Palisades Charter High School is looking for a temporary campus after devastating fires

Palisades Charter High School (PCHS) in Los Angeles is appealing to the community to help find a new campus after the previous one was badly damaged by constant forest fires in California.

“We started our high school experience during COVIDso it was online, and online didn’t really work for anybody,” said Charlie Speiser, PCHS student body president, during an interview with ‘Fox & Friends‘Wednesday. “We’re really just trying to bring our community and all of our Pali dolphins back together under one roof.”

The school, which serves about 3,000 students from more than 100 zip codes, lost much of its campus in the fires. While the main brick building survived, the wooden bungalows at the rear and the athletic fields were destroyed during the fire.

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In a press release, the administration announced that many students and staff also lost their homes and property. “We are seeking the support and assistance of local businesses, organizations and individuals to help find a safe, accessible space for our school,” the statement said.

Pacific Palisades Fire, along with Eaton Firecontinues to burn in the Los Angeles area. According to Cal Firefires engulfed at least 664 structures, destroying more than 485 of them. Strong winds increase the threat of further destruction, and fires have already taken hold 24 lives.

Despite the devastation, Speiser said the community is coming together.

“All my personal friends and peers … lost their houses. Everyone texts every day, we all run errands for each other, we really do everything we can to help each other. It’s really amazing to see everyone’s selflessness.”

The school’s student body is open to learning in any space large enough to accommodate their community, from warehouses to abandoned office buildings.

“We’re reaching out to everyone we can,” Speiser said. “We really want to get back to in-person (learning) with everyone.”

dr. Pamela Magee, executive director and principal of PCHS, emphasized the importance of finding a temporary campus.

“By coming together, we can ensure that our students can stay in their learning environment, with their friends and mentors, when they need it most,” she said.

“We have a unique opportunity to demonstrate the strength and resilience of our community in the face of adversity,” Magee added.

The school invites anyone who can help locate temporary space or provide support to contact them at PCHSrecovery@palihigh.org.

Donations to aid recovery efforts can also be made at https://givebutter.com/RaisePali.

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