Academics
Third Street Elementary's primary goal is that of educating its students. The following information about the school's academic program is provided here for reference purposes.
API
The Academic Performance Index (API) is a measure of how Third Street Elementary is performing and progressing academically. It is the cornerstone of California's Public Schools Accountability Act of 1999 and measures the academic performance and growth of schools on a variety of academic measures.
CURRICULUM
The curricula for each grade level are available in the Main Office and in the Parent Center in room 33. California State Academic Standards are the crux of our curriculum.
HOMEWORK
Students have weekly or daily homework assignments. Parents should make sure their child’s homework is completed on time. If a child is struggling or does not seem challenged, parents are encouraged to speak with the child’s teacher directly for assistance. Likewise, if parents are concerned with the amount and the content of homework, they are advised to discuss with the child’s teacher.
GIFTED EDUCATION
The school district’s instructional programs for gifted and talented students are based on the principles that all students are to receive an education appropriate to their individual capabilities, interests, and needs, and that students have learning opportunities that help develop their abilities to the highest level. Because gifted and talented students generally demonstrate high performance or capacity for high performance beyond age/grade expectations, they are atypical learners who require specialized learning experiences beyond the regular curriculum.
Third Street School has Gifted Cluster classes and Schools For Advanced Studies (SAS) cluster classes in Grades 3-5. This means that identified gifted students are discreetly clustered in each class and given differentiated instruction. All teachers teaching gifted cluster classes are specially trained to meet the varied needs of these students through differentiated instruction. Beginning in 2nd Grade, students are referred for gifted testing (GATE) and instruction begins in 3rd grade. For more information, please contact GATE Coordinator Jane Choi at jyc0077@lausd.net or leave a note in the Room 16 mail slot in the Main Office. You may also contact the GATE Parent Representative at tarabrancato@me.com.
SPECIAL EDUCATION
Services for students with special needs include Full Inclusion, Early Education (EE) K-2 day class, Preschool Mix, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Adapted Physical Education and School Psychologist. Questions should be directed to the Assistant Principal, Elementary Instructional Specialist (APEIS). Support, for teachers and parents, is available through the Friends Community Center operated by the volunteer Special Education Advisory Committee located in room 33.
TESTING
The Standardized Testing and Reporting Program (STAR) is an important part of the state testing system. Administered annually in the spring, the STAR Program was authorized by state law to measure how well students are learning the knowledge and skills identified in the California academic standards.
One component of the STAR Program is the California Standards Test (CST). All students in grades 2-5 take the (CST), including students who are English learners and students with disabilities. Students can be exempted from testing if their parents submit a written request. The California English Language Development Test (CELDT) is a required state test for English language proficiency that is given to students whose home language is other than English. School districts are required to assess the English language development of all English Learners (ELs) annually until the EL student has been reclassified.
Starting in second grade, students are referred for testing by teachers for the Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program (see above for more information).
MAGNET SCHOOLS
Every year, students are sent the Magnet ‘Choices’ Booklet. Parents may apply each year to LAUSD Magnet schools for the following year. Children who are accepted at a magnet school can accept and change schools or reject and stay at Third Street. Children who do not get accepted into a magnet school are assigned waiting list points. These points accumulate and give priority when applying in the future. Students who are accepted into a magnet school and choose not to go will lose all waiting points. There is an ELAC meeting every year explaining the process to parents.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
LAUSD mandates elementary school students receive 200 minutes of physical education every two weeks. At Third Street School, the teachers are responsible for their students’ physical education. Friends of Third, through parent donations, funds a Playground Specialist who assists with P. E. In 5th grade, students are required to take a Physical Fitness Test (PFT). The state-designated PFT is the FITNESSGRAM.
LIBRARY
All classrooms visit the Library weekly during the school year. The library is open during recess and lunch and after school until 5:30pm. Students may check out up to 5 books for one week if accompanied by a parent and two books on their own. Kindergarten students are also able to check out books, but must be accompanied by an adult at all times in the Library. Third Street Library was recently chosen as the Model Library for LAUSD District 3 for 2008-2010. The after-school library assistant and our full-time librarian’s salary, as well as additional books and supplies, are made possible by Friends of Third (all children visit the Library regardless of their family’s ability to donate).
TECHNOLOGY CENTER Third Street Elementary School, thanks to the generosity of our parents, boasts a state-of-the-art, fully equipped Mac Lab that includes 34 new iMac computers, laser printers, media carts, and multi-media equipment for student use and production. Students in grades K-2 receive at least 45 minutes of technology instruction every other week, and students in grades 3-5 receive at least 45 minutes of instruction weekly. Classroom instruction is multi-disciplinary and comprehensive as our technology department works to align all lessons to California standards. The Technology Center is open for one hour every day after-school for homework, research, and technology use by students, parents, and faculty of Third Street. Additional professional development workshops are given quarterly for teachers to develop skills and experience, and for parents. The Technology Center and teacher are made possible by parents’ donations to Friends of Third. All children participate in the Tech Lab regardless of their family’s ability to donate.
MUSIC PROGRAM
Third Street School provides a ten-week general music program for all grade levels, over and above the 4th/5th-grade orchestra program provided by LAUSD. Beginning in 2008, the program was expanded to include a before-school recorder and Orff xylophone ensemble for 3rd, 4th and 5th graders interested in taking their music to the next level. There is no charge to join the ensemble and instruments are provided. Rehearsals lead to 2-3 “Concert in the Park” picnic events on campus after school.
The philosophy of the general music program is a "constructivist" approach, in which students make many of their own musical instruments and are encouraged to be composers as well as performers. The music program is made possible by Friends of Third. All children participate in the Music Program regardless of their family’s ability to donate.
