Responding to the superintendent of the Los Angeles Office of Education, who directed all schools countywide to close to students effective Monday, March 16, school districts around the greater Whittier area announced their plans.

“After much consideration, I am making the recommendation that school closure is the most appropriate step at this point in light of the crisis facing our communities and nation,” Superintendent Debra Duardo said in a statement. “Our focus must be on ensuring the continuity of learning as well as the safety and well-being of students, staff and families.”

Schools will remain closed until at least March 27, the county department, the largest regional education agency in the nation, announced Friday, March 13.

The Los Angeles Office of Education oversees and supports 80 school districts countywide, comprising more than 2 million students from preschool to 12th grade.

Here’s how local school districts are responding:

East Whittier City schools

The East Whittier City School District will close, beginning Monday, March 16 and reopen April 6, Superintendent Marc Patterson said in a letter to the community. But students will have homework during the time they’re off.

Kindergarten through fifth graders received packets and three textbooks to take home.

Middle-school students received assignments through Google Classrooms, online textbooks and teacher websites.

School breakfast and lunch programs will continue at Evergreen, Laurel and Mulberry elementary schools and Hillview Middle School. About 53% of the students qualify for free-and reduced-lunch programs.

El Rancho Unified

The district’s schools will be closed beginning Monday, March 16 through April 13. Students are expected to return to class on April 14, barring any further developments.

Teachers are preparing three weeks of work to distribute to students in the coming days.

Students who rely on El Rancho for meals will still be able to get lunches while the schools are closed, but the district is still figuring out how the meals will be distributed. Nearly 72% of the students qualify for free-and reduced-lunch programs.

Little Lake City schools

Little Lake City School District will close Monday, March 16 and reopen April 6. That includes spring vacation.

But teachers will not be off during this time. They’ll be working at the school or offsite, Superintendent Bill Creen said. Students also will be given work to do during this time.

“Our district offices and schools will be open,” Creen said. “The biggest difference will be we won’t have students here. This will give us an opportunity to get in and clean classrooms.”

A plan also is being drafted to provide school lunches, he said. Nearly 71% of the students qualify for free-and reduced-lunch programs.

Los Nietos schools

The Los Nietos School District will close Monday, March 16 and reopen April 6. Principals will work with teachers to create study packets, Superintendent Jonathan Vasquez said in a letter to parents.

School personnel will be on school sites Mondays and Wednesdays to provide take-out breakfasts and lunches for the week. Eighty-two percent of the students qualify for free-and reduced-lunch programs.

Montebello Unified

Montebello Unified’s school board will meet 5 p.m. Saturday, March 14 with possible notifications of school closures to come.

Norwalk-La Mirada Unified

There will be no classes, beginning Monday, March 16, with students returning March 30. But schools will remain open, Robert Jacobson, the district’s attorney, said. District staff will return Monday through Wednesday, and students will be asked to stop by to pick up computers so they can do on-line learning.

Free lunches will be available to students Tuesday through Thursday. District officials are determining how to provide them for the rest of the two weeks, Jacobson said. About 72% of the students qualify for free-and reduced-lunch programs.

South Whittier schools

This district will be closed for three weeks, beginning Monday, March 16, with students returning April 6, Superintendent Gary Gonzales said in a letter posted on the district website.

Elementary school students on Monday and Tuesday will pick up learning materials from their teachers at their school. Middle school students should pick up the assignments from their first-period teacher.

Breakfast and lunch will be available for pickup from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p..m. at Loma Vista Elementary and Graves Middle schools, Gonzales wrote. Nearly 90% of the students qualify for free-and reduced-lunch programs.

Whittier City School District

This district will be closed for three weeks, beginning Monday, March 16, with students returning April 6, according to a post on its website.

Teachers sent students home Friday with resources, but packet will be available for pickup at the school sites on Monday for those who didn’t receive one.

Grab-and-go lunches will be available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Andrews Elementary and Dexter and Edwards middle schools. Three-quarters of the students qualify for free-and reduced-lunch programs.

Whittier Union High School District

This district will be off Monday, March 16, and students will return April 6.

“It’s consistent with all of our partners,” Superintendent Martin Plourde of the Whittier Union High School District said, referring to the dates schools will close for East Whittier City, Little Lake, Los Nietos, South Whittier and Whittier City school districts.

Plouarde said teachers will provide students assignments through the district website.

Officials also are working on ways to provide the school lunches, he said. Nearly 72% of the students qualify for free-and reduced-lunch programs.

Watch this space for specific announcements from each school district as they come in.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: This article has been edited to correct the end date of the school closure.