Officials investigating racist incident at Kicks for Cancer

School officials have asked anyone with relevant information to come forward after someone threw a notebook containing a racial slur into a crowd of students at the Kicks for Cancer event on September 27.

Acton-Carlisle High School co-Principals Katie Stahl and Brian Miller said in an email to the community that the “unequivocally unacceptable” incident took place toward the end of the boys varsity portion the sports benefit.

“An event built on unity, empathy, and working together was tainted by a malicious action designed to divide and hurt,” they wrote. 

School brass said “an investigation has begun,” including the gathering of witness accounts, and officials were in touch with event organizers and Acton police. 

People with information can file a report via the school’s bias reporting form.

Social media reckoning

Just over a week before Kicks for Cancer, the CCHS Parents Association faced criticism over a social media graphic that read, “Don’t park in white spots.”

The phrase was part of a reminder about color-coded parking rules, and critics acknowledged it probably wasn’t intended to be offensive. 

The PA deleted the September 5 post and posted an apology after outrage intensified late in the week of September 15. 

The town Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee urged the PA to add new training and review protocols for public messaging.

Panel members said the post evoked memories of the segregation era. PA President Alexa Anderson, a former School Committee chair, said her group would discuss the incident at a Friday morning meeting, after this edition of The Acton Bridge went to press. 

In an email to The Bridge, Anderson said a volunteer runs the social media accounts, and the PA “is grateful for her consistent and tireless dedication.” 

Within days of the PA backlash, someone found a message in Acton Center with what CCHS School Committee Chair Tracey Marano and K-8 Chair Andrew Herchek called “demeaning language” directed at schools Superintendent Laurie Hunter.

The chairs called that display “a scarecrow.” Police Capt. Brian Goldman said it was “a sign.” Acton police were still investigating as of Monday, and officials repeatedly declined to elaborate on what the message said. 

In a School Committee meeting last Thursday, committee member Michael Williams and CCHS METCO representative Ayesha Lawton said they were glad hate was being addressed and hoped to see similarly robust responses in the future.

“That same energy should be sent for any act of hate,” Lawton said.

Trace Salzbrenner contributed reporting.