25/08/2026
PREPAREDNESS WITHOUT FEAR
In light of the recent school shooting incidences Fernandez Pre-School and Learning Center, Inc. recognizes the importance of carefully reviewing and strengthening our emergency preparedness procedures.
We are aware of the seriousness of what happened. However, we do not intend to sensationalize the incident, recreate frightening scenarios, or make our learners believe that such an event is expected to happen in their school.
Awareness should lead to responsible preparationโnot unnecessary fear.
For this reason, FPLC conducted a School Emergency Preparedness and Safety Drill (SEPSD) Orientation for our teachers and staff. Before involving students in any exercise, we will first assess the needs of our learners and prepare our personnel to respond calmly, safely, and appropriately.
Emergency preparedness cannot follow a โone-size-fits-allโ approach. Our learners have different ages, abilities, communication needs, and emotional responses. Some may require physical assistance, visual instructions, additional time, sensory accommodations, or support from a familiar adult.
We are especially mindful that highly realistic or sensationalized drills may cause emotional distress, sensory overload, confusion, or heightened anxietyโparticularly among young children, autistic learners, children with anxiety, and those with previous distressing experiences.
Therefore, we will not use real or replica weapons, simulated gunfire, fake injuries, fake blood, actors portraying attackers, chasing, screaming, or surprise high-intensity scenarios involving children.
Our children do not need to experience fear to learn how to be safe.
For preschool learners, we will focus on simple and developmentally appropriate routines: staying with their teacher, listening carefully, remaining calm and quiet when instructed, and moving to or staying in a designated safe place.
Elementary learners will gradually receive more age-appropriate safety guidance while still being protected from unnecessary and frightening simulations.
Our preparedness process will be:
Needs Assessment โ Staff Preparation โ Tabletop Exercise โ Parent Consultation โ Developmentally Appropriate Student Practice โ Evaluation โ Improvement
This initiative does not indicate a known or immediate threat to the school. It is part of our responsibility to prepare thoughtfully before an emergency occurs.
Our objective is to develop calm, competent, and coordinated adults who know what to doโand who understand how to help every child according to their individual abilities and needs.
At FPLC, safety is something we prepare for and practice togetherโnot something we teach our children to fear.
