Message #4 sent January 9; 9:45 a.m.
Dear SPUSD Parents/Guardians, Faculty & Staff,
All SPUSD schools and the District Office will remain closed on January 10, 2025.
Keeping the safety of our students and employees as our top priority, SPUSD has determined that the best course of action is to keep schools closed on Friday, January 10.
We expect to reopen schools on Monday, January 13, after assessing conditions including air quality, fire containment, and secure facilities.
Please stay safe, and we will contact you Sunday, January 12 about a return to school on Monday.
Geoff Yantz, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Message #3 sent January 8, 2025; 3:00 p.m.
Dear SPUSD Parents/Guardians, Faculty & Staff,
We are thinking of you all and the dire challenges that you, your families, and loved ones are facing. A significant percentage of our employees and neighbors are under evacuation orders, evacuation warnings, or have lost their homes. Our hearts go out to everyone who has experienced hardships.
After careful consideration, all SPUSD schools and the District Office will remain closed on January 9, 2025. This closure includes all classes and before and after school programs and activities. Employees do not need to report to work unless notified by a supervisor.
School closure is necessary due to the impact the winds and fires have had on employees, poor air quality in South Pasadena, and the fact that the nearby fires are not contained. A critical number of employees have been evacuated from fire zones and will be unable to report to work on Thursday, which makes it challenging to safely operate schools. We have been consulting with neighboring districts and the Los Angeles County Office of Education, and our neighboring districts and the districts along the foothills will also be closed tomorrow.
We encourage everyone to take necessary precautions during this time:
- Limit outdoor activities, especially for those with respiratory conditions.
- Keep phones/laptops charged in case of power outages.
- Follow local authorities’ instructions and updates regarding evacuation orders and road safety.
Our priority is always the safety of our students and employees. Keeping schools closed is a difficult decision, and we understand the challenges it presents for some families. We believe tomorrow’s school closure is responsible and prudent given the environmental conditions.
We will continue to monitor conditions and provide an update regarding the status of schools for Friday, January 10, as soon as we have more information. Please check your emails/texts and school/district websites for updates.
Stay safe,
Geoff Yantz, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Message #2 sent January 8, 2025; 10:35 a.m.
Dear SPUSD Parents/Guardians, Faculty & Staff,
First off, our thoughts are with those who have been impacted by the devastating fires. We recognize all the challenges and understand that many families, friends, and employees have been displaced from their homes.
At this time, power at all schools and the District office has been restored and there are no reports of fallen or damaged trees or facilities. We appreciate South Pasadena’s first responders and the SPUSD maintenance and technology teams for monitoring and managing the situation with boots on the ground during the last 24 hours. The District’s groundskeeping provider, BrightView, is cleaning up loose vegetation around the schools. Thank you to everyone.
In South Pasadena, wind conditions have improved temporarily, but they are expected to increase again this evening, particularly in the wind prone areas in the foothills and mountains. Air quality is extremely poor and air handling systems at the school sites have been disabled.
We will continue to monitor conditions. This afternoon, we will send another update regarding the opening or closure of school for Thursday, January 9, 2025.
Thank you for your understanding, patience, and support.
Regards,
Geoff Yantz, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Windstorm Message #1 sent January 7. 2025, 9:00 p.m.
SPUSD Parents/Guardians, Faculty & Staff,
Upon consultation with the South Pasadena Police and Fire Departments and Board President Karen Tamis, all schools and the District office will be closed on January 8, 2025. This closure includes all classes and before/after school programs. Employees do not need to report to work unless notified by a supervisor.
SPUSD schools and many areas within South Pasadena do not have power due to the ongoing windstorms and fire activity. Southern California Edison (SCE) does not have an estimate for power restoration. Power outages may continue until tomorrow afternoon or later. Many streets are becoming impassable, sidewalks are hazardous for pedestrians, and District phone lines and email are not operational at this time.
Unless otherwise notified, school will resume on January 9, 2025, after SPUSD, in collaboration with the South Pasadena Police and Fire Departments, has taken all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of students, faculty, staff, and facilities.
Please try to stay safe during these uncertain weather and fire-related events.
Geoff Yantz, Ed.D.
Superintendent