Needham Schools Grapple With Zoom-Bombing And Racist Incidents

NEEDHAM, MA — Needham school officials are juggling the unique new school year with a rocky start that included a Zoom-bombing and racist language from a student.

In a letter to parents, Needham Public Schools Superintendent Dan Gutekanst explained the incidents that happened on Monday and Tuesday. Zoom classes at Pollard Middle School were disrupted by "racist, ugly, and hurtful language and taunts," and a student directed a racial slur to another student during an online class at Sunita L. Williams Elementary School.

School officials said Needham police were notified about the Zoom-bombing and are investigating.

The person who disrupted the class is not known but Pollard Middle School staff were given additional directions on how to use the permissions and preferences on Zoom to keep another unwanted caller from entering a class. The school is also working with its IT department for other solutions, Gutekanst said.

In his letter to parents, Gutekanst said of the Zoom-bombing, "While the vile language was not directed at any person in particular, it most certainly was offensive to any student, particularly a Black student or staff member who experienced it."

The incident at Sunita L. Williams Elementary school was separate from the Pollard incident, Gutekanst said. A student at Sunita directed a racial slur toward another student during an online class. The school and staff are following protocols for responding to an incident of bias or hate: Responding to Acts of Bias or Hate in the NPS.

"We are emphasizing the importance of teaching our youngest students about the impact of words and behaviors and how actions that are racist are hurtful and are not tolerated," Gutekanst said.