At Least 22 School Districts Totally Or Partially Closed As Fires Spread Around LA County
School districts across Los Angeles County have announced plans to close all or some schools as multiple fires spread across the Los Angeles area.
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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, at least 22 school districts have announced full or partial closures, according to the L.A. County Office of Education.
Alhambra Unified
All schools closed Wednesday, Jan. 8.
In a statement, Superintendent Denise Jaramillo said before- and after-school programs and activities are also canceled.
“We will continue to monitor weather conditions and provide further updates as they become available,” she added, noting the district has not made a decision about Thursday.
Arcadia Unified
All schools closed Wednesday, Jan. 8.
“All district events and services will also be closed and canceled, including athletics, and after-school program,” the district said in a statement.
The district also said it has not made a determination about the rest of the week.
Azusa Unified
All schools closed Wednesday, Jan. 8.
“This closure will allow District staff to thoroughly assess any potential damage to school sites and ensure that schools are safe for students and staff to return,” per a district statement.
The district said it would keep families updated through email, the website, and social media.
Burbank Unified
All schools closed Wednesday, Jan. 8th.
The district says it will not provide child care and that all after-school activities are canceled.
Schools are expected to reopen on Jan. 9.
Duarte Unified
All schools closed Wednesday, Jan. 8.
In a statement on Instagram, the district noted that its office and schools lost power on Tuesday.
El Monte City School District
All schools closed Wednesday, Jan. 8.
Head Start will also be closed.
The district said in a statement that it expects schools to reopen on Thursday. But a science camp trip for 6th grade students at Cherrylee and Cleminson will be postponed.
Garvey School District
All schools closed Wednesday, January 8.
In a statement on X, State Senator Sasha Renée Pérez announced the closure. The school district was not immediately available for comment.
Glendale Unified
All schools closed Wednesday, Jan. 8.
“This decision was made to prioritize the safety of our students, employees, and families, as wind and fires have significantly impacted the accessibility of roadways and the air quality in our area,” the district said in a statement.
The district said it would make a determination Wednesday afternoon about whether schools will remain closed Thursday.
La Cañada Unified
All schools closed Wednesday, Jan. 8.
In a statement, the district said it anticipates reopening on Thursday, Jan. 9.
Las Virgenes Unified
All schools closed Wednesday, Jan. 8.
In a statement posted to the district’s Facebook page, Superintendent Dan Stepenosky said that Southern California Edison had turned off the power at a number of schools. The district hopes to reopen Thursday, he said.
Los Angeles Unified
Los Angeles Unified School District announced a growing list of school closures for Wednesday, Jan. 8.
Superintendent Alberto Carvalho described a challenging day ahead for the district at an 8 a.m. press conference Wednesday. He said a number of schools are closed down, and further decisions for school closures for tomorrow will be made by 4 p.m.
For schools that are open today, he said the district will be flexible with its attendance policies.
“We know today is not going to be a perfect day,” he said. “We will utilize grace and discretion.”
All athletic activities, games, and practices are cancelled for Wednesday.
The following schools are closed:
- Kenter Canyon Charter Elementary
- Canyon Charter Elementary School
- Marquez Charter Elementary School
- Palisades Charter Elementary School
- Paul Revere Charter Middle School
- Topanga Elementary Charter School
- The Zoo Magnet at North Hollywood High School will not have classes at the Los Angeles Zoo. Students and staff will report to the North Hollywood High School main campus.
In addition, more schools in the central and eastern part of the district (north of Manchester Boulevard/Firestone Boulevard, East of 10th Avenue, West of Interstate 710, and South of Highway 134) will be closed due to hazardous air quality conditions.
LAUSD officials said Wednesday morning that they would release a full list shortly.
Students will have online learning resources made available through the district’s Continuity of Learning plan.
Fire reportedly reached Palisades Charter High School, an independent school located on district property, but the campus is currently not in session. On Wednesday morning, Carvalho said the high school had “significant damage” from the fire.
