The Los Angeles Unified School District and some local colleges opted for a normal school day while other college campuses canceled in-person classes on Monday, Feb. 5, in response to the ongoing huge storm that’s brought record amounts of rain to the greater Los Angeles area.
Although nearly all LAUSD campuses were open, the school district saw a big drop in student attendance.
During a mid-morning news conference with L.A. Mayor Karen Bass and other city and county officials, LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said 63% of students attended school Monday – far below the average of about 92% on a typical day.
He said officials expected a drop in student attendance after telling parents on Sunday to use their judgment about whether it was safe for children to go to school given the road conditions in their areas.
About 90% of LAUSD teachers and other school staff reported to campuses, Carvalho said.
The average delay time for school bus routes was less than 30 minutes, but one route was hit with a 90-minute delay because the bus broke down, he said.
He stressed the importance of keeping schools open, saying he’d spoken to parents who were grateful that campuses remained open, including a single mother who had to go to work.
Besides academics, the breakfasts, lunches and snacks served at schools are, for some students, the only meals they receive during the day. About 80% of LAUSD students qualify for free or price-reduced meals.
“It’s important beyond reading and mathematics, science and social studies for us to provide these indispensable, irreplaceable services to our students,” Carvalho said, saying keeping schools open was “the right call.”
All but two schools in LAUSD were open Monday, and students at those two campuses were directed to other campuses.
Students at Vinedale College Preparatory Academy in Sun Valley were rerouted to Glenwood Elementary, about 2½ miles away, while students at Topanga Elementary Charter School in…
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