Sidney Public Schools cancels classes March 30 for emergency training exercise

SIDNEY, Neb. — Sidney Public Schools will cancel classes Monday, March 30 to allow district staff and local first responders to participate in a joint emergency training exercise.

District officials announced the decision in a letter to families and community members, saying the training is designed to strengthen emergency response procedures and coordination between school staff and local law enforcement.

The exercise comes after a recent prank call triggered an emergency response from local authorities. While the situation was resolved safely, school officials said it provided an opportunity to evaluate current procedures and identify ways to improve communication and response during emergencies.

Sidney Public Schools will partner with the Sidney Police Department and the Cheyenne County Sheriff’s Office for the training. The exercise will take place across multiple school buildings and will allow educators, law enforcement and emergency personnel to practice coordinated responses to potential emergency situations.

School officials said the goal of the training is to improve preparedness and strengthen partnerships between the district and local first responders.

Classes will resume Tuesday, March 31.

District leaders said the safety of students and staff remains the top priority and emphasized the importance of proactive planning.

“The safety of our students and staff remains our highest priority,” district officials wrote in the letter. “By working proactively with our local first responders, we are committed to continually improving our preparedness and ensuring that Sidney Public Schools remains a safe learning environment for all.”

Officials also said the district plans to continue working with local agencies to conduct similar training opportunities in the future.