The walls of the C-Wing are usually brown and white, sometimes spackled with posters for clubs, a car wash, or the school play. They’re filled with information on languages offered in the school or something concerning history. But recently, albeit briefly, they were full of bright post-it notes forgiving the student(s) who drew anti-Semitic symbols and the n-word in a boy’s bathroom. More information about that can be found here, in another article by The Trailblazer.

On the morning of Tuesday, December 4th, students from Ms. Sach’s 3rd period English class lined up to write forgiveness notes to the perpetrator from Friday. These students wrote with colorful pens on stickies with positive notes, not blaming those who drew the symbols.

They stuck them on the wall near said bathroom, on the bathroom sign, inside the bathroom, on water fountains, on lockers and doors, and all around the halls upstairs, including the breezeway.

“It’s really important that the change in our community starts from the inside out. People say that the pen is more powerful than the sword and I think this really shows that. We want to show the respect that should’ve been shown on Friday, and not fight fire with fire,” says an anonymous student.

Ms. Sachs offered post-it notes to those who walked by.

Notes ranged from “Your words were erased and I forgive you.” to “My best friend is black and I forgive you.”

But, some students didn’t agree with these notes, thinking they did more harm than help.

“I feel that the messages being posted were not “spreading messages against hate” but were actually spreading a message saying that these actions, and actions like this, are acceptable and won’t be taken seriously,” says one anonymous senior, who emailed Mr. Wieland about the notes.

Eagle-eyed students noticed that the stickies began disappearing during the second block period.

“Teachers and Students, Some of you have posted sticky notes throughout the school to spread messages of standing against hate. I applaud those stickies. Unfortunately, some messages became inappropriate and joking. I have removed all sticky notes and ask that you no longer post them. I appreciate your cooperation.” says an 9:50 A.M. email by Vice Principal Mr. Wieland.

The notes lasted about an hour to an hour and a half before they were defaced by students. It is unknown what these notes said.

An email to Ms. Sachs about the post-its was left unanswered.

Although some may not agree with the notes, it is important to show that acts of anti-Semitism, racism, hate crimes, and bullying isn’t allowed or accepted in theses halls. It is unacceptable for those symbols and harsh words to be in our school. Students are active to start a change, and that change starts with our words. We are one student body. We are one community. We are Pascack Hills.

Photo by Reece Ferrentino