MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (7News) — Two weeks before school starts in Montgomery County, 7News spoke with members of an anti-hate task force about how they are working to protect students from bias-related crimes.

The action came one day after “anti-Semitic” messages were spray-painted outside Bethesda Elementary School, according to the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD).

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“Our schools need to be prepared for this to impact students on a daily basis,” says Meredith Weisel, regional director of the Anti-Defamation League in Washington DC and chair of the Jewish group on the Montgomery County Anti-Hate Task Force.

The task force is comprised of cohort groups representing the Jewish, Black, LGBTQ+, Asian American and Muslim communities.

“The force was originally put together because we were seeing an increase in anti-Semitic incidents, but also an increase in hate and extremism affecting many marginalized communities,” Weisel said.

Lianna Golden from 7News: As the new school year begins, the conflict is still ongoing. What is the task force’s priority now that this incident has occurred and the school year is starting so soon?

Weisel: One of the things we’ve been looking at is how to have serious conversations with our students at an age-appropriate level. Of course, a conversation with high school or middle school students is going to be very different than one in elementary school. I think it’s important that schools understand that what’s happening there in the Middle East doesn’t mean that it doesn’t affect us here.

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Golden: I’m curious how these conversations take place. Are they conversations between parents and students? Are they conversations between teachers and students? How do these conversations take place?

Weisel: The whole society. It’s a holistic approach. So we’re not going to ask a teacher to go into great detail, but we’re going to ask them to talk to you about respect and appropriate dialogue.

It can only be helpful to be prepared and start the new year knowing that such incidents could occur, she says.

“The reality is that a child can hear something at school and then want to talk to their parents about it. And I don’t expect all parents to know what’s happening,” Weisel said.

Weisel shared strategies for parents or teachers who want to talk to their children and students about the ongoing conflict. Click here to view these resources.

MCPD is investigating this incident, which has been classified as a bias-related crime. Officers are combing the area and reviewing surveillance footage from the neighborhood to identify those responsible.

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The graffiti was removed by Bethesda Urban Partnership, MCPS and volunteers.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to visit the Crime Solvers of Montgomery County, MD website at www.crimesolversmcmd.org and click on the “www.p3tips.com” link at the top of the page or call 1-866-411-8477. Tips leading to an arrest may be rewarded with a $250 to $10,000 reward. Tips can remain anonymous.