To the Sidney Public Schools Stakeholders

2020-2021 has been a year we hope we never repeat. There is a saying that what doesn’t kill you can make you stronger. We think that has certainly been the case for Sidney Public Schools. Students have an increased respect for school, parents are so thankful they don’t have to teach their children, and our school community has a closeness and new appreciation for everyone’s talents and efforts.

We feel that commendations are in order at the end of this school year:

To the administrators, for their many hours of hard work constructing and tweaking a reasonable plan to keep students in school learning safely. We know you have faced some negativity, but you have fulfilled your mission to keep our students in school while so many other districts across the country have been unable to do so.

To the teachers and paras, who welcomed their students back with joy, and put their best efforts into bringing up students’ deficits from the spring closure and continuing to instill new learning. All of this while enduring masks and safety protocols all day long.

To the students, who were so eager to be back in school. They also tolerated all-day masks and did whatever it took to bring back normalcy to extra-curricular activities, contests, prom, and now an in-person graduation.

To the support staff, especially the kitchen staff who provided sack lunches all summer and the custodians who followed rigorous cleaning procedures and saved the district much money due to not having to hire outside firms to provide a safe environment.

To the vast majority of parents who were so supportive and grateful to the Sidney Schools for rising to the challenge and providing the very best for their students.

Congratulations to all for working together and making this difficult year a success. With much gratitude,

The Sidney Schools Board of Education