Palisades Charter High School Resumes In-Person Lessons at Temporary Santa Monica Location

Resuming Education After Wildfire

• 🏫 Palisades Charter High School students are resuming in-person learning following a devastating wildfire in January.
• 📍 Classes will be held at a temporary location, a former Sears department store in Santa Monica, until the original school is rebuilt.

Collaboration and Planning

• 🤝 The city of Santa Monica's council and emergency services acted swiftly, passing an emergency order to allow schools in commercial zones.
• ⏳ City planning, building, and fire crews worked for 8 weeks to prepare the temporary site in partnership with the school.
• 🏢 The vacant Sears building was chosen for its landmark status and its capacity to accommodate 2500 students.

Navigating the New Location

• 🚗 Downtown Santa Monica is a heavily trafficked area, with a Metro station and freeway nearby, posing potential traffic challenges.
• 🚇 To manage congestion, the city is encouraging students to use public transportation, including the Metro and Big Blue Bus, which is free for students all year.
• 🚶 A pedestrian tunnel connecting a drop-off area to the school has been cleaned and opened to facilitate safe access.

Traffic Management and Resources

• 👮 A significant police presence from Metro and Santa Monica PD is ensuring a smooth first day for students and parents.
• ⏰ Peak traffic is expected during drop-off (7-8:30 AM) and pick-up (around 3 PM), with advice to plan trips around these times.
• 🌐 A dedicated website, Santa Monica dot gov, is available for the public to find information and answers to questions regarding the school's relocation.