Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho sought to reassure students and parents Monday that school campuses are safe havens for immigrants, and he said school police would be on hand to “intervene and interfere” with any federal agency that tries to disrupt graduation ceremonies in the coming days.
“I’ve spoken with parents who’ve told me their daughter will be the first in their family to graduate high school, but they are not going to be there to witness it because they have the fear of the place of graduation being targeted (by immigration agents),” Carvalho said Monday.
“What nation are we becoming? Who in their right mind would accept that reality? So, I want to be reassuring to our community. Every single graduation site is a protected site. I have directed our own police force to redouble their efforts and establish perimeters of safety around graduation sites, to intervene and interfere with any federal agency that may want to take action.”
Tuesday is the last day of instruction at Los Angeles Unified School District campuses, but in light of recent immigration raids in the area and a weekend of violent protests, Carvalho said he wanted parents to know, “We will not waiver in our responsibility of protecting kids.”
“I want to speak a little bit about the graduations and culmination ceremonies,” Carvalho said. “What happened this weekend could not have happened at a worse time. The lion’s share of our graduations are happening today and tomorrow (Monday and Tuesday). In fact, over 100 graduation ceremonies between today and tomorrow. We will protect every parent, every child, every workforce member. We’ve instructed our principals to not create lines, to not restrict access. As soon as they come, they will enter the venues where the graduations are taking place, reducing the risk for them while on the street waiting to get in. We also have authorized the principals to allow parents to remain at the venue for as long as it takes should there be any immigration enforcement action around the area where the graduations are taking place. ”
Carvalho urged parents to update their emergency contact info and to empower someone to pick up their kids at school if they can’t do it themselves.
He also discouraged students from engaging in any walkouts to join protests.
“Please stay in school. Parents help us.,” he said. “… We can no longer predict what will happen outside of our schools. The recent images on TV tell us that.”
Mental health resources are being made available to students, parents and teachers.
A 24-7 family hotline can be reached at 213-443-1300. Callers can be directed to free legal support, Carvalho said.
The support number for the district’s education employees is 800-882-1321.
“Tomorrow is the last day of school in our great school system, but soon enough we’ll be in summer school. June 17 through July 16 we will operate Summer of Joy, summer opportunities for all students. I don’t want the current pervasive fear to deter parents and students from doing the right thing for their kids. ”
He said the district is increasing the number of schools offering summer school services to reduce travel times.
“We will provide convenient transportation … so parents and kids can avoid what could be a difficult walk to school considering the imminent dangers.”
The district will also open virtual opportunities for students afraid to attend summer school in person.