From Niagara Falls City School District Superintendent Mark Laurrie - March 2025

As we arrive at the precipice of spring 2025, I am overwhelmed by the incredible success of our Niagara Falls City School District students in the classroom, in athletic endeavors, and our community. This month, I want to highlight students who have excelled in various events, competitions, and presentations. While the list could never be exhaustive, here is an incredible sampling of commitment, dedication, and excellence from the Niagara Falls City School District students and staff. We are so proud of:

•  15 Niagara Falls High School students who presented to the Mayor and City Council the theories and practices of Trauma Informed Care
• · 10 Robotics teams competing in Syracuse, New York, for an opportunity to represent New York in the World Vex IQ Robotics Championship in Dallas, Texas, for the fourth consecutive year
• · Wrestlers Emma Beckles, Emma Ponzi, Kayden Feagin, and Cameron Crumpler competing for an individual state wrestling championship
• · 20 Niagara Falls High School students who have raised money to visit historically Black Colleges and Universities in Maryland at the beginning of April
• · Swimmers Trevor Meidenbauer, Adam McNab, Jackson Barg, and Ethan Copelin, who qualified for the New York State 4×200 relay, and diver Ellis Smith, a senior who qualified in the diving competition
• · 99 winter sports student athletes who participated in a varsity sport while maintaining a grade point average of 90% or better
• · Accountant Markasia McCreary, Assistant Principal Dorothy Brundidge, and Board Member Earl Bass will be feted as Black Achievers
• · Our ongoing collaboration with the North Tonawanda and Niagara Wheatfield School Districts, where 45 students collaborated and studied together in the Museum of Tolerance
• · 100 students from all levels who built catapults, ate pies, and increased their engineering process at the very first PI day celebration held at Niagara Falls High School
• · The Environment Science class of Ms. Yots, who completed and captured first place in the Waterkeepers Environmental Summit
• · The Gaskill Prep drama students who performed Moana Jr. for their peers and the community

This is just a sampling of the outstanding accomplishments of our school district family. As we prepare the 2025-2026 budget for the board vote next month, rest assured that your schools are achieving and developing well-rounded students of which this community can be very proud.