latimes--2020-07-22--Judge orders release of vulnerable inmates at Lompoc prisons hit by virus

Federal prison authorities must begin transferring medically vulnerable inmates at Lompoc ’ s prison complex to home confinement to prevent further illness after an outbreak of the coronavirus killed four inmates and infected more than 1,000 others , a U.S. District Court judge ruled .
The decision last week by Judge Consuelo Marshall granted a preliminary injunction in a class-action lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California that accuses the federal Bureau of Prisons of mishandling the response to the outbreak and two federal lockups in Lompoc of failing to take basic hygiene steps to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 3,700 low-level and medium security inmates .
Under the order , Bureau of Prisons officials are required to tell the court which inmates are eligible for release as part of a plan to reduce the population .
Those eligible could be anyone older than 50 , and anyone with underlying health conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , serious heart conditions , diabetes , obesity , asthma or cerebrovascular disease .
“ The court ’ s order is the first step in holding Lompoc prison officials accountable for their total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of prisoners , ” said Naeun Rim , the lead attorney representing the inmates .
Rim said prison officials admitted that , instead of releasing more nonviolent prisoners to home confinement , they moved inmates from one part of the prison to another and at one point cut off access to showers for nearly two weeks .
She said those actions contributed to the deaths of at least four people .
“ The court ’ s order , ” she said , “ will result in less prisoners falling ill , reduce the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make the surrounding community safer.
” In court papers , the ACLU said that , as of April , five dozen inmates had been considered for home confinement and 24 were scheduled to be released but that there had been no documented releases .
The lawsuit , filed May 16 , alleges that overcrowding prevents prisoners from socially distancing or taking other precautions .
Although the CARES Act , which became law March 27 , gave the Bureau of Prisons broad discretion to reduce prison populations by releasing inmates into home confinement , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ follow Atty .
Gen. William Barr ’ s order to release at-risk inmates to home confinement , the suit contends .
Lawyers for the Bureau of Prisons had asked the judge to dismiss the lawsuit .
They noted that the bureau built a field hospital , adopted mass testing in May and that most of the inmates who did test positive showed no symptoms .
But after more than 70 % of inmates at the low-security Lompoc facility tested positive , the judge found there was a “ substantial risk of exposure to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standards of human decency.
” Marshall found that the Bureau of Prisons had “ likely been deliberately indifferent to the known urgency to consider inmates for home confinement , particularly those most vulnerable to severe illness or death.
” The number of those infected at the prison has now fallen to just a few , according to a Bureau of Prisons tracker .
The four inmates who died after contracting COVID-19 are among 98 federal inmates to die nationwide , including 10 at Los Angeles ’ Terminal Island federal prison .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gave the federal agency until July 29 to produce a sealed list of inmates eligible for release from the two Lompoc prisons .
In court papers , lawyers for the inmates document grave shortcomings in hygiene , including a lack of masks and cleaning materials .
“ When inmates asked for a replacement for their mask which had been damaged , they were told by correctional staff that they did not have any more masks , ” the records said .
A former inmate in written testimony recalled : “ Once guards brought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 140 prisoners on his floor to clean their bunks , bathroom faucets , and toilet handles .
”

Federal prison authorities must begin transferring medically vulnerable inmates at Lompoc’s prison complex to home confinement to prevent further illness after an outbreak of the coronavirus killed four inmates and infected more than 1,000 others, a U.S. District Court judge ruled.
The decision last week by Judge Consuelo Marshall granted a preliminary injunction in a class-action lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California that accuses the federal Bureau of Prisons of mishandling the response to the outbreak and two federal lockups in Lompoc of failing to take basic hygiene steps to protect those imprisoned. The two prisons house more than 3,700 low-level and medium security inmates.
Under the order, Bureau of Prisons officials are required to tell the court which inmates are eligible for release as part of a plan to reduce the population. Those eligible could be anyone older than 50, and anyone with underlying health conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, serious heart conditions, diabetes, obesity, asthma or cerebrovascular disease.
“The court’s order is the first step in holding Lompoc prison officials accountable for their total failure to protect the health and safety of prisoners,” said Naeun Rim, the lead attorney representing the inmates.
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Rim said prison officials admitted that, instead of releasing more nonviolent prisoners to home confinement, they moved inmates from one part of the prison to another and at one point cut off access to showers for nearly two weeks.
She said those actions contributed to the deaths of at least four people.
“The court’s order,” she said, “will result in less prisoners falling ill, reduce the burden on local hospitals, and ultimately make the surrounding community safer.”
In court papers, the ACLU said that, as of April, five dozen inmates had been considered for home confinement and 24 were scheduled to be released but that there had been no documented releases.
The lawsuit, filed May 16, alleges that overcrowding prevents prisoners from socially distancing or taking other precautions. Although the CARES Act, which became law March 27, gave the Bureau of Prisons broad discretion to reduce prison populations by releasing inmates into home confinement, its leadership failed to do that or follow Atty. Gen. William Barr’s order to release at-risk inmates to home confinement, the suit contends.
Lawyers for the Bureau of Prisons had asked the judge to dismiss the lawsuit. They noted that the bureau built a field hospital, adopted mass testing in May and that most of the inmates who did test positive showed no symptoms.
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But after more than 70% of inmates at the low-security Lompoc facility tested positive, the judge found there was a “substantial risk of exposure to COVID-19, which is inconsistent with contemporary standards of human decency.”
Marshall found that the Bureau of Prisons had “likely been deliberately indifferent to the known urgency to consider inmates for home confinement, particularly those most vulnerable to severe illness or death.”
The number of those infected at the prison has now fallen to just a few, according to a Bureau of Prisons tracker. The four inmates who died after contracting COVID-19 are among 98 federal inmates to die nationwide, including 10 at Los Angeles’ Terminal Island federal prison.
In the ruling handed down July 14, Marshall gave the federal agency until July 29 to produce a sealed list of inmates eligible for release from the two Lompoc prisons.
In court papers, lawyers for the inmates document grave shortcomings in hygiene, including a lack of masks and cleaning materials. “When inmates asked for a replacement for their mask which had been damaged, they were told by correctional staff that they did not have any more masks,” the records said.
A former inmate in written testimony recalled: “Once guards brought 36 rags to be used by all 140 prisoners on his floor to clean their bunks, bathroom faucets, and toilet handles.”


latimes--2020-07-22--CSU undergrads must take an ethnic studies or social justice class starting in 2023

