On February 26th, 2025, Niagara Action published an article outlining troubling details provided to our publication by concerned parents illustrating a culture of bullying, assaults, and harassment at North Tonawanda City Schools. After the article circulated throughout the community, several parents and former students submitted their experiences via email to us. Their stories amounted to a simple conclusion: this problem has existed for quite some time.
This is not a story that will take days or weeks, but a series that will require relentless coverage.
The untold stories of former students, current students and parents will permeate the public in a way they never have before.
Some may ask what our publication has to gain from sharing these experiences, and the answer is simple. That these individuals deserve to be heard, that systemic change is needed to address a culture of administrative failures to protect students, and that the truth always comes out.
If you would like to share your own experience with North Tonawanda Schools and any of the issues raised throughout this article, please email us at niagaraaction@gmail.com.
Letter from a graduate of North Tonawanda High School, Class of 2022
I would very much like to share my experience with what I experienced at North Tonawanda High School. It's not shocking that nothing has changed based on what I read in your article. My time at NTHS was filled with bullying and harassment, and the physical abuse I witnessed deeply disturbing.
It's absolutely disgusting that kids can't even feel safe at school. I cannot count the times I didn't go to school because of the bullying directed at me. If it wasn't me, it was someone else, countless somebodies.
I was body shamed, pushed, belittled, called names, and almost anything else you can imagine.
Every week someone was getting beat up for no reason and I have included several videos to prove it. School administration doesn't let recordings of them get around because they know the impact it would have on their jobs. It would be on the news and reported in the newspaper.
I can't count the number of times allegations of bullying, harassment and fights were swept under the rug. I can still hear being told by an administrator "boys will be boys." Mind you, this was just three or four years ago.
The NTHS administration would never listen to two sides of the story, nor would they ever make the aggressor take accountability for their actions. In fact, several friends that I knew who stuck up to those harassing or physically abusing them were the ones punished. It could not be more backwards.
Kids were getting hurt, both physically and emotionally. Below are four videos from when I was in high school showing some of the incidents that never became public.
VIDEO #1
VIDEO #2
VIDEO #3
VIDEO #4
Video submitted by a mother after their son recorded a fight outside of North Tonawanda Middle School
I could not help but see the irony of your article being published today (Wednesday, February 26th) as my son arrived home from school having recorded a fight between two female students at North Tonawanda Middle School. He told me that this is not the first fight he has seen this year.
I am heartbroken that my son is exposed to this sort of violence at school. The school is clearly not monitoring these children effectively and they do not fear the consequences - whatever they are - of their actions.
ORIGINAL STORY PUBLISHED FEBRUARY 26TH, 2025
Tensions are rising within the North Tonawanda School District as a growing number of parents are uniting to demand accountability and systemic change in addressing what they describe as a pervasive and deeply concerning bullying problem. Allegations of negligence on the part of school administration are mounting, fueled by a surge of disturbing evidence compiled by concerned parents, including student testimonies, video recordings, audio clips, and unsettling text messages.
Sources reveal that the tipping point was an incident involving a parent accused of disseminating false information, allegedly to shield her own child from the consequences of their actions. By trying to protect her own child, she diverted attention to another parent. The result? Outside agencies and police involvement.
"We're not talking about isolated incidents here," shared a parent. "This is a culture of fear and intimidation that has been allowed to fester for far too long where children are doing self-harming right in the school bathrooms. Our children are suffering, and the school system is failing to provide a safe and supportive learning environment."
The evidence gathered, and shared with Niagara Action, paints a grim picture for school officials. Students have come forward with accounts of physical and verbal abuse, social exclusion, and online harassment. In one case, students are being urged to harm themselves with a blade to be included in a group.
"My son comes home from school every day feeling defeated," said another concerned parent. "He's afraid to walk the halls, afraid to participate in class, afraid to even go to the bathroom. This isn't the childhood we envisioned for him."
The parents' primary accusation centers on the school administration's failure to adequately address bullying incidents, enforce anti-bullying policies, and provide support for victims. They claim that reports of bullying are often dismissed or downplayed. More concerning is that the perpetrators are rarely held accountable for their actions.
"We've been reporting these incidents for months," explained a mother of two middle school children. "But our concerns have been consistently ignored or met with empty promises. It's as if the school is more concerned with protecting its image than protecting our children."
Parents argue that this lack of action sends a dangerous message to both bullies and victims. Bullies are emboldened to continue their behavior knowing they will likely face no consequences. Meanwhile, victims are left feeling isolated, helpless, and abandoned.
This unfolding situation highlights the devastating impact that bullying can have on children. The consequences of bullying can be far-reaching, impacting a child's mental health, academic performance, and overall well-being. Victims may experience anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and even suicidal thoughts. They may also struggle to concentrate in school, leading to declining grades and a disinterest in learning.
The parents of North Tonawanda are demanding just that. They are calling for a comprehensive overhaul of the school system's anti-bullying policies, including stricter enforcement mechanisms, improved reporting procedures, and mandatory training for staff and students.
Niagara Action will continue to investigate and provide in-depth coverage of any developments. Future articles will include first-hand accounts written by parents and students, allowing you to hear directly from those impacted the most.
If you would like to share your own experience with North Tonawanda Schools and any of the issues raised throughout this article, please email us at niagaraaction@gmail.com.
A Culture of Unreported Violence: North Tonawanda Schools Part 1