SCHOOL TARGETED AGAIN WITH RACIST AND HOMOPHOBIC GRAFFITI

For the second time in less than a week, St. Catherine Catholic Elementary School has been targeted with racist graffiti spray painted on the school's exterior walls and portables.

On Wednesday (May 11), staff arrived to the westend school on Glenforest Boulevard to find racist, homophobic and other profane messages. Similar vandalism was discovered Monday morning (May 9) prompting a letter to be sent home to parents and guardians explaining what occurred.

Asecond letter was sent home with students on Wednesday afternoon, after the second incident was discovered.

In both cases, according to acting school principal Karen Procyk, the graffiti was covered up before students arrived. By Wednesday night, the graffiti had been removed, however faint outlines or derogatory words and images could still be seen.

"We strongly condemn these actions and hope that those responsible can be identified. Police continue to investigate and have classified this vandalism as a hate bias crime," Procyk wrote in her second letter to parents.

Procyk said the school board is looking into security measures that may be implemented to deter further vandalism from occurring.

Galen Eagle, communications manager with the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board, confirmed the board is considering a "number of security measures" but added the specifics won't be given to the public.

"The school and the Board take this matter very seriously as does Peterborough Police Service and we are committed to providing the school the support it requires," wrote Eagle in an email response to Peterborough This Week.

Earlier this week, Acting Chief of Police Tim Farquharson condemned the vandalism saying it has no place in the community.

"We know that many groups including the police service are working in their own ways to foster a more inclusive and accepting community. We are committed to continuing those efforts," added Farquharson.

In the first letter sent to parents on Monday, Procyk wrote the school board is committed to eliminating all forms of discrimination and to embed equity and inclusive education, anti-racism, human rights, and Indigenous education into all its policies, procedures, programs, operations, and practices.