In the first major change to general education across its system in decades , all 430,000 undergraduates attending Cal State universities must take an ethnic studies or social justice course , a requirement approved by CSU trustees Wednesday following a fierce two-day debate that left some longtime social activists in the awkward position of voting “ no.
” The requirement will take effect starting in the 2023-24 academic year in the nation ’ s largest four-year public university system .
Five trustees voted against it — including State Supt .
of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and social justice activists Lateefah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it did not hew closely enough to the definition of ethnic studies .
One trustee abstained .
Two questions dominated their debate : What should an ethnic studies requirement include ?
And who should decide : faculty , trustees or state lawmakers ?
“ I ’ m trying to hold with fidelity to what ethnic studies is and has been and what those who framed it and have been fighting for 52 years have asked for , ” Thurmond said at the meeting Wednesday , referring to the discipline ’ s focus on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. : African Americans , Asian Americans , Latinos and Indigenous peoples .
Morales asked to rename the proposal as simply a “ social justice ” requirement .
“ This is about social justice , which we have championed , ” he said .
But Chancellor Timothy P. White said that disciplines evolve , and the requirement his office was advancing offers students more choices .
“ Ethnic studies has matured , ” he said .
“ It ’ s deep , it ’ s powerful , but it ’ s more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The new requirement creates a three-unit , lower-division course requirement “ to understand ethnic studies and social justice.
” The requirement could be met by a traditional ethnic studies course or by a class focused on social justice or social movements .
Many were opposed to White ’ s plan — including educators and activists — and prefer a bill sponsored by Assemblywoman Shirley Weber ( D-San Diego ) , that more narrowly defines the requirement , limiting it to ethnic studies courses .
AB 1460 , which passed both the Assembly and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Assembly for concurrence next week before being sent to Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s desk .
If he signs it , that requirement will supersede the one approved by the CSU Wednesday .
“ We ’ ve asked you to join the Legislature and support 1460 , not put us in the same position we were in 1967 , where we as entities were trustees fighting faculty , fighting students , ” Weber , former president of the National Council for Black Studies , said during public comment Tuesday .
Questions about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ courses — which have also been raised in the discussion over whether to mandate a requirement at the K-12 level — go back half a century , when students and faculty at San Francisco State went on strike to create the first-ever ethnic studies department .
“ The CSU is really proud of its heritage as the birthplace of ethnic studies , ” said Loren Blanchard , executive vice chancellor for academic and student affairs .
Blanchard said the new requirement “ elevates ” the study of the four racial and ethnic groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same level as the natural and life sciences , the arts and humanities .
It also “ makes room for the voices and experiences of other oppressed and marginalized groups , ” he said .
The requirement , for instance , could also be met with classes in Jewish or Muslim studies , LGBTQ studies or social justice , including courses on social change and social movements in the U.S. , historical and cultural perspectives in disability studies , and health disparities in urban communities .
“ For the system to stand up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make three units be ethnic studies and social justice is important , ” said Alison Wrynn , associate vice chancellor for academic programs , innovations and faculty development , in an interview prior to the meeting .
“ Our students see themselves with multiple identities .
... Our requirement is going to give them that opportunity to really see themselves in the curriculum.
” “ Let ’ s be clear , ” he said .
“ This is not a requirement for ethnic studies .
A student could meet this requirement without ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The California Faculty Assn .
has formally opposed the chancellor ’ s proposal and endorsed Weber ’ s bill .
“ CFA is severely disappointed in today ’ s decision , ” President Charles Toombs , a professor of Africana studies at San Diego State said in a statement after the vote .
Toombs said the chancellor ’ s proposal did not reflect adequate consultation with ethnic studies faculty in particular .
“ Since the overwhelming number of ethnic studies faculty are people of color , the lack of inclusion of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ example of how systemic racism works in the CSU , ” he said .
Simon , an advocate for civil rights and racial justice , said she had received emails and phone calls from ethnic studies leaders around the country who expressed dissatisfaction with the proposal .
“ It is not in my conscience at at this moment to support this , ” she said .
“ That pains me [ because ] I understand the work put in ...
I understand the 50-plus year quest for ethnic studies.
” The systemwide Cal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill , arguing that state legislators are improperly interfering in matters of higher education curriculum , setting a dangerous precedent .
Some Cal State officials cited those faculty concerns .
“ If we were in a different state , we would be scared out of our wits by the idea that the Legislature would be telling us what we should be teaching , ” trustee Rebecca Eisen said .
“ This is our responsibility.
” Board Chair Lillian Kimbell agreed .
“ If we don ’ t vote to approve this proposal , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Legislature their right to create policy on what we teach , ” she said .
“ This is a protest against that .
”

In the first major change to general education across its system in decades, all 430,000 undergraduates attending Cal State universities must take an ethnic studies or social justice course, a requirement approved by CSU trustees Wednesday following a fierce two-day debate that left some longtime social activists in the awkward position of voting “no.”
The requirement will take effect starting in the 2023-24 academic year in the nation’s largest four-year public university system. Five trustees voted against it — including State Supt. of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and social justice activists Lateefah Simon and Hugo Morales — who said it did not hew closely enough to the definition of ethnic studies. One trustee abstained.
Two questions dominated their debate: What should an ethnic studies requirement include? And who should decide: faculty, trustees or state lawmakers?
“I’m trying to hold with fidelity to what ethnic studies is and has been and what those who framed it and have been fighting for 52 years have asked for,” Thurmond said at the meeting Wednesday, referring to the discipline’s focus on the experience of four oppressed groups in the U.S.: African Americans, Asian Americans, Latinos and Indigenous peoples.
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Morales asked to rename the proposal as simply a “social justice” requirement. “This is about social justice, which we have championed,” he said.
But Chancellor Timothy P. White said that disciplines evolve, and the requirement his office was advancing offers students more choices.
“Ethnic studies has matured,” he said. “It’s deep, it’s powerful, but it’s more than what it used to be.”
The new requirement creates a three-unit, lower-division course requirement “to understand ethnic studies and social justice.” The requirement could be met by a traditional ethnic studies course or by a class focused on social justice or social movements.
Many were opposed to White’s plan — including educators and activists — and prefer a bill sponsored by Assemblywoman Shirley Weber (D-San Diego), that more narrowly defines the requirement, limiting it to ethnic studies courses. AB 1460, which passed both the Assembly and Senate, will go back to the Assembly for concurrence next week before being sent to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk. If he signs it, that requirement will supersede the one approved by the CSU Wednesday.
“We’ve asked you to join the Legislature and support 1460, not put us in the same position we were in 1967, where we as entities were trustees fighting faculty, fighting students,” Weber, former president of the National Council for Black Studies, said during public comment Tuesday.
Questions about the content and mission of ethnic studies courses — which have also been raised in the discussion over whether to mandate a requirement at the K-12 level — go back half a century, when students and faculty at San Francisco State went on strike to create the first-ever ethnic studies department.
“The CSU is really proud of its heritage as the birthplace of ethnic studies,” said Loren Blanchard, executive vice chancellor for academic and student affairs.
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Blanchard said the new requirement “elevates” the study of the four racial and ethnic groups that traditionally comprise ethnic studies to the same level as the natural and life sciences, the arts and humanities. It also “makes room for the voices and experiences of other oppressed and marginalized groups,” he said.
The requirement, for instance, could also be met with classes in Jewish or Muslim studies, LGBTQ studies or social justice, including courses on social change and social movements in the U.S., historical and cultural perspectives in disability studies, and health disparities in urban communities.
“For the system to stand up and say we’re going to make three units be ethnic studies and social justice is important,” said Alison Wrynn, associate vice chancellor for academic programs, innovations and faculty development, in an interview prior to the meeting. “Our students see themselves with multiple identities. ... Our requirement is going to give them that opportunity to really see themselves in the curriculum.”
But trustee Silas Abrego objected.
“Let’s be clear,” he said. “This is not a requirement for ethnic studies. A student could meet this requirement without ever having to take an ethnic studies course.”
The California Faculty Assn. has formally opposed the chancellor’s proposal and endorsed Weber’s bill.
“CFA is severely disappointed in today’s decision,” President Charles Toombs, a professor of Africana studies at San Diego State said in a statement after the vote.
Toombs said the chancellor’s proposal did not reflect adequate consultation with ethnic studies faculty in particular.
“Since the overwhelming number of ethnic studies faculty are people of color, the lack of inclusion of their expert voices is a potent and real example of how systemic racism works in the CSU,” he said.
Simon, an advocate for civil rights and racial justice, said she had received emails and phone calls from ethnic studies leaders around the country who expressed dissatisfaction with the proposal.
“It is not in my conscience at at this moment to support this,” she said. “That pains me [because] I understand the work put in ... I understand the 50-plus year quest for ethnic studies.”
The systemwide Cal State Academic Senate opposes Weber’s bill, arguing that state legislators are improperly interfering in matters of higher education curriculum, setting a dangerous precedent. Some Cal State officials cited those faculty concerns.
“If we were in a different state, we would be scared out of our wits by the idea that the Legislature would be telling us what we should be teaching,” trustee Rebecca Eisen said. “This is our responsibility.”
Board Chair Lillian Kimbell agreed. “If we don’t vote to approve this proposal, essentially what we are doing is ceding to the Legislature their right to create policy on what we teach,” she said. “This is a protest against that.”


latimes--2020-07-22--Marciano Art Foundation settles with employees laid off during union drive

The Marciano Art Foundation has reached a private settlement with 70 visitor services associates who were abruptly laid off just days after announcing a union drive late last year .
The settlement will provide 10 weeks of severance pay to each laid-off employee .
“ The settlement is the best decision , ” says Lylwyn Esangga , an organizing director with the American Federation of State , County and Municipal Employees .
“ These workers expressed a desire to form a union and improve working conditions .
They have maintained a commitment to see justice.
” The Marciano did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The workers — public-facing staffers who watched over galleries and answered questions about art — had announced plans to unionize with AFSCME in early November over concerns related to wages and working conditions .
Days later , they were all laid off via email .
The Marciano also announced it would shut down its galleries due to low attendance .
A month later , the museum made the closure permanent .
At the time , organizers for AFSCME described the sudden shutdown as “ an anti-union tactic ” and filed an unfair labor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Labor Relations Board .
( It is illegal for an employer to interfere with the process of unionization . )
Employees also filed a class-action lawsuit against the museum .
Earlier this year the various parties agreed to sort out the dispute via private mediation — reaching a settlement late last month .
As part of that agreement , AFSCME will withdraw its unfair-labor-practice charge .
“ It ’ s kind of bittersweet , ” says Kenneth Moffitt , a laid-off visitor services associate who served as named plaintiff on the class-action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the one hand to be able to deliver something to the [ visitor services associates ] in the form of a little bit of compensation for what they experienced .
At the same time , we aren ’ t getting our jobs back.
” A statement issued by the organizing committee of the Marciano Art Foundation Union said that the episode highlighted the state of museum-labor relations : “ Their knee-jerk decision to lay us off instead of working with us provided a grim foretaste of boardroom decisions at museums nationwide that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , benefits and sense of belonging in the museum field.
” What will ultimately become of the Marciano Art Foundation and its historic building remains unknown .
The museum ’ s website , marcianoartfoundation.org , is now blank .

