RALEIGH, N.C. – Officials at North Carolina’s Wakefield High School are investigating an alleged hate crime after someone hung a teddy bear from a noose on campus, along with a sign calling to reinstate the school’s former principal and longer lunches.

Students told WTVD the Wake County Public School System replaced the school’s former principal, Tripp Crayton, in 2015, the same year officials shortened their hour-long lunch break.

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On Tuesday, students arrived at school to find a black stuffed teddy bear hanging by a noose from Wakefield High’s roof, next to a banner that read “Make Wakefield TRIPP again #smartlunch.”

The teddy bear was wearing a Santa suit, according to the news site.

Some students at the school believe the stunt was part of a senior prank, while others are labeling it a hate crime, presumably because the school’s new principal, Malik Bazzell, is black.

“I don’t think it was a senior prank,” senior Sami Walsh said. “It has nothing to do with seniors because we’re out of here, so why would we care about that? It was definitely a hate crime.”

The hanging teddy bear, as well as reported vandalism to the school stadium and baseball field, prompted a police response Wednesday. Bazzell also sent a letter to parents about the “deeply offensive” teddy bear crime, WRAL reports.

“Let me be clear: This was an offensive act that has no place in our school,” he wrote, adding that the district is pursuing criminal charges against those responsible. “The imagery is deeply offensive and everyone in our school community should be appalled.”

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The letter referred to the Santa teddy bear as “a doll,” and did not elaborate on why those at the school should be offended.

“This, along with the acts of vandalism that occurred in the stadium and baseball field will not be tolerated,” he wrote.

“Here at Wakefield High School, the expectation is that we adhere to high standards for all students,” the letter continued. “This incident violates those standards, and its implied message will not be condoned in our school.”

Bazzell wrote that the “doll” was quickly removed and is currently under investigation by WCPSS security and local police.

The incident also prompted school officials to hold a forum to talk about the incident. The school’s Black Student Union, meanwhile, created a safe space for students to vent about the allegedly racist attack.

“So … let’s talk about the difference between a prank and a hate crime,” Wakefield HS BSU posted to Twitter.

“The more things go unpunished, the more people think it’s okay, and I don’t think that’s right,” Black Student Union President Lauren Howell told WTVD.

Black Student Union VP India Card said students in the group “just want to make sure that people of color in Wake County can feel safe and be able to come to school and not have to worry about seeing a noose hanging from the ceiling.”

Parents also got caught up in the drama.

“It’s definitely racism, and it has to be dealt with,” one unidentified mother told WRAL. “I mean, you hear about it at different schools, but I didn’t think it would happen at Wakefield.”

“I’m frustrated, I’m hurt, and I’m definitely angry,” another unidentified parent said. “I think it’s sad. I think it’s going to have a major impact on all of these children, especially the children of color.”

“People want to think that racism doesn’t exist, and … that’s so not true,” she said.