10/07/2026
Safety procedures matter most when there is no time to prepare.
At 1:36 p.m. on Wednesday, October 7th, an unexpected mall emergency alarm sounded just as our children were settling into rest time. Classrooms were quiet and many children were already resting or asleep. Within minutes, our team shifted immediately into emergency response.
In less than five minutes, all children were safely removed from all classrooms, secured into buggies and wagons, accounted for, and transported to our designated secure location outside of the building.
This video offers a glimpse into something we hope families never have to see during a true emergency: what it looks like when training becomes action. There was no time to organize first, no time to wait and see what was happening. Our teachers knew their responsibilities, moved with purpose, communicated with one another, and prioritized the safety of every child in our care.
And just as importantly, they did it with calm and professionalism. Once outside, our teachers kept the children together, sang songs, offered reassurance, and kept little minds focused on familiar, comforting things while we waited for additional information. What could have felt frightening instead became something our team managed calmly and carefully.
Thankfully, today’s alarm was a false alarm and there was no actual emergency. But we did not know that when the alarm sounded, and that is exactly the point. We treat every unexpected alarm as though it is real until we are told otherwise. Emergency plans, drills and staff training are not simply boxes we check. They are designed to create an immediate response when seconds matter. Today, we had the opportunity to see that preparation work exactly as intended.
To our Flourish team: we are incredibly proud of the way you responded. You demonstrated urgency without chaos, professionalism under pressure, and genuine care for the children entrusted to you. And to our families, we hope these videos provide something that is so important: reassurance.
No matter when an emergency occurs, even during the quietest and most inconvenient moment of the day, your children's safety comes first. Always.
Thank you as well to the New Towne Mall maintenance team for quickly meeting us at our evacuation location, confirming that the building was safe and the alarm was false, and prioritizing clear communication with Flourish and the mall's tenants.
Today was thankfully only a false alarm. But our response was very real. ❤️