An estimated 600,000 students in the nation’s second-largest school district returned to classes today for the start of the Los Angeles Unified School District’s 2013-14 term, with stepped up security at campuses.
The district added 1,000 campus security aides to help bolster security at its campuses, with Superintendent John Deasy said the seven-figure expense was a worthwhile investment to protect students and staff.
“Students must feel safe on campus to achieve their best in the classroom,” district Superintendent John Deasy said.
District officials also noted that the LAUSD has a firm anti-bullying policy, as well as safety and emergency plans for each campus. Emergency plans for each campus are posted online at http://parentemergencyinformation.lausd.net/.
The district is also opening 15 on-campus health clinics this week in what it calls “high-priority areas.” Funding for the “school-based wellness centers” comes in part from the Los Angeles Trust For Children’s Health.
The on-campus clinics include primary health care, mental health and behavioral and dental services. The district also plans to assist families in enrolling their children in health insurance plans.
The district asked parents to follow some basic rules:
- Learn school rules for students and parents
- Update children’s emergency contact cards at their school
- Know each child’s exact schedule at school
- Obey traffic rules and traffic monitors at schools
- Make sure all students entering seventh grade have had “T-dap” booster shots for pertussis, also known as whooping cough. LAUSD is offering such shots at clinics across the district, with details available at www.lausd.org.
Deasy is expected to spend Wednesday morning at Esteban Torres High School, helping cafeteria workers prepare breakfast for students. He will also serve food and spend time working a cashier, in an efort to highlight the role of support staff at schools.
