‘The day I lost my house:’ School communities reel from Eaton, Palisades fires

Fires Devastate California Schools: Students and Teachers Face Unprecedented Loss as Districts Rally for Recovery

The acrid smell of smoke still lingers in the air, a stark reminder of the wildfires that have swept through Southern California, leaving a trail of destruction and uncertainty in their wake. In the heart of this crisis, thousands of students and educators within the Los Angeles Unified School District and Pasadena Unified are grappling with profound loss, as flames have consumed homes, schools, and the very sense of normalcy they desperately seek to reclaim.

A Community Shattered: Personal Stories Emerge from the Ashes

For Tanya Reyes, a dedicated teacher within the Los Angeles Unified School District, the unfolding disaster became a deeply personal tragedy. Initially, she tried to process the reality of losing her home, but a video from her husband, Antonio, showing their Altadena house engulfed in flames, shattered her composure.

“I’ve only watched parts of it,” Reyes recounted, her voice heavy with emotion. “But I know at one point he starts crying. It just felt surreal. We’re worried about our neighbors, worried about who’s safe, the peacocks that lived on our street.” The experience echoed painful memories of past devastation, as Reyes, originally from Maui, found herself reliving the trauma of the Lahaina fires.

The family had evacuated with only two items each and a few critical documents, unaware that they were leaving their home for good. When it came time to explain the loss to their three daughters, Reyes posed a poignant question: “What’s the most important thing that we have?” She hoped for an answer focused on their unity, but her daughters’ immediate response was, “A house!”

The youngest, just three years old, spent an hour and a half in the early morning hours recounting everything she missed about her home. This profound sense of loss is shared by thousands across the region, as fires have ravaged nearly 60 square miles, impacting at least 10 schools.

Pasadena Unified Navigates a Phased Return Amidst Widespread Damage

Pasadena Unified has borne a significant brunt of the Eaton fire’s fury. Longfellow Elementary, where Reyes’s daughters are students, miraculously remains standing, a beacon of hope amidst widespread destruction. However, five other district-run schools and three charter schools have suffered severe damage or have been completely destroyed.

The impact on the Pasadena Unified workforce has been immense. Over 1,300 employees were forced to evacuate their homes. Jonathan Gardner, president of United Teachers of Pasadena, reported that approximately 300 teachers have lost their homes entirely. The ripple effect extends to the student population, with an estimated 10,000 of Pasadena Unified’s 14,000 students displaced from their residences.

Despite the overwhelming challenges, the district is demonstrating remarkable resilience. “In times of hardship, our district community has always shown remarkable strength and unity,” stated board President Jennifer Hall Lee. “The challenges of the Eaton Fire have tested us in unthinkable ways. Yet, I am still struck by how much resilience and compassion I have seen from our community. This has truly been a testament to the spirit of Pasadena Unified.”

A Gradual Reopening and Extensive Cleanup Efforts

The road to recovery for Pasadena Unified is a gradual one. Ten schools and programs, serving over 3,400 students, are slated for a phased reopening, prioritizing those furthest from the fire’s path and deemed safe by emergency services. The district’s maintenance and operations team, bolstered by more than 1,500 contractors, is engaged in a massive cleanup operation.

To date, 82 tons of debris have been removed from school sites. Extensive sanitization efforts are also underway to meet stringent environmental and safety standards. Meanwhile, the district welcomed back approximately 2,700 teachers, staff, and administrators, many of whom are also navigating personal losses.

The solidarity within the school community is palpable. When staff at Longfellow Elementary learned of Reyes’s family’s complete loss, they mobilized immediately, offering contacts and support for anything the family might need. “They sent out emails of everyone you could be in contact with: ‘here’s this person; here’s Connie; here’s Monica; here’s who can help you if you need help with anything,’” Reyes shared.

Palisades Charter High School: A Search for a Temporary Home

Palisades Charter High School, a landmark known for its appearances in popular films, faces a daunting path to reopening. Approximately 40% of its campus has been damaged or destroyed by the fires. School leaders are actively searching for a temporary location to continue educational operations.

In the interim, students will transition to online learning. Principal and Executive Director Pamela Magee expressed a commitment to maintaining continuity: “We have a unique opportunity to show the strength and resilience of our community in the face of adversity. By coming together, we can ensure our students can stay in their learning environment, with their friends and mentors, at a time when they need it most.”

Marquez Elementary: Resilience in the Face of Displacement

At Marquez Elementary School within the Los Angeles Unified School District, the evacuation order came swiftly on January 7th. A dark cloud of smoke loomed as teachers and staff guided young students, ranging from four-year-olds to third graders, to safety.

“Students were put on a school bus and sent out over to another school, where the parents were told they could pick them up,” explained Wendy Connor, a veteran first-grade teacher. “Half of them were crying. Half of them weren’t. They’re all trying to help each other.”

Just over a week later, a significant portion of the displaced students from Marquez Elementary and Palisades Charter Elementary resumed their school year at new campuses. Remarkably, these students are still learning from their familiar teachers and alongside their classmates, fostering a sense of continuity amidst chaos.

“Not one of them has said, ‘I don’t want to be here,’ or ‘I want to be with my mommy or my daddy,’” Connor observed. “They’re all just like, ‘Oh, where do I line up? Let’s go! We’re ready to go!’” However, she noted that many students who lost their homes have not yet returned, and concerns persist about the long-term mental health impact on students and staff.

Supporting Students Through Trauma and Uncertainty

The Los Angeles Unified School District has mobilized a comprehensive support system for its affected communities. This includes access to mental health resources, telehealth options, a 24/7 support line, and wellness centers. Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools, Debra Duardo, has emphasized the importance of limiting students’ exposure to repeated images of destruction and has urged parents and adults to model calm and positive coping strategies.

Cecily Myart-Cruz, president of UTLA, the district’s teachers union, witnessed this resilience firsthand during a visit to an elementary school. “They’re resilient, like you wouldn’t believe,” she stated, drawing a parallel to her own experience with grief. “My son lost his father two years ago, just unexpectedly. And I’m in the throes of the ebbs and flows of grief. And that’s what I saw today.”

Educators Also Bear the Scars of the Fires

The fires have not only impacted students but have also taken a significant toll on teachers and school staff. As of mid-January, UTLA reported that 539 members had been displaced, with the homes of 136 members destroyed or severely damaged. Furthermore, over 100,000 teachers reported experiencing medical complications, primarily respiratory issues, due to the fires.

More than 1,000 teachers are unable to work due to extenuating circumstances, such as assisting family members who have lost their homes. Wendy Connor, whose own home and family are safe, admits to experiencing heightened stress and anxiety. Having grown up in the Palisades, she is grappling with the loss of her childhood home, her old school, and Marquez Elementary.

Yet, even amidst the devastation, a glimmer of hope persists. Three classrooms in the center of Marquez Elementary remain standing, including the one where Connor taught. “I’ve been anxious trying to… go into the room and see if there’s anything I could save,” she said. “And then, I just had to put most feelings aside, so that I could get the (new) classroom ready and get going for the kids.”

The unified spirit of these school communities, from the youngest students to the most seasoned educators, is emerging as a powerful force in the face of unimaginable loss. As they navigate the complex path of recovery, their collective resilience offers a profound testament to the enduring strength of education and community.