The Los Angeles Unified School District, the nation’s second largest, begins a new school year Thursday as it welcomes back more than 500,000 students.
KTLA reporter Carlos Herrera spent part of his morning talking with the people who many students will start their day with, the school bus drivers.
“To make a difference, you just say good morning, always smile,” driver Terrell Green told Carlos. “It goes a long way.”
Green also explained that the drivers often walk students to their seats and assist them with seat belts if needed. “Any help they need … we’re always there,” she said.
Meanwhile, ongoing immigration raids have some families concerned about leaving their homes to go to school.
On Monday, a 15-year-old boy with disabilities was detained in what was described as a case of mistaken identity.
LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho says incidents like this are not acceptable and can be traumatic to students.
“I do not find it acceptable as a father that a three-year-old, a four-year-old, a five or six-year-old, or a 15-year-old would have to witness, as they walk to school, or as they are taken to school, images of individuals with masks and uniforms with long guns in hand. Visuals that are shocking to adults,” Carvalho said on Tuesday.
The superintendent in charge of an estimated 540,000 students was also out early Thursday morning and talked with Carlos about the upcoming school year, as well as the district’s safety measures.
“Trust us. We’re going to inspire greatness every single day,” Carvalho said. “Number one, we have perimeter safety around schools … we expanded transportation routes … We also have partnerships with community-based organizations as well as cities to protect our kids every single day.”
The LAUSD has also produced a “Family Preparedness Care Package” to distribute to parents and students.
“Schools are safe, joyful places for every kid, and I promise, this is going to be our best year yet,” Carvalho said.