Volume 6 Issue 4
Holy cow, it's hot! Wow, it has not been this hot in a while. This week we had a visit from Dr. Johnson, our superintendent, and continued to work hard. There were some crazy awesome things going on this week including our Oceanography lab, little buddies, and Hope Squad. High schoolers and their families, be sure to check out the HS section below for some important announcements.
Dino Dash is coming! Please consider signing up before Tuesday as the price increases after Tuesday September 10th. Learn more about this great event at www.tpsf.net/dinodash. We get $10 per registration directly to your child's classroom for regsitering.
This week's background features pictures from a visit from some bees at the high school, little buddies, and a celebration for Mrs. Romberger who earned her doctorate after a successful defense of her disertation this week.
As mentioned last week, we have a position open on our School Site Council. Please take a moment to vote using this link! It literally takes 10 seconds or less! Our first meeting is this Friday. Feel free to reach out if you are interested.
As always, if you have any questions, concerns, or compliments, please reach out to Mr. Fineberg, our principal, at efineberg@tustin.k12.ca.us.
Principal's Message...
Dr. Johnson, our superintendent, sent an email on Tuesday regarding a School Facilities Bond-Measure J that will be on the ballot this November. In case you missed it, I've included the email below. It's an important measure and I wanted to make sure all of our families are equiped with the information.
Dear TUSD Families:
Students, teachers, and staff in Tustin Unified schools do outstanding work every day. In many cases, that work is challenged by old and deteriorating facilities that do not lend themselves to the innovative and highly effective instruction that is common in our classrooms. Many of our schools are over 50 years old and were constructed long before today’s world and needs could be imagined. Despite being well-maintained, it’s time we invest in our oldest school facilities to ensure student success and to protect our investment in the campuses and in our community.
In July 2024, the Tustin Unified School District Board of Education took action to place a general obligation bond (Measure J) on the November 5, 2024, ballot to improve school buildings including the oldest schools in the District. In addition, all schools in TUSD will benefit from safety upgrades through Measure J. Please click here to view the Informational Measure J resources hosted on our District’s website.
MEASURE J PROJECT AREAS OF FOCUS:
Teacher and Learning Spaces
- Modernize existing classrooms.
- Construct, rehab, and reconfigure labs and learning spaces to support Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics, (STEAM) programs.
- Upgrade and modernize multipurpose rooms.
Protecting Taxpayer Investments in school facilities
- Update building systems including HVAC, lighting, plumbing, and power/power conservation systems.
- Upgrade/repair infrastructure and utilities including natural gas, water, sewer, electrical and storm drains.
Student Safety and Well-Being
- Upgrade safety locks, security systems, surveillance systems, signage, and other enhancements to maintain safe campuses.
- Upgrade fire, alarm, and communication systems .
- Modernize food service facilities, lunch shelters and restroom facilities
- Create student support facilities.
You can see the full project list by reading the Measure J resolution document.
On November 5, 2024, voters within the TUSD boundaries will be asked to answer the question:
“Tustin Unified School District Classroom Repair/ Safety/ Quality Education Measure. To repair/ upgrade aging classrooms, science labs, school and career- training facilities to support college/ career readiness in math, science, technology/ skilled trades; fix roofs, plumbing, and electrical; improve school safety/ security; remove asbestos/ lead; shall Tustin Unified School District’s measure authorizing $261,000,000 in bonds at legal rates be adopted, levying 3¢ per $100 assessed value ($18,000,000 annually) while bonds are outstanding, with citizen oversight, audits, and all money locally controlled?, with mandatory audits, independent oversight, NO administrator salaries, and all funds staying local?”
I am proud to work in a District that supports its students, teachers and schools in so many ways. In November, the community will have an opportunity to make an investment in students that will benefit their education, their futures, our community, and local property values for years to come.
Kindly,
Mark Johnson, Ed.D.
Superintendent
If you have any questions, compliments, ideas, and/or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out at (714) 430-2052 ext. 52103 or efineberg@tustin.k12.ca.us.
Mr. Fineberg
PTA Round Up
Hello Maverick Families,
UPDATE: WE ARE AT $1,750 as of Friday afternoon. Thank you to all who have donated. If you have not had a chance to do so yet, there is still time. Please take a moment to head over to our website site and consider supporting our Maverick 180 campaign. The Maverick 180 campaign is the main fundraiser for Tustin Connect. Funds raised will go directly towards school activities, graduation/promotion, and other important events for our students and our amazing school. We’d love your support.
We are thrilled to have new volunteers this year and greatly appreciate your support. Your PTA is excited to work collaboratively with our teachers and staff, to make the 2024-25 school year the best ever. If you are interested in volunteering and didn’t get a chance to sign up this week, please go to tustinconnectpta.com and sign up under the Volunteer section. We have Trunk or Treat on October 29th and this is a great event for all families to get involved.
Also, be on the lookout for new spirit wear ordering opportunities as well.
✍️ Elementary Information ✍️
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Lunches: Remember that all students have the opportunity to have a free lunch on Wednesdays. They simply just need to let their teacher know they would like one. One less thing to do in the morning!
Library Visits: The Library is up and running. TC Students visit the library on Wednesdays with Mrs. Vukov! She's a wonderful resource for our students and a great opportunity to explore the various titles in the Estock Library.
Mrs. Maeda: As we have shared the past month, Mrs. Maeda's last day was today. Ms. Paulson, a TC veteran and awesome teacher, will be filling in for her.
Arts Education Input: We will be closin the window to comment this week. Please take a mome to provide your feedback as it relates to how we expend the Proposition 28 funds. Parent/Caregiver
Logitech iPad Pencil: If your child would like to check out a digital Logitech pen, please let me know! CLICK HERE for directions on how to use it.
