LAUSD COVID-19 TESTING FOR STUDENTS
As Superintendent Austin Beutner explained in his October 5, 2020 Letter to the School Community, Los Angeles Unified School District is offering free COVID-19 tests to all students.
The virus testing program is now underway and it’s time for our school to be tested.
We are asking parents to make an appointment for an initial test now to help us prepare for the opening of school for in-person instruction. Although the date when schools will re-open for in-person instruction is not yet known, taking an initial test now will provide valuable information about the incidence of COVID-19 in the communities we serve. This information will help scientists, researchers, and epidemiologists who are assisting with the program. The baseline testing will help reduce the spread of the disease by identifying those with the virus so they can be kept apart from others.
Immediately prior to the reopening of schools, all students and staff who will be returning to schools will be provided with a further, back-to-school, baseline test.
Please schedule an appointment beginning on October 9th for your child at https://achieve.lausd.net/covidtestingappt
You will need your child’s student ID number to schedule an appointment. You may obtain your child’s student ID number by accessing the Parent Portal at https://parentportalapp.lausd.net/parentaccess/ or by calling our LAUSD hotline at 213-443-1300. Once you’ve made the appointment, you will receive a confirmation email with details.
Please be prepared to show the email on your phone or print out the confirmation and bring it with you to the appointment.
Thank you for your participation in this important program,
STUDENT SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL HEALTH RESOURCES
Parents, some students are struggling with this significant change in their schedules and the freedom they felt before to be with friends both in and outside of school. LAUSD has a hotline just for mental health support and is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday.
If you have any concerns regarding your social-emotional health, please contact any staff, teacher, counselor or administrator with any questions. In addition, please refer to the following links below.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Didi Hirsch) 24/7: 1.800.273.TALK (8255)
Veterans: press 1 or text 838255; Para español, oprima el numero 2
Disaster Distress Helpline: 800-985-5990
Crisis Text Line (24/7): Text LA to 741741
The Trevor Project for LGBTQ Youth (24/7): 1.866.488.7386 or Text START to 678678
Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health Access Line: 1.800.854.7771
Los Angeles County Community Resources Information Line: 2-1-1 - for additional resources and information about basic assistance, including CalFRESH and CalWORKS or may access additional information on the DPSS Website.
County of Los Angeles Resources:
The Department of Public Health has created guidance for shelters.
LAHSA has launched an informational site, which includes the most recent information.
Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health: COVID-19 information page with additional mental health and wellbeing resources, including tips and guidance for healthcare workers.
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health: Coronavirus webpage
Los Angeles County: COVID-19 site
Student Health and Human Services website - regularly updated with specific resources and information
The Los Angeles Unified School District approved a new LAUSD Title I Parent and Family Engagement Policy in June of 2018 which was developed with the meaningful consultation of Title I parents and family members from each Local District. The policy is summarized below. A hard copy of the entire policy may be requested from the main office.
Summary of the Los Angeles Unified School District Title I Parent and Family Engagement Policy
A. LAUSD will involve parents in the joint development of the LAUSD Local Education Agency (LEA) Plan by inviting parents of Title I students to participate in Local District Title I Parent Study Groups, in the District’s Title I Focus Group, and in school level activities related to the LAUSD LEA Plan, including program and budget development for categorical programs. The District will also invite parents to participate in special training to support their understanding of the LAUSD LEA Plan and the Single Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA).
B. LAUSD, through the Office of Parent and Community Services (PCS) and the Local District Parent and Community Engagement (PACE) staff, will provide the coordination, technical assistance, and other support necessary to assist and build the capacity of Title I schools in planning and implementing effective parent involvement activities to improve student academic achievement and school performance. Staff from PCS and PACE will develop tools and curriculum and will provide training to school staff in the following areas:
School Goals for Parent Engagement Parent Education Modules Parent and Family Center Improvement Program School Volunteer Program Building Relationships with Community Groups Staff Capacity-building Modules
C. LAUSD will coordinate and integrate parent and family engagement strategies described in this policy with strategies used in programs operated by other LAUSD departments, some of which are listed below:
Multilingual and Multicultural Education Division of Special Education
Early Childhood Education Division of Instruction
Student Health and Human Services Access, Equity and Acceleration
Beyond the Bell Student Integration Services
D. Through Local District Title I Study Groups, LAUSD will conduct an annual evaluation of the content and effectiveness of the parent and family engagement policy in improving the academic quality of Title I schools, identifying the strategies to support successful engagement, the needs of parents and family members to assist with their children’s learning, and the barriers to greater parent participation in activities.
E. LAUSD will use the findings under section D to design evidence-based strategies for more effective parent engagement and to revise, if necessary, the LAUSD Title I Parent and Family Engagement Policy.
F. LAUSD will involve parents in the activities of Title I schools, ensuring that schools listen responsively to parents, welcome them as partners, and provide leadership and learning opportunities to them. LAUSD will ensure that parents and family members are knowledgeable about school and District programs, engagement opportunities, student and school performance data, parents’ rights and responsibilities, and how to support their children’s education.
If you are interested in learning more about the annual review of this policy that takes place in each Local District, please contact the Office of Parent and Community Services at 213-481-3350.
