LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner says district has stepped up to help feed community amid coronavirus pandemic

LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner provides an update

Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Austin Beutner provided an update Monday morning, saying the district has stepped up to help the community during the coronavirus pandemic. 

LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Austin Beutner provided an update Monday morning, saying the district has stepped up to help the community during the coronavirus pandemic.

The nation's second-largest school district has distributed millions of meals, with two-thirds going to students and a third going to adults, with no questions asked, Beutner said.

The district has also provided meals to homeless shelters in the area.

Beutner also addressed two hotlines for the district community. The hotlines are open weekdays from 6.am. to 6 p.m.

Those dealing with stress and anxiety can call 213-241-3830.

Those who need technical assistance with online learning tools are asked to call 213-443-1300.

On March 10, LAUSD approved an emergency declaration to battle the coronavirus outbreak.

The district has been operating based on information from state and local officials. In mid-March, the district planned to close for two weeks to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. However, the closures were extended to May 1.

• LAUSD to ramp up digital learning efforts as school closures extend through May

• LAUSD schools to close beginning Monday to prevent spread of COVID-19

Last week, state officials said Califonia schools would remain closed for the rest of the academic year.

LAUSD has been working to close the digital divide between students.

Superintendent Austin Beutner said last week thousands of LAUSD students were failing to attend online classes.

In an interview on Good Day LA, he said the process of getting internet to all students will realistically take weeks, even months.

Beutner said the district is providing training for students, teachers and families on how to use educational devices such as Schoology and communications technologies like Zoom and Google Meet Up. The district also reached an agreement with Verizon to provide internet to students who do not currently have access.

Next week, Beutner will provide an update on graduation ceremonies and what will happen for the rest of the 2019-2020 school year.