A middle school in Paramus, New Jersey, has initiated a full recall of its recently distributed yearbooks after an image identified as an infant Adolf Hitler was found within the publication’s baby pictures section.
East Brook Middle School Principal Ryan Aupperlee informed parents of the situation in a letter issued on June 25. The principal stated that after students had already received their yearbooks, school officials became aware of the photograph. “We immediately collected the yearbooks so the image would not remain in circulation,” Aupperlee’s letter, referenced by NorthJersey.com, noted.
East Brook Middle School serves students in Paramus, a borough located in Bergen County, northern New Jersey.
Community and Official Response
The incident quickly drew attention from local officials. Paramus Mayor Chris DiPiazza addressed the matter in a Facebook post on Friday.
“I am aware of the unfortunate incident, involving the year book, at East Brook Middle School yesterday and have been in communication with both the Superintendent of Schools and Chief of Police,” Mayor DiPiazza wrote. “Our borough’s strength has always been because we are a town welcoming to all faiths and home to numerous houses of worship. Any examples, like yesterday’s, does not reflect Paramus. God bless”
The appearance of the controversial image has prompted immediate investigations. Authorities in Paramus are working to determine the origin of the submission, identify who was responsible for its inclusion, and understand how the photograph bypassed the yearbook’s review and approval processes before distribution.
The school district is expected to outline its next steps following a thorough review of the incident. Local law enforcement agencies are also involved in the ongoing investigation, according to reports.
Condemnation and School Values
In his communication to parents, Principal Aupperlee unequivocally condemned the image’s presence in the school publication.
“I want to be direct with you: the presence of this image is unacceptable,” Aupperlee’s letter stated. “Even if the image was not immediately recognizable to those paging through the book, its inclusion in an official school publication is a severe breach of our values. Adolf Hitler represents hatred, antisemitism, and the horrors of the Holocaust, including the murder of six million Jews. An image of him has no place in a yearbook created for our students. It does not reflect who we are or what East Brook stands for, and we condemn its inclusion without reservation.”
A logistical challenge arising from the recall is that many of the yearbooks had already been signed by students and school staff. The school administration will need to consider how to manage these personal messages as part of the recall process.
Principal Aupperlee concluded his letter by expressing gratitude for the community’s understanding and trust, reaffirming the school’s dedication to its foundational principles.
“Thank you for your patience, understanding, and trust as we work to make this right,” the letter concluded. “We remain committed to ensuring that our school reflects the values of respect, inclusion, and dignity for every member of our community.”
