Shop by Topic
Shop by Product
ExchangeEveryDay Past Issues
<< Previous Issue
| View Past Issues | | Next Issue >> 
One Day at Fort Hood
December 17, 2009
We believe in the value of blocks and sticks, cardboard and crates, ropes and buttons, rocks and fabric...the only limit of the parts is the imagination of the player.
-The Playbrary, Philadelphia, PA
-The Playbrary, Philadelphia, PA
On November 5, 2009, a shooter opened fire at Fort Hood — the most populous United States military post in the world, located just outside Killeen, Texas — killing 13 people and wounding 31 others. This could have had a devastating and dangerous impact on the 1,000 children in the post's four child development centers and the 300 children in 49 family child care homes were it not for the swift and sure response of the post's child development team. Exchange interviewed J. Yveta Phillips, the Chief of Child, Youth and School Services at Fort Hood about that day...
At approximately 1:45 pm Phillips received a call that "a possible shooter was on the post" and instructing her to exercise "shelter in place." By 1:55 pm all four centers and 49 homes were "locked down." What this means is that all children were brought inside the centers, doors and windows were locked, no child or adult was allowed to enter or leave the facilities, and children and staff were instructed to stay away from windows. This lock down was in effect until 7:10 that evening. Parents were not allowed to pick up their children throughout the lock down. In addition, parents who happened to be at the center at the time were not allowed to leave and staff who were away on break were not allowed to return to their centers.
Throughout the time in lock down, teachers at the centers and homes carried on normal early childhood activities with the children so they would not experience the tension. Parents, who couldn't leave the centers, pitched in playing with the children. This worked extremely well and the only sign of discomfort occurred when it got dark and the youngest children wondered why their parents weren't picking them up. Staff were given time to call their families and check on their own children during the lock down.
To limit anxiety, Yveta made a decision not to pass on to staff all the wild and obviously inaccurate rumors flying about on the Internet. The only really stressful incident that occurred was when a SWAT team showed up at one of the centers in response to a false tip.
When the lock down was lifted, parents started arriving to pick up their children, with the last child, whose father was shot and wounded, not picked up until nearly 10 pm. When parents arrived, they were advised not to talk about the happenings of the day until they were at home. Managers ensured parents were provided with handouts containing talking points on how to discuss the incident with their children. In addition, counselors were stationed at every center for parents or staff who needed help dealing with the issues involved.
Looking back, Phillips was impressed and thankful for the professionalism of all the post's early childhood employees. In the following days, the programs received high praise from parents. Finally, Ms. Phillips observed that the response proved the value and effectiveness of their emergency preparedness training.
At approximately 1:45 pm Phillips received a call that "a possible shooter was on the post" and instructing her to exercise "shelter in place." By 1:55 pm all four centers and 49 homes were "locked down." What this means is that all children were brought inside the centers, doors and windows were locked, no child or adult was allowed to enter or leave the facilities, and children and staff were instructed to stay away from windows. This lock down was in effect until 7:10 that evening. Parents were not allowed to pick up their children throughout the lock down. In addition, parents who happened to be at the center at the time were not allowed to leave and staff who were away on break were not allowed to return to their centers.
Throughout the time in lock down, teachers at the centers and homes carried on normal early childhood activities with the children so they would not experience the tension. Parents, who couldn't leave the centers, pitched in playing with the children. This worked extremely well and the only sign of discomfort occurred when it got dark and the youngest children wondered why their parents weren't picking them up. Staff were given time to call their families and check on their own children during the lock down.
To limit anxiety, Yveta made a decision not to pass on to staff all the wild and obviously inaccurate rumors flying about on the Internet. The only really stressful incident that occurred was when a SWAT team showed up at one of the centers in response to a false tip.
When the lock down was lifted, parents started arriving to pick up their children, with the last child, whose father was shot and wounded, not picked up until nearly 10 pm. When parents arrived, they were advised not to talk about the happenings of the day until they were at home. Managers ensured parents were provided with handouts containing talking points on how to discuss the incident with their children. In addition, counselors were stationed at every center for parents or staff who needed help dealing with the issues involved.
Looking back, Phillips was impressed and thankful for the professionalism of all the post's early childhood employees. In the following days, the programs received high praise from parents. Finally, Ms. Phillips observed that the response proved the value and effectiveness of their emergency preparedness training.
The Exchange online Employment Opportunities service has listings for openings for program coordinators, program specialists, college instructors, freelance writers, and program directors. Look for jobs here or post your current job openings.ExchangeEveryDay
Delivered five days a week containing news, success stories, solutions, trend reports, and much more.
What is ExchangeEveryDay?
ExchangeEveryDay is the official electronic newsletter for Exchange Press. It is delivered five days a week containing news stories, success stories, solutions, trend reports, and much more.
Enhanced Childcare Fee Management
Combine your family & child information with a powerful fee management system to maintain a complete history of all family charges, deposits, and payments. This includes features like cash receipts; the ability to handle simple or variable rates (based on schedules, actual attendance, or both); and complete audit trails and detailed financial reports help you make the right business decisions. Take a Test Drive: Get a free trial version of EZ-CARE2 Center Management Software!
Combine your family & child information with a powerful fee management system to maintain a complete history of all family charges, deposits, and payments. This includes features like cash receipts; the ability to handle simple or variable rates (based on schedules, actual attendance, or both); and complete audit trails and detailed financial reports help you make the right business decisions. Take a Test Drive: Get a free trial version of EZ-CARE2 Center Management Software!
Comments (4)
Displaying All 4 CommentsFiji Early Childhood Association / Pacific Preschool Council
Suva, Rewa, Fiji
I take my hat off to the management, staff and helpers / parents of the child development and child care centres of Fort Hood. Your efficient and courageous acts are indeed commendable.
Bronx, NY, United States
This article should be published in all Early Childhood periodicals and in all news papers.
May people take their everyday routines for granted, neglecting to prepare for impromptu adverse occurrences. Fort Hood is one of far too many examples we should all be prepared for. Our children are our future; let's be as viligiant as the insightful personnel at Fort Hood and be prepared.
Zion\'s Hill preschool
Wilton, CT, United States
Wow I am so impressed at how organized you were. Thank you for the safety and security of the children and Familes of Fort Hood. As early childhood providers and educators we need to be prepared everyday for the unexpected. In additon we need to be prepared to help children and families deal with stressful situations.
Please pass on my well wishes and prayers to the ece staff of Fort Hood.
My son Patrick is a second Lt, begining his carreer in the army. As a mother it is wounderful to know how much an Army base can become a home and how the army community on a base takes care of each other.
Take Care and keep up the good work.
Sincerley Monica Sommer
Director
Zion's Hill Preschool
Wilton CT
Redleaf Press
Saint Paul, MN, United States
Thank you for today's email, it was very moving. The children and the staff and parents who were with them that day are all to be commended.
Post a Comment