VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Valley City Public Schools will be recognizing October 5-9 as School Safety Week 2026. During the week, our schools will be completing safety drills with students and staff, and the district will share important safety related information with our parents and community members. Please see below a brief highlight of the upcoming activities planned during School Safety Week 2026.
Fire Prevention Week (October 5-9, 2026)
Along with the Valley City Fire Department during Fire Prevention Week 2026, all students and staff will complete an unannounced fire drill to practice evacuating the school during a fire situation. In addition, PreK, Kindergarten and 1st grade students at Jefferson Elementary School will have the opportunity to meet the fireman from the VCFD and learn about fire safety. Thank you to the VCFD.
VCPD Active Shooter Response Training at VCHS (October 20, 2026)
The Valley City Police Department will be conducting an active shooter response training at VCHS on Tuesday, October 20th. This drill, occurring after school hours and not involving students, will help law enforcement officers in Barnes County train on active shooter scenarios. Thank you to the VCPD for hosting this training in our school district.
Barnes County 911 Dispatch with SRO Sean Hagen
Barnes County 911 Dispatch with SRO Sean Hagen will be providing educational training to students at Washington Elementary School and Jefferson Elementary School teaching them when and how they should contact 911 during an emergency. As adults, we likely understand the 911 system; this training will help our students understand and be able to answer questions about 911. Thank you, BC 911 and SRO Hagen!
Student Involved Drills at All Schools (Fire, Evacuation, Tornado, and Lockdown)
All of our schools will be conducting drills involving students and staff members during school safety week. SRO Hagen, in coordination and support from other local agencies, will be assisting school principals in completing the required fire, evacuation, tornado, and lockdown drills at all schools. Throughout the school year, these drills are practiced multiple times to ensure that students and staff members know how to properly respond during an emergency situation.
Later on this week, we will be sharing more information with you about our 2026-2027 district safety/security priorities, additional student and staff safety trainings, and our safety planning for the upcoming transition to the new school in 2028-2029. Thank you to the Valley City Police Department, Fire Department, Barnes County Ambulance, 911 Dispatch, Sheriff’s Department, and County Emergency Management for helping us all to keep all of our students safe at Valley City Public Schools.
