Other students use their after-school time to learn Spanish. Kallpachay offers a daily after-school Spanish immersion program with dynamic teachers and engaging lessons that focus on creative learning, including singing songs, cultural appreciation and heritage, and recreational activities indoors and out.
“Being able to speak Spanish is fun and Maestro Rafael is a great teacher,� commented third-grader Roma Rodan.

For the youngest children, FOCUSfish, a local non-profit, offers Rising Stars, a program for TK-K to first-graders to practice theater skills on Topanga Elementary’s beautiful outdoor stage.

“I have a lot of gratitude and appreciation for Rising Stars,� said Zoia Comarova. “My kids, Vicky and Sasha, didn’t want to leave the program at their trial day. They were begging me this morning not to pick them up until 6 p.m.! This means so much to me, as a mom of two shy girls, and I cannot thank you enough for the wonderful program!�

In addition to these “full-time� daily after-school options, a diverse set of other enrichment classes are available. The Children’s Music Workshop offers weekly music enrichment classes, including piano/keyboard, violin, guitar, ukulele, flute, clarinet, trumpet, or a drum circle with mindfulness. STEAM Dojo/KidzToPros offers STEM, sports, and art classes. Offerings change throughout the year depending on families’ interests. Currently kids are participating in their programs on Play-it-All sports, Hip Hop, Lego Robotics, and Chess.

Older performers (second to fifth grades) can sign up to be “Theatre Kids,� and the show must go on! After the pandemic pause to the spring musical (we were just one day away from the spring musical in March 2020 when the school closed), our 2022 show, Frozen Jr., features students from all grades and is produced by FOCUSfish.
“My kids have been participating in FOCUSfish plays for years, both as performers and fans, so after this hiatus, we are all thrilled to have Kristy, Gabbi, and their team back at Topanga Elementary,� Fuji Whittenberg remarked.


Return of the Gala
The annual Spring Gala fundraiser returned with parents and friends of TECS celebrating at the “Topanga Fiesta.� Held at the Topanga Community Center at the end of April, guests enjoyed the Taco Bar by Cecilia, topped off with desserts by Porto’s Bakery. Founded by two Topanga moms, Muddle & Wilde served up botanical-infused tequila cocktails. Their pineapple-jalapeno margaritas wereamazing!Owned by friends of Topanga and brewer Pat Dunn, the Lincoln Beer Company based in Burbank supplied refreshing beers. The dance floor lit up and filled up thanks to fabulous international DJ Marta. Cheers to her for staying late for those noisy parents who just would not stop dancing. A heartfelt thanks goes out from the TECS community to super TECS parent Fuji Whittenberg for bringing the gala back!

The funds raised from the Fiesta, as well as the upcoming online auction, all go to support the TECS Booster Club’s Topanga Enrichment Programs (TEP). TEP provides funding for many enrichment programs at Topanga Elementary—Science, PE, Instructional Aides and more. Recently, with TEP funds, students took their science classes to the trails during lessons from the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains (RCDSMM ).

Whether you are a parent at TECS or a community member who believes in the importance of quality public education, there are many ways to support our only public school. Next up is the Online Auction due later this month. Be on the lookout for amazing donations from parents and businesses near and far. TEP donations are tax deductible; any questions, please contact the TEP team at marketing@topangaelementary.org.