05/22/2026
Good morning everyone,
Something of a personal nature to tell you about!
Before I start please know that everything is fine!!!
On Wednesday our son finished school at 12.30pm and was due to go to after-school care within the school campus.
Sadly this didn’t happen.
Assumptions were made that he was on his way to after-school and when he didn’t show up assumptions were made by after-school on his whereabouts.
At 5.10pm my wife received a call from Alameda Police enquiring about our son who had been picked up in Alameda Theater
Nearly 5 hours had passed.
Luckily my wife was nearby and on the way to collect our son as normal at after-school and got our son shortly after receiving the call.
He had spent his day going in and out of shops on Park Street and eventually he asked someone for help.
What followed was a near collapse of our lives, the shock was very hard to take.
When those involved were contacted nobody really knew what was happening because as I have said assumptions were made and nobody knew much of anything.
Our son was fine after everything and took everything in his stride.
After numerous calls, emails and meetings I am very happy to let you know that all policies regarding school and after school policies have been amended for all children, families and caregivers.
Now absentee lists will be cross checked between school and after-school and parents will be notified immediately of any absence for clarification.
It might not seem like a win but all children will be a lot safer going forward.
Circulatory emails will be going out to families and caregivers in my son’s school, from the school itself and after-school programs regarding procedures for points of contact and roles and responsibilities for everyone.
What could have been a disaster has made a big difference.
For those that receive emails today or in the coming days you will already know why but for those parents, caregivers and families that are not in my sons school I would encourage you to contact your school and be absolutely clear going forward on what is expected from you, the school and any after-school programs for absence.
I would also encourage you to tell your neighbors and friends with children that might not see this post to contact their schools too.
Given the day that was in it, it happened to be my late father in law’s anniversary so we knew instantly that he was with our son every step of the way.
I would like to thank Alameda Police Department for their speedy response and the team at Starbucks - Park & Central Alameda for calling the police the first place.
Also thank you to Alameda Theater for taking such great care of our son.
Thank you Amy for your support and direction too.
Thank you,
Nicholas.
