment that fosters pride in our diversity and global awareness.

We anticipate the days and weeks ahead to be challenging ones for our school community.  We have already convened our Crisis Team, and our entire counseling and support staff are ready to support students during these difficult times.  We will also be exploring more formal opportunities for students to express their emotions about this incident.   As we share this difficult news with our students, we will be sure to remind them of this.  Should your child be struggling, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s assistant principal, guidance counselor, or me. 

Kind Regards,      

Marc Talbot, principal