The Marciano Art Foundation has reached a private settlement with 70 visitor services associates who were abruptly laid off just days after announcing a union drive late last year.
The settlement will provide 10 weeks of severance pay to each laid-off employee.
“The settlement is the best decision,” says Lylwyn Esangga, an organizing director with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. “These workers expressed a desire to form a union and improve working conditions. They have maintained a commitment to see justice.”
The Marciano did not respond to an email seeking comment.
Entertainment & Arts Inside the Marciano Art Foundation’s spectacular shutdown The Marciano Art Foundation opened in 2017 as L.A.’s newest center for culture. Its abrupt and mysterious closure came less than three years later. What happened?
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The workers — public-facing staffers who watched over galleries and answered questions about art — had announced plans to unionize with AFSCME in early November over concerns related to wages and working conditions.
Days later, they were all laid off via email. The Marciano also announced it would shut down its galleries due to low attendance. A month later, the museum made the closure permanent.
At the time, organizers for AFSCME described the sudden shutdown as “an anti-union tactic” and filed an unfair labor practice charge against the museum with the National Labor Relations Board. (It is illegal for an employer to interfere with the process of unionization.)
Employees also filed a class-action lawsuit against the museum. Earlier this year the various parties agreed to sort out the dispute via private mediation — reaching a settlement late last month. As part of that agreement, AFSCME will withdraw its unfair-labor-practice charge.
“It’s kind of bittersweet,” says Kenneth Moffitt, a laid-off visitor services associate who served as named plaintiff on the class-action lawsuit. “I’m grateful on the one hand to be able to deliver something to the [visitor services associates] in the form of a little bit of compensation for what they experienced. At the same time, we aren’t getting our jobs back.”
A statement issued by the organizing committee of the Marciano Art Foundation Union said that the episode highlighted the state of museum-labor relations: “Their knee-jerk decision to lay us off instead of working with us provided a grim foretaste of boardroom decisions at museums nationwide that have stripped countless workers of their jobs, benefits and sense of belonging in the museum field.”
What will ultimately become of the Marciano Art Foundation and its historic building remains unknown. The museum’s website, marcianoartfoundation.org, is now blank.


latimes--2020-07-22--Citing racist past, Hawthorne elementary school drops Peter Burnett name

As one by one , monuments and markers linked to California ’ s racist past were being toppled by protesters last month or hastily moved out of sight , a small school district in Hawthorne set its sights on an elementary campus named after the state ’ s first elected governor .
Peter Burnett Elementary , one of three primary schools in Hawthorne , opened in 1956 as the namesake of California ’ s first chief executive , whose public racist biases targeted Black , Chinese and Native American people in the 1800s .
Wiseburn Unified School District Supt .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ moniker had come under fire previously , but it wasn ’ t until the June protests following George Floyd ’ s death that he more fully considered the hurt the name inflicted , particularly on people of color .
At a Black Lives Matter protest organized by district students , Silvers saw one boy toting a sign stating : “ Did you know our school is named after the racist Peter Burnett ?
” Rising-fifth grader Levi Meeker learned about Burnett ’ s history last year after he and his grandfather decided on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s namesake .
The two were horrified to learn about the former governor ’ s vitriolic hatred .
“ A lot of people looked at it , and a lot of people seemed very surprised at that , ” Levi said of his sign at the protest .
Word about Burnett spread among the families at the rally .
Silvers listened too .
Ali Wood , Levi ’ s mother , said Silvers told parents and students they should submit comments ahead of the school board ’ s June 10 meeting .
Nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At the beginning of the meeting , an emergency measure to remove Burnett ’ s name from the school was added to the agenda .
District parent Ann Carlson was among those who weighed in .
“ Peter Burnett would ’ ve hated our diverse community and all that it stands for .
How can we ask our students to study under his name ?
” she asked .
The virtual meeting started with the Pledge of Allegiance .
A photo of a fluttering American flag filled the Zoom screen as tiny boxed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home , hand over heart .
Board Vice President Neil Goldman took note of the significance of the words .
“ The last line says , ‘ with liberty and justice for all , ’ ” Goldman said .
“ These are inspiring , aspirational words ; but the reality in this country falls well short of this idea.
” Early in his political career , while serving in the office of provisional supreme judge in what is now Oregon , Burnett in 1844 signed the state ’ s first exclusion laws , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or face floggings .
Six years later , as governor of California , Burnett declared in his State of the State address “ that a war of extermination will continue to be waged between the races until the Indian race becomes extinct.
” And even after leaving politics , he was an advocate for the Chinese Exclusion Act , which prohibited the movement of Chinese immigrants in and out of the country .
Because of those beliefs , many say his name has no business on a school .
Gary Stickel , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kizh Nation of the Gabrieleño Band of Mission Indians , said Burnett called for the extermination of California ’ s Native Americans and even put bounties on them .
“ Burnett was a terrible racist , ” Stickel said .
“ Not only was he against Indians , he tried to pass a law that no African Americans could live in California and shot and killed an African American man in cold blood.
” He noted that the governor was forced to resign after only one year in office because of his broad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gavin Newsom condemned Burnett in an apology for historical violence against Native Americans , using the word “ genocide ” to describe the brutalization his predecessor promoted .
Over the last six years , schools in Long Beach and San Jose have dropped Burnett ’ s name .
Silvers said it was time for the Hawthorne school to do the same .
So many community members submitted remarks during last month ’ s school board meeting , exhausting the 20-minute public comment period , that some had to be read at the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but one favored a name change .
“ How can we honesty tell our children — particularly our children of color — that they are welcome and equal in our schools while memorializing a man who did not even treat their ancestors as human beings ?
” parent Kayli Weatherford asked .
Burnett student Tyler Tuttle said : “ I am not proud to attend a school named after someone who is the opposite of ‘ Bulldog Best , ’ ” referencing the school ’ s mascot .
The board unanimously agreed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temporary name for the third-through-fifth-grade school .
Since then , the district has gone about scrubbing Burnett ’ s name from the campus .
Websites have been updated to reflect the new name , and signs at the school with the former governor ’ s name have been covered .
“ We wanted to immediately eliminate the name , and so from that point , we ’ ve actually covered up as much of the signage as we could cover up , which is difficult because there are things carved in granite , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was among the community members who submitted comments to the meeting , is glad for the change .
“ Naming someone as our school is basically commemorating them .
You don ’ t want to commemorate someone who was racist and was not inclusive of all different types of people .
Even though we do want to know about it , to know what we shouldn ’ t do , we should commemorate people who did the right thing , ” he said .
Still , he said he doesn ’ t deserve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community played a part , he said .
And as such , the whole community — including the elementary school ’ s students — should play a role in picking the new name too .
Silvers said he hopes a fresh title will be adopted by the time school starts in early September , but a community advisory committee still needs to be established .
He said he ’ d like to see students help pick the new name , noting that the board has already received dozens of suggestions , including Kobe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Mae C. Jemison , the first black woman in space .
Stickel has his own proposal .
“ There ’ s no one more appropriate to rename this Burnett school for than Toypurina , ” the tribal archaeologist said , citing an oft-overlooked indigenous woman who he said led a revolt against the Spanish Empire that brutalized local tribes in the name of the San Gabriel Mission .
“ She fought for human decency and freedom , and to me , she ’ s a great American , unsung .
”

