Community Impact
Last week, Bonnie Brimecombe found herself outside her in-laws’ house in Monrovia when she received a video from a colleague.
It captured the devastation wrought by the Eaton Fire at Odyssey South Charter School, where she serves as principal.
The footage revealed classrooms reduced to ashes, learning materials lost forever, and cherished school projects consumed by flames.
In that moment, a wave of sorrow washed over Brimecombe—not just for the school itself, but for the families in the community grappling with profound losses.
Many families reached out to share their heartbreaking news, revealing the deep personal tragedies unfolding alongside the school’s destruction.
Odyssey South is a respected charter school serving students from transitional kindergarten to eighth grade in Altadena.
Unfortunately, it was one of the many educational institutions ravaged by the wildfires sweeping through Los Angeles.
The impact was severe: around 40% of student families and 10 staff members lost their homes, and as of last Friday, 5% of the families were still unaccounted for.
Finding New Space for Students
Amid this crisis, the resilience of the school staff shines through.
While grappling with their own challenges, they are focused on finding interim classroom spaces to provide the children with a sense of normalcy in the wake of the disaster.
After witnessing the heart-wrenching footage of her school, Brimecombe and her team spent a moment in reflection before quickly pivoting to action.
Their immediate priority became finding a new home for the students.
They have explored a range of potential sites—from other schools and churches to vacant retail spaces.
Engaging with real estate professionals has become essential as they tirelessly search for a viable solution.
However, this endeavor presents numerous challenges.
First, they must determine how many students will return, especially since many have been forced to evacuate to different locations.
This uncertainty complicates their efforts to accommodate approximately 375 students.
Additionally, the demand for available spaces in the Pasadena area is fierce, as multiple schools are on the lookout for alternatives.
Collaborative efforts are underway, yet suitable facilities remain scarce.
Logistics add another layer of difficulty.
For example, one promising vacant office building came up during their search, but securing essential furnishings like desks and chairs has proved challenging.
Another local school offered to share space, but that would mean dividing the student body, risking the stability and continuity that children desperately need during such turbulent times.
Financial challenges are also looming.
Odyssey South operates on a leased campus and, while they have insurance, it doesn’t influence the school district’s rebuilding plans.
Although state and federal funding assistance is anticipated, the charter school must largely rely on its own resources to secure financial support.
The school has initiated an online fundraising campaign, yet questions linger regarding the total costs and potential contributions from various sources.
Focusing on Emotional Well-Being
This crisis extends beyond just Odyssey South.
Many charter schools throughout Los Angeles County are facing similar tribulations, with at least six institutions suffering damage or destruction from the wildfires.
Among them, Pasadena Rosebud Academy and Aveson Charter School, both located nearby, are dealing with unprecedented challenges, including the loss of homes for many in their leadership.
Keith Dell’Aquila, an advocate at the California Charter Schools Association, notes that the road ahead is filled with hurdles.
Schools are left to navigate recovery efforts while negotiating the support needed for rebuilding from school districts.
For Stacy Connor, chair of the parent association at Odyssey, the Eaton fire was a traumatic experience.
Her family evacuated swiftly amid the chaos, fleeing fierce winds and flames.
While their home sustained some damage, they now face the emotional weight of potential changes to their child’s education.
The community fostered by Odyssey is marked by inclusivity and support—qualities that Connor worries will be hard to replicate if her daughter must transfer elsewhere.
The strong bonds built over years have left a profound impact on the families involved.
Founded in 1999, Odyssey South enrolls around 850 students across two campuses, with the other site unharmed by the fires.
The school boasts a diverse student body that reflects the demographics of Altadena and has a history of academic excellence that surpasses state averages in literacy and mathematics.
Given these circumstances, Brimecombe remains optimistic about the school’s capacity to support students emotionally.
She points to a solid foundation in social-emotional learning that encourages students to articulate their feelings and support one another.
In response to the crisis, the local Boys & Girls Club has stepped up, offering full-day care for displaced students and establishing a nurturing environment while parents handle their recovery efforts.
To build community resilience, Brimecombe organized a gathering for families about 10 miles away in San Gabriel.
The event allowed attendees to reconnect and share their stories in a supportive setting.
It went so well that plans for another meetup are already in the works, promising resources like therapy dogs, mental health counselors, and other community support services.
As Brimecombe and her dedicated staff work tirelessly to reopen classrooms, their focus remains on providing stability for their students.
They are committed to speeding up the recovery process, dedicating long hours to ensure that students can return to an environment that feels familiar and strengthens their connections with peers and educators during this challenging chapter.
Source: The74million