New Hampshire high school students filmed singing KKK jingle under investigation

The lyrics were sung to the tune of 'Jingle Bells'

(Dover High School (New Hampshire) / Facebook)

A New Hampshire high school district is investigating an incident involving video footage of a group of students singing a Ku Klux Klan-themed jingle in class for a US history assignment.

The footage of Dover High School teenagers singing along to the racist jingle circulated on Friday. The students were assigned to create a jingle for the post-Civil War Reconstruction period. The KKK was established in this time period.

To the tune of Christmas classic “Jingle Bells,” the students can be seen and heard singing the following lyrics: “KKK, KKK, let’s kill all the blacks[...]White masks on our heads, blood beneath our feet, laughing till they’re dead—ha, ha, ha."

Dover School District Superintendent William Harborn said the students did not know they were being recorded.

“The principal became aware of the situation late Friday and began working with teacher,” Mr Harbron told NBC News. “Right now we’re dealing the immediate need of communication out and dealing with the emotions surrounding the situation.”

The school district sent out a letter on Monday informing parents and the community that it will investigate the incident. It also clarified that although the racist jingle had a “harmful” impact, the racist jingle was a part of a class assignment.

“We are deeply concerned that an event such as this could occur and understand the emotion and concern that this event will create for our students, families and staff,” the letter said. “Administration from Dover High School and the District are working with students and the school community to respond immediately and effectively to this racial insensitivity.”

Mr Harborn said students who sang the KKK-themed song did not have any history of poor conduct or disciplinary issues. He said the school district hopes to learn from the incident.

“I think the most important part is that we are upset and concerned about what happened in that classroom," Mr Harbron added.

The incident comes a few weeks after Baraboo High School students in Wisconsin were seen apparently giving a Nazi-type salute in their junior prom photographs. The high school district decided not to punish the students, citing their right to free speech.