Seattle elementary school principal is suspended over email condemning swastika graffiti

A suburban Seattle elementary school principal was suspended after criticizing swastika graffiti found at her school.  

Heather Snookal sent out a text alert to the parents of students at Phantom Lake Elementary in Bellevue, Washington, on Monday. 

Snookal informed families that a fifth-grade student had discovered a swastika on a wall on the campus, describing it as a 'symbol of hate'. 

But she was met with fury for failing to acknowledge that the Nazi emblem is also a peaceful symbol for multiple religions including Buddhism and Hinduism.  

After the text, parents told KOMO News they received an email addressing her use of language in the text message and apologized for calling it a hate symbol. 

Her text said: 'In Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and other ancient cultures, the swastika is a symbol of peace, prosperity, and good fortune. 

'We recognize that for many of our families, this symbol has a positive and spiritual meaning, completely unrelated to the hateful associations it took on in more recent history.

'As a school committed to inclusivity and cultural understanding, we want to ensure that our students from all backgrounds feel welcomed, valued, and celebrated. 

'We also want to make sure our community is educated about the diverse meanings and histories behind symbols like the swastika so that we can all avoid misunderstandings that could inadvertently marginalize or hurt our students.'

But Snookal's muddled slew of communications ended up offending everyone.  

The symbol, which comes from ancient Sanskrit, was used for centuries by Hindus and Buddhists before it was adopted by the Nazi Party in Germany. 

It's usage in the religions typically has it pointing counter-clockwise, while the Nazi version goes in the opposite direction.  

Angered parents who spoke with KOMO called the muddled communication 'unacceptable' and said they emailed Snookal on Monday expressing their dismay. 

Tirzah Dondanville told the outlet: 'Essentially the takeaway was that it is okay to have a swastika painted at a children's school. The swastika to us means fear and terror and hatred.'

Eitan Gor added: 'It is very evident that the intention in this case painted on the wall with a specific Nazi appearance was intended to be a Nazi swastika.

'I don't think that she is ill intended, I think she understood the meaning of the symbol. It's just not clear why the focus is on that.'

Before the end of the school day, the Bellevue School District moved to put Snookal on administrative leave while they investigate the matter.

In a statement, The Bellevue School District said: 'There is absolutely no place for hate in the Bellevue School District. 

'In a time where words and symbols are used to divide us, we are working with administrators, staff, and students to call our community in for courageous conversations to affirm each other’s cultures, beliefs, and identities.

'We share in the burden and pain that our Jewish families feel regarding the rise in antisemitism locally and across our country. 

'Bellevue, like other districts, has seen a rise in anti-Semitic incidents, particularly this past year, and we are taking action to address it. 

'Vandalism on a playground using a swastika is anti-Semitic and goes against our district’s commitment to building what Dr. King championed as “The Beloved Community” – a place where people truly care for one another, and there is no hunger, poverty, or hate. 

'We acknowledge the pain that every incident like this has on our whole community, but especially on our Jewish community.'