Principal's Message...
If you have not done so already, please be sure to complete the 2021-22 TC Student Enrollment Survey. We will use this survey to identify your next school for the 2021-22 school year as well as feedback on your experience at Tustin Connect. The survey will serve as the only required method for communicating your intentions for the 2021-22 school year. No additional transfer application is needed. In order to be able to plan accordingly, we ask that you complete the survey by Monday, April 19th. If you have friends or family that are considering Tustin Connect, please encourage them to review our one-page handout with additional information as well as sign up for our Virtual Parent Night on April 14th at 6 pm. Families can RSVP for the event using this link. Lastly, be sure to check out the information on our Spring Fling for K-8 students and their families next Thursday, April 15th. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out at (714) 430-2052 ext. 52103 or efineberg@tustin.k12.ca.us
Mr. Fineberg
Elementary Information
State Testing: Each year students in grades 3-5 take the CAASPP test. Last year it was waived and this year the state is allowing Grade 3-5 students to take local assessments in lieu of the state test. TUSD will be coming out with an announcement shortly. We will be using two assessments that we are already using to meet this requirement and will require much less instructional time to complete.
Book Fair: Please support our Bookfair using the link to check out all of the great options. 30% of anything sold goes directly back to your teacher to restock their library. Here is a video to learn more about the Book Fair and how it works.
Middle School Information
State Testing: Each year students in grades 6-8 take the CAASPP test. Last year it was waived and this year the state is allowing Grade 6-8 students to take local assessments in lieu of the state test. TUSD will be coming out with an announcement shortly. The local assessments will require much less instructional time to complete.
Book Fair: It's not just for Elementary students. The Bookfair is tailored to middle school students as well. Use this link to check out all of the great options. 30% of anything sold goes directly back to your teacher to restock their library. Here is a video to learn more about the Book Fair and how it works.
High School Information
Reminder Regarding Summer School 2021: If you are still interested in summer school, time is running out. TUSD is offering two options. Students can take summer school at our local high schools or a Pacific Coast High School. TUSD's summer school will have an in-person component while PCHS will be 100% virtual. TUSD will focus on incomplete and D/F grade recovery while PCHS will offer a larger variety of courses. Please contact Mr. Moreno for all of the details and a referral to summer school as well.
Important Upcoming Dates
Spring Virtual Book Fair: April 5-18 (more details to follow)
New TC Parent Information Night: April 14 @ 6 pm
Spring Virtual Event: April 15 Mark your calendar. More information to come.
Teacher Appreciation Week: May 3-7
8th Grade Promotion: May 19th, 5:30 pm @ B Street Campus
End of Year Virtual Event: May 26 @5:30 pm
Senior Graduation: May 27th, 12 noon @ THS Sports Pavilion
Guidelines for Applying to Community College Classes and IVC's Promise Program
As we return from Spring Break and head into the summer months, it is also a time when many of our students are thinking of enrolling in community college courses. If you are thinking of doing so, please take a moment to review the linked document. It provides an overview of the enrollment process and related websites as well. It's super helpful and a great place to start. If you're considering taking a community college course, please reach out to Mr. Moreno and/or your advisory teacher. We can help you not only pick the best courses for your graduation plan but also help you navigate the process.
If you have not heard, IVC offers a Promise Program that provides two years of free tuition and other fees. The deadline to apply has been extended to April 16, 2021. Prospective IVC students must complete the steps to becoming an IVC student and submit a FAFSA or California Dream Act application before that deadline in order to be considered for the Irvine Valley Promise Program. For more information or to learn about the Promise Program please visit www.ivc.edu/promise or email ivcpromise@ivc.edu.
Counselor Corner
Social-Emotional Learning at Home Resource
Topic: Dictionary of Emotions
K-2nd Grade Workshops: Please take a look at the linked flyers regarding an SEL workshop offered after school for K-2 students to help all students learn ways to identify and communicate their feelings, develop problem-solving skills, and learn strategies to help them build success in school and life.
- Link for Flyer: English
- Link for Flyer: Spanish
Grade 6-12: 24/7 Virtual Tutoring for all Tustin Connect Students
That's right, all TC 6-12 students have access to this terrific resource. Take a moment to check it out! It's terrific.
Paper/Grade Slam: Don't forget to use this 24/7 free tutoring service! You can even use it for college essay review and SAT and ACT prep. Here are links to a few resources.
Video Tutorials
Getting Started on Paper (8:36)
How Teachers Use Paper (10:48)
Introduccion a Paper (10:44)
Paper for Parents (7:05)
Paper para Padres (14:23)
Online Learning Guide for Students - PDF
Upcoming Parent Nights the second Tuesday in English and every second Thursday in Spanish.
Tustin Parent Night (English) - Second Tuesday every month. Register using the following link: https://pages.paper.co/webinars-for-parents-and-guardians
Tustin Parent Night (Spanish) - Second Thursday every month. Register using the following link: https://pages.paper.co/es-us/presentaciones-para-padres-o-representantes
K-12 Digital Books Resource Spotlight
Tustin Unified has a growing collection of over 750 read-along titles available in Sora.
Read-alongs are a great way for students to experience picture books, beginning readers, and easy non-fiction in an eBook format with professionally recorded narration that plays while they read. Read-along features include:
Narration that you can start and stop
Text highlighting so the reader can follow along
Automatic page-turning and speed control
You can find read-alongs by logging into Sora through Clever, select Explore and look for the featured Fiction and Non-Fiction Read-Along collections!
Questions? Visit the TUSD Library Service eBooks & Audiobooks webpage OR contact your site library staff.
TUSD's School Opening & Safety Plan
The health, safety, and well-being of our students and staff is our top priority as they return to school. When the new school year begins, the on-campus school will look much different than previous years due to new health and safety measures.
Tustin Unified has created a School Opening and Safety Plan that addresses how schools will meet the needs of students in the coming school year. The plan to reopen schools is based on current guidance from public health officials, state agencies, as well as your valuable input from the recent parent survey, and will be updated as the situation evolves. As a result, TUSD has put together two options that will address social-distancing requirements to keep TUSD students and staff safe while also supporting student learning.
For the 2020-21 academic year, Tustin Unified will provide families a choice of two instructional options, including the hybrid model – a blend of in-person and remote learning, and Tustin Connect (K-12) – 100% online virtual school with optional in-person instruction.
The TUSD School Opening and Safety Plan (English linked, Spanish below) covers the many procedures and protocols that are being put in place for a successful and safe reopening. The plan can also be found on the TUSD website at https://www.tustin.k12.ca.us.
PLAN DE SEGURIDAD Y APERTURA DE ESCUELAS PARA EL AÑO ESCOLAR 2020-21
Our Mission
Email: efineberg@tustin.k12.ca.us
Website: www.tustinconnect.org
Location: (K-8) 14741 North B Street; (9-12) 1151 San Juan Street
Phone: (714) 430-2052
Twitter: @tustinconnect
