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South Pasadena Unified, students and volunteers mobilize after wildfires; parents raise ash-cleaning safety concerns
Summary
Board and superintendent described extensive district and community response after recent wildfires, noting school closures, volunteer cleanup efforts and concerns from parents about ash on playgrounds and astroturf.
South Pasadena Unified School District officials, board members, students and volunteers described a multi-pronged response after recent wildfires, and parents urged further cleaning of school grounds to remove ash that may pose health risks to children.
Student leaders and board members highlighted student fundraising and volunteer coalitions supporting wildfire relief and cleanup. The superintendent and board members commended district staff, PTA leaders and first responders for coordinating school reopenings and relief work. Parents at the Jan. 14 meeting said ash remains on play structures, astroturf and walkways and asked the district to pursue deeper cleaning.
A student board member highlighted the district's "commitment to effective teaching in an environment that is intellectually stimulating as well as physically and emotionally safe" and said students and clubs joined a coalition of 27 schools in the Los Angeles area to host and fund wildfire relief efforts.
One parent who spoke said the district's initial grounds cleanup was "a great first pass" but that ash was still embedded in astroturf and on play structures and could be "toxic" for children with sensitive skin. The parent urged the district to consider additional cleaning measures and offered volunteer support, saying many parents were concerned and had not realized how much ash remained.
Superintendent Dr. Yance praised staff who worked through wind and fire events to secure facilities — naming staff including CB Richards and Steve Reyes — and acknowledged the "tremendous amount of work" by facilities, custodial, IT and nursing staff, notably district nurse Abby Silver, who sent targeted health messages for children with significant health conditions.
Board members and the superintendent noted PTA and community efforts, including Marengo Elementary’s cleanup kickoff and PTA Council-organized trauma counseling sessions for families. The board directed residents to PTA communications for event details and said counselors and additional parent meetings had been scheduled.
No specific new funding or a timeline for additional cleaning was announced at the meeting; board members repeatedly thanked volunteers and staff and said the district would continue addressing safety concerns raised by families.
