Status of Palisades Public Schools

Share Story :
RSS
Follow by Email
Facebook
Twitter

The entire school was destroyed and will need to be replaced.

Two charter public schools, Marquez and Palisades Elementary, suffered severe damage and classes will be relocated for the remainder of the year.

Pali, with about 400 students, will relocate to Bentwood Science Magnet. Marquez, its 300 students and staff, will relocate to Nora Sterry. (This elementary school is at 1730 Corinth Avenue, close to Santa Monica Boulevard and the 405 Freeway.)

Topanga Canyon Elementary, Canyon School and Kenter Canyon students will remain on their individual campuses. Paul Revere Middle School was not damaged by the fire and classes will also resume there

Palisades Charter High School, which made national news when its baseball fields were shown burning during the Palisades Fire, sent out a letter to parents that the campus had been inspected and that Gilbert Hall, Mercer Hall, most classroom buildings, gyms, the baseball field, MGAC/pool, the Stadium by the Sea, and the Quad, appeared to be okay. But about 40 percent of the campus has been damaged or destroyed.

Executive Director Pam Magee wrote in her January 11 letter to parents that because of “the damage and potential hazards, such as asbestos, PCBs, black carbon, and other toxins, we must limit access to the campus. Only individuals authorized by me, the LAPD, or the Los Angeles Unified School District will be allowed on the property.”

LAUSD Police will be onsite to enforce this no-trespass order.

The start of the second semester is delayed to Tuesday, January 21 and classes will be temporarily online.

“It’s difficult to predict how long this recovery process will take, and we are doing everything possible to expedite a safe in-person experience,” Magee said. “Please know that the education of our students is our top priority, second only to their safety.”

The Palisades Fire, which started around 10:30 a.m., had traveled to the hills behind the high school by 12:30 p.m. By the evening the fire jumped Sunset Boulevard, went into the PaliHi baseball field and then through the high school.

PaliHi Is Seeking a Temporary Campus

PaliHi is seeking help from the community to secure a temporary campus after the devastating fires rendered the campus temporarily unusable. “As our students, teachers, and families navigate this crisis, we are asking for the support and assistance of local businesses, organizations, and  to assist in finding a safe, accessible space for our school,” a news bulletin stated.

“In-person learning is crucial for their emotional and social development; without it, students may experience increased feelings of isolation and anxiety, further complicating their recovery from the trauma of recent events. We urgently seek assistance from the Los Angeles community to help secure a temporary campus or shared space, ensuring that our students can maintain a sense of normalcy.

Dr. Pamela Magee, Executive Director/Principal of Palisades Charter High School said. “By coming together, we can ensure that our students can stay in their learning environment, with their friends and mentors, at a time when they need it most.”

The school is looking for:

  • Temporary classroom spaces or campuses available for lease or donation
  • Large indoor and outdoor spaces suitable for hosting students and teachers
  • Support from local organizations that can assist in logistics and operations
  • Volunteers to help with moving, setup, and coordination
  • Access to athletic practice areas in the vicinity

If one can assist or know of available spaces, please contact us at PCHSrecovery@palihigh.org. Donations can be made at https://go.palihigh.org/giving to support our transition.

Share Story :
RSS
Follow by Email
Facebook
Twitter
This entry was posted in Accidents/Fires, Schools. Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *