LAUSD strike: 4 tips for families about meals, school materials, child care & more as shutdown looms
LA School Report | March 20, 2023
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Members of the Service Employees International Union Local 99 rally outside of Los Angeles City Hall on Wednesday, March 15. (Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Unified School District is poised to shut down classrooms beginning Tuesday, as Service Employees International Union Local 99, which represents roughly 30,000 custodians, cafeteria staff, bus drivers and other service workers, has announced plans for strike for three days.
United Teachers Los Angeles, also in contract talks with the district, has announced it will be joining the work stoppage in support of SEIU.
Ahead of the disruption, which some district observers say could be a “defining moment” for Superintendent Alberto Carvalho a year into the job, LAUSD issued the below tips for families in how to navigate the next 72 hours:
1. How families can get schoolwork for children
If a strike does occur, without enough teachers and support staff, schools will have to close. Without enough staff to support our schools, LAUSD says it will “be unable to ensure a safe and secure learning environment.” Families looking for learning materials can login to Schoology at lms.lausd.net to get students activities and resources. Students may also request printed activities and resources at their school.
2. Child care — Can children be supervised during school hours? What will happen with after school programs?
According to the district, “student supervision will be available at select elementary, middle and high schools from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. These services are available at limited locations. Every effort will be made to accommodate your child at the site you choose for student supervision. Should the site you choose be at capacity, you will be directed to an alternative site. If your child requires any special accommodations or has specific health issues, please immediately inform the site administrator of these concerns. Visit this page for real-time updates on capacity during the days of the strike.”
3. School meals
LAUSD will be providing three days’ worth of meals to all students at select locations. Meal kits will be distributed at local parks and recreation centers. To find your nearest Grab & Go location, please visit this page.
4. What does and doesn’t count as an absence for students?
In the event of a strike, schools will be closed for students. Therefore, according to LAUSD, “this would not count as a regular day of attendance, and students would not be marked as absent.”
Find more information and answers to common questions at LAUSD.net; follow breaking coverage of the strike by signing up for our newsletter at LASchoolReport.com.