
Back to School is starting earlier than in years past. You may ask yourself, why? Well, in April of this year, the LAUSD Board of Education voted to lengthen the 2022-23 academic year in an effort to make up for lost in-person instructional time due to the continuing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Board approved a new calendar that will see the school year start on August 15th 2022, and end on June 15th, 2023. Four instructional days will be targeted for students that need to catch up. To view the entire LAUSD Calendar, click here.
Learning Loss
One year after Congress passed record funding in COVID-19 relief, a new analysis reveals that California school districts so far have spent little of it on efforts to address learning setbacks caused by the pandemic. The data indicates that learning slowed, especially among the youngest students, and gaps in achievement between Black and Hispanic students and their white and Asian peers widened during distance learning in 2020-21. The analysis also reveals most districts, 89%, are on track to meet the spending deadline for which the first spending deadline is Feb. 1, 2023.

Mental Health
According to health experts, Back To School is a perfect time for parents to check in with their children about their mental health. Let them know that heading back to campus for a new school term can be hard for many young people, but that they can talk to you or other adults if they need help. Once school starts, make sure you know what resources are available for your child if they begin to struggle with anxiety, and depression.
Updated LAUSD COVID-19 Testing Protocols
LAUSD officials will not be implementing many of the COVID-19-control measures that have been in effect over the past year. Students and school personnel will no longer need to undergo weekly COVID testing. Mask-wearing will still be only strongly recommended indoors, and the district’s COVID vaccination requirement for students remains on hold until at least next year. LAUSD will employ a “response testing” protocol for the school year that begins Aug. 15.
Students also will no longer be required to update their health and testing status on the district’s Daily Pass system to access campuses each day. The system will remain to allow students to upload the results of “response testing” or vaccination records. The system will also be used to notify close contacts of a person who has tested positive. To read more about the COVID protocol updates, click here.
Student and Family Wellness Hotline
LAUSD has resources available to students and their families. The Student and Family Wellness Hotline is available to students, families, and staff of LAUSD, during regular school days, Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. The hotline provides support with mental health; accessing food, health insurance, school enrollment, immunizations and other basic needs. Call (213) 241-3840. Press 1 for English, 2 for Spanish.

Additional Resources
California Youth Crisis Line
Call or text: (800) 843-5200 (English and Español)
County of Los Angeles Resources
Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health Access Line: (800) 854-7771
Crisis Text Line (24/7)
Text LA to 741741
Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services
Survivors of Suicide Attempts: (424) 362-2901
Survivors After Suicide: (424) 362-2912 for adults and (424) 362-2911 for teens
School Supply Resources
L.A. Care Back and School Supplies Giveaways
- Friday, August 5 | walk-up only
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Community Resource Center in Inglewood
2864 W. Imperial Hwy., Inglewood, CA 90303
- Saturday, August 13 | drive-thru/walk-up (Will include food giveaway)
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Banning Senior High School
527 Lakme Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90744
Dream Center’s Annual Back-to-School Bash
- 10am-1pm, August 6th, 2022
2301 Bellevue AveLos Angeles, CA 90026
Believe in Giving – Back to School Give Back
- 11am, August 6th
Council District 9 Office – Curren Price
4301 South Central Avenue, Los Angeles 90011
(323) 846-2651
IBTU Presents the 3rd Annual Back to School
- 1pm, August 6th
Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza
3650 W Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Los Angeles 90008
Sisters of Watts Back to School Jam
- 11am – 2pm, August 6th, 2022
Ted Watkins Park
1335 E 103rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90002