Two big ones this week. One might save you thousands on testing your kid, the other breaks down the massive ETS data breach affecting millions of public school students. Plus, Halloween weekend #1 is here and it's absolutely stacked.

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State testing data breach (all CA public schools). If your kid took state tests (CAASPP, ELPAC) in the last 3 years, their info was probably copied in a hack of ETS, the state's testing contractor. That's names, birthdays, addresses, school, student IDs and disability/504 status. No SSNs, no passwords, no parent info, and so far no sign it's been posted publicly.

What to do: watch for a notice from ETS. They started sending them Friday and they'll keep going through early Nov. It comes with 2 years of free identity protection through Experian, so actually sign up. And yes, kids can get identity theft too.

LAUSD is starting the school closure conversation. The district held its first round of community meetings this month and could vote on closures within the next year. No list of schools yet. The options on the table are merging schools or closing a campus and repurposing it, and schools would get at least 1 school year's notice.

Malibu SMMUSD schools. Malibu High, Malibu Middle, Malibu Elementary and Webster were closed Friday because of the Bryson Fire. The district expects them to reopen Monday 10/19. Watch @smmusd_official for updates.

Every parent group chat has this thread. Kid needs an ADHD or autism eval, someone posts a $4,500 quote. That number is real but the "insurance won't cover it" part often isn't.

A lot of kids' care now happens over video through practices that are actually in-network with Anthem, Blue Shield, Aetna, UHC and Cigna. Some take Medi-Cal. That includes neuropsych testing, speech, OT, therapy and even a pediatric dietitian.

Covered doesn't mean free, and every plan is different. But "what's my copay" is a way better convo than "can we afford $4,500."

Read the full guide: online kids' services your insurance may already cover

Halloween weekend #1. Costumes get their first outing. Want the full list? Our Halloween map has everything by date.

Marina Spooktacular | 4–10pm | Sat + Sun | 10/24 + 10/25 | The big one at Chace Park. Free. Graveyard treasure hunt, giant slide, pirate ship, kids' magic show at 5pm. Blackout Maze is for older kids only. Do the online waiver ahead, parking $5–10.

Spooky Splash! | 5–8pm | Fri | 10/23 | Floating pumpkin patch in a pool. Haunted house, obstacle course, food trucks. Ticketed, buy ahead.

RUNWAY Halloween Bash + Candy Coach | 10am–2pm | Sun | 10/25 | Crafts, petting zoo, trick-or-treating at the shops. Free RSVP, Candy Coach tix separate.

Westchester YMCA Spooktacular | 6–8:30pm | Fri | 10/23 | Games, food trucks, DJ. Free.

Palms Halloween Party | 10am–3pm | Sat | 10/24 | Neighborhood party + a free CHP car seat check while you're there.

Not-So-Haunted House | 2–3pm | Sat | 10/24 | SM Main Library. Crafts, storytime, games. Good for littles who scare easy. Costumes welcome.

Absolutely Halloween! | 2pm Sat, 12:30pm Sun | Sat + Sun | 10/24 + 10/25 | Interactive kids' musical at Santa Monica Playhouse, under an hour. Come in costume. $15 kids, $17.50 adults.

Playa Vista Monster Dash 5K | 9:30am | Sun | 10/25 | Costume run/walk, strollers welcome. Register ahead.

Hip & Historic Halloween | 4–6pm | Sun | 10/25 | Costume stroll + trick-or-treat at Downtown Culver shops with BOO CREW signs. Free, 1 hr free parking in city structures.

Día de los Muertos at Inglewood Park Cemetery | 12–4pm | Sun | 10/25 | Community altars, music, food trucks. Families visit their own ofrendas here too, so be respectful.