by Cliff Vacin ‘25

A noose was discovered draped over a fence near the school’s tennis courts soon after 9:00 am on Monday, September 9., which was promptly reported to the MCPS Office of Systemwide Safety and the Montgomery County Police Department. That same day, Principal Timothy Britton sent a letter out to students, family, and staff concerning the incident that had happened sometime over the weekend.

Three individuals were identified from security footage and were interviewed. “While our investigation determined that the individuals involved did not intend to communicate a racist or anti-Black message, the impact of such imagery is deeply harmful and cannot be understated,” Britton wrote in the letter. “We recognize how disturbing and upsetting this symbol can be, particularly to our Black community members, and we are treating this matter with the utmost seriousness.” At the bottom of the letter, several resources for students relating to mental health and racism were linked. The letter was also linked in an article on the MocoShow, under the headline “Rope Tied in Manner Resembling a Noose Found on Fence Outside of Sherwood High School.”

Later, on September 10, another letter was sent to staff and parents. Signed by both Britton and MCPS Superintendent Thomas Taylor, it restated what was originally said about the incident in the first article and also added more reasons why the noose was unacceptable. Along with the possible anti-Black sentiments, the noose was hung a day before Suicide Awareness Day. Sherwood has offered resources to those mentally affected, as well as resources for talking about race in schools and talking about racism to children.