Wiseburn Unified School District Supt. Blake Silvers stands in front of a sign where the name of former California Gov. Peter Burnett has been covered with black plastic and duct tape. The school will be renamed.
As one by one, monuments and markers linked to California’s racist past were being toppled by protesters last month or hastily moved out of sight, a small school district in Hawthorne set its sights on an elementary campus named after the state’s first elected governor.
Peter Burnett Elementary, one of three primary schools in Hawthorne, opened in 1956 as the namesake of California’s first chief executive, whose public racist biases targeted Black, Chinese and Native American people in the 1800s.
Wiseburn Unified School District Supt. Blake Silvers said the school’s moniker had come under fire previously, but it wasn’t until the June protests following George Floyd’s death that he more fully considered the hurt the name inflicted, particularly on people of color.
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At a Black Lives Matter protest organized by district students, Silvers saw one boy toting a sign stating: “Did you know our school is named after the racist Peter Burnett?”
Rising-fifth grader Levi Meeker learned about Burnett’s history last year after he and his grandfather decided on a whim to research the school’s namesake. The two were horrified to learn about the former governor’s vitriolic hatred.
“A lot of people looked at it, and a lot of people seemed very surprised at that,” Levi said of his sign at the protest.
Word about Burnett spread among the families at the rally. Silvers listened too.
Ali Wood, Levi’s mother, said Silvers told parents and students they should submit comments ahead of the school board’s June 10 meeting. Nearly 30 people sent in their thoughts. At the beginning of the meeting, an emergency measure to remove Burnett’s name from the school was added to the agenda.
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District parent Ann Carlson was among those who weighed in.
“Peter Burnett would’ve hated our diverse community and all that it stands for. How can we ask our students to study under his name?” she asked.
The virtual meeting started with the Pledge of Allegiance. A photo of a fluttering American flag filled the Zoom screen as tiny boxed images showed school board trustees standing at home, hand over heart. Board Vice President Neil Goldman took note of the significance of the words.
“The last line says, ‘with liberty and justice for all,’” Goldman said. “These are inspiring, aspirational words; but the reality in this country falls well short of this idea.”
Early in his political career, while serving in the office of provisional supreme judge in what is now Oregon, Burnett in 1844 signed the state’s first exclusion laws, forcing Black people to leave the region or face floggings. Six years later, as governor of California, Burnett declared in his State of the State address “that a war of extermination will continue to be waged between the races until the Indian race becomes extinct.” And even after leaving politics, he was an advocate for the Chinese Exclusion Act, which prohibited the movement of Chinese immigrants in and out of the country.
Because of those beliefs, many say his name has no business on a school.
Gary Stickel, a former UCLA archaeologist who works with the Kizh Nation of the Gabrieleño Band of Mission Indians, said Burnett called for the extermination of California’s Native Americans and even put bounties on them.
“Burnett was a terrible racist,” Stickel said. “Not only was he against Indians, he tried to pass a law that no African Americans could live in California and shot and killed an African American man in cold blood.” He noted that the governor was forced to resign after only one year in office because of his broad unpopularity.
Last year, Gov. Gavin Newsom condemned Burnett in an apology for historical violence against Native Americans, using the word “genocide” to describe the brutalization his predecessor promoted.
Over the last six years, schools in Long Beach and San Jose have dropped Burnett’s name. Silvers said it was time for the Hawthorne school to do the same.
So many community members submitted remarks during last month’s school board meeting, exhausting the 20-minute public comment period, that some had to be read at the next meeting, two weeks later. All but one favored a name change.
“How can we honesty tell our children — particularly our children of color — that they are welcome and equal in our schools while memorializing a man who did not even treat their ancestors as human beings?” parent Kayli Weatherford asked.
Burnett student Tyler Tuttle said: “I am not proud to attend a school named after someone who is the opposite of ‘Bulldog Best,’” referencing the school’s mascot.
The board unanimously agreed, and selected 138th Street Elementary as the temporary name for the third-through-fifth-grade school.
Since then, the district has gone about scrubbing Burnett’s name from the campus. Websites have been updated to reflect the new name, and signs at the school with the former governor’s name have been covered.
“We wanted to immediately eliminate the name, and so from that point, we’ve actually covered up as much of the signage as we could cover up, which is difficult because there are things carved in granite,” Silvers said.
Levi, who was among the community members who submitted comments to the meeting, is glad for the change.
“Naming someone as our school is basically commemorating them. You don’t want to commemorate someone who was racist and was not inclusive of all different types of people. Even though we do want to know about it, to know what we shouldn’t do, we should commemorate people who did the right thing,” he said.
Still, he said he doesn’t deserve credit for the change. The whole community played a part, he said. And as such, the whole community — including the elementary school’s students — should play a role in picking the new name too.
Silvers said he hopes a fresh title will be adopted by the time school starts in early September, but a community advisory committee still needs to be established. He said he’d like to see students help pick the new name, noting that the board has already received dozens of suggestions, including Kobe Bryant, Michelle Obama, Jackie Robinson and Mae C. Jemison, the first black woman in space.
Stickel has his own proposal.
“There’s no one more appropriate to rename this Burnett school for than Toypurina,” the tribal archaeologist said, citing an oft-overlooked indigenous woman who he said led a revolt against the Spanish Empire that brutalized local tribes in the name of the San Gabriel Mission.
“She fought for human decency and freedom, and to me, she’s a great American, unsung.”


latimes--2020-07-22--FBI links killing of California lawyer to suspect in deadly attack on New Jersey judge's family

In two killings separated by nearly 3,000 miles , a gunman came dressed as a deliveryman .
The individual at the doorstep claimed to be dropping off a package but instead unleashed a hail of bullets .
On Wednesday , the FBI said it had now linked the two slayings to one man .
Roy Den Hollander , 72 , a self-described anti-feminist attorney , is suspected in the killing of a well-known men ’ s rights attorney in the mountains of San Bernardino County earlier this month and the shooting on Sunday of a federal judge ’ s son @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Marc Angelucci was fatally shot July 11 at his Crestline , Calif. , home .
In Sunday ’ s shooting in North Brunswick , N.J. , U.S. District Judge Esther Salas ’ 20-year-old son was killed and her husband wounded .
The body of Den Hollander was found late Sunday in New York ’ s Sullivan County .
“ As the FBI continues the investigation into the attack at the home of U.S. District Court Judge Esther Salas ( District of New Jersey ) , we are now engaged with the San Bernardino @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence linking the murder of Marc Angelucci to FBI Newark subject Roy Den Hollander , ” the Federal Bureau of Investigation said Wednesday in a statement .
The investigations of both killings are ongoing , said FBI spokeswoman Doreen Holder .
Den Hollander was found dead hours after Sunday ’ s shooting , which took place at the home of Salas and ended in the death of her 20-year-old son , Daniel Anderl .
His father , Mark Anderl , was wounded .
Salas survived the attack because she was in another part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gunman , dressed in a FedEx-like outfit , came to the door .
When the body of Den Hollander , who died of apparent suicide , was found , a package also was recovered that was addressed to Salas , along with another for a New York judge .
According to a source not authorized to discuss the probe , materials were recovered following Den Hollander ’ s death connecting him to Angelucci ’ s killing , the shooting at the home of Salas and Anderl , and to the New York judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was not harmed .
In both deadly attacks , the killer posed as a delivery driver , according to a law enforcement source .
In more than 2,000 pages of his online postings , investigators are examining a reference to Den Hollander previously posing as a FedEx delivery driver .
Although authorities have not addressed Den Hollander ’ s motivation , he was known for handling lawsuits challenging what he saw as unfair treatment of men , with some of his work garnering attention that saw him featured on “ The Colbert Report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hollander and Salas all shared a role in the legal battle over the military use of selective service and a requirement that only men be required to register for the draft once they turn 18 .
Salas heard a case beginning in 2015 in which Den Hollander challenged that requirement but was replaced as the plaintiff ’ s attorney in 2018 after becoming ill. Den Hollander , upset at Salas ’ delaying of the case , derided the judge ’ s Latino heritage and complained that she allowed the Department of Justice to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case , suggesting she was “ trying to keep this case in her court until a weatherman showed her which way the legal winds were blowing.
” Angelucci represented a Texas man , with the support of the National Coalition for Men , fighting the constitutionality of the men-only requirement .
In February 2019 , Angelucci gained the national legal spotlight when a judge declared that exempting women from that registration requirement violated the Constitution ’ s equal protection clause .
The judge , however , did not order the government to include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hollander , according to those involved in the case , may have felt overshadowed .
Den Hollander had previously expressed hostility to the National Coalition for Men , where Angelucci had been a star legal player for two decades .
Harry Crouch , president of the group , told the Associated Press that Angelucci had previously received death threats .
He said Den Hollander had been furious that he had not been involved in a federal Selective Service System case that he filed with Angelucci .
Before the attack , in an ominous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ The only problem with a life lived too long under Feminazi rule is that a man ends up with so many enemies he can ’ t even the score with all of them .
But law school and the media taught me how to prioritize , ” he wrote .
Angelucci , a lawyer educated at UC Berkeley and UCLA who won landmark cases and was honored by the Southern Poverty Law Center , was found shortly after 4 p.m. on July 11 at his home in Cedar Pines Park in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fired .
Deputies found the attorney “ unresponsive and suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.
” Angelucci was pronounced dead at the scene .
Another person at the home reporting seeing a deliveryman and then hearing shots and seeing a fleeing car .

