|
Dear friends and partners,
Just one week after the heartbreak of losing two elementary schools in the Palisades fire, I was there to welcome both schools’ students, families, and staff to their new, temporary school sites on two nearby campuses. And while seven more of our schools remain physically closed due to evacuation orders, their students were also able to begin virtual instruction with in-person supervision sites available for families that need them.
Our schools are so often lifelines in times of crisis, and I am immensely grateful for everyone who worked tirelessly to minimize disruption to student learning and provide safe spaces for kids to begin to process and heal from this trauma. From teachers packing and moving classrooms to make space, to custodial staff getting campuses ready for both Monday’s reopening and the temporary relocations, to administrators helping with logistics to ensure a smooth transition, and parents going above and beyond to welcome new families—this herculean effort was met with an inspiring amount of support, grace, and flexibility.
As we all try to navigate the magnitude of this crisis, my team and I are not just here as public servants, but also as your neighbors—my parents evacuated to my home last week and one of my team members is among the many Palisades families who lost everything. Thank you for your support and commitment as we all continue finding ways to show up for each other in a time of need.
Onward,
|
