Families, union workers bracing for a crippling, historic LAUSD strike in exactly one week
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Los Angeles schools are one week away from a historic employee walkout — which for the first time would involve three major unions representing teachers, most non-teaching staff and school administrators, including principals and assistant principals.If a strike unfolds on April 14 with the three unions — or even two of the three — it would be impossible to keep all campuses open, the district confirmed Monday, upending the education of some 390,000 students and their families’ workday routines.Parents would scramble for child-care options and an alternative for weekday breakfasts and lunches.
Depending on how long a potential strike lasted, important state testing could be disrupted, as could student plans to take college-admissions assessments, such as the SAT and Advanced Placement exams.The Los Angeles Unified School District wants families to plan ahead.
“Families should prepare now by ensuring their child can access learning through Schoology” — which is the district’s online learning system, according to a statement provided in response to questions from The Times.Parents also should make sure their child “has a working device and internet connection.” Parents, too, should identify “local food distribution sites and childcare options.
They should also make sure their contact information is up to date to receive District updates through Blackboard Connect.” This system communicates with parents via phone, text and email.L.A.Unified is exploring an idea to create regional hubs at which parents could drop off students — as a fallback for families with no other child-care options, according to sources with knowledge of the planning.
For example, one elementary school might serve as a hub to accept students from five to 10 elementary schools in that area.But working out details, including staffing, even for this minimalist remedy, is tricky.Distri...