Police block off a road near where the body of Roy Den Hollander, believed to be the gunman in two fatal shootings, was found on Monday near Livingston Manor, N.Y.
In two killings separated by nearly 3,000 miles, a gunman came dressed as a deliveryman. The individual at the doorstep claimed to be dropping off a package but instead unleashed a hail of bullets.
On Wednesday, the FBI said it had now linked the two slayings to one man.
Roy Den Hollander, 72, a self-described anti-feminist attorney, is suspected in the killing of a well-known men’s rights attorney in the mountains of San Bernardino County earlier this month and the shooting on Sunday of a federal judge’s son and husband in New Jersey.
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Attorney Marc Angelucci was fatally shot July 11 at his Crestline, Calif., home. In Sunday’s shooting in North Brunswick, N.J., U.S. District Judge Esther Salas’ 20-year-old son was killed and her husband wounded. The body of Den Hollander was found late Sunday in New York’s Sullivan County.
“As the FBI continues the investigation into the attack at the home of U.S. District Court Judge Esther Salas (District of New Jersey), we are now engaged with the San Bernardino California Sheriff’s Office and have evidence linking the murder of Marc Angelucci to FBI Newark subject Roy Den Hollander,” the Federal Bureau of Investigation said Wednesday in a statement.
The investigations of both killings are ongoing, said FBI spokeswoman Doreen Holder. Den Hollander was found dead hours after Sunday’s shooting, which took place at the home of Salas and ended in the death of her 20-year-old son, Daniel Anderl. His father, Mark Anderl, was wounded.
Salas survived the attack because she was in another part of the house at the time the gunman, dressed in a FedEx-like outfit, came to the door.
When the body of Den Hollander, who died of apparent suicide, was found, a package also was recovered that was addressed to Salas, along with another for a New York judge.
According to a source not authorized to discuss the probe, materials were recovered following Den Hollander’s death connecting him to Angelucci’s killing, the shooting at the home of Salas and Anderl, and to the New York judge, who was another potential target but was not harmed.
Advertisement
In both deadly attacks, the killer posed as a delivery driver, according to a law enforcement source. In more than 2,000 pages of his online postings, investigators are examining a reference to Den Hollander previously posing as a FedEx delivery driver.
Although authorities have not addressed Den Hollander’s motivation, he was known for handling lawsuits challenging what he saw as unfair treatment of men, with some of his work garnering attention that saw him featured on “The Colbert Report” and MSNBC.
Angelucci, Den Hollander and Salas all shared a role in the legal battle over the military use of selective service and a requirement that only men be required to register for the draft once they turn 18. Salas heard a case beginning in 2015 in which Den Hollander challenged that requirement but was replaced as the plaintiff’s attorney in 2018 after becoming ill.
Den Hollander, upset at Salas’ delaying of the case, derided the judge’s Latino heritage and complained that she allowed the Department of Justice to file its fourth motion to dismiss the case, suggesting she was “trying to keep this case in her court until a weatherman showed her which way the legal winds were blowing.”
Angelucci represented a Texas man, with the support of the National Coalition for Men, fighting the constitutionality of the men-only requirement. In February 2019, Angelucci gained the national legal spotlight when a judge declared that exempting women from that registration requirement violated the Constitution’s equal protection clause. The judge, however, did not order the government to include women in the registration requirement. Den Hollander, according to those involved in the case, may have felt overshadowed.
Den Hollander had previously expressed hostility to the National Coalition for Men, where Angelucci had been a star legal player for two decades. Harry Crouch, president of the group, told the Associated Press that Angelucci had previously received death threats. He said Den Hollander had been furious that he had not been involved in a federal Selective Service System case that he filed with Angelucci.
Before the attack, in an ominous message posted online, Den Hollander wrote, “The only problem with a life lived too long under Feminazi rule is that a man ends up with so many enemies he can’t even the score with all of them. But law school and the media taught me how to prioritize,” he wrote.
Angelucci, a lawyer educated at UC Berkeley and UCLA who won landmark cases and was honored by the Southern Poverty Law Center, was found shortly after 4 p.m. on July 11 at his home in Cedar Pines Park in Crestline. Someone nearby reported hearing shots fired. Deputies found the attorney “unresponsive and suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.”
Angelucci was pronounced dead at the scene. Another person at the home reporting seeing a deliveryman and then hearing shots and seeing a fleeing car.


latimes--2020-07-22--8th death row inmate dies at San Quentin as COVID-19 surge continues in prison

Another inmate at San Quentin has died from what is believed to be complications from COVID-19 , bringing the death toll at California ’ s oldest prison to 13 .
John M. Beames , 67 , was pronounced dead Tuesday at an outside hospital , according to a news release from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation .
The cause of death will be determined by a coroner .
Beames had been on death row since 1995 after being convicted of first-degree murder in Tulare County for fatally beating his girlfriend ’ s 15-month-old daughter the year before .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ leg , broken ribs , burns and bruising , and evidence at trial showed she had been hung by her neck .
There are currently 717 people on California ’ s death row .
Beames was the eighth death row prisoner believed to have died from COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus .
His death follows that of inmate Troy A. Ashmus , who also was believed to have died from complications related to COVID-19 .
Ashmus had been on death row since 1986 .
At least 7,123 state prisoners have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to state figures .
San Quentin has been hit hard , with the most COVID-19 cases and the second-most deaths in the state prison system , second to the California Institution for Men in Chino , which has reported 19 deaths .
The virus rapidly spread throughout San Quentin after the Chino facility transferred 121 prisoners to the Marin County site .
There are more than 2,090 cases at San Quentin , including 132 new infections in the last 14 days .
More than 860 inmates currently have the virus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prisoners statewide who are infected .
Of the 3,511 total inmates at the prison , roughly 35 % have been tested for the virus over the last two weeks .
The state recently shifted its focus on testing to prioritize the most vulnerable individuals , including those living in institutional settings , such as prisons .
On Tuesday , California surpassed 409,000 COVID-19 infections and more than 7,890 deaths .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .

Another inmate at San Quentin has died from what is believed to be complications from COVID-19, bringing the death toll at California’s oldest prison to 13.
John M. Beames, 67, was pronounced dead Tuesday at an outside hospital, according to a news release from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The cause of death will be determined by a coroner.
Beames had been on death row since 1995 after being convicted of first-degree murder in Tulare County for fatally beating his girlfriend’s 15-month-old daughter the year before. The child had previously suffered a broken leg, broken ribs, burns and bruising, and evidence at trial showed she had been hung by her neck.
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There are currently 717 people on California’s death row. Beames was the eighth death row prisoner believed to have died from COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
His death follows that of inmate Troy A. Ashmus, who also was believed to have died from complications related to COVID-19. Ashmus had been on death row since 1986.
At least 7,123 state prisoners have contracted the coronavirus and 40 have died, according to state figures.
San Quentin has been hit hard, with the most COVID-19 cases and the second-most deaths in the state prison system, second to the California Institution for Men in Chino, which has reported 19 deaths. The virus rapidly spread throughout San Quentin after the Chino facility transferred 121 prisoners to the Marin County site.
There are more than 2,090 cases at San Quentin, including 132 new infections in the last 14 days. More than 860 inmates currently have the virus, the bulk of the more than 1,930 prisoners statewide who are infected.
Of the 3,511 total inmates at the prison, roughly 35% have been tested for the virus over the last two weeks. The state recently shifted its focus on testing to prioritize the most vulnerable individuals, including those living in institutional settings, such as prisons.
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On Tuesday, California surpassed 409,000 COVID-19 infections and more than 7,890 deaths.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-07-22--Parents rush to hire tutors and create learning pods. But not everyone has options

