Words Of Love, Support From Kids Scrubbed Off Catonsville School
CATONSVILLE, MD — Community members have enjoyed seeing local children's artwork drawn all across the exterior of Hillcrest Elementary School. The colorful images included peace signs and hearts, along with the phrase Black Lives Matter. But according to Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent Darryl Williams, the images have drawn controversy and have been scrubbed off the building.
“First and foremost, we could not be prouder of our youngest students who, from the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, looked for ways to stay connected and to share expressions of love for their school. Secondly, we are equally proud of our staff and families who adjusted to a new way of learning during these challenging times. Yes, we have policies against graffiti, defacing property or vandalism, and will continue to abide by them. (Last) week’s actions of elementary students were a desire to show unity, love and peace and were supported by one of our principals, staff and many community members; we teach empathy and compassion in addition to rigorous instruction," Williams wrote in a statement.
School officials will provide students with outlets to express their views that do not include writing on the buildings, he said.
School principal Jennifer Lynch said she was proud of the students who created chalk drawings on the school building in March to show support for health care workers, first responders and teachers. Following the death of George Floyd, students and families again took to the building to share "positive messages and artwork in support of students and families of color attending our school."
However, Lynch noted that school officials do not want to "create a situation that divides our community."
"While the messages have been powerful, it is time for us to shift the messaging away from our school building. As your school principal and fellow community member and parent, safety remains my top priority. We have captured the power of this moment in Catonsville history and we will be working with our PTA and stakeholders to permanently memorialize this event," Lynch noted.
Ethan Dubbelu posted on Facebook how proud he was of all the children who chalked "messages of love and support and inclusion at Hillcrest Elementary."
"I am disappointed that BCPS has reversed course and is now going to remove the chalk messages because of concerns it could create an unsafe environment," he wrote. "It's pretty clear that it's not the kids, chalk or messages that could create the unsafe environment. But that's what is being removed and no longer allowed. That's letting hate win. I hope our kids will chalk every inch of public concrete and pavement with loving, supporting messages until love drowns out hate. It's 2020 people, things have to change."
Bryn Carey Shellenberger posted on Facebook that she was "heartbroken" for her friends and their children whose artwork was removed.
Aaron Koos documented on Facebook when Baltimore County Police showed up at Hillcrest Elementary last week to stop parents and children from chalking on the building.
"I’ll say this for Baltimore County PD, they didn’t show up until there was almost no more space to chalk and no more light to chalk by. No kindergartners were harmed in the polite and masked discussion that ensued," Koos posted.
School officials intend to create a photo installation of the students' artwork that will be displayed in the school's front office. They also are working with local artists and the PTA to create a community mural.
This article originally appeared on the Catonsville Patch
