Fight at Amherst Regional Middle School prompts shelter-in-place, ongoing investigation

We have the latest now out of Ammerst where several middle school students were involved in a fight that left staff members injured. 22 News reporter Victoria Buddy joins us live in studio after speaking with parents about this incident. Sara a parent tells me bullying is on the rise and many students like hers do not feel safe causing them to defend themselves and their friends. Since day one, it's always been a problem with either with the students or with staff. It makes me feel like a failure for trying to convince my daughter that everything is going to be good at this school and now she's being attacked. A few staff members at Ammerst Regional Middle School are hurt after a fight involving several students on May 1st, prompting a shelter in place. The situation later escalating when caregivers of those students got involved during pickup time. An eighth grader's mom now speaking out following the incident. My daughter was assaulted by five girls in the bathroom and it wasn't disclosed to me by the staff members at all about what happened. It was just, oh, your daughter, she an altercation happened and she needs to be emergency removed. From my understanding, she was defending a friend and trying to separate them from assaulting her friend. And once she did that, that's when they all pounced on her. After receiving a call from the school, Wiggins went to pick up her daughter and called the superintendent's office urging them to be present. Wiggins says school officials then directed her to fill out an anti-bullying form online. When I got out of the car, my immediate response was, "Hey, are you the girls that jumped my my daughter in the bathroom?" And then all hell broke loose. I was triggered because I'm like, you know, I'm tired of this. Like, I've been reporting this whole situation for forever. I've been letting them know that there's an issue with girls at my um at the school with my daughter that's bullying her. Like I'm I'm fed up. In a statement, the superintendent says, quote, "I want to be clear. This kind of behavior is deeply concerning and not reflective of the safe, respectful, and student centered environment we strive to create each day. In the coming weeks, the district will be sharing a caregiver code of conduct. This document will outline shared expectations for how families and schools can work together, especially on school grounds. Students involved have not returned to school. Parents are now demanding a safe environment or intervention from the school that help students after incidents like these. Enforce something to protect them. If you see something, if you hear something, do something. Don't just, oh, it's nothing. Just kids being kids and dismiss it because next thing you know, things like this is happening. Wiggins tells me she has not heard back from school officials since the day of the fight. The school is expected to contact parents with the next steps. working for you. Victoria Buddy, 22 News.