From: Seung Yu <SYu5@schools.nyc.gov>
Sent: Friday, May 23, 2025 10:11 PM
To: Seung Yu <SYu5@schools.nyc.gov>
Cc: Brian Moran <BMoran@schools.nyc.gov>; Casey Pedrick <CPedrick@schools.nyc.gov>; Dina Ingram <RIngram3@schools.nyc.gov>; Eric Grossman <EGrossm@schools.nyc.gov>; Eric Smith <ESmith42@schools.nyc.gov>; Gary Haber <GHaber2@schools.nyc.gov>; Gina Paulson <GPaulson@schools.nyc.gov>; Jennifer Suri <JSuri@schools.nyc.gov>; Marianne Prabhu <MPrabhu@schools.nyc.gov>; Scott Thomas <SThomas24@schools.nyc.gov>
Subject: Important Message from Principal Yu - Please Read

Dear Stuyvesant Students,

I apologize for this late evening message, but I felt it was important to send to you because of the confusion and misinformation that seems to be spreading.

This afternoon, we sent a message regarding the closure of the boys’ bathroom due to recent incidents of vandalism and graffiti. Over the past few days, our custodial team has reported repeated flooding in several boys’ bathrooms. These incidents were caused by toilets and sinks being deliberately clogged with paper, leading to unsafe conditions. We have since learned that this may be part of a social media challenge circulating among students. In addition to the flooding, graffiti—some referencing anime and the clogging itself—was found on the bathroom stalls. Based on these reports, we made the decision to temporarily close the boys’ bathrooms to prevent further damage and ensure student safety.

Later this evening, however, I was informed of images in the bathroom that were not previously seen at the time of our initial response. Unfortunately, these new images include anti-Semitic content.

I am deeply disappointed and angry that a young person in our school would choose to express such hateful sentiments—especially at a time when our world continues to observe the tragic consequences of hate and violence. Hate is the highest form of cowardice and indiginity. I am so disappointed in the student(s) responsible for the images and embarrassed that someone believes that such behavior is acceptable. It is not.

Let me be absolutely clear: any form of hate directed at a person because of their religion, ethnicity, national origin, or identity will not be tolerated at Stuyvesant. I will pursue every appropriate disciplinary action, including consequences for damage to school property and actions that endanger the safety of others.

I know that the overwhelming majority of our students strive to create inclusion, dignity, and respect for all, so I will not let the actions of one or very few diminish my pride in our young people. But to all our students, I ask you to be brave enough to voice when you hear, see, or know of actions that do not represent who we are. Displaying courage should not be the exception, but rather the daily expectation for how we act, speak, and engage with one another.

We will provide more details on Tuesday morning of the actions we will take for the accessibility of the boys' bathroom.

Sincerely,

Dr. Seung C. Yu

Principal

Stuyvesant High School

Office: 212-312-4800

Fax: 212-587-3874

www.stuy.edu

Follow Stuyvesant on Facebook @StuyNYC or Twitter @StuyNY or Instagram @Stuyvesanths_NYC

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