An undisclosed number of students were suspended from Princeton Secondary School (PSS) last week following a racially-motivated incident on social media.

害羞草研究所淢y understanding is there was racism and threatening language that was posted to a social media site,害羞草研究所� said Gordon Swan, chair of the Nicola-Similkameen School District board. 害羞草研究所淲e then investigated it, through the school, and set up some consequences for the youth involved.害羞草研究所�

The district did not report the incident to RCMP, which targeted an individual.

害羞草研究所淭he parents had agreed that that wasn害羞草研究所檛 necessary and the school didn害羞草研究所檛 (think it was necessary),害羞草研究所� he explained.

害羞草研究所淭he school has handled it appropriately. The parents are all happy with the outcome and with the consequences.害羞草研究所�

Swan said that discussion included 害羞草研究所渢he parents of the child who was in the picture.害羞草研究所�

There are approximately 165 students at PSS and Swan did not give specifics of the post.

In addition to suspensions, students are being provided with 害羞草研究所渁n educational component around hate speech and hate literature,害羞草研究所� he said.

害羞草研究所淚 would say it害羞草研究所檚 kids who aren害羞草研究所檛 thinking fully of the consequences of what they are doing.害羞草研究所�

The parents of the children who posted the material were 害羞草研究所渧ery upset害羞草研究所� by what happened, he added.

The post was brought to the school害羞草研究所檚 attention by someone who noticed it on the site.

Incidents like this are relatively rare, said Swan.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 not that often. We know it occurs across the province from time to time,害羞草研究所� Swan said.

The district adopted a discrimination policy in 1998 and it was revised in 2016.

It directs, in part, that:

害羞草研究所� Schools develop student Codes of Conduct with one or more statements that address the prohibited grounds of discrimination as set out in the B.C. Human Rights Code.

害羞草研究所� Schools provide examples of and teach appropriate expectations and behaviours in order to prevent discrimination.

害羞草研究所� Schools create support systems for individuals or groups being discriminated against or harassed.

害羞草研究所� Schools encourage and support activities promoting respect for human rights and the celebration of diversity.

Swan stated: 害羞草研究所淲e want to make sure our schools are inclusive and safe for all students.害羞草研究所�

Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email:andrea.demeer@similkameenspotlight.com