The ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles County have prompted the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) to close all schools and offices on Thursday, January 9. Superintendent Alberto Carvalho confirmed during a Wednesday night press conference that the fires have resulted in the complete destruction of Marquez Elementary and Palisades Elementary, and 30% of Palisades Charter High School has sustained damage.
In light of these closures, the district will provide students with continued digital access to academic resources, ensuring that learning can proceed remotely. The situation will be monitored closely over the next 24 hours, with a decision regarding the status of school on Friday expected by 4 p.m. Thursday.
To support students and their families during this challenging time, LAUSD has arranged several resources:
– Meal Distribution: On January 9, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., the district will operate eight meal sites (two per region) for students needing food assistance. Participating sites include Mulholland Middle School and Sepulveda Middle School in the North, Hollenbeck Middle School and South Gate High School in the East, Fremont High School and Harry Bridges Span School in the South, and Marina Del Rey Middle School and Sonia Sotomayor Arts and Sciences and Magnet in the West.
– Mental Health Support: Students and families requiring mental health support are encouraged to contact the Student and Family Wellness Resource Line at 213-241-3840, available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Additionally, LAUSD employees can access the Employee Assistance Service for Education (EASE) for 24/7 support at 800-882-1341.
– Additional Resources: Families in need are urged to visit lausd.org for information regarding various city, county, and community-based support services.
The district emphasizes its commitment to supporting students and their families through these difficult circumstances. As the situation remains fluid, ongoing updates will be posted on the LAUSD website.
It is heartening to see the school district mobilizing resources to assist its community during these challenging times. The provision of meals and mental health support exemplifies a robust response to the crisis while demonstrating a commitment to the welfare of students and their families.