News Summary
As the new academic year approaches, families in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties are starting their back-to-school preparations earlier due to economic pressures and safety concerns. A survey reveals that over two-thirds of households are spending an average of $858 on essentials, yet many struggle with affordability amid rising costs. Local nonprofits and community events are working to support families through resources like backpack giveaways and health screenings. Meanwhile, safety measures are being implemented in schools to address concerns about immigration enforcement and ensure a secure environment for students.
Los Angeles – As students gear up for another academic year, families in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties are taking early back-to-school preparations due to rising economic pressures and concerns over safety. Reports indicate that over two-thirds of families have commenced their shopping earlier than usual, focusing on necessities such as clothes, shoes, and electronics.
According to a recent survey by Bankrate, households with K-12 students are projected to spend an average of $858 on back-to-school essentials this year. However, more than 30% of the parents interviewed indicated that they cannot afford the required supplies, attributing this struggle to ongoing inflation and tariffs affecting the cost of goods.
In response to these challenges, local nonprofits, city governments, and churches are organizing multiple free back-to-school events to assist families in need. These initiatives include backpack giveaways, food distributions, games, live music, haircuts, and health screenings, providing essential resources to ease the financial burden on families.
Upcoming community events include a free block party in Huntington Park on August 9, 2025, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., offering entertainment and various resources. Similarly, Long Beach will hold a back-to-school event on the same day featuring free swimming, haircuts, ice cream, and educational resources for attendees. MacArthur Park will also host a resource fair on August 9, providing health screenings and educational opportunities alongside local street vendors.
Rialto is scheduled to host a back-to-school event on August 6, where families can access free food, giveaways, and health resources from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Additionally, Riverside’s event on August 9 will distribute filled backpacks and haircuts to families in need from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Upland will offer games, lunch, haircuts, and access to local resources during its event on August 9 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Amid widespread concerns over immigration enforcement, particularly after a recent incident involving the mistaken detention of a 15-year-old student outside Arleta High School, the Los Angeles school district has implemented several safety measures. School Superintendent Alberto Carvalho announced expanded safe passage zones around at least 100 schools. School police, local volunteers, and community leaders will patrol the streets to ensure student safety during the initial days of school.
The district has actively communicated with more than 10,000 families that may be at risk due to immigration enforcement, distributing family preparedness packets. Furthermore, LAUSD is supplying “know your rights” cards and has established a compassion fund to assist families dealing with legal matters related to immigration.
To enhance transportation safety, the school system has increased its fleet of electric buses to 180, which are now equipped with WiFi and GPS tracking capabilities for better route management. Additional safety measures include the addition of crossing guards and designated “school slow zones” with a reduced speed limit of 15 mph around school entrances.
The Los Angeles Police Department will also step up patrols within school zones during the first two weeks of the academic year to reinforce safety for all students. Carvalho reaffirmed the district’s commitment to safeguarding students and their families, emphasizing cooperation between community leaders, local law enforcement, and educational administrators.
As the new school year approaches, families are not only preparing academically but are also navigating financial and safety concerns, prompting communities to come together for support amid uncertain times.
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Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times: LAUSD Pledge for Immigrant Families
- Google Search: LAUSD back to school 2025
- NBC Los Angeles: Back to School Info
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Back to School
- Los Angeles Magazine: Back to School Drives
- Google News: Back to School Drives LA
- FOX LA: Student Resource Events
- Google Search: Importance of Student Resources
- ABC7: Traffic Safety Reminders
- Google Scholar: Student Traffic Safety
Author: STAFF HERE HUNTINGTON BEACH
The Huntington Beach Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Huntington Beach, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Huntington Beach Surf City USA Marathon, the U.S. Open of Surfing, Fourth of July celebrations at the Huntington Beach Pier, and community festivals at Huntington Beach Central Park. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce and Visit Huntington Beach, plus leading businesses in retail, hospitality, and outdoor recreation that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERESantaAna.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
