Palisades High Struggles to Find New Home After Fire Damages Campus

The Search for a Temporary Solution

About 40% of the campus was damaged or destroyed, Principal Pamela Magee said. Although the original main campus survived, the overall condition makes it unusable, Magee said. The school is looking for a temporary location and is prepping to resume classes online.

The search is on for a temporary home for fire-damaged Palisades Charter High School as school leaders grapple with ramping up an interim — and dreaded — online program and the families of about 2,900 students confront dislocation, loss, and anxiety about their children’s education and future.

Parents and students are expressing a wide range of concerns as the magnitude of the closure sinks in. What would be done about approaching Advanced Placement exams? Would the school year be extended to make up for lost instructional time? What will be the impact on grades and college applications? When would sports resume? If many students enroll elsewhere, will the school lose teachers? If students left for now, would they be able to return?

Possible toxins in the melted and ashen debris could also delay a return to the campus.

Stress over Logistics, Online Classes

A lot of parents are looking into private school options and are under the stress of meeting deadlines for those applications, said Niloo Farhadian, the parent of an eighth-grader, who would be at the school next year.

“Is there any possibility we might be back on campus?” she asked.

“We are really hoping not to have to change schools,” said one mother. She wanted to see photos of the school to see what was damaged and what was not.

Parents also are concerned about logistics.

The parent of a junior wanted to know about replacements for school laptops destroyed when homes burned to the ground. And what about internet?

The school promised that computers would be replaced and internet hot spots would be provided starting as soon as Thursday. Administrators are trying to determine where best to set up a distribution site, as families are scattered.

Online instruction begins next Tuesday, January 21. The spring semester had been scheduled to begin January 13.

Assessing the Toll

“We know our enrollment is going to shift,” Magee said, and that some students will enroll elsewhere. “But we are trying to keep our campus together as much as possible.”

At least 11 staff members lost their homes. At least 14 others were displaced. Despite such hardships, 120 staff members attended a planning meeting in Beverly Hills, with another 30 on Zoom.

Because it is largely a neighborhood school, Pali High possibly has huge numbers of families who were evacuated or lost homes.

Three or four board members lost their homes, including Kumars Arzani, who was dialing into the meeting from Tarzana. He jumped in with ideas for recovery without belaboring his personal hardships.

Many speakers talked of being ready to help to raise money and volunteer. The school has a fund established.

“Our school is a living breathing entity,” Magee said. “It’s not just a location… We are going to get through this tough moment.”

Conclusion

As Palisades Charter High School navigates the aftermath of the fire, it is clear that the school community is strong and resilient. Despite the challenges ahead, the school is committed to finding a temporary solution and resuming classes as soon as possible.

FAQs

* What is the current status of the school’s campus?
The school’s campus is currently unusable due to damage from the fire.
* When will online classes begin?
Online classes will begin on January 21.
* Will the school year be extended to make up for lost instructional time?
The school is still determining the best course of action, but options are being explored.
* What will happen to students who enroll elsewhere?
The school is prepared for a potential loss of students and is working to ensure a smooth transition for those who do leave.
* How can I help support the school?
The school has established a fund for donations and is also seeking volunteers to help with the recovery effort.