Your weekly “wait, that’s happening?” digest
Strike officially averted
All three LAUSD unions (teachers, principals, and school staff) reached deals.
What changed (high level):
Teachers + principals: ~11–14% raises over 2 years
Support staff (aides, bus drivers, cafeteria workers): ~24% raises over 3 years
More hours + better access to healthcare for many support staff
No outsourcing of some jobs + some layoffs canceled
Where people might still feel meh:
Raises are spread differently (faster/larger for some groups than others)
Still concerns about cost of living vs pay
This is a short-term deal — contracts run about 2 years, and we’re already in year one, so negotiations will come back around soon
Why some experienced teachers aren’t thrilled:
A big part of the deal raises the starting salary a lot (now around $77K)
More experienced teachers also get raises but not as dramatically as that starting bump
So the gap between new and veteran teachers shrinks, which can feel like “I’ve been here 10+ years… and I’m not that far ahead anymore”
Some veteran teachers feel like their experience isn’t being rewarded as much as it used to be
thanks for the heads up at 2:44am
Beach season is ramping up + and so are the things that sting.
Jellyfish have been showing up across LA County beaches, and stingray incidents are climbing as the water warms. Both are hitting the shallow zones where kids wade, so here's the quick cheat sheet before your next beach day:
Jellyfish: Even dead ones on the sand can still sting — tentacles stay active after they wash up. If stung, rinse with ocean water only. Do NOT use fresh water (it triggers more stinging cells and makes it worse) . Head to the nearest lifeguard tower — they'll treat it with a saline-vinegar solution. Watch for allergic reactions like hives or shortness of breath and call 911 if that happens.
Stingrays: They bury themselves just under the sand in shallow water; exactly where kids stand. Teach your kids the stingray shuffle: slide your feet along the bottom instead of stepping down. The worst window is 2–3 hours before and after low tide. If stung, soak the foot in hot (not scalding) water and get to a lifeguard.
Both are manageable if you know what to look for. Swim near an open lifeguard tower and check in with them before you get in the water.
ᕯClassifieds: like craigslist… but for people you might actually run into at whole foods ᕯ
Venice Rising classifieds are here…a local, low-key board for Westside parents. Selling something, need a hand, found a random thing? Post it in a minute, reach hundreds of neighborhood families, and skip the FB marketplace chaos. Post with your name or anonymously. Listings get featured in our weekly newsletter. FREE!
Try it: https://board.venicerising.com/
Thank to our neighbors for testing this for us, check out their listings!
Top Picks This Week
Locals' Night on the Santa Monica Pier | Thu 4–9:30pm | Every third Thursday, the Pier goes full locals-only mode with a curated community series. If you've been avoiding the Pier because tourists, this is your night
Earth Day Beach Clean Up at the Pier | Sat 10am | Heal the Bay's annual cleanup — but it's more than picking up trash. Games about plastic pollution, prizes, a science tent. Great way to get kids involved without it feeling like a chore
Earth Month Open House at Heal the Bay Aquarium — FREE | Sun 11am–4pm | Free admission all day. Touch tanks, shark petting, endangered species, and the new aquaculture exhibit. Reserve tickets ahead
Tot Shabbat & Kiddush at Mishkon | Sat 11am–12:30pm | Free. Musical service with storytelling, grape juice, and challah. Welcoming to everyone — you don't need to be a member
Family Paint Party at Hotel MdR | Sat 7–8:45pm | $45. Guided painting night for all ages — supplies included. Date night energy but the kids can come
Junior Creators Spring by Bananas Forever | Thu (recurring) | Kids creative arts program in Venice — a weekly drop for the little makers
Shar Coulson: MINDBENDERS at Bergamot Station | Sat 2:30pm | Opening reception at Nüart Gallery — layered abstract work where faces emerge from drips and patterns. Free, kid-friendly gallery wandering at Bergamot
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