Sherwood High School principal Timothy Britton sent a letter to the school community informing of a serious incident that occurred at the school involving the discover of a “small rope tied in a manner resembling a noose, draped over the fence surrounding the school’s tennis courts.” The letter can be seen in full below:
“Dear Sherwood High School Families,
I am writing to inform you about a serious incident that occurred at Sherwood High School today. Shortly after 9:00 a.m., a staff member, while supervising a Physical Education class, discovered a small rope tied in a manner resembling a noose, draped over the fence surrounding the school’s tennis courts. Upon being alerted, we took immediate action to investigate, and the matter was promptly reported to the MCPS Office of Systemwide Safety and the Montgomery County Police Department.
Through a review of our security footage, three individuals were identified and interviewed. We are now in the process of determining appropriate consequences in accordance with the MCPS Student Code of Conduct.
While our investigation determined that the individuals involved did not intend to communicate a racist or anti-Black message, the impact of such imagery is deeply harmful and cannot be understated. We recognize how disturbing and upsetting this symbol can be, particularly to our Black community members, and we are treating this matter with the utmost seriousness.
At Sherwood High School, we are committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and safe environment for every student. This incident underscores the importance of ongoing education and dialogue around issues of race, respect, and cultural sensitivity. We will continue to address this in partnership with our students, staff, and families to ensure that such incidents are not repeated.
Sincerely,
Timothy Britton
Principal, Sherwood High School”