Los Angeles Unified School District is closed from today to Thursday during a strike of 65,000 teachers and other staff.
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The district created a new website with updates on the strike, child care and food distribution sites.
“It is virtually impossible to keep schools open on a basis of supervision, safety, and security,” said LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho during a press conference Wednesday.
The shutdown affects more than 400,000 students.
What happens to students?
Here’s what parents can expect as schools close:
- An “educational instructional packet” for every student, including those with disabilities and English language learners.
- Food distribution at dozens of sites throughout the district.
- “Some degree of child care” provided through partnerships with other organizations.
“Is it perfect? No,” Carvalho said. “Is it ideal? Not really. It’s the best we can do considering the conditions we’re facing.”
For example, Carvalho said, during the summer, the district provided supervised care for less than a quarter of students.
Where to pick up meals
Update, March 23: The district had set up two dozen sites where families could pick up three days of food Tuesday morning. Meals weren't available Wednesday and Thursday.
Where to find child care
Select elementary, middle and high schools will have limited amounts of “student supervision,” between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
“If your child requires any special accommodations or has specific health issues, please immediately inform the site administrator of these concerns,” LA Unified wrote on its website.
Families can also take students ages 7-17 to several Los Angeles County Parks & Recreation sites where they can play and complete assignments in the computer lab. The drop-in program is open at 18 sites from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and there will be meals and snacks served.
Sites at capacity are marked by red icons. Blue and green icons mean there is still space available. Map created by LA Unified.
Additionally, a free Special Edition After School Program will be available for students from first grade to fifth grade at 30 L.A. County Recreation and Park sites. The program will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. today to Thursday. Families needed to have registered by Monday at 1 p.m. Students will get assistance on school assignments, lunch, snacks and recreational activities. You can check out the full list of the centers available here.
Other resources and activities
Los Angeles Zoo: The L.A. Zoo is offering free admission to LAUSD students grades K-12 from today to Thursday. Chaperones will have to pay a $5 fee. Students can show proof of enrollment by showing a copy of their school I.D., school newsletter, or a report card. Tickets are not available online and can only be purchased in-person at an L.A. Zoo box office.
The L.A. Zoo is also offering a "Community Safari Day" program where under the supervision of L.A. Zoo staff, children in grades K-5 can learn and engage in activities about their favorite animals. This is available today through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with extended morning and afternoon hours offered free with paid registration. Admission is $50 per student and parents must register their student online.
- Los Angeles Zoo, 5333 Zoo Dr., Los Angeles
Museums: The Los Angeles Natural History Museum in Exposition Park will offer free general admission to LAUSD students and chaperones during the strike. Those tickets are only available onsite at the ticket counters. The same goes for the La Brea Tar Pits.
- La Brea Tar Pits, 5801 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles
- Los Angeles Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles
Don't forget that the Los Angeles Public Library is another great and free resource for students.
- L.A. Public Library, multiple branches
When will the strike end?
The strike is scheduled to last for three days and end on Thursday, March 23, but it’s possible staff could return to work sooner.
“It depends on the district’s willingness to engage in a forthright manner with our bargaining team,” said Max Arias, executive director of SEIU Local 99, in an interview Monday night.
Arias added that the union could call for another strike if its economic demands aren’t met as contract negotiations continue.
“I don't know if one day is enough,” Arias said. “It's not just about wages, as you heard, it's about many things to ensure that there's enough support for students and for teachers to teach and students to learn.”
