Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
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
)
Listen
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.
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
Sponsored message
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.
-
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. -
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.
”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.
Sponsored message
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
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
