Volume 6 Issue 5
We are now 5 weeks in and how the time is flying! It's important that students are keeping up with their assignments. As you can see from the top picture in this week's newsletter, coming onto campus to get support is important and something most students do! At the K-8, coming to optional lab hours and asking for help is key. Don't be shy.
Reminder that Dino Dash is coming! Please consider signing up and 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 our Hope Squad class at the high where students support each other in the school to work though difficult and challenging social/emotional problems. The top picutre is our Study Skills course and just students coming by to get some important study time in.
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...
The theme of my communication this week is the role of parents at Tustin Connect and how that my look. In order to be successful the partnership with the school, parent, and student are critical. I have included the Home School Compact and Parent Involvement Policy. One of the first steps we encourage all parents to take is to make sure you have created a Parent Schoology Account. Here is a link to directions for parents to create an account. By creating an account, you can check your student's progress and stay up to date on how they are doing.
The month of September is Suicide Awareness Month. Ms. J, our Mental Health Specialist, will share more information this coming Monday, September 16th. See the Counselor Corner for more information and details.
Lastly, Dr. Johnson, our superintendent, sent an email last Tuesday regarding a School Facilities Bond-Measure J that will be on the ballot this November. In case you missed it, Please click here to view the Informational Measure J resources hosted on our District’s website. If you are interested in learning more, please don't hesitate to reach out as I am able to provide factual information regarding questions you may have.
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 $2,510 as of this Friday afternoon. Thank you to all who have donated. We are 25% to our goal. 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 ✍️
.
Lunches: Remember that all students have the opportunity to have a free lunch when on campus. They simply just need to let their teacher know they would like one. One less thing to do in the morning!
Library Visits: Don't forget to come in at 8:10 on Wednesdays to visit the library with Mrs. Vukov! She's a wonderful resource for our students and a great opportunity to explore the various titles in the Estock Library.
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😃
.
Lunches: Remember that all students have the opportunity to have a free lunch when on campus. 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.
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 👍
.
California Scholarship Federation Applications: Time is running out to become a member of Tustin Connect's Chapter of the California Scholarship Federation. Applications are due on September 17th. Use this link to submit your application to this prestigous program.
Priority Registration Deadline for Early HS Graduates is Friday, September 27, 2024
This is for your high school students planning to graduate early and intend to take courses at IVC beginning January 2025. These students must complete a Spring 2025 IVC admissions application and the matriculation process by Friday, September 27, 2024, to be eligible for the Spring 2025 Freshman Advantage Program (priority registration). Students are required to submit a letter from their high school principal confirming their anticipated early graduation. The letter must be in a sealed envelope and submitted to the IVC Office of Admissions and Records.
11th Graders PSAT: LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER IS TODAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH. This is a FREE Practice SAT offerred 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.
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!!!
September is Suicide Awareness Month, and we’re hosting an important workshop on suicide prevention for students this coming Monday 9/16. Understanding mental health and knowing how to offer support can make a big difference. We’ll discuss how to recognize warning signs like withdrawal, mood changes, or expressing feelings of hopelessness. It’s important to know that asking someone directly about suicide can be a lifesaving conversation. Join us to learn how to help those in need and to connect with resources such as school counselors and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988). Together, we can make a difference.
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.
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) . Wristbands will be available for purchase from September 3 through October 4 or while supplies last at the Parks and Recreation Department, 300 Centennial Way, Tustin, at City Hall. Sale hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00am-5:00pm. All sales will end on Friday, October 4 at 3:00pm.
October 9: Pathways to Success Event
October 15: HS Picture Day
October 16: K-8 Picture Day
October 29: Trunk or Treat
November 3: 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