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.
Hey, LA Teachers: What Do You Wish Parents Knew Before The First Day Of School?

Wave goodbye to carefree summer days, and say hello to the start of a new school year.
For some Los Angeles students and teachers, summer vacation has already come to an end. Those in the Los Angeles Unified School District, however, have one more week to savor the sunshine and life without homework.
In anticipation of the 2019-2020 school year and to help make everyone's first day of school go as smoothly as possible, we want to hear from educators who have the first day of school down to a science -- or from those who have stumbled a bit along the way. We're not judging.
Share your pearls of wisdom for the first day of school. What do you wish parents knew before sending off their children to embark on another year of education? What should kids prepare for? Are there common mistakes you see, little annoyances or face-palm moments that could have been avoided? Tell us below.
And just as importantly, what have you learned through the years? Bonus points if you can tell us a hilarious or embarrassing memory from years past!
We'll publish some of your answers before class is in session.
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.

-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?