Back-to-School Preparations Begin Early Amid Challenges

Families gathering at a local park for a back-to-school community event offering supplies and fun activities.

News Summary

Families in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties are starting their back-to-school shopping earlier this year due to economic challenges and safety concerns. Surveys indicate that many are facing difficulties affording school supplies, prompting local nonprofits and governments to organize resource events. Initiatives include school safety measures and community support to ensure students have the essentials they need. Events offering supplies, food, and health screenings are planned throughout the region, fostering community support as families prepare for the academic year ahead.

Los Angeles – Families in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties are beginning back-to-school shopping earlier than usual this year, driven by economic challenges and safety concerns. National surveys reveal that over two-thirds of families have already commenced their preparations, with the National Retail Federation estimating that families with K-12 students will spend an average of $858 on essential school supplies this academic year.

As inflation and tariffs strain household budgets, more than 30% of parents surveyed by Bankrate report difficulty affording school supplies. In response, local nonprofits, city governments, and churches are mobilizing to provide financial assistance to families. Numerous free back-to-school events are set to take place across the region this month, offering resources such as backpacks, notebooks, haircuts, and health screenings to families in need.

A block party in Huntington Park on August 9th will offer backpack giveaways, food distribution, games, live music, and a classic car show. Concurrently, a health and educational resource fair will be held in Lincoln Heights from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the same day. In Long Beach, two events will take place: one on August 9 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., featuring free swimming for children, haircuts, and educational resources, and another on August 19 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., which will include ice cream, storytime, and early childhood resources.

Other events include a resource fair in MacArthur Park on August 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., showcasing local vendors and immigration rights services, and a similar event in Riverside offering backpacks filled with school supplies from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Upland will host an event on August 9 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. featuring lunch, games, and access to local resources. Monrovia’s Rialto event on August 6 at Rialto Middle School will include free food, giveaways, and music from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

In addition to financial concerns regarding school supplies, safety issues regarding students and families have also arisen. The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) police plan to establish protective perimeters around 100 schools starting August 14. This initiative follows an unsettling immigration incident involving a 15-year-old student outside Arleta High School. In an effort to address rising safety concerns, LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho announced that “safe zones” will be expanded around campuses to ensure the protection of students and families.

To bolster these safety measures, authorities have pledged to dispatch staff to patrol school zones in response to heightened immigration enforcement concerns, particularly in light of recent raids. Local police departments are also dedicated to ensuring safe travel for children to and from school. To further assist families, the district plans to distribute preparedness packets that address immigration issues.

In addition to these initiatives, LAUSD has announced plans to enhance its fleet of electric school buses, which will be equipped with WiFi and GPS tracking to aid families. The district has proactively reached out to over 10,000 families who may be at risk of immigration enforcement actions. Mayors across the area are collaborating to advise immigration agents against conducting operations near school properties.

To further address family concerns, LAUSD is hosting a live Q&A session on social media with Superintendent Carvalho on August 13, where families can ask questions directly regarding safety protocols and other topics of interest. Additional safety measures being implemented include adding crossing guards and establishing slower speed limits around LAUSD campuses, providing extra protection for students during drop-off and pick-up times.

As families gear up for the new school year amid these economic and safety challenges, the community mobilizes to support one another, ensuring that students have the resources and safe environments they need to succeed.