Wildfires Disrupt Education in Los Angeles: Students Seek Normalcy Amidst Chaos
LOS ANGELES – In a dramatic turn of events following devastating wildfires, third-grader Gabriela Chevez-Muñoz returned to classes this week at a new school after her home and elementary school were destroyed. Sporting a "Pali" t-shirt symbolic of her Pacific Palisades neighborhood, Gabriela joined hundreds of displaced students who were welcomed with decorations celebrating their school’s dolphin mascot.
"It feels kind of like the first day of school," remarked Gabriela, who expressed both fear and excitement at the prospect of reuniting with friends while adapting to a new environment.
Gabriela is one of thousands of students affected by the wildfires that have led to the destruction of several schools in the area, leaving many others inaccessible. Educators are urgently seeking alternative locations to ensure learning continues while the community mourns the loss of at least 27 lives and countless homes.
Gabriela and 400 peers from Palisades Charter Elementary School have begun classes at Brentwood Science Magnet, approximately 5 miles away. Los Angeles Unified School District officials indicated that the two destroyed elementary campuses could take more than two years to rebuild.
Students from seven additional campuses in evacuation zones are also being relocated temporarily.
Amidst her family’s loss, Layla Glassman emphasized the importance of safety for her children as she dropped her daughter off at Brentwood. "We have a roof over our heads. We have them back in school. So, you know, I am happy," she said, though acknowledging the ongoing grief.
Many schools are delaying instruction, prioritizing mental health and community restoration through organized activities and field trips. The Pasadena Unified School District has closed all schools for the week, providing optional online activities while assessing the needs of its 14,000 students, with an estimated 1,200 to 10,000 potentially displaced.
As schools face extensive damage from falling trees and debris, efforts continue to find new classrooms. Odyssey Charter School-South, which was completely destroyed, is working to provide safe spaces for its 850 students, many of whom have lost their homes.
The implications of these disruptions are concerning, with research showing that children affected by natural disasters are at an increased risk for negative mental health outcomes, which can impede their academic progress.
Palisades Charter High School, with its 3,000 students, is also exploring nearby campuses and commercial spaces for temporary classes, as around 40% of its campus has suffered damage. The school has postponed the start of the semester and will initially shift to online learning.
For many students, including Axel Forrest, who lost his home, the uncertainty of the future weighs heavily. “I feel so out of it, every day,” he shared, fearing the prolonged disruption of his education.
Meanwhile, Oak Knoll Montessori, which was completely destroyed, is providing meetups at local parks and museums for its 150 students to help restore a sense of normalcy. The school’s sole remaining asset, a chicken coop with five surviving chickens, serves as a symbol of hope for the community.
"We have been trying to focus all our attention on the children and how we can temporarily help them normalize all this," said Allwyn Fitzpatrick, the head of school, as the community rallies to support those affected by the fires.
