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Everything we learned on LAUSD’s first day of school
Families drop off their children for the first day of school at 24th Street Elementary.
(
Mariana Dale
/
LAist
)
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4:48
First day of school tests LAUSD’s protections for immigrant families
Some Los Angeles Unified families returned to campus Thursday carrying fears about immigration raids along with the annual first-day jitters, excitement and sleepiness.
Despite widespread concerns about immigration enforcement, Los Angeles Unified students returned to a largely uninterrupted school day Thursday.
Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said preliminary data shows 92% of students attended class on the first day, a slight increase from last August.
Were immigration concerns unfounded?
The Department of Homeland Security continued immigration enforcement actions across Los Angeles today. Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said Thursday afternoon there was ICE activity reported near four school campuses, but outside a two-block radius:
- Bakewell Primary Center
- Harte Prep Middle School
- Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts
- Victory Boulevard Elementary and STEAM Magnet
Hundreds, if not thousands — of teachers and community members volunteered to patrol neighborhoods near schools for federal agents.
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Vivian Figueroa dropped off her son Kevin at 24th Street Elementary School this morning in West Adams. She said the school’s staff and secured entrances helped her feel confident her son is safe. “It’s like family,” Figueroa said. “Everyone knows each other.”
Listen
4:48
First day of school tests LAUSD’s protections for immigrant families
Families are using new offerings
The district made bus seats available to students whose families may feel uncomfortable walking or driving them to school. The district reports that 300 new families requested and received a ride so far.
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Despite widespread concerns about immigration enforcement, Los Angeles Unified students returned to class today, eager to get to see their friends and favorite teachers again. -
More than 4,000 people have been arrested across the region since June and it’s still unclear how the threat of detention may impact whether students show up to school and if they do, what type of support they might need. -
School buses drive to and from about 90% of Los Angeles Unified schools, but less than 10% of students are onboard.
Attendance was up
Despite signs that a lot of families would use a virtual option, students did show up to class today in person.
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”As a result of increased trust and confidence specific to the protection protocols, we saw a lot of those families move their kids back from virtual academies to our schools,” Carvalho said.
Preliminary data shows attendance at 92%, a 2% increase from last year. But we don’t yet know the district’s overall enrollment — families may have already left the district since raids started in the last days of the school year. More than 4,000 people have been arrested across the region since June, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Read more
- How LAUSD prepared for a new school year
- How to get your child a seat on an LAUSD bus
- LAUSD announces safeguards for immigrant students on same day federal agents make arrest outside school
- As ICE agents enter LA communities, here's what the law says about civil rights — regardless of immigration status
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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