API
The Academic Performance Index (API) is a measure of how Third Street Elementary is performing and progressing academically. It is the cornerstone of California's Public Schools Accountability Act of 1999 and measures the academic performance and growth of schools on a variety of academic measures.
CURRICULUM
The curricula for each grade level are available in the Main Office and in the Parent Center in room 33. California State Academic Standards are the crux of our curriculum.
HOMEWORK
Students have weekly or daily homework assignments. Parents should make sure their child’s homework is completed on time. If a child is struggling or does not seem challenged, parents are encouraged to speak with the child’s teacher directly for assistance. Likewise, if parents are concerned with the amount and the content of homework, they are advised to discuss with the child’s teacher.
GIFTED EDUCATION
The school district’s instructional programs for gifted and talented students are based on the principles that all students are to receive an education appropriate to their individual capabilities, interests, and needs, and that students have learning opportunities that help develop their abilities to the highest level. Because gifted and talented students generally demonstrate high performance or capacity for high performance beyond age/grade expectations, they are atypical learners who require specialized learning experiences beyond the regular curriculum.
Third Street School has Gifted Cluster classes and Schools For Advanced Studies (SAS) cluster classes in Grades 3-5. This means that identified gifted students are discreetly clustered in each class and given differentiated instruction. All teachers teaching gifted cluster classes are specially trained to meet the varied needs of these students through differentiated instruction. Beginning in 2nd Grade, students are referred for gifted testing (GATE) and instruction begins in 3rd grade. For more information, please contact GATE Coordinator Jane Choi at jyc0077@lausd.net or leave a note in the Room 16 mail slot in the Main Office. You may also contact the GATE Parent Representative at tarabrancato@me.com.
SPECIAL EDUCATION
Services for students with special needs include Full Inclusion, Early Education (EE) K-2 day class, Preschool Mix, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Adapted Physical Education and School Psychologist. Questions should be directed to the Assistant Principal, Elementary Instructional Specialist (APEIS). Support, for teachers and parents, is available through the Friends Community Center operated by the volunteer Special Education Advisory Committee located in room 33.
TESTING
The Standardized Testing and Reporting Program (STAR) is an important part of the state testing system. Administered annually in the spring, the STAR Program was authorized by state law to measure how well students are learning the knowledge and skills identified in the California academic standards.
One component of the STAR Program is the California Standards Test (CST). All students in grades 2-5 take the (CST), including students who are English learners and students with disabilities. Students can be exempted from testing if their parents submit a written request. The California English Language Development Test (CELDT) is a required state test for English language proficiency that is given to students whose home language is other than English. School districts are required to assess the English language development of all English Learners (ELs) annually until the EL student has been reclassified.
Starting in second grade, students are referred for testing by teachers for the Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program (see above for more information).
MAGNET SCHOOLS
Every year, students are sent the Magnet ‘Choices’ Booklet. Parents may apply each year to LAUSD Magnet schools for the following year. Children who are accepted at a magnet school can accept and change schools or reject and stay at Third Street. Children who do not get accepted into a magnet school are assigned waiting list points. These points accumulate and give priority when applying in the future. Students who are accepted into a magnet school and choose not to go will lose all waiting points. There is an ELAC meeting every year explaining the process to parents.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
LAUSD mandates elementary school students receive 200 minutes of physical education every two weeks. At Third Street School, the teachers are responsible for their students’ physical education. Friends of Third, through parent donations, funds a Playground Specialist who assists with P. E. In 5th grade, students are required to take a Physical Fitness Test (PFT). The state-designated PFT is the FITNESSGRAM.
LIBRARY
All classrooms visit the Library weekly during the school year. The library is open during recess and lunch and after school until 5:30pm. Students may check out up to 5 books for one week if accompanied by a parent and two books on their own. Kindergarten students are also able to check out books, but must be accompanied by an adult at all times in the Library. Third Street Library was recently chosen as the Model Library for LAUSD District 3 for 2008-2010. The after-school library assistant and our full-time librarian’s salary, as well as additional books and supplies, are made possible by Friends of Third (all children visit the Library regardless of their family’s ability to donate).
TECHNOLOGY CENTER Third Street Elementary School, thanks to the generosity of our parents, boasts a state-of-the-art, fully equipped Mac Lab that includes 34 new iMac computers, laser printers, media carts, and multi-media equipment for student use and production. Students in grades K-2 receive at least 45 minutes of technology instruction every other week, and students in grades 3-5 receive at least 45 minutes of instruction weekly. Classroom instruction is multi-disciplinary and comprehensive as our technology department works to align all lessons to California standards. The Technology Center is open for one hour every day after-school for homework, research, and technology use by students, parents, and faculty of Third Street. Additional professional development workshops are given quarterly for teachers to develop skills and experience, and for parents. The Technology Center and teacher are made possible by parents’ donations to Friends of Third. All children participate in the Tech Lab regardless of their family’s ability to donate.
MUSIC PROGRAM
Third Street School provides a ten-week general music program for all grade levels, over and above the 4th/5th-grade orchestra program provided by LAUSD. Beginning in 2008, the program was expanded to include a before-school recorder and Orff xylophone ensemble for 3rd, 4th and 5th graders interested in taking their music to the next level. There is no charge to join the ensemble and instruments are provided. Rehearsals lead to 2-3 “Concert in the Park” picnic events on campus after school.
The philosophy of the general music program is a "constructivist" approach, in which students make many of their own musical instruments and are encouraged to be composers as well as performers. The music program is made possible by Friends of Third. All children participate in the Music Program regardless of their family’s ability to donate.
