New Jersey Middle School Recalls Yearbooks After Infant Photo of Hitler Discovered

A middle school in an affluent New Jersey suburb recalled its yearbooks after discovering a photo of Adolf Hitler as a baby included among student baby pictures. The yearbooks had already been distributed to students at East Brook Middle School in Paramus when the administration identified the image. Principal Ryan Oprley sent a letter to families explaining the situation and ordered an immediate collection of all yearbooks to prevent further circulation.

In his letter, Oprley condemned the inclusion of the photo, stating that Hitler symbolizes hatred, antisemitism, and the horrors of the Holocaust, including the murder of six million Jews. He emphasized that the image does not represent the school’s values or community. The school is cooperating with local law enforcement in investigating how the photo was included and is working to produce a corrected version of the yearbook.

It remains unclear whether a student was responsible for inserting the photo or how it was identified as Hitler’s baby picture. The school acknowledged past incidents where students or alumni inserted provocative references to Hitler in yearbooks. Oprley thanked families for their patience and reaffirmed the school’s commitment to respect, inclusion, and dignity for all community members.

The administration is also determining how to handle yearbooks that have already been signed by teachers and students. The incident has sparked concern about oversight in the yearbook production process and the sensitivity required in school publications.