Bell Schedule
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Regular Daily Schedule

7:30 AM Supervision Begins
7:55 AM First Bell (Freeze Bell)
8:00 AM Second Bell / Instruction Begins (1-5)
8:15 AM School Begins (Kindergarten)
10:00 – 10:20 AM Recess (K-5)
11:50 AM Lunch Begins (K-5)
12:25 PM (Freeze Bell)

12:30 PM Lunch Ends
2:40 PM Dismissal

Shortened School Days

Topanga Elementary Charter School uses a shortened day schedule for parent-teacher conferences and other parent outreach events. The following bell schedule is used on shortened school days.

Tuesday/Thursday & Shortened Days

7:30 AM Supervision Begins
7:55 AM First Bell (Freeze Bell)
8:00 AM Second Bell / Instruction Begins (1-5)
8:15 AM School Begins (Kindergarten)
10:00 – 10:20 AM Recess (K-5)
11:50 AM Lunch Begins (K-5)
12:25 PM (Freeze Bell)
12:30 PM Lunch Ends
1:35 PM Dismissal

Minimum Day Schedule
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7:30 AM Supervision Begins
7:55 AM First Bell (Freeze Bell)
8:00 AM Second Bell / Instruction Begins (1-5)
8:15 AM School Begins (Kindergarten)
10:00 Recess/Brunch Begins (K-5)
10:28 AM (Freeze Bell)
10:30 AM Recess/Brunch Ends
12:40 PM Dismissal

A Typical Day
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TECS uses a modified bank time schedule, which meets the required number of instructional minutes for California. A typical day begins at 7:55 a.m. Dismissal on Monday, Wednesday and Friday is at 2:40 p.m. and 1:35 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. Students receive language arts, library skills, ELD instruction, and mathematics during the morning hours. Throughout the rest of the day students receive standards-based science with our science teacher, physical education with our coach, technology lessons, Art Trek lessons with our devoted parents, or extended activities with teachers in the areas of art, social studies and health. Flexibility is encouraged in order to accommodate the enrichment schedule.
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Students and teachers can be seen utilizing technology on a daily basis. We have a computer lab consisting of 26 iMac computers, digital projector, laser printer as well as two Apple Mobil Laptop carts, which are used by grades 4-6 to meet the State technology standards. Our Transitional Kindergarten students can be seen accessing the curriculum on their Apple Mac Mini computer lab in their classroom. Each teacher has been given an iPad for classroom support and we have one cart of iPads for student use as well. Additionally, each classroom has a Samsung 65in Smart TV monitor along with Apple TV to be used for classroom instruction.

The school is an extension of the artistic Topanga Canyon community offering participation in the LAUSD Arts Program in which visiting specialists in music, theater arts, visual arts and dance provide standards-based instruction integrated across the curriculum. Children are offered an opportunity to participate in an instrumental music program in grades 1-5. Parents are trained as docent-teachers for our Art Trek program, which is taught twice a month in all grades. Our fourth and fifth grade classes infuse standard-based curriculum with the arts presenting musicals about the gold rush and the constitution.

On a typical day, students will engage in whole group instruction along with small group activities, working individually with a teacher, instructional aide, or parent volunteer, as well as partner work with peers. Kindergartens will also have the opportunity to work with 5th grade big buddies. A variety of materials such as math manipulatives, instructional games, and learning and listening centers utilize the different learning modalities to enable all students to access the curriculum.