The advertisements started popping up on social media almost immediately after Los Angeles Unified School District said campuses would remain closed for the start of the school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
“ We ’ re looking for a TA/College student to help with LAUSD ’ s virtual learning for the new school year .
Parents are WFH .
Kids are 5th , 3rd and potentially K. We ’ re starting a learning pod with another family .
Any TA ’ s on the westside ... looking for work ?
” “ ISO : Teacher/Tutor for 2nd grader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Would be open to hosting a very small pod in our back yard.
” “ I am looking for a TA or tutor to help facilitate remote learning with my twin 1st graders and my 5th grader .
I am thinking 3-4 hours a day , 4-5 days a week ... Added perk , I am a really good baker.
” With most schools across California closed for the foreseeable future , families with financial resources are rushing to hire tutors and teachers to augment distance learning with children individually or in small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , creating an overnight coronavirus cottage industry : “ learning pods.
” Such cohorts of families , neighbors or classmates are a consequence of parents who must fully get back to work and can no longer take on schooling and the pressure of supervising online learning alone .
Instead , they are reimagining education on their own terms to keep their children on track academically and socially .
Displeased with the quality of her son ’ s distance learning at Millikan Middle School in Sherman Oaks , Maryam Qudrat , a professor at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the group Concerned Parents L.A. , said she is considering pooling resources with parents to get kids together and hire teachers .
Fabielle Covington , a stay-at-home mom in Castaic , is looking to hire a tutor for her son , who is entering the second grade .
“ The whole Zoom thing did not work for us , ” she said .
But these accelerated moves could further exacerbate the equity gap among rich and poor students , some education researchers say .
Underserved Latino and Black students , those without full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with disabilities will be left even farther behind .
In addition , low-income , Latino and Black families are disproportionately suffering from COVID-19 infection .
Students in those communities are less likely to have a household environment conducive to learning pods , and some parents say they are fearful of letting outsiders into their homes .
But students learning in person with a teacher “ are getting the social and emotional development of being together physically — and safely , hopefully — that in isolation children are not getting , ” said UC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Janelle Scott .
“ In-person ‘ pods ’ do not align with current Public Health directives against gatherings with people who are not part of your household , ” L.A. County Office of Education spokeswoman Margo Minecki said .
What do pods look like ?
Although some families and students have adjusted well to online learning , the learning pod movement is gaining traction .
Since L.A. Unified shut down , retired teacher Julie Kohner , who advertised her services on Nextdoor , has received five to 10 calls a day from parents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with kindergarten or first-grade children , have asked for individual tutoring or in pods of five to six children , who would meet in one of their backyards or in Kohner ’ s Bel-Air backyard , which she said is set up with 6-foot tables .
All would wear masks , she said .
Kohner plans to use schools ’ existing distance-learning curriculum — students would remain enrolled in their schools — and expand on it with math , spelling , writing , English , storytelling , art and music .
Her one-on-one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But pod teaching is a new concept — she ’ s still working that rate out .
While the tutoring industry is well-established , companies are pivoting to meet the “ pod ” demand , said Roman Slavinsky , owner and chief executive of A+ Tutoring .
He compares outdoor tutoring to outdoor dining , with kids socially distanced and teachers “ hovering.
” His company ’ s pod services , which will begin Aug. 1 , aim to supplement and build on schools ’ Zoom learning .
In one likely scenario @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learning from the child ’ s current school , the pod would meet at a house with a teacher to work with students to master concepts , ensure homework gets done and provide enrichment activities such as art projects .
Slavinksy said he is offering “ early bird ” pricing for the pods ranging from $ 20 to $ 55 per kid per hour .
Based in the San Fernando Valley , he is fielding requests from Studio City , Sherman Oaks , Brentwood and Santa Monica .
Nonprofits also pay the company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can not afford it , including foster youth .
When the closures began in March , Rhea Nandi Stewart and her family revamped their Long Beach backyard and added a new sofa set to create a space for social-distanced visits and group work for their high school-aged son and daughter .
She opened her home to three other teenagers — neighbors and close friends of her children — whose parents have essential jobs during the day .
“ We made a decision to open it up mainly for the mental health of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll help them be motivated ” to actually do schoolwork , she said .
“ We took a calculated risk .
But to isolate my children and to have them on TikTok and Snapchat all day long without seeing their friends , it just didn ’ t make sense anymore.
” ‘ I haven ’ t been able to do that ’ But not everyone has a backyard , nor the money to hire a tutor or teacher .
“ I haven ’ t been able to do that because most of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want that physical contact , ” said Maria Thalia Carmona , whose two children attend Lillian Street Elementary School in South L.A. “ We ’ re mostly working class , and we go to factories and we take the bus , ” Carmona said .
`` [ We ] encounter more interaction with other people and more surfaces.
” Julia Ortiz and her three children — ages 18 , 17 and 10 — all sleep on inflatable mattresses in her parents ’ Boyle Heights home .
During school days one child works from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kitchen and one from Grandma ’ s room .
It ’ s difficult to sustain , and her 10-year-old son is losing interest in school and falling farther behind .
The nonprofit Communities in Schools of Los Angeles , which provides dropout prevention and other services for about 1,000 families in L.A. , is working to find and pay for a tutor who would help Ortiz ’ s son remotely , said executive director Elmer Roldan .
The organization is surveying its families to gauge the need for tutors , and collecting donations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the organization will comply with social distancing guidelines and can ’ t fund in-person tutoring or pods .
In addition , some families , including the Ortiz ’ s , do not feel comfortable allowing non-household visitors into their home .
“ We ’ re not going to know exactly where they ’ ve been , ” Ortiz said .
“ I do not want to expose my kids to any of that.
” These disparate circumstances could have a major impact on educational inequities , many advocates say .
“ Schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the learning gaps are going to get bigger ... because the kids who are getting connected and who are logging on are going to be much more prepared , ” UCLA education professor Tyrone Howard said .
Add to that the benefits of in-person interaction and tutoring , and the advantage is compounded .
California Gov .
Gavin Newsom said Wednesday that the state is working on closing the digital divide between families , but that there is much work to be done .
He applauded parents who are sharing “ best practices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suffering , ” with one another online .
Families who rely on schools to provide aid for their children with disabilities face a double challenge .
Bell mother Joana Rico Carbajal ’ s son is supposed to receive speech therapy , but is not getting that treatment remotely .
She worries , yet is still most comfortable with remote learning for her children .
In some schools parents are trying to plan for learning that will help all students .
Parents in Highland Park send messages about parent-organized Zoom sessions such as cooking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ email and share resources on Facebook , in English and Spanish , said incoming Aldama Elementary Parent Teacher Assn .
Vice President Kamren Curiel , who stays home with her daughters , ages 6 and 5 , while her husband works as a doctor .
“ It ’ s not going to be easy and we ’ re not going to be great at it , ” Curiel said .
But for parents who are front-line workers or who do not speak English , “ it ’ s going to fall on the @ @ @

