Education

An unexpected sore spot for preschools after the fires: sandboxes

Daycares have many questions — and fewer answers — about cleaning up a playground staple.

A long playground is next to a one-story white building to its left. The playground has a sand floor, a wooden structure with a slide and various other equipment. To the right is another wooden structure, also on the sand. It's a sunny day and blue sky can be seen at the top of the frame. A green hedge lines the white building.

'Halfway normal': Pasadena Unified schools return, with mental health a big focus

There are still unanswered questions about rebuilding, how to make up for three weeks of lost in-person schooling, and how the fallout from the fires could worsen existing financial challenges.

A man in a blue collared shirt puts his arm around a young girl with medium-light skin tone. They stand on a sidewalk outside a gated school campus. A woman with a short haircut stands nearby smiling. She has an ID badge around her neck.

Nearly a half dozen SoCal universities advise staff on how to handle immigration enforcement on campus

Some California State Universities are reminding staff of policies in place to refer any questions from immigration agents to campus police.

A person on a cycling is on an open path lined with palm trees and towards a sign that reads "California State University Fullerton."

The cost of private colleges is high, yet many low-income students still choose them

Some students work multiple jobs and give up extracurricular activities to supplement their financial aid. Many say it’s worth it.

A group of students stand around talking and another student walks along a concrete pathway in front of a tan building with an archway.

What happens to large animals evacuated in a fire? Here's how they're taken care of

Pierce College students made use of the skills they honed in class to help hundreds of large, stressed-out animals.

Cal State layoffs reach SoCal campuses as budget tightens

CSU Dominguez Hills announced nearly three dozen people will be laid off this semester.

A landscape photo of a large red and yellow block letter sign that reads "CSUDH" below the block letters a white block with black letters reads "California State University, Dominguez Hills." Bushes surround the sign at the base and behind the sign, towards the right of frame there are two palm trees.

Lessons from Lahaina: Months of testing followed post-wildfire reopenings

Lahaina schools in Hawaii were closed for about two months for cleaning and environmental testing following August 2023 wildfire.

An aerial view of a series of paved lots along a coastline where houses once stood.

LAUSD equips students with 'red cards' to defend their rights when encountering immigration agents

As federal policies shift, Los Angeles schools distribute “Know Your Rights” cards to help immigrant families navigate encounters with immigration agents.

A hand holding the corner of a red card the size of a business card. It has text in Spanish.

Will new bond funds be enough to rebuild LA schools — and all of California’s other crumbling schools?

Some schools destroyed years ago in the Sonoma and Butte fires are just now reopening. The long, expensive process of rebuilding in LA may eat up much of the money voters approved in November for school repairs statewide.

A playground for children is seen charred as vegetation smolders on the ground.

Parents want to know: After wildfires, is my child's school safe and clean?

While some schools in or near wildfire evacuation zones have reopened, some campuses may need ongoing cleaning to keep students and staff safe from smoke and ash.

A cement wall has a colorful mural of hot air balloons painted on it. Around the wall is a pile of burned debris.

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