LOS ANGELES — Following the devastating fires that claimed both her home and her elementary school in Los Angeles, third-grader Gabriela Chevez-Muñoz initiated her return to school this week at a temporary site. She donned a shirt displaying “Pali,” a nod to her Pacific Palisades neighborhood, amidst an atmosphere filled with welcome signs and dolphin-themed balloons for the hundreds of displaced students.
Gabriela shared that although she had felt fearful during the fires, she was thrilled to reconnect with her best friend and exchange friendship bracelets adorned with hamburgers.
She is one of many students facing significant disruptions in their education due to the wildfires that have ravaged the city, with numerous schools affected, some completely destroyed, while others are situated in restricted evacuation zones.
In response, educators throughout Los Angeles are working diligently to relocate students, devise methods to continue their education, and restore stability during a challenging period marked by at least 27 fatalities and thousands of homes lost, as the blazes scorched an area of 63 square miles.
Gabriela, along with 400 of her classmates from Palisades Charter Elementary School, began classes on Wednesday at Brentwood Science Magnet, located approximately 5 miles away. With the infrastructure of her school and another elementary campus in the vicinity severely damaged, it may take over two years for reconstruction, as noted by Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho.
Students from seven additional LAUSD schools currently situated within evacuation zones are also being rerouted to alternate locations.
Layla Glassman, who dropped off her daughter at Brentwood, emphasized that her immediate concern after her family’s home was lost was ensuring her three children feel safe. “We have a roof over our heads. We have them back in school. So, you know, I am happy,” she reflected, her voice filled with emotion. “But of course, there’s a lot of grief.”
Several schools have opted to delay the resumption of classes, prioritizing healing and community rebuilding efforts. Some institutions are organizing gatherings and excursions to keep students engaged in activities while they search for new spaces.
In the Pasadena Unified School District, all schools remained closed this week for its 14,000 students, offering optional online learning activities instead. District Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco reported that between 1,200 and 2,000 students might be displaced, though this number could reach as high as 10,000 based on residential heat maps. They plan to reopen some facilities by the end of next week, aiming for all students back in classrooms by month’s end.
While many schools escaped the flames, they suffered damage from falling trees and debris, along with ash and smoke that necessitates thorough cleaning and environmental assessments. Additionally, countless staff members throughout the city lost their homes or face relocation, further complicating the situation.
Some schools are completely forgoing online learning. “We all did COVID. We did online instruction. We saw the negative impacts,” explained Bonnie Brimecombe, principal of Odyssey Charter School-South, which was extinguished in the fire. Families have been utilizing the local Boys and Girls Club to keep children connected, she noted.
Around 850 students are enrolled in her school and its sister institution, Odyssey Charter School-North, which remained unscathed but is also anticipated to stay closed for a significant period. With 40% of the students having lost their homes, the urgency to find new educational spaces is critical, according to Brimecombe, who expressed a desire to reopen in-person as soon as possible.
The ongoing disruptions pose considerable risks to both academic achievement and emotional stability among students, with research indicating that those experiencing natural disasters exhibit higher rates of acute illness and mental health challenges. The associated impacts on mental well-being can lead to compromised learning outcomes, with missed class time severely affecting overall success.
Among institutions seeking temporary classrooms is Palisades Charter High School, serving 3,000 students. Situated between Sunset Boulevard and the Pacific Coast Highway, known for its portrayal in Hollywood films, about 40% of the campus has suffered damage, according to school officials. Principal Pamela Magee indicated that the school is exploring options at nearby campuses, local universities, and commercial properties to keep students together until it is safe to return. The start of the second semester has been postponed, and online learning will resume temporarily.
Axel Forrest, an 18-year-old junior on the lacrosse team, expressed feelings of disorientation, as his family now resides in a hotel following the loss of their home. “I feel so out of it, every day. Do I cry? Do I mourn the loss of my home and school? I am trying not to think about it,” he admitted, noting the challenges posed by an extended absence from school.
At Oak Knoll Montessori, which lost its facilities, educators are organizing student meetups at various venues, such as museums and parks, to infuse moments of joy into their lives. Remarkably, the school’s chicken coop survived, along with its five chickens, serving as an unexpected source of hope for the community.
Head of School Allwyn Fitzpatrick is working on finding a new location to reopen by the month’s end and noted, “We have been trying to focus all our attention on the children and how we can temporarily help them normalize all this.” Despite the daunting challenges ahead, the school community remains committed to supporting the students as they navigate this difficult period.