😃Middle School Information😃
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Lunches: Remember that all students have the opportunity to have a free lunch on Wednesdays. They simply just need to let their teacher know they would like one. One less thing to do in the morning!
Pathways to Success Event: The the Annual TUSD event is open to all 6-12 students. It is October 9th at Foothill HS. The event focuses on preparing for a bright future. It includes college admission and preparing for exciting and interesting careers in the modern workforce.
Arts Education Input: There is still time to provide your input regarding how we spend the Proposition 28 Arts Education funding approved by voters recently. Please take a moment to complete this quick survey to ensure your voice is heard. It's super quick and will help to drive our decisions moving forward. Student Parent/Caregiver
Snack Cart is Back: One of our students favorite things is the famous snack cart in Room P9. We have been blessed in prevous years with parent donations to the cart. The students love the snacks and it's always a big hit. Please consider dropping your student's favorite snack and we'll add it to the Snack Cart.
Schedules for 24/25: Just in case, here are the class schedules that were shared at Master Agreement meetings and on our website. Please be sure to check them out.
👍 High School Information 👍
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California Scholarship Federation Applications: Become a member of the California Scholarship Federation. Applications are due on September 17th. Use this link to submit your application to this prestigous program.
SSC Student Position Election: All High School Students, please take a moment to vote for your School Site Council Student Representative. We have four outstanding candidates and need your vote to decide the person who will be representing you. Please use this link to vote.
11th Graders PSAT: Each year, TUSD administers the PSAT to all interested 11th-grade students. This is a FREE Practice SAT given to all 11th-grade students. Participation in the exam not only gives you practice for the SATs and gives you results so you know what to study, but it also makes you eligible for many scholarships including the National Merit Scholarship. The PSAT is only offered to 11th-grade students who register for the exam. The exam will take place at Tustin Connect in the Multi Purpose Room on Saturday, October 26, 2024.
REGISTRATION DUE BY SEPTEMBER 13, 2024
If you would like to register to take the PSAT, please fill out the survey via Google survey no later than September 13, 2024, at 3:30 pm. Late registration will not be accepted.
Pathways to Success Event: Be sure to mark your calendars for October 9th at Foothill HS for the Annual TUSD event focusing on Middle and High School students with a focus on preparing for a bright future. It includes college admission and preparing for exciting and interesting careers in the modern workforce.
Counselor Corner: Resources and link to workshops and more!!!
Mrs. Halili will continue serving our students in Mrs. W's place. We are excited to have her as she shares a wealth of experience and has been cross training to prepare for the transtion over that past couple of weeks. She had a great first full week and we appreciate her sharing her expertise. If you have any questions or would like to speak to Mrs. Halili, she can be found via email at shalili@tustin.k12.ca.us or you can call the office.
As shared last week, our Mental Health Specialist, Mrs. J wanted to share a couple of great resources with our families. She'll be talking more about them in the coming months as Principal/Counselor Coffees get started. In the meantime, this is some great stuff for families.
From Mrs. J:
I wanted to share some free resources available for our students and families.
The first is a free online parenting course tailored to the age and the specific behavioral challenges of the child (0-18 yrs)
The second resource is also free and provides in the moment one on one coaching when the maladaptive behaviors come up as well as tutorials (0-12 yrs)
The positive parenting program that's already used in 40+ U.S. states
Help your kid reach their potential and take on challenges while improving your confidence too - with positive parenting support from Triple P.
https://www.hellobrightline.com/brightlifekids/
BrightLife Kids - A CalHope Program by Brightline
Brightline brings support to kids and families for everyday challenges and behavioral health conditions.
Also, you still have access to the recording of our last Principal/Counselor Coffee. We covered student credits and high school graduation requirements as well as a Q and A opportunity for families as well. You can view the meeting in case you missed it using this link. We will start our Principal/Counselor Coffees in November when Mrs. Wijnhamer returns.
Check out Mrs. Wijnhamer's Monthly Counselor Newsletter.
Our Counselor and Mental Health team have a great website with lots of resources to check out.
Free Online Tutoring Available for K-12 Students
Brainfuse HelpNow is an on demand, anytime, anywhere eLearning platform available for all ages and levels. Last week, it was announced that every Californian can now access free online tutoring available 24/7 through a new initiative offering homework help in every K-12 subject and skill-building resources for K-12 and adult learners.
Real-time homework assistance can now be accessed 24/7 here and on the websites of any of the 1,130 local public libraries around the state – click on the “HelpNow” link to reach a one-on-one tutor. The pilot program led by the State Library offers assistance in Math, Language Arts, and other core K-12 subjects in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, and Tagalog. There’s no age limit to who can use the service. Adult learners can also access writing assistance, citizenship resources and other tools.
SORA Virtual Texts Collections
TUSD Resource Sora Summer Read
Sora Sweet Reads in an annual summer reading program designed for schools to encourage students to keep reading all year long. "Check out" the free collection of simultaneous use juvenile and young adult ebooks (and select audiobooks).
Login to Sora to access these and many any other great ebooks and audiobooks all summer long through Clever, TUSD Student Portal or soraapp.com using your TUSD Google login and password.
Student Request - SORA books – Here is a link to a Google Doc to send suggestions and recommendations for new books for our collections!!
Technology Questions/Needs - There's Help Available!
Important Upcoming Dates - Please check our school Website Calendar for all the latest!
September 13: School Site Council Meeting 1 @ 8:30 am
September 13: Title I Information Meeting @ 10 am
September 25: TUSD Celebration of Schools
October 4-6: Tustin Tiller Days Festival and Parade (mention TC at presale and part of price goes back to TC)
October 9: Pathways to Success Event
October 15: HS Picture Day
October16: K-8 Picture Day
October 29: Trunk or Treat
November 2: Dino Dash
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