Día de la Independencia
Friday nearest September 16
A tradition to celebrate la Independencia de México, introduce the faculty, and ring in the new school year. The whole school parades around the school building ending on the patio. In 3 concentric circles, students and staff sing the Mexican National Anthem and perform the Danza del Sol.
Día de los Muertos
End of October/Early November
School, clusters and/or classrooms create Day of the Dead altars. School chooses a theme to which the school altar will be dedicated.
Trimester Arts Presentations
End of Trimesters
Cluster presents the work they have done in collaboration with the artist-in-residence.
Tianguis
November/December
Pre-holiday, school-wide bazaar of student-crafted artesania. Each teacher selects a craft to teach in a workshop. Students of all ages sign up for different workshops to make the crafts for the Tianguis. Funds from Tianguis are modest and are used to support the Tianguis tradition for the following year.
Las Posadas
December
Students in the primary cluster sing the traditional Posada songs to older students and they respond in song.
Annual 8th Grade Benefit
March
Evening event organized by Upper Cluster to raise funds for the 8th grade graduation activities. Benefit generally includes: Silent auction or student artwork generated from art classes and the visual artist in residence; performances by students, parents, teachers, and other presenters; food.
Eighth Grade Class Trip
April or May
Annual 8th grade overnight trip to an outdoor camping facility as culminating event for soon-to-be graduates. Students partake in nature study, team building activities, and end of the year reflection.
Día del Niño
April 30
Each staff member supervises and activity on the patio (face painting, chess tournaments, lotería, etc.). Older students are recruited to help manage these.
Día de las Madres
May 10
School ensemble and classrooms give a presentation to honor mothers, grandmothers, aunts, women of Telpochcalli.
Nature Day
End of the Year
All day, school-wide field trip to a nature preserve to experience the outdoors and celebrate the end of the school year. Students, staff, and families partake in outdoor team sports, nature hikes, general merriment.
Arts Fest
June
Outdoor festival of student/teacher/community performances, student presentations of the 3rd trimester work with artists in residence, selling of the latest student-designed Telpochcalli t-shirt, Salsa Contest, and food.
Kinder Celebration
June
Kindergarten students are congratulated for completing their first year of school.
Eighth Grade Graduation
June
Evening event at a banquet hall. Speeches by students and invited guest speakers. Graduating class present a waltz. Principal and upper cluster teachers present diplomas and flowers to each graduate. Dinner and dancing follow the ceremony.