By Robin GOLDSWORTHY

If you’ve noticed an increase in foot traffic at local stores, it may be in preparation for
the new school year, which starts on Monday, Aug. 15 for the La Cañada Unified
School District (LCUSD) and Burbank Unified School District (BUSD) and on Aug.
17 for the Glendale Unified School District (GUSD).

Thousands of children will converge on campuses – mask-free allowing for
some well-deserved face time among students, teachers and staff though masks are
“strongly recommended” for all students, employees and visitors. According to the
California Dept. of Public Health, COVID-19 vaccine requirements are postponed
until at least 2023-24. However, GUSD Superintendent Dr. Vivian Ekchian said at
Tuesday’s board of education meeting that free COVID-19 tests are readily available
at schools for students. Crescenta Valley High School, Glendale High School and Toll
Middle School also offer on-site testing locations.

Also at GUSD, all students will be provided one breakfast and one lunch per
day under the State of California’s Universal Meals Program.

At BUSD, which boasts an enrollment of more than 14,000 students via the
district’s infant program through its adult school, Superintendent Matt Hill
highlighted strategies that the board of education have has put in place:
“Looking ahead, we will build on our foundation and will focus on continuous
improvement in order to ensure all students become lifelong learners in a safe and
healthy environment,” he stated. “For the 2022-23 school year the Board of
Education has adopted the following goals: 1) Students will be career/college ready
via high-quality instruction; 2) Students will be physically, emotionally and mentally
healthy; 3) [The district will] recruit and retain highly qualified employees; 4) [The
district will] maintain efficient and effective operations.”

He also stated that the district has expanded its summer school and after-
school learning opportunities. Grants from the Burbank Arts & Education
Foundation and a “generous” donation by the Chuck Lorre Family have provided the
financing for innovative programs in Burbank schools and the expansion of STEM
education in all schools. He invited those in the Burbank education community to
attend the virtual state of the schools on Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. at
https://burbankartsanded.org/.

In preparation for the return to school, drivers who may be around the areas of
school campuses are urged to practice patience when navigating streets that may have
gotten much busier. On the first day of school in 2019, CV Weekly reported on a
vehicle traveling north on La Crescenta Avenue that then turned left, or west, onto
Prospect Avenue whose driver was so intent on making the green left turn signal that
s/he attempted to squeeze onto Prospect blocking both the traffic that was traveling
southbound on La Crescenta and the crosswalk filled with elementary students and
their parents.

Down the block, a child and an adult male walked across the middle of
Prospect Avenue instead of crossing at the crosswalk. They walked in front of several
vehicles that were traveling east and west.

Horns were aggressively used as drivers stopped in traffic lanes to drop their
child off so he/she could run across the street dodging vehicles along the way.

Then at the four-way stop at Community and Glenwood avenues, a student
started walking southbound in the crosswalk then decided to cut diagonally in front of
several cars.

These incidents all happened on the first day of school.

CHP Officer Phil Cooper worked around the areas near schools and said that
perhaps drivers didn’t give themselves enough time to get where they were headed,
resulting in them their speeding. That increased speed is a volatile situation when
combined with students who might not always be paying the utmost attention when
walking to and from school.

While everyone is reminded to be cautious around schools, Rosemont Middle
School is ready to welcome back students.

“The Rosemont team is so excited to welcome our students back on
Wednesday, Aug. 17,” said Principal Suzanne Risse. “Don't forget, it's a banking day
with school starting at 9:28. We have been working diligently all summer to prepare
and have rolled out some exciting new programs including seventh grade orientation
– Where Everyone Belongs – which is also our theme for the year.
“This year feels like a refresh with what feels like a ‘return to normal.’ We can't
wait to see our students' bright and shiny faces on Wednesday. And remember,
Rosemont rocks!”

To learn more about back to school, visit the CVW pages 11-16 in this week’s issue.