The advertisements started popping up on social media almost immediately after Los Angeles Unified School District said campuses would remain closed for the start of the school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’re looking for a TA/College student to help with LAUSD’s virtual learning for the new school year. Parents are WFH. Kids are 5th, 3rd and potentially K. We’re starting a learning pod with another family. Any TA’s on the westside ... looking for work?”
“ISO: Teacher/Tutor for 2nd grader and a little Kinder if possible. Would be open to hosting a very small pod in our back yard.”
“I am looking for a TA or tutor to help facilitate remote learning with my twin 1st graders and my 5th grader. I am thinking 3-4 hours a day, 4-5 days a week... Added perk, I am a really good baker.”
Advertisement
With most schools across California closed for the foreseeable future, families with financial resources are rushing to hire tutors and teachers to augment distance learning with children individually or in small groups in their spacious backyards or homes, creating an overnight coronavirus cottage industry: “learning pods.”
Such cohorts of families, neighbors or classmates are a consequence of parents who must fully get back to work and can no longer take on schooling and the pressure of supervising online learning alone. Instead, they are reimagining education on their own terms to keep their children on track academically and socially.
Displeased with the quality of her son’s distance learning at Millikan Middle School in Sherman Oaks, Maryam Qudrat, a professor at Cal State Long Beach and co-founder of the group Concerned Parents L.A., said she is considering pooling resources with parents to get kids together and hire teachers.
Fabielle Covington, a stay-at-home mom in Castaic, is looking to hire a tutor for her son, who is entering the second grade. “The whole Zoom thing did not work for us,” she said.
But these accelerated moves could further exacerbate the equity gap among rich and poor students, some education researchers say. Underserved Latino and Black students, those without full digital access, English learners and those with disabilities will be left even farther behind.
Advertisement
In addition, low-income, Latino and Black families are disproportionately suffering from COVID-19 infection. Students in those communities are less likely to have a household environment conducive to learning pods, and some parents say they are fearful of letting outsiders into their homes.
But students learning in person with a teacher “are getting the social and emotional development of being together physically — and safely, hopefully — that in isolation children are not getting,” said UC Berkeley education and African American studies professor Janelle Scott.
Education officials recommend against podding.
“In-person ‘pods’ do not align with current Public Health directives against gatherings with people who are not part of your household,” L.A. County Office of Education spokeswoman Margo Minecki said.
What do pods look like?
Although some families and students have adjusted well to online learning, the learning pod movement is gaining traction.
Since L.A. Unified shut down, retired teacher Julie Kohner, who advertised her services on Nextdoor, has received five to 10 calls a day from parents, she said. Families, many with kindergarten or first-grade children, have asked for individual tutoring or in pods of five to six children, who would meet in one of their backyards or in Kohner’s Bel-Air backyard, which she said is set up with 6-foot tables. All would wear masks, she said.
Kohner plans to use schools’ existing distance-learning curriculum — students would remain enrolled in their schools — and expand on it with math, spelling, writing, English, storytelling, art and music. Her one-on-one tutoring rate is $60 an hour. But pod teaching is a new concept — she’s still working that rate out.
While the tutoring industry is well-established, companies are pivoting to meet the “pod” demand, said Roman Slavinsky, owner and chief executive of A+ Tutoring.
He compares outdoor tutoring to outdoor dining, with kids socially distanced and teachers “hovering.” His company’s pod services, which will begin Aug. 1, aim to supplement and build on schools’ Zoom learning. In one likely scenario, he said, after morning distance learning from the child’s current school, the pod would meet at a house with a teacher to work with students to master concepts, ensure homework gets done and provide enrichment activities such as art projects.
Slavinksy said he is offering “early bird” pricing for the pods ranging from $20 to $55 per kid per hour. Based in the San Fernando Valley, he is fielding requests from Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Brentwood and Santa Monica. Nonprofits also pay the company to provide some tutoring for students who cannot afford it, including foster youth.
Rhea Nandi Stewart and her husband, Mike Stewart, redid their Long Beach backyard when quarantine began, knowing that they would use this space for social distancing to let students come over for group projects. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
When the closures began in March, Rhea Nandi Stewart and her family revamped their Long Beach backyard and added a new sofa set to create a space for social-distanced visits and group work for their high school-aged son and daughter. She opened her home to three other teenagers — neighbors and close friends of her children — whose parents have essential jobs during the day.
“We made a decision to open it up mainly for the mental health of our kids, and I think ... it’ll help them be motivated” to actually do schoolwork, she said. “We took a calculated risk. But to isolate my children and to have them on TikTok and Snapchat all day long without seeing their friends, it just didn’t make sense anymore.”
‘I haven’t been able to do that’
But not everyone has a backyard, nor the money to hire a tutor or teacher.
“I haven’t been able to do that because most of my friends, they don’t want that physical contact,” said Maria Thalia Carmona, whose two children attend Lillian Street Elementary School in South L.A.
“We’re mostly working class, and we go to factories and we take the bus,” Carmona said. “[We] encounter more interaction with other people and more surfaces.”
Julia Ortiz and her three children — ages 18, 17 and 10 — all sleep on inflatable mattresses in her parents’ Boyle Heights home. During school days one child works from the living room, one from the kitchen and one from Grandma’s room. It’s difficult to sustain, and her 10-year-old son is losing interest in school and falling farther behind.
The nonprofit Communities in Schools of Los Angeles, which provides dropout prevention and other services for about 1,000 families in L.A., is working to find and pay for a tutor who would help Ortiz’s son remotely, said executive director Elmer Roldan. The organization is surveying its families to gauge the need for tutors, and collecting donations.
But unlike private agreements among families, the organization will comply with social distancing guidelines and can’t fund in-person tutoring or pods.
In addition, some families, including the Ortiz’s, do not feel comfortable allowing non-household visitors into their home. “We’re not going to know exactly where they’ve been,” Ortiz said. “I do not want to expose my kids to any of that.”
These disparate circumstances could have a major impact on educational inequities, many advocates say.
“Schools are going to have to recognize that the learning gaps are going to get bigger ... because the kids who are getting connected and who are logging on are going to be much more prepared,” UCLA education professor Tyrone Howard said. Add to that the benefits of in-person interaction and tutoring, and the advantage is compounded.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday that the state is working on closing the digital divide between families, but that there is much work to be done. He applauded parents who are sharing “best practices, not just pain and struggles and suffering,” with one another online.
Families who rely on schools to provide aid for their children with disabilities face a double challenge. Bell mother Joana Rico Carbajal’s son is supposed to receive speech therapy, but is not getting that treatment remotely. She worries, yet is still most comfortable with remote learning for her children.
In some schools parents are trying to plan for learning that will help all students.
Parents in Highland Park send messages about parent-organized Zoom sessions such as cooking, yoga and Friday dance parties via email and share resources on Facebook, in English and Spanish, said incoming Aldama Elementary Parent Teacher Assn. Vice President Kamren Curiel, who stays home with her daughters, ages 6 and 5, while her husband works as a doctor.
“It’s not going to be easy and we’re not going to be great at it,” Curiel said. But for parents who are front-line workers or who do not speak English, “it’s going to fall on the kids.”
VIDEO | 06:29 Backyard learning pods Watch LA Times Today at 7 PM/10PM on channel 1 on Spectrum News 1, and on Cox systems in Palos Verdes and Orange County on channel 99.
Staff writer Howard Blume contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-07-22--California has most COVID-19 cases in U.S., surpassing New York, as spike continues

California now has the most confirmed coronavirus infections of any state , surpassing New York , as an ongoing statewide spike in the number of infections has pushed its overall case count past 413,000 .
As of Wednesday morning , data from Johns Hopkins University showed California had reported about 1,100 more cumulative COVID-19 cases than New York — which was besieged by the virus in the early spring but has since seen the numbers of newly confirmed infections , deaths and hospitalizations drop dramatically .
California , however , is trending in the opposite direction .
Shortly after noon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 12,807 new coronavirus infections had been reported in the past 24 hours — a record high — bringing the state ’ s total to 413,576 .
“ It ’ s just another reminder … of the magnitude of impact that this virus continues to have , ” he said .
Despite the higher case count , California has not experienced nearly as many fatalities as New York has .
The Empire State has recorded more than 25,000 COVID-19 deaths , three times as many as California .
Officials also were quick to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , by far the highest of any state , also plays a major role in its number of infections .
The state ’ s population of nearly 40 million is more than double that of New York .
California ’ s case rate per 100,000 residents , about 1,046 , is significiantly lower than New York ’ s , which is just under 2,081 , according to The Times ’ coronavirus tracker .
“ I don ’ t myself over-read into the significance of that number , ” California Health and Human Services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked about California overtaking New York as the state with the most confirmed cases — pointing to both the state ’ s population and geographical size .
“ I look at every day as an opportunity to do more and do better with our response to COVID-19 , and at the end , I really expect and hope that California is going to be the state that adapted the most , learned the most , prepared the best and that we are going to really reduce its impact.
” Newsom agreed that especially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ it ’ s not surprising now , in some respects , as we ’ ve begun to reopen key sectors of our economy , people continue to mix and people continue to come in close contact with others that may have contracted this disease , that our numbers would start to go up.
” Nonetheless , he said , California ’ s case count is “ a sober reminder of why we are taking things as seriously as we are.
” Recent data , though , demonstrate how different the situations are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week leading up to and including Tuesday , a total of 4,880 people tested positive for coronavirus infection in New York , numbers from that state ’ s Department of Health show .
Over that same period , nearly 63,000 people tested positive in California , according to data from The Times ’ tracker .
Los Angeles County reported 3,266 new cases on Wednesday alone , pushing its cumulative total above 164,000 .
L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer also emphasized that there are very real differences between the two states that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We have a lot more people here .
We ’ re also a bigger state and a more geographically diverse state , ” she said .
Another key factor , she noted , is that “ their reopening is happening later than ours.
” Ferrer said her team is in regular contact with their New York counterparts to share information , lessons and strategies .
“ The issue of trying to make sure that every single person feels like they can remain part of the solution to slowing the spread is something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she said .
“ We all have seen countless scenes where people are , in fact , not using common-sense precuations and it is resulting in increased spread .
And we ’ re all working really hard to figure out how do we work more closely with residents , more closely with businesses so that people understand that the tools we have , we have to use and we have to use them every day.
” In San Francisco , Mayor London Breed announced expanded testing for the coronavirus Wednesday as positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5,000 .
The city is now testing 3,212 people a day , she said during a virtual news conference , and is adding 1,400 more testing slots .
She urged those with private insurance to contact their healthcare providers to free up the city tests for others .
“ We know that we can ’ t test our way out of this pandemic , ” she said .
“ We need people to be responsible ” by keeping a distance from others , avoiding gatherings , washing their hands and wearing face coverings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the only reason officials in California are sounding the alarm .
Coronavirus-related hospitalizations have reached record-breaking levels in the state .
More than 7,000 confirmed COVID-19 patients were hospitalized statewide as of Monday , and more than 2,000 were in intensive care , according to the state Department of Public Health .
California also has reported worsening death tolls .
For the weeklong period that ended Monday , 674 deaths were reported in California , the highest weekly total to date .
That number broke the record set in the previous seven-day period @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before that , it was 474 .
L.A. county public health officials said COVID-19 was on track to become the second-leading cause of death in the county , behind coronary heart disease , with more than 3,400 deaths in total .
On Wednesday , 64 more people died from the virus .
Experts say hospitalizations and deaths are lagging indicators of the coronavirus spread and can reflect exposure to the virus that occurred weeks earlier .
That , officials say , is one of the key challenges in the fight against COVID-19 : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the steps taken to stem the spread of the disease are working .
Conversely , it can also take weeks to see the repercussions of residents and business owners not taking the necessary steps to protect themselves — which officials say include keeping your distance from people you do not live with , regularly washing and sanitizing your hands , and wearing a face covering in public , particularly when physical distancing isn ’ t possible .
California has taken significant steps aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19 in recent weeks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 18 and renewed restrictions on numerous activities and businesses last week .
It ’ s not yet known how long those measures will need to be in place .
According to Ghaly , “ we may take up to three , four , even five weeks to feel the full impact of some of those changes.
” “ I wish I had that crystal ball that said , ‘ This is when we ’ re going to be ready , ’ but we ’ re going to continue to communicate the sort of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how it affects the whole state , so that we don ’ t do anything too soon , ” he said .
“ But , we ’ re also mindful of the impact of doing things too late , and trying to strike that delicate balance is what we ’ re going to continue to do.
” Health officials have said the surge in infections is being fueled by younger Californians .
Roughly 69 % of the state ’ s total confirmed cases have been among those 49 and younger , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holds true in Los Angeles County , which remains the hotbed of California ’ s outbreak .
Of the new cases the county Department of Public Health reported Tuesday , 57 % were residents under the age of 41 .
Although it ’ s true that younger groups are , on the whole , less likely to fall severely ill as a result of COVID-19 , officials stress that that does not mean they are immune — or that they can ’ t spread the disease to others who are more at risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are witnessing is that many of our younger residents are interacting with each other and not adhering to the recommended prevention measures , while our older residents continue to experience the results of this increased spread with the worst health outcomes , including death , ” Ferrer said in a statement earlier this week .
“ People over the age of 65 years old account for 11 % of all cases but account for nearly 75 % of all deaths .
Our behaviors , including the wearing of face coverings and the adherence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kindness and caring — can protect those we love.
” Times staff writers Rong-Gong Lin II , Iris Lee , Colleen Shalby , Maura Dolan and the Associated Press contributed to this report .

