LAUSD, Other Districts Keep Schools Closed Thursday as Fires Spread
Nearly two dozen school districts have announced full or partial closures.
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School districts across Los Angeles County have announced plans to close all or some schools as multiple fires spread across the Los Angeles area.
In total, nearly two dozen school districts have announced full or partial closures. However, some that had closed Wednesday announced that they’d be able to reopen on Thursday, in spite of bad air quality.
Alhambra Unified
All schools remain closed Thursday, Jan. 9.
Superintendent Denise Jaramillo that district staff need more time to inspect schools for safety.
“While our campuses have fared relatively well thus far, the air quality is expected to remain poor due to excessive dust from the winds and smoke from the fires,” Jaramillio wrote.
The statement also said 鈥渁 significant number of our staff members are currently under evacuation orders, which will impact school operations and staffing levels.鈥
Families are advised to limit outdoor activities and keep phones and other devices charged in case of power outages.
Arcadia Unified
All schools remain closed Thursday, Jan. 9.
All district events and services will continue to be closed and canceled, including athletics, and after-school programs.
鈥淥ur maintenance, facilities and operations departments, and district staff continue to work to secure campuses as much as possible and do everything they can, but at this time, campuses are not safe to resume school activities,鈥 the district
The district asked families not to call schools and 鈥渋nundate phone lines that need to be clear for communications with local authorities.鈥
The district will continue to post updates online, and in a recorded message on the emergency phone hotline鈥(626) 821-1783.
Azusa Unified
Schools will reopen Thursday, Jan. 9.
“After thoroughly assessing all school sites, we can confirm that our campuses are safe for students and staff to return,” the district said on its website. “The high winds caused several downed trees across our school sites and a large amount of dust, debris, and foliage. Crews are currently addressing these issues and will continue this work. Please be assured that safety is our top priority, and our school sites are safe and ready for students and staff to return.”
Baldwin Park Unified
Schools will reopen Thursday, Jan. 9.
“Power has been restored across all BPUSD campuses, and our teams have conducted safety assessments to ensure a safe environment for students and staff,” wrote Superintendent Froilan N. Mendoza .
Outdoor activities will be limited, however.
Bonita Unified School District
Most schools will reopen Thursday, Jan. 9.
In a statement posted to social media, the district said power had been restored at all but three campuses: Ekstrand Elementary, La Verne Heights Elementary, and Oak Mesa Elementary, which will remain closed.
Burbank Unified
All schools remain closed through Friday, Jan. 10.
The district, which is close to the Eaton Fire, said that it would not offer childcare or after-school activities.
Charter schools
Various closures Thursday, Jan. 9.
The California Charter School Association announced that in the area are closed including all campuses of:
Green Dot Public Schools announced the closure of four campuses on :
- Animo Ellen Ochoa Charter Middle School
- Animo Jackie Robinson Charter High School
- Animo Ralph Bunche Charter High School
- Animo Jefferson Charter Middle School
Duarte Unified
All schools remain closed Thursday, Jan. 9.
In , the district cited concerns about fires, poor air quality, hazardous travel conditions, and power outages in Duarte in deciding to keep schools closed.
El Monte City School District
Schools will reopen Thursday, Jan. 9.
“Outside of losing a couple of small trees, minor damages, and some power issues, all schools are secure and ready for students and staff to return,” the district said .
Garvey School District
All schools remain closed Thursday, Jan. 9.
Superintendent Anita Chu said that it plans to re-open Friday.
Glendale Unified
All schools remain closed through Friday, Jan. 10.
Child care and district offices . The district offers tips for helping families cope with the fires and stay safe.
The district the accessibility of roadways and air quality in its decision to close schools.
Glendora Unified
Schools remain closed Thursday, Jan. 9.
While the district had anticipated reopening schools Thursday, “unfortunately, power remains down at four sites and internet and communication services are unavailable throughout the district,” it .
The school will provide grab-and-go lunches from 11 a.m. to noon at:
- Glendora High School: 1600 E Foothill Blvd., Glendora
- Stanton Elementary School: 725 S Vecino Dr., Glendora
La Ca帽ada Unified
All schools remain closed through Friday, Jan. 10.
鈥淭he devastating wildfires and winds are tragically impacting our community,鈥 the district . 鈥淧lease remain safe and connected. We will work together as a strong and loving community to build back and support each other.鈥
Las Virgenes Unified
All schools remain closed Thursday, Jan. 9.
In a posted to the district’s Facebook page earlier this week, Superintendent Dan Stepenosky said that Southern California Edison had turned off the power at a number of schools.
Los Angeles Unified
All schools will be closed on Thursday, Jan. 9.
The district that all schools and offices will be closed Thursday, while some essential employees will report to work.
Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said in a press conference that unpredictable winds and ongoing fires prompted the shutdown.
鈥淎 number of clouds of smoke, dust, have permeated into our communities, making conditions less than desirable, and in some instances, downright dangerous,鈥 Carvalho said.
The district is preparing for the possibility of online learning Friday, Jan. 10 and will announce a decision about whether to extend school closures by 4 p.m. Thursday afternoon.
