At a meeting with community and faith leaders on March 21, Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Austin Beutner marked a year of school closures and looked ahead to the reopening of campuses.

“March 13 marked one year since school campuses closed due to COVID-19,” he said. “It’s been an extraordinary year – a time of sacrifice and determination, pain and suffering, mixed with moments of hope and optimism – sometimes all in the same day.

“I’m pleased to share we’ll start reopening schools the week of April 12 for preschool and elementary school students, as well as for students with learning differences and disabilities, and by the end of the month for middle and high school students. Elementary school students will have the option for a full day at school, five days a week.

“We know the best learning for most students happens in a school classroom and children may face a lifetime of consequences if they are not back in a school classroom sometime soon. This is an urgent challenge for all of us to address, not just those who work in schools,” he said.

Beutner added that “scientists and researchers from UCLA, Stanford, Johns Hopkins, Cedars Sinai, Anthem Blue Cross and Health Net have been advising us on the appropriate steps since last summer” and highlighted safety improvements that have been made, including upgraded ventilation and air-filtration systems that “the air in every classroom is filtered 24 hours a day through the equivalent of an N-95 mask” and the doubling of custodial staff to “clean every room top to bottom.”

To “help all students reach their full potential,” Beutner said the district is also “adding additional teachers and counselors, more tutoring and small group instruction, the latest technology and more support for students with special needs.”

“But we can’t do it alone, and I need your help to make sure every child gets the education they deserve. We want all children back in schools where they belong,” Beutner said. “We have prepared a Return to Campus Family Guide, which contains detailed information on the health and safety preparations at schools, COVID testing for students and staff, COVID safety protocols and instructional schedules.”

Community meetings are also being held to discuss the return to school, Beutner added.

“We want to ensure you have the information needed to determine if your child will be best served by continuing with online instruction or a return to the classroom with their teacher and friends,” Beutner said. “I want you to know we will do all we can to keep your children safe when they return to school.”

For information, visit lausd.net.