The school year is about to be over for the Los Angeles Unified School District, and while Superintendent Alberto Carvalho has declared all campuses as safe spaces, he is assuring families that graduation celebrations are, too.
Carvalho was joined by other officials on Monday for an emergency press conference organized to address concerns of community members, especially immigrants.
“Our schools are safe places,” Carvalho said. “Our schools are places of education and inspiration, not fear and intimidation.”
According to United Teachers Los Angeles, the safe space policy in place for all LAUSD property also applies to school buses and official off-campus activities, such as field trips.
It also applies to graduations, too, as Carvalho says school police will be on hand at graduations to intervene and interfere with any federal agency that tries to disrupt a graduation ceremony.
“Every child has the right to a public education, therefore every child and their parents have the right to celebrate the culmination of their educational success,” Carvalho said.
At Monday’s press conference, the superintendent urged parents to update their emergency contact information while discouraging students from participating in any walkouts, seeing as it is the end of the school year.
Over 100 graduation ceremonies are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday across the district.
A hotline for LAUSD family members and staff has been set up to assist those who need it with resources, information and support: 213-443-1300.
