A multi-union strike could soon disrupt classes for more than 390,000 students across the Los Angeles Unified School District.
The strike involves United Teachers Los Angeles, Education Works United, or SEIU Local 99 (which covers custodians, bus drivers, and cafeteria workers), and the Associated Administrators of Los Angeles. Union leaders plan to strike on Tuesday if they do not reach a contract agreement with district officials.
What happens to students?
If the strike moves forward, many campuses may close or operate with limited supervision.
In a statement on Thursday, the district said they remain focused on preventing a strike while preparing contingency plans in case one takes place. These plans include:
- Meal distribution for students and families
- Take-home materials and access to online learning
- Community-based child care and supervision options
- Mental health support for students and families
- Help with devices and internet access
The LAUSD’s student resources page says the district announced plans to provide up to 10 days of remote learning lessons. These lessons are intended to help students continue learning if classroom instruction is interrupted. Students will need a working device and internet access to complete assignments.
Families can find updates and resources on the district’s school updates page and should also check their school’s messages or call the district hotline at (213) 443-1300.
Where to pick up meals
If schools close, meals will be available at 30 LAUSD locations from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., starting Tuesday, while supplies last, according to the district family resources page.
Here are some South LA meal sites for grab-and-go breakfast and lunch:
- Angelou High School – 300 E. 53rd St.
- Dorsey High School – 3537 Farmdale Ave.
- Foshay Learning Center – 3751 S. Harvard Blvd.
- Fremont High School – 7676 S. San Pedro St.
- Markham Middle School – 1650 E. 104th St.
- Muir Middle School – 5929 S. Vermont Ave.
Additional food programs are also available through the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation. These programs operate at parks across the county:
Free Snack Program: Offers nutritious snacks for youth ages 17 and under, Monday through Friday from 3 to 4 p.m. at participating parks. No registration is required.
The following parks serve Inglewood and South LA:
- Athens Park – 12603 S. Broadway
- Bethune Park – 1244 E. 61st St.
- Alondra Park in Lawndale – 3850 Manhattan Beach Blvd.
- Bodger Park in Hawthorne – 14900 S. Yukon Ave.
- Roy Campanella Park in Compton – 14812 Stanford Ave.
Free Hot Supper Program: Provides evening meals for teens ages 12 to 18 at select sites at 7 p.m. Registration is required.
The following parks serve Inglewood and South LA:
- Earvin “Magic” Johnson Park – 905 E. El Segundo Blvd.
- Franklin D. Roosevelt Park – 7600 Graham Ave.
- Lennox Park in Inglewood – 10828 S. Condon Ave.
- Mona Park in Compton – 2291 E. 121st St.
For a full list of locations and updated schedules, visit the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation website.
Where to find child care
If schools close, LAUSD says it has identified community-based supervision options for families who need daytime care.
According to the district, families can use this map of nearby programs offering child supervision and free services during the school day. These programs are run by community partners and are not operated by LAUSD. More information and the full map are available on the LAUSD family resources website.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles plans to offer all-day strike support starting Tuesday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Programming includes homework help, art, music, sports and STEM activities. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Services are open to youth ages 6 to 18, including nonmembers.
South LA locations include:
- Challengers Club — 5029 Vermont Ave. (Call 323-971-6161 for more info.)
- Watts Willowbrook Club — 1339 E. 120th St. (Call 323-567-2278 for more info.)
The Al Wooten Jr. Youth Center will offer after-school programming for students in grades 3-12. For a one-time $30 fee, students can drop by the center between Monday and Friday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The center will provide a meal and snack, academic tutoring, and STEM and arts enrichment activities. Corey Dantzler, the youth center’s executive director, told The LA Local the center hopes to support families and students in need.
“For us to be in a position now to just to be able to offer these services as a good resource for families just really coincides with what our vision and mission is for our organization,” Dantzler said.
Parents can register at the Wooten Center’s CollegeTrek Afterschool Program website, or call (323) 756-7203.
