Letter from Dr. Ranelli Regarding Antisemitic Incident at Lower Merion High School

Dr. Ranelli shared the letter below
with the LMSD Community on April 24, 2026.

Dear LMSD Community,

I wanted to let you know that our administrators at the District and at Lower Merion High School are aware of and responding to an incident that occurred earlier today. An LMHS student, who had drawn a swastika on his body, showed the symbol to another LMHS student, who is Jewish.

This act is a violation of District Policy 235 Student Rights and Responsibilities, which specifically prohibits hate speech or symbols. Let me be perfectly clear, using hate speech or displaying hate symbols is not and will not be tolerated in our schools. Any students involved in such acts will face consequences as outlined by Policy in the Student and Family Handbook.

After the initial incident, the student who displayed the image left campus and posted a video on social media that contained a threat toward another student. The video did not reference the earlier incident, but it did contain concerning language. 

In addition to conducting an internal investigation, LMSD reported these incidents to Lower Merion Township Police, who are responding swiftly and according to their protocols as well. The student who instigated these incidents will not be in school, pending a disciplinary hearing and due process. Further information about the students involved will not be shared to ensure student privacy.

If your student needs support in light of this upsetting incident, please urge them to reach out to counselor, or another trusted adult at their school.

Sincerely,

Dr. Frank Ranelli
Superintendent