California now has the most confirmed coronavirus infections of any state, surpassing New York, as an ongoing statewide spike in the number of infections has pushed its overall case count past 413,000.
As of Wednesday morning, data from Johns Hopkins University showed California had reported about 1,100 more cumulative COVID-19 cases than New York — which was besieged by the virus in the early spring but has since seen the numbers of newly confirmed infections, deaths and hospitalizations drop dramatically.
California, however, is trending in the opposite direction.
Shortly after noon Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom said that 12,807 new coronavirus infections had been reported in the past 24 hours — a record high — bringing the state’s total to 413,576.
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“It’s just another reminder … of the magnitude of impact that this virus continues to have,” he said.
Despite the higher case count, California has not experienced nearly as many fatalities as New York has.
The Empire State has recorded more than 25,000 COVID-19 deaths, three times as many as California.
Officials also were quick to point out that California’s population, by far the highest of any state, also plays a major role in its number of infections. The state’s population of nearly 40 million is more than double that of New York.
California’s case rate per 100,000 residents, about 1,046, is significiantly lower than New York’s, which is just under 2,081, according to The Times’ coronavirus tracker.
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“I don’t myself over-read into the significance of that number,” California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly said Tuesday when asked about California overtaking New York as the state with the most confirmed cases — pointing to both the state’s population and geographical size.
“I look at every day as an opportunity to do more and do better with our response to COVID-19, and at the end, I really expect and hope that California is going to be the state that adapted the most, learned the most, prepared the best and that we are going to really reduce its impact.”
Newsom agreed that especially given the state’s size, “it’s not surprising now, in some respects, as we’ve begun to reopen key sectors of our economy, people continue to mix and people continue to come in close contact with others that may have contracted this disease, that our numbers would start to go up.”
Nonetheless, he said, California’s case count is “a sober reminder of why we are taking things as seriously as we are.”
Recent data, though, demonstrate how different the situations are in the two states. During the week leading up to and including Tuesday, a total of 4,880 people tested positive for coronavirus infection in New York, numbers from that state’s Department of Health show.
Over that same period, nearly 63,000 people tested positive in California, according to data from The Times’ tracker.
Los Angeles County reported 3,266 new cases on Wednesday alone, pushing its cumulative total above 164,000.
L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer also emphasized that there are very real differences between the two states that shape how the pandemic plays out — “We have a lot more people here. We’re also a bigger state and a more geographically diverse state,” she said.
Another key factor, she noted, is that “their reopening is happening later than ours.”
Ferrer said her team is in regular contact with their New York counterparts to share information, lessons and strategies.
“The issue of trying to make sure that every single person feels like they can remain part of the solution to slowing the spread is something we’re all grappling with,” she said. “We all have seen countless scenes where people are, in fact, not using common-sense precautions and it is resulting in increased spread.”
Despite the increase in cases, L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti said Wednesday that the virus case positivity rate had declined slightly for the first time in several weeks.
The seven-day average of positive cases is at 10%, compared with 13.6% last week, he said during an evening media briefing. Though the COVID-19 threat level remains at “orange,” or “high risk,” Garcetti said, the city is “not moving to red and we are not closing any additional businesses or activities.”
In San Francisco, Mayor London Breed announced expanded testing for the coronavirus Wednesday as positive cases in the city swelled to nearly 5,000. The city is now testing 3,212 people a day, she said during a virtual news conference, and is adding 1,400 more testing slots. She urged those with private insurance to contact their healthcare providers to free up the city tests for others.
“We know that we can’t test our way out of this pandemic,” she said. “We need people to be responsible” by keeping a distance from others, avoiding gatherings, washing their hands and wearing face coverings.
The rising case count is not the only reason officials in California are sounding the alarm.
Coronavirus-related hospitalizations have reached record-breaking levels in the state. More than 7,000 confirmed COVID-19 patients were hospitalized statewide as of Monday, and more than 2,000 were in intensive care, according to the state Department of Public Health.
California also has reported worsening death tolls. For the weeklong period that ended Monday, 674 deaths were reported in California, the highest weekly total to date. That number broke the record set in the previous seven-day period, when 640 died; the week before that, it was 474.
L.A. county public health officials said COVID-19 was on track to become the second-leading cause of death in the county, behind coronary heart disease, with more than 3,400 deaths in total. On Wednesday, 64 more people died from the virus.
Experts say hospitalizations and deaths are lagging indicators of the coronavirus spread and can reflect exposure to the virus that occurred weeks earlier.
That, officials say, is one of the key challenges in the fight against COVID-19: It can take weeks to see whether the steps taken to stem the spread of the disease are working.
Conversely, it can also take weeks to see the repercussions of residents and business owners not taking the necessary steps to protect themselves — which officials say include keeping your distance from people you do not live with, regularly washing and sanitizing your hands, and wearing a face covering in public, particularly when physical distancing isn’t possible.
California has taken significant steps aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19 in recent weeks, issuing a statewide mask order on June 18 and renewed restrictions on numerous activities and businesses last week.
It’s not yet known how long those measures will need to be in place. According to Ghaly, “we may take up to three, four, even five weeks to feel the full impact of some of those changes.”
“I wish I had that crystal ball that said, ‘This is when we’re going to be ready,’ but we’re going to continue to communicate the sort of story from on the ground, understanding how it affects the whole state, so that we don’t do anything too soon,” he said. “But, we’re also mindful of the impact of doing things too late, and trying to strike that delicate balance is what we’re going to continue to do.”
Health officials have said the surge in infections is being fueled by younger Californians. Roughly 69% of the state’s total confirmed cases have been among those 49 and younger, according to the latest available data.
That trend holds true in Los Angeles County, which remains the hotbed of California’s outbreak.
Of the new cases the county Department of Public Health reported Tuesday, 57% were residents under the age of 41.
California Younger L.A. County residents are increasingly catching COVID-19 The surge of the coronavirus in Los Angeles County continues to be fueled by younger people, with the majority of those infected under the age of 41.
Although it’s true that younger groups are, on the whole, less likely to fall severely ill as a result of COVID-19, officials stress that that does not mean they are immune — or that they can’t spread the disease to others who are more at risk.
“The tragedy of what we are witnessing is that many of our younger residents are interacting with each other and not adhering to the recommended prevention measures, while our older residents continue to experience the results of this increased spread with the worst health outcomes, including death,” Ferrer said in a statement earlier this week.
“People over the age of 65 years old account for 11% of all cases but account for nearly 75% of all deaths. Our behaviors, including the wearing of face coverings and the adherence of physical distancing — simple actions of kindness and caring — can protect those we love.”
Times staff writers Rong-Gong Lin II, Iris Lee, Colleen Shalby, Maura Dolan and the Associated Press contributed to this report.