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Arcadia Unified details emergency closures, staff outreach and community relief after wind and fire events
Summary
District leaders reported coordination with city command centers, campus cleanup and roof repairs, SIRS reporting to the California Department of Education, targeted outreach to students and staff in evacuation or burn areas, and community fundraising including a $10,000 match pledge for early donations.
District leaders described the district's emergency response after recent windstorms and wildfires, outlining the decision-making process for closures, coordination with city public-safety agencies, and steps to support affected students and staff.
Senior administrators said they had activated a command coordination approach and emphasized that closure decisions weigh impacts across a broad set of services (meals, staffing, substitutes) and the needs of families; the district sought to communicate carefully and comprehensively. Staff reported campus cleanup activities (pressure-washing playground equipment and lunch tables), HVAC filter inspections and replacement after smoke reports, and roof repair work at the high school C Wing; materials for roof repairs have been ordered and some temporary barriers are in place.
The district used PowerSchool address exports and mapping to identify students and staff who live in evacuated or burn-area neighborhoods so principals could prioritize outreach and services; leaders said they compiled lists to triage needs and coordinated with the Arcadia Education Foundation and PTAs to provide relief. "I had the opportunity to speak to almost all of the staff that lost a significant loss...the first thing across the board...was how overwhelmed they were with the amount of love, and support," a district leader said, and noted Steve Reed offered to match the first $10,000 donated.
HR reported the district compensated employees — including subs who lost or could not take shifts — for the closure days and provided substitute coverage so classes could resume. Staff also said they submitted an initial damage estimate to the county and will file a J-13a waiver for attendance days missed to preserve funding.
What happens next: staff will continue cleanup and repair work, monitor attendance for any additional funding waivers, coordinate donations through AEF and Downtown Arcadia, and continue targeted outreach to families and staff with catastrophic loss.
