Palisades Fire Resources
Return to Campus FAQs
Campus Update
When will the decision be made about returning to the Palisades campus?
A decision has been made by the Calvary Board of Trustees. Calvary operations will resume on our Palisades campus in September 2025.
What criteria were used to determine that it is safe to return to the Palisades campus?
The original criteria for return are laid out here in this letter from the Board of Trustees Return to Campus Committee. Details about each standard can be found below. At a high level, the criteria included: What criteria were used to determine that it is safe to return to the Palisades campus?
- Completed remediation and restoration of campus - Aug
- Reasonable accessibility to campus via PCH and Sunset
- Clean air, clean water, clean soil
What company is overseeing the remediation and restoration effort at the Palisades campus?
- All insulation has been removed from ceiling and all attic and HVAC systems have been thoroughly cleaned.
- Air scrubbers have been working around the clock inside all our buildings. Multiple levels of remediation and cleaning have been completed in all offices and classrooms.
- CAM-17 testing was completed by EnvironCheck before the cleaning process. At that time, the only thing discovered was trace amounts of lead dust at entryways and window sills (from ash). There was no evidence of asbestos, high levels of heavy metals or other toxins.
- The additional test results received back after remediation have all come back completely clear. Should any future results come back with concerns, those will be addressed before our return.
- All soft/porous items have been disposed of and will be replaced.
- All carpet and wood flooring that was not sealed will be replaced.
- Interior walls will be painted following the cleaning, remediation, and clear testing is finalized.
- All turf has been removed from campus. Though it could have been cleaned, Calvary opted to replace all materials in an abundance of caution.
- Sand in the preschool will be replaced along with the installation of new play equipment.
- All other campus play equipment will be thoroughly cleaned.
- DWP has flushed and tested our water multiple times over and deemed it safe. We are adding six additional reverse osmosis filters to drinking fountains as an additional measure.
- All soil testing came back clear. Despite these results, we will remove and replace soil in critical areas accessible to children and cover with new mulch.
- We will continue to monitor these issues in the months ahead to make sure that campus buildings and surrounding areas do not suffer any recontamination or off-gassing.
Who specifically is conducting the CAM-17 testing? Are they an independent third-party lab?
EnviroCheck is the third-party company that conducted the CAM-17 testing. The tests they conducted exceeded what was recommended by insurance and are being paid by Calvary. To date, there is no asbestos on campus and there is no presence of other heavy metals. Testing will be completed again after remediation and restoration is complete to ensure that there is no presence of heavy metals.
EnviroCheck is certified by the California Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP) for certain types of testing. Specifically, EnviroCheck holds ELAP certifications for both Bulk Asbestos Analysis of Hazardous Waste and Leaching/Extraction Tests of Hazardous Waste. Their certificate number for these accreditations is 2723, and they are accredited for these types of analyses from their lab in Orange County.
Will there be ongoing air quality testing? If so, how frequently and will results be shared with families?
Air quality monitoring is and will continue to be ongoing at Calvary. We have installed an air quality monitoring device on campus and readings can be compared with additional monitors in the area at Fire Station 23, the SCAQMD temporary monitor at Will Rogers State Beach and monitors up in the Highlands or in Santa Monica.
Calvary previously monitored air quality even before the fires to ensure that air quality was safe for outdoor play among children and will continue to do so once students return. Families should also keep in mind that a variety of factors can impact air quality readings in general, from heat to weather, to other inclement impacts in the surrounding urban area.
Access Calvary’s Air Quality Indicator here: Calvary’s current air quality monitor is calibrated and capable of detecting PM2.5. You can access the real time results at any time and look back at hourly, weekly, or monthly data. It is highly recommended that you also compare the results of on-campus readings to other monitors in the area to see how all air quality is impacted through different seasons.
In partnership with UCLA Calvary also installed a CAP AIR monitor which will measures PM 2.5 and PM 10 concentrations. Be sure to locate the monitor at Calvary to view localized results.
Additional air quality monitoring resources can be found at the following sites:
AirNow Measures for Calvary and Surrounding Area
AirNow Measures of PM 2.5, PM10, Ozone, NO2 and CO (for 90272)
South Coast AQMD - Site #1 - Will Rogers State Beach - Overview
Additional air quality monitoring resources can be found at the following sites:
AirNow Measures for Calvary and Surrounding Area
AirNow Measures of PM 2.5, PM10, Ozone, NO2 and CO (for 90272)
South Coast AQMD - Site #1 - Will Rogers State Beach - Overview
What thresholds are being used to determine when outdoor activity will be restricted?
Standard thresholds of safety are used to determine if/when outdoor activity should be restricted. Generally, levels under 50 are considered good, 51-100 are considered moderate, and anything above that is considered unsafe. Most AQI readings in and around Calvary have remained in the green and low yellow zones even amidst debris removal. Remember that different variables can impact AQI measures. Access AQI standards here: AirNow Air Quality Index Basics
Standard thresholds of safety are used to determine if/when outdoor activity should be restricted. Generally, levels under 50 are considered good, 51-100 are considered moderate, and anything above that is considered unsafe. Most AQI readings in and around Calvary have remained in the green and low yellow zones even amidst debris removal. Remember that different variables can impact AQI measures. Access AQI standards here: AirNow Air Quality Index Basics
How will continued commercial debris removal impact Calvary's campus?
Thankfully none of the commercial areas requiring debris removal were within 250 yards of Calvary. The distance and topography significantly diminish the likelihood of recontamination, though Calvary will remain diligent in its safety efforts. We were very fortunate that few structures burned directly around the school.
We've been hearing about off-gassing. Is Calvary at risk?
According to local scientific experts, off-gassing is a local condition that generally reaches only 50-100 feet of exposure. Gasses retained during the manufacturing of new products are released when the materials are newly opened or introduced and sometimes can be released in the heat. If in some rare case, surface reservoirs at Calvary had absorbed VOC's, those toxins would be fully remediated. Calvary also plans to install HEPA filters in each office and classroom that monitor and clean the air removing any newly introduced VOC's. Learn more about the filters here. Additionally, it would be highly unlikely that gasses released from other properties or sites awaiting debris removal would travel to Calvary. Most, if not all, commercial sites awaiting removal are more than a mile away from campus.
What are we doing to the hillside above the field?
We have taken the initiative to hydroseed and net (jute mesh) the 40 feet above our property line to reinforce the soil and do our best to prevent further erosion should inclement weather occur in the months ahead.
What about the burned home up on the hill above Calvary? We have confirmed that the home that was destroyed on the hill above Calvary is slated for removal by the Army Corps of Engineers in the coming weeks.
What are the rebuild plans for the Sanctuary?
The sanctuary has been stripped down to the studs and has had a temporary roof installed to keep out the elements. It is structurally sound and the restoration work and construction will take place primarily inside the building. While work will likely still be underway after students return, the area will be walled off and inaccessible to students. At this point, the sanctuary project will be the only work still underway once students return. Given the longer timeline for rebuilding it is not uncommon for the school to navigate large-scale construction projects while students are at school. If you'd like to offer feedback about the future of the Sanctuary, feel free to complete this survey.
What about traffic and access to the Calvary Campus?
Since Memorial Day we have seen significant changes in access to the Palisades, and specifically to our Calvary Campus. Two lanes of PCH are open in both directions without the requirement of passes or significant delays. All checkpoints for entry into the Palisades have also been removed. If at any point, checkpoints of any kind are reinstated, we've been assured by city officials that our parents and staff will gain special and expedited access to our campus. The traffic lights along Sunset nearest campus have been restored and debris removal truck traffic has significantly declined as the Army Corps works toward the end of their efforts, months ahead of schedule. Their residential work is expected to be complete at the end of July and with that completion, Temescal is expected to open and most likely the speed limits on PCH will also increase.
That said, we recognize that most families are living further from campus than ever before with limited housing options nearby. As a result, we will open carpool earlier in the mornings for families who need more time to return to work and we will continue to connect families by neighborhood to facilitate carpool and other transportation options. The administrative team will continue to look for ways to help alleviate this pain point as we return to campus.
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Previous FAQ Questions
If necessary, will we be able to stay at the Water Garden/Oracle facility in the fall?
Should we need to remain at the Water Garden in the fall, Calvary’s leadership is currently working to secure an extension to our agreements in Santa Monica that would continue through December 2025.
Can we stay at Water Garden/Oracle for the duration of the 2025-26 school year?
Should we need to remain at the Water Garden in the fall, Calvary’s leadership is currently working to secure an extension to our agreements in Santa Monica that would continue through December 2025.
Can we stay at Water Garden/Oracle for the duration of the 2025-26 school year?
We will not be able to continue operating out of the Water Garden and Oracle buildings past December 2025 due to restrictions in our current buildings. Additionally, given that our campus will be ready for return, we believe the overall learning experience is best on Calvary’s beautiful seven-acre campus.
What is the soonest time we would return to the Palisades Campus?
The soonest we would return to the Palisades campus would be for the start of school in September 2025. However, several criteria must be met before this can happen, and we may have to make a decision about our location for the fall of 2025 prior to knowing whether or not all these criteria are fully met.
The soonest we would return to the Palisades campus would be for the start of school in September 2025. However, several criteria must be met before this can happen, and we may have to make a decision about our location for the fall of 2025 prior to knowing whether or not all these criteria are fully met.
