Well, it’s official. Yesterday morning, LAUSD announced that its buildings will be closed until the next school year giving time for more long-term planning to educate students in a safe environment while we wait for a coronavirus vaccine. Summer school will be offered online. No final word on STAR or other camps based on the school campus, but based on the language used by Beutner, I would guess they aren’t happening. LAist/KPCC, KTLA, EdSource.
The LAUSD announcement came the same day Spring Break ended and students returned to their virtual learning experience. It’s a hard way to start off Spring quarter, and in response there have been many wonderful “missing you” videos from all around the District. An exemplar is from Venice High School, where the same teachers who stole the city’s heart by dancing in the rain during the 2019 strike did their best to put a happy face on this weird experience in this video.
And while classes continue online, the move to approve charter co-locations continues in the real world. UTLA is asking LAUSD to put a halt on all charter co-location applications until the general public can be more involved in the process. Such a move is in-line with recommendations from national advocates for equity and inclusion in public processes.
From the “best practices” department comes a virtual spirit week put together by the parent advocate at Richland Avenue Elementary School (where my kids go.) If you’re looking for something fun to add to your curriculum or your kids’ sheltering at home, check it out.
Find SARS2/Covid19 resources for families here.