Principal's Message...
At the end of the first quarter for our high school students, it reminds us that we are a quarter of the way through the year. What? That amazes me. I received an email from one of our high school parents that summed things up perfectly. The Subject Line Read: High School Teachers. Inside she wrote, "Simply put - the best. How fortunate, are we all, that this team of teachers is here at Tustin Connect. Strength, compassion, and enthusiasm." I couldn't agree more and although it was sent to our high school teachers, it could be about any of our teachers. We have an outstanding staff and I am so proud of the hard work, dedication, passion they bring every day. Enjoy your weekend. 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
Picture Day: Make-Ups and 8th Grade/Senior Photo Day
Makeup Picture Day K-12: Thursday, November 19th
8th Grade and Senior Photos: Thursday, January 28th
More details to follow. We'll have sign-ups for makeups and our 8th/12th grade photos prior to.
2020-21 GATE SCREENING AND IDENTIFICATION
Gifted and Talented Education (GATE): The Tustin Unified School District will screen and identify second- through eighth-grade students for GATE this school year. The screening includes a cognitive test (OLSAT or NNAT) which will be administered in person. Social distancing and paper quarantine guidelines will be followed to keep students and staff safe. Please click HERE for a GATE Screening Information Screencast. Here are the English Presentation Slides/Spanish Presentation Slides.
To register your child to screen for GATE, please complete the Consent to Test Form linked HERE by Thursday, October 29, at 4:30 p.m.
Students who have already been identified GATE in Tustin Unified maintain their eligibility and do not need to screen again.
Elementary Information
GATE Testing: As mentioned in greater detail above, TUSD and Tustin Connect will not be testing for APL in K/1, but will do so for 2nd - 8th graders. If you'd like to have your child assessed, please complete the consent to assess no later than October 29th at 4:30 pm. Links included above.
Conferences: Just a reminder that we Tustin Connect will only host conferences for students at-risk of retention. All other students will receive conferences based on parent or teacher request. If you have specific concerns, please reach out to your teacher to schedule an appointment.
Middle School Information
GATE Testing: As mentioned in greater detail above, TUSD and Tustin Connect will not be testing for APL in K/1, but will do so for 2nd - 8th graders. If you'd like to have your child assessed, please complete the consent to assess no later than October 29th at 4:30 pm. Links included above.
Paper/Grade Slam: Don't forget to check out this free online 24/7 tutoring for everyone! It's a great product and an opportunity for students to get help. They are monitored and provide great insight. Here are links to a few resources.
How Do Students Use PAPER's Essay Review?
How Do Students Access 24/7 Live Help on PAPER?
High School Information
Hybrid Learning Schedule: Don't forget to check the Quarter 2 starts this week! Please see the updated schedule above to make sure you know when your classes meet. The in-person component is critical to students' connections with staff and their success can be tracked directly to their attendance. If you are scheduled for in-person, please be sure to attend the weekly sessions and anytime you need help. If you aren't signed up, please reach out to Mr. Fineberg (efineberg@tustin.k12.ca.us) if you'd like to get on the list for in-person.
Paper/Grade Slam: All of our high school students receive 24/7 free tutoring! It's a great product and an opportunity for students to get help. They are monitored and provide great insight. Here are links to a few resources.
How Do Students Use PAPER's Essay Review?
How Do Students Access 24/7 Live Help on PAPER?
New COVID Dashboard
The TUSD COVID-19 Dashboard is available on the Tustin Unified’s website at www.tustin.k12.ca.us/covid-19-dashboard and reports confirmed, positive cases at each school within the last 14 days.
As a reminder, if a member of your household tests positive for COVID-19 or is awaiting test results, please keep your child at home and notify your school. If your child has any symptoms associated with the coronavirus, make sure they stay home and get tested if necessary.
In the event there is a positive case, affected individuals will be contacted directly by their school or District staff, and they will receive a letter that may include self-isolation, quarantine, and other important information. Families of students who are not affected will not receive a notification letter and no action will be required. Please note that the District will only communicate and provide data for confirmed COVID-19 cases.
It will take a concerted effort to keep the students, staff, and families safe. In addition to health and safety measures taken on campuses, TUSD encourages families to be proactive and to reinforce the importance of handwashing, physical distancing, and face coverings, or have their child stay home if he or she is ill to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
For additional questions about the coronavirus, visit the Orange County Health Care Agency website, which also includes a COVID-19 health line at https://occovid19.ochealthinfo.com/.
Please continue checking your email and other sources of communications from your schools, which have been providing school and class-specific information.
Our schools share geographical sites with a number of other programs. Both sites have minimal if any interaction with other students outside of Tustin Connect. As a result, you may see positive results in a location we are included in. If at any time, our students are included or exposed, you will be notified directly. For detailed information and updates regarding safety procedures, visit the TUSD's School Opening and Safety Plan.
Tustin Unified’s top priority is to provide education to its students while maintaining the health and safety of students and staff.
Message From our PTA
Fall Fundraising Campaign
The Fall Fundraising Campaign is officially kicking off. Our goal is to raise $7,500. Instead of asking your children to sell magazines or snack foods, we ask our families if they would consider a one-time donation of $75 per family. You can make your donation online at https://jointotem.com/ca/tustin/tustin-connect-pta
Please note that donating is entirely optional! We do not want you to give if it will cause hardship.
Call For Volunteers
We have big plans for this year, but we can’t accomplish them alone. We’re looking for Room Representatives, Campus Beautification volunteers, Spirit Wear coordinators, and Communities and Programs volunteers. If you would like more information about how you can help, please contact us at tustinconnectpta@gmail.com.
PTA Website
We have created a PTA Website that will help keep you informed about our plans, volunteer opportunities, and progress towards our goals. We are also working on setting up an online Spirit Wear store so you can show your Maverick Pride! We encourage you to bookmark our website, https://www.tustinconnectpta.com, so you are always up-to-date.
Counselor Corner
Check out the upcoming parent workshop highlighting healthy coping skills on Wednesday, October 21st at 5pm via Zoom. In today’s climate, the rise of anxiety and stress among youth is evident. Western Youth Services will offer parents an opportunity to learn more about identifying signs of stress and anxiety in children with healthy ways to cope. Speakers will also provide ways to integrate and use coping strategies at home and school. Please see this flyer for additional information and details.
Tustin Public Library
Visit the Technology Support Section on our Website: There's Help Available
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