Resources
The district will distribute meals to LAUSD students from 8鈥10 a.m. Thursday at:
- Mulholland Middle School鈥
- Sepulveda Middle School鈥
- Hollenbeck Middle School鈥
- South Gate High School鈥
- Fremont High School鈥
- Harry Bridges Span School鈥
- Marina Del Rey Middle School鈥
- Sonia Sotomayor Arts and Sciences and Magnet-鈥
Families may receive two meals per student.
Students can find academic support through LAUSD’s .
Mental health
- For students and families: Student and Family Wellness Resource Line, (213) 241-3840, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- District employees: and a 24/7 support line at 800-882-1341
The Palisades fire reached the campuses of three LAUSD schools.
Palisades Charter Elementary School and Marquez Charter Elementary School were destroyed.
鈥溾奧e were on site and could not believe what we were witnessing,鈥 Carvalho said. He said the school鈥檚 700 students will be relocated.
In addition, Carvalho said that a large portion of Palisades High, which is not currently in session, was destroyed.
Monrovia Unified
All schools remain closed Thursday, Jan. 9.
Superintendent Paula Hart Rodas cited high winds and power outages in .
鈥淥ur team is continuing to assess the damage caused by the windstorm and will provide an update on the status of our schools tomorrow,鈥 Rodas wrote.
Mountain View School District
Schools will reopen Thursday, Jan. 9.
“Though we experienced some damage, including downed trees, limbs, canopy failures, and fencing displacement, our facilities have held up well overall,” the district .
It did warn of air quality problems, however. “We may be in the unhealthy range. Therefore, we will continue to assess the situation and take appropriate measures to ensure the safety of our students and staff, including providing indoor locations for students to remain during breaks,” the statement said.
Pasadena Unified
All schools remain closed through Friday, Jan. 10.
As the the district announced school closures would extend through the end of the week.
鈥淭his allows our teams time to assess the conditions of our facilities and for our employees, students, and families to begin reestablishing some normalcy,鈥 Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco
The district is also suspending grab-and-go meals because the facility where the food is stored is within a mandatory evacuation zone.
Rosemead School District
Schools will reopen Thursday, Jan. 9.
The district said in an that air quality would be monitored.
“Air filtration systems will be running in all classrooms throughout the day, and masks will be available to any student or staff member who wishes to use one,” the statement said. “All schools will also follow ‘rainy day schedules,’ which will limit outdoor activities. Activities during recess and lunch will be adjusted accordingly to ensure student safety.”
San Gabriel Unified
All schools remain closed Thursday, Jan. 9.
Superintendent Jim Symonds that high winds are forecasted through Wednesday evening and poor air quality is expected from smoke, ash and dust.
鈥淲e will continue to monitor conditions and hope to return all students and staff to campuses on Friday, January 10 so long as conditions improve,鈥 Symonds wrote.
He said while campuses have 鈥渇ared well thus far,鈥 staff need time to inspect facilities.
San Marino Unified
Schools remain closed Thursday, Jan. 9.
Despite hopes to reopen, Superintendent Linda de la Torre said in a that in addition to safety concerns, “approximately 60% of our workforce live near or in areas currently under evacuation orders due to fires exacerbated by the windstorm. Many of our valued employees have been evacuated or are otherwise dealing with significant challenges, and our thoughts are with them and their families during this difficult time.”
Santa Monica-Malibu Unified
All schools remain closed Thursday, Jan. 9.
Santa Monica-Malibu USD announced late Wednesday afternoon that that all schools will remain closed Thursday because of ongoing safety concerns and poor air quality.
“We watch with all of you in disbelief the devastation and displacement caused by the Palisades fire, which continues to grow and evade containment,” Superintendent Antonio Shelton wrote in a statement.
The district has collected and is offering grab-and-go meals for students on Thursday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at:
- Lincoln Middle School鈥 . (drop-off area on California Avenue)
- JAMS Clubhouse Boys and Girls Club Of Santa Monica鈥 . (off 17th Street)
- Santa Monica High School– . (7th and Michigan)
- Malibu High School鈥 . (admin building parking area)
The district anticipates deciding by Thursday afternoon whether schools will remain closed through the end of the week.
South Pasadena Unified
All schools remain closed Thursday, Jan. 8.
The closure includes the district office, before- and after-school programs and activities.
鈥淎 significant percentage of our employees and neighbors are under evacuation orders, evacuation warnings, or have lost their homes,鈥 Superintendent Geoff Yantz .
鈥淥ur hearts go out to everyone who has experienced hardships.鈥
Yantz said it is difficult to safely operate schools without enough staff.
The decision to close schools was made in consultation with neighboring districts and the Los Angeles County Office of Education.
Temple City Unified
All schools remain closed Thursday, Jan. 9.
“Thank you again for your patience as we prioritize the health and safety of our school community,” the district .
It has not yet made a determination about Friday.
Valle Lindo
Schools will reopen Thursday, Jan. 9.
In a , Superintendent Elizabeth Evans alluded to the poor air quality.
“In light of the ongoing fires and air quality concerns,” she said, the district will put several safety measures in place:
- Outdoor activities, including physical education classes, will take place indoors.
- Nutrition, recess, and lunch periods will also be held indoors.
- Masks will be available upon request at school offices.
- Student services staff will be available to support students who have concerns.
More fire coverage
These fires are fast-moving and straight up frightening. For the most up-to-date information about the fire you can check:
Palisades Fire
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Eaton Fire
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Hurst Fire
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