Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Long Beach, Pasadena Schools Headed For ‘Online-Only’ Reopenings As Coronavirus Surges
Long Beach Unified School District officials announced today that students will not return to campuses before Oct. 5 — the latest sign that a surge in coronavirus cases is jeopardizing plans to reopen schools across Southern California.
In a statement and video message, Superintendent Jill Baker said spiking rates of cases and hospitalizations prompted Long Beach Unified to shelve plans for a limited, part-time return to classrooms this fall.
Instead, Baker announced the district will start in “online-only” mode on Sept. 1. She promised a:
Support for LAist comes from
"robust online instructional program… to include daily live lessons, synchronous instruction, grading, and attendance taking. Our online program for fall will be more intense and consistent than what students experienced following our rapid closure in the spring."
With Long Beach Unified’s announcement, three of California’s four largest districts have now decided against reopening campuses in time for the new school year. Los Angeles and San Diego made it official yesterday — and Fresno Unified, the state’s third-largest district, is reportedly considering an online-only start too.
Smaller school districts may soon follow suit: later this week, Pasadena Unified Superintendent Brian McDonald will ask his district’s school board to approve a plan to reopen in "a 100% distance learning model."
"We cannot and will not take chances," McDonald wrote in a letter to parents today, "with the health and safety of our students and staff."
PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS
Yesterday, L.A. County health officials announced schools that do reopen will have to require students, staff and visitors to wear masks, practically at all times.
But it’s up to each of the county’s 80 school districts to decide whether to reopen — and "how to best configure learning opportunities during the pandemic, considering the levels of community transmission and what the science tells us about the risks," according to a statement.
Support for LAist comes from
READ MORE:
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter. To support our nonprofit public service journalism: Donate now.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The critical findings are part of long-awaited after-action report was released Thursday. It contains recommendations for increasing emergency staffing and updating old systems. -
Diving has changed, mountain biking has been added. Here's where to watch the Olympics in person in 2028. -
'A Great Day in the Stoke' is a free, daylong event in Orange County billed as 'the largest gathering of Black surfers in history.' The fourth annual festival is set for Saturday in Huntington Beach. -
Kimmel returned less than a week after ABC suspended his show over comments he made about the assassination of right wing activist Charlie Kirk. -
Southern California might see some light rain tonight into Wednesday morning. After that, cooler weather is on the way, but expect the humidity to remain. -
A gate tax at Disney? It's a possibility.
Best of LAist