April 21, 2025 #1 Local News, Forum, Information and Event Source for Venice Beach, California.

LAUSD to COVID Test and Contact Trace All Students and Staff

By Chad Winthrop

The nation’s second-largest public school system will provide COVID-19 tests and contact tracing for all Los Angeles Unified staff, students and their families.

On August 17 the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Board of Education members voiced support for the launch of a program that will provide regular COVID-19 testing and contact tracing to all school staff, students and their families at LAUSD Schools.

“As much as we have worked to improve distance learning since the school district transitioned overnight in March, we know there is no replacement for in-person school and we’re doing everything we can to get kids back safely,” said Board Member Nick Melvoin who reprsaents the Westside. “That is not possible without a comprehensive system of testing and contact tracing. As we’ve done with food for the community and technology, LA Unified is stepping up to fill voids and put this system in place. “

As part of this plan, research will commence studying the impact and effects of reopening and this data will be available to the general public.

The testing and contact tracing program and its corresponding research are a groundbreaking collaboration between Los Angeles Unified School District and leading scientists from the University California Los Angeles (UCLA), Stanford University and the Johns Hopkins University, Microsoft, testing experts, and healthcare companies Anthem Blue Cross and Health Net. Together, they will be part of a task force co-chaired by Beutner and former U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.

“Extraordinary circumstances call for extraordinary actions, and while this testing and contact tracing effort is unprecedented, it is necessary and appropriate,” Superintendent Austin Beutner said. “This will provide a public health benefit to the school community, as well as the greater Los Angeles area. This program will also provide significant education benefits for students by getting them back to school sooner and safer and keeping them there. We hope this effort also will provide learnings which can benefit other school systems and communities across the nation as we all combat this pandemic.”

According to Beutner, the testing will cost about $300 per student, at least $240 million in total.

While the decision about the return of students to schools is some time away, this testing and contact tracing program allows a system to be built and tested and also provides a base of knowledge to help prepare for an eventual return to school campuses, LAUSD says.

“COVID-19 has forced our school district to face new and unanticipated challenges,” Board Member Kelly Gonez said. “Our testing and tracing program will be a critical part of our work to ensure the safety of our students and staff. It will allow us to respond quickly to any infections and slow the spread. District-led COVID testing is an unprecedented step, but these are unprecedented times.”

in News
Related Posts

(Video) Palisades Residents Reunite Months After Wildfires at ‘Rooted in Resilience’ Event

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

Three Months After the Devastating Wildfires, Palisadians Reconnected at Clover Park for a Day of Music, Games, Food and More...

Siblings Stabbed on Santa Monica Beach

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

The stabbing comes amid heightened concerns over nighttime safety at Santa Monica State Beach A brother and sister were hospitalized...

Registration is Open for Harvard-Westlake Summer Programs

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

By Susan Payne Summer programs at Harvard-Westlake are open for registration.  Participants can experience renowned programs in academics, visual arts,...

Domestic Violence Suspect Arrested After High-Speed Chase Ends in Marina del Rey Standoff: REPORT

April 20, 2025

April 20, 2025

At times, the driver reached speeds of over 100 miles per hour and even drove on the wrong side of...

Affordable Housing Complex Proposed to Replace 1940s Mar Vista Fourplex

April 20, 2025

April 20, 2025

Plans call for the demolition of the four-unit structure, which was reportedly sold in November for $1.9 million A 1940s-era...

Input Sought on Future of Santa Monica Airport as Planning Enters Key Phase

April 18, 2025

April 18, 2025

The final phase of the planning process is expected to conclude in late 2025 The City of Santa Monica is...

Caltrans Seeks Input on Lincoln Blvd. Bus Lane Extensions

April 18, 2025

April 18, 2025

About 50 or so community leader’s turnout at Oakwood Rec Center to talk traffic and transit frequency, reliability.  By Nick...

Debris Cleared from Palisades Library in Six Days: Mayor Bass

April 18, 2025

April 18, 2025

The library, along with the nearby Recreation Center and playground, were prioritized in the city’s debris removal operation The site...

(Video) Malibu Discovery Party at Santa Monica Place

April 18, 2025

April 18, 2025

Desserts by Copenhagen Bakery. North Italia Restaurant. Rosenthal Winery. Bristol Farms. Beautiful Sea Creatures. Chrysalis. Desserts by Copenhagen Bakery. North...

LA Women’s Fashion Brand Opens New Store on Abbot Kinney

April 17, 2025

April 17, 2025

The Venice opening follows the success of the brand’s first permanent store, which debuted in 2023 in the Arts District...

Santa Monica Police Identify Dog Owner in Fatal Poodle Attack

April 17, 2025

April 17, 2025

Authorities released surveillance footage of the man walking the dog and asked the public for assistance Police have identified the...

(Video) Nonprofits Break Ground for 78-Unit Affordable Housing Complex on 20th St.

April 16, 2025

April 16, 2025

Projected for a 2027 completion, half its units are reserved for those experiencing homelessness at the time of move-in Projected...

Beyond Baroque to Host West Coast Premiere of Documentary on Influential Underground Artist

April 16, 2025

April 16, 2025

Schloss was among the first performance artists to present work at the Museum of Modern Art. Her interdisciplinary approach blended...

Two LA Food Franchises Set to Open in Marina del Rey’s Waterside Mall This Year

April 16, 2025

April 16, 2025

Health-focused smoothie bowls and organic breakfast burritos join the evolving tenant mix at Marina del Rey’s waterfront shopping center Two...

Malibu Discovery Celebrates 15 Years With Seaside Wonderland Bash in Santa Monica

April 16, 2025

April 16, 2025

Cocktails, Community, and a Cause: Seaside Wonderland Arrives April 17 Malibu Discovery will celebrate its 15th anniversary with a community-focused...