Anytime something seems out of the ordinary or someone is acting out of character, it could be an indicator to call.  Out of the ordinary statements and observations could include a person bragging about an illegal act, making a threat to injure or kill someone (including self-harm) or seeing something you believe to be suspicious. 

Suspicious activities could include (but are not limited to) cars parked in odd locations, unattended packages in unusual places, open windows that are normally closed, someone asking many detailed questions about a person or a location, or people watching a location for extended periods of time with no apparent personal or professional reason. 

Some of these activities could be innocent.  It's up to law enforcement to determine whether the behavior warrants investigation.  A caller should not feel embarrassed for reporting something that makes them uncomfortable.  If You See Something, Say Something®  (United States Department of Homeland Security).

The Sioux Falls School District (SFSD) has emergency plans in place for a wide variety of situations.  While the specifics of those plans are confidential, we want our community to know what they can expect in the event of an emergency.

1. SFSD will work closely with emergency first responders and the media.

2. Administrators will determine, based on the direction given in our Emergency Response Plan, what course of action to take.

3. SFSD will notify parents through our electronic mass communication systems.

4. Updates will be delivered through these same channels.

When you know a serious situation is taking or has taken place at your child’s school, your immediate desire is to get to them as quickly as possible.  This is normal and understandable.  However, additional people arriving at a school when the circumstances could be chaotic can make the response slower and more complicated.  SFSD encourages parents/guardians to pay attention to the messages we deliver and follow the instructions provided.  It is highly likely that the school grounds will not be accessible in the event of an emergency.

Please know we will strive to provide you timely and accurate information during situations like this.  If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out through our Let’s Talk platform.

If you are visiting a SFSD facility, please come with your government-issued ID to ensure a smooth check in process.  All visitors must sign in and wear a visitor badge while on campus.