Racist words, swastikas displayed at Sidwell Friends School student presentation

WASHINGTON (FOX 5 DC) - Racist words and swastikas were displayed during an assembly at an elite Washington, D.C. school where one of former President Obama's daughters currently attends.

The incident occurred at Sidwell Friends School in Bethesda on Wednesday when students gathered for a presentation. In a letter sent home to parents, school officials say students gathered to hear about a non-profit organization founded by a Sidwell student that helps D.C. area refugee youths through soccer.

After the presentation was over, the presenter called for students to play an online game called Kahoot in which cell phones were used to answer questions and answers were displayed onto large screens in the room.

School officials say several of the student's usernames were racist toward Asians and Native Americans and two of the usernames included images of swastikas. As soon as the names and images were recognized the projector was turned off and the presentation was ended.

"We are deeply disheartened and disturbed by this incident, which is an extremely serious breach of our School's honor code and harassment policy," said the head of school, Bryan Garman, in a letter sent home to parents and provided to FOX 5 by school officials. "There is no place for hate in our community, and I will address the Upper School about the seriousness of the matter tomorrow morning."

"I am disappointed, dismayed, and deeply sorry that such an incident could take place at our School. Racism and anti-semitism will not be tolerated in this community," Garman's letter continued. The school said they are continuing to investigate the matter.

The Quaker school is one of the area's best. Sasha Obama, youngest daughter of former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle, currently attends the school. Her sister, Malia, graduated several years ago. Chelsea Clinton, daughter of former President Bill Clinton and 2016 Democratic nominee for president and former Secretary of State, Hillary, attended the school in the 1990s.