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More than 500,000 Los Angeles Unified School District students are geared up for the first day of school Monday.

The nation’s second-largest district is ready and fully staffed for the big day.

A file photo shows students near a high school in the Los Angeles area.
A file photo shows students near a high school in the Los Angeles area. (KTLA)

It is the first time in the school district’s history that all teacher vacancies have been filled in advance of the school year, LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho told KTLA early Monday.

“We are ready,” Carvalho said. “Nothing beats the caring teacher in the classroom that understands the child, touches his heart to influence his mind.”

More than 70,000 professionals are employed and ready to begin the new year, he said.

Carvalho described the beginning of the school year as “the reawaking of the sleeping giant called LAUSD from its summer nap.”

LAUSD boasts a number of important school programs that are in place for students:

  • Before- and after-school programs
  • Arts programs
  • Dual language programs
  • High dosage tutoring
  • Social-emotional mental health supports
  • Free breakfast, lunch and snack

Carvalho was particularly proud of the food program saying it was “critically important because we can not teach the hungry kid.”

For students already thinking ahead to next year’s summer vacation, the last day of school is scheduled for June 11, 2024.