LAUSD “will also work with the appropriate agencies to secure funding relief for Palisades Charter High School, Palisades Charter Elementary School, and any school impacted by the extreme weather,” the district said in a statement late Tuesday night.
Monrovia Unified
All schools closed Wednesday, Jan. 8.
In a statement, Superintendent Paula Hart Rodas said the rest of the week is up in the air.
“Our district teams will be on-site tomorrow to assess any damages caused by the wind and ensure the safety and security of all school facilities,” she said. “We will provide an update on our school schedule for Thursday, Jan. 9, once the assessment is complete.”
Mountain View School District
All schools closed Wednesday, Jan. 8.
“This decision was made to prioritize the safety of our school communities as this wind storm event has significantly impacted the accessibility of roadways, causing potential hazards as our families and staff make their way to and from school,” wrote Superintendent Raymond A. Andry in a statement announcing the closures.
District staff will assess campuses Wednesday and provide an update on whether schools will reopen.
Pasadena Unified
All schools closed Wednesday, Jan. 8.
Meals: Grab & Go meals will be available for pick-up at 10 a.m. and noon at:
- Madison Elementary (515 E Ashtabula St.)
- McKinley School (325 S Oak Knoll Ave.)
- Willard Elementary (301 Madre St.)
In a statement, Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco said the district would make an announcement Wednesday about whether schools will reopen Thursday.
Rosemead School District
All schools closed Wednesday, Jan. 8.
The district announced the closures late Tuesday night and cited the high winds. The district will assess any damage to campuses Wednesday and plans to reopen schools Thursday, Jan. 9.
San Gabriel Unified
All schools closed Wednesday, Jan. 8.
The school district cited the ongoing fires and “associated safety concerns” as the reason for the closures. The closure affects both students and employees.
San Marino Unified
All schools closed Wednesday, Jan. 8.
The power went out at all four of the San Gabriel Valley district’s schools and there was widespread debris, Superintendent Linda de la Torre wrote in a statement announcing the closures.
“This decision was not made lightly,” de la Torre wrote. “After consulting with the fire and police chiefs, neighboring superintendents, as well as with our Board President, we believe this is the safest course of action for our students, staff, and families given the ongoing hazardous conditions.”
The district plans to reopen schools Thursday, Jan. 9.
Santa Monica-Malibu Unified
All schools closed Wednesday, Jan. 8.
Santa Monica-Malibu USD announced Tuesday evening that all schools will be closed on Wednesday and staff would work from home.
“Essential emergency staff and maintenance and operations staff should report for duty and check in with their supervisors,” the district statement said.
South Pasadena Unified
All schools closed Wednesday, Jan. 8.
Superintendent Geoff Yantz wrote in a statement that the decision to close schools was made in consultation with the South Pasadena Police and Fire Departments and the school board president.
“SPUSD schools and many areas within South Pasadena do not have power due to the ongoing wind storms and fire activity,” Yantz wrote.
The district plans to reopen schools on Thursday, Jan. 9.
Temple City Unified
All schools closed Wednesday, Jan. 8.
The district cited power outages, downed trees and damage to several campuses in its announcement to close schools.
The district plans to assess damages before determining whether to open schools Thursday, Jan. 9. A previously planned “student free day” on January 29 will now be a regular school day.
Valle Lindo
All schools closed Wednesday, Jan. 8.
Superintendent Paula Hart Rodas wrote in a statement that the decision to close was made to “prioritize the safety of our students, staff, and community members.”
District staff will assess campuses Wednesday and then provide an update on Thursday’s school schedule.
Caltech
Caltech announced that its campus in Pasadena will be closed for “all nonessential operations” on Wednesday. For more information, visit https://caltech.edu/emergency.
More fire coverage
For the most up-to-date information about the fire, you can check:
Palisades Fire
Eaton Fire
Hurst Fire
Watch CalFire for new incidents ▶
This story was originally published on LAist.
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