Tustin Connect News

This week's TC News includes details from our visit with our new superintendent, the virtual book fair, and the close of the transfer window this week. Check out below for all the latest details and more. This week's background is featuring a screenshot from our 2nd session of FSU (Familial School University). Thank you to all the parents, Mrs. Maeda, Mrs. Bullock, and Ms. Skomsvold for bringing this valuable resource to TC. As always, if you have any questions, concerns, or compliments, please reach out to Mr. Fineberg, our principal, at efineberg@tustin.k12.ca.us.

Dr. Johnson, our new superintendent, visited TC this Thursday and checked in with our students and staff on campus as well as got to meet some of our online students as well. We are thrilled to have Dr. Johnson in TUSD. It was great sharing TC's story and hearing the tremendous support he has for our program.

• TUSD Transfer Window: In the past few weeks, I've shared the information below about transfers and the TUSD window for the 2022-23 school year that runs through next Friday, January 28th at 3 pm. If you are planning to return to TC or your home school, there is nothing needed to do at this time. A survey will go out in late February/March where you'll be able to let us know your intentions. If you plan on attending a school other than TC or your School of Residence, please complete a transfer. A detailed description of the process can be found on the TUSD website as well as below.

• Book Fair Starts Monday: Please check out our virtual Book Fair that is scheduled through January 26th. Here's a link to check it out.

As always, 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

Hello Maverick Families,

Here’s your PTA Roundup for week one of the new year!

The Scholastic Book Fair is here! This year’s book fair will be virtual as it was last year. It runs from January 17th to the 28th. Check it out, it’s really cool how the virtual space is just like being in a bookstore. You can’t go wrong with any of the books and it’s a great way to support Tustin Connect, as some of the proceeds come back directly to the school.

Our first PTA meeting of the year was rescheduled from January the 19th to Wednesday, January 26th at 7 pm. We’ll be voting in a revised budget (thanks to your generosity), forming our nominating committee, and looking to the rest of the year’s happenings. Link - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88360062837?pwd=QUkzRk5HNG1lYnFrMmlmQ2hyUkpYQT09

Nomination Committee Needed If you are interested in shaping next year's PTA and are available for 2 meetings in the January/February timeframe, please contact either Ziggy McBride at Ziggy.McBride@gmail.com or Melissa Weiss at smw1196@sbcglobal.net . This committee is tasked with filling the slate of nominees for PTA board positions. Most already have interested and experienced candidates, so you’ll have plenty of talent to draw from.

Sharing your Talents We are encouraged by the increased support for PTA in the last few months. It’s been a blessing to meet more interested Tustin Connect families who have brought forward their support, ideas, and enthusiasm. That’s what PTA is! If you would like to know more about the possibilities and volunteer needs please reach out to Melissa Weiss at smw1196@sbcglobal.net, Linda Ly at linda@grandsoirees.com or Ziggy McBride at Ziggy.Mcbride@gmail.com.

In the last few months, PTA has supported the students in the High School with snacks during finals week. If you would like to help coordinate donations or donate snacks to the school please let us know by messaging the website at tustinconnectpta.com, or by contacting either Melissa Weiss ate smw1196@sbcglobal.net or Ziggy McBride at Ziggy.McBride@gmail.com.

Please check out the PTA website at tustinconnectpta.com for all pertinent PTA happenings and information.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Your PTA

The Tustin Unified School District is currently accepting transfer requests through Friday, Jan. 28, at 3:00 p.m. from elementary, middle, and high school students for the 2022-23 school year.

Please note, if you are continuing at Tustin Connect or returning to your School of Residence, a transfer request is not needed. We will be sending out a survey in late February/early March where you will let us know your intentions. If you are planning to attend a school other than your assