Los Angeles' Palisades Charter High School (PCHS) is calling on the community for help finding a new campus after its previous campus was severely damaged by California's ongoing wildfires.
“We started high school during COVID, so that was online, but online is not safe for anyone,” PCHS student body president Charlie Speiser told “Fox & Friends” on Wednesday. "We really just want to bring our community back together and get all our Bali dolphins back under one roof."
The school, which serves about 3,000 students from more than 100 zip codes, lost much of its campus in the fire. While the main brick building survived, the wooden bungalow and sports field at the rear were destroyed in the fire.
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Helicopters drop water on the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon on January 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Many students and staff also lost their homes and belongings, the government said in a news release. "We are asking for the support and assistance of local businesses, organizations and individuals to help our schools find a safe, accessible space," the release said.
The Pacific Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire continue to burn in the Los Angeles area. According to Cal Fire, wildfires have affected at least 664 structures, with more than 485 destroyed. Strong winds heightened the threat of further damage and the fires have killed 24 people.
Speizer said despite the devastation, the community is coming together.
"All of my personal friends and peers... literally lost their houses. Everyone was texting every day, we were all running errands for each other, helping each other out in any way we could. It was amazing to see how selfless everyone was ".
The school’s student body is willing to study in any space large enough to accommodate its community, from warehouses to abandoned office buildings.
"We are contacting anyone we can," Speiser said. “We really want to get back to face-to-face (learning) with everyone.”
PCHS Executive Director and Principal Dr. Pamela Magee emphasized the importance of finding a temporary campus.
"By working together, we can ensure our students can remain in their learning environment and with their friends and tutors when they need it most," she said.
"We have a unique opportunity to showcase the strength and resilience of our community in the face of adversity," Magee added.
The school urges anyone who can assist in finding temporary space or offering support to contact them at PCHSrecovery@palihigh.org.
You can also donate to help the recovery effort at https://givebutter.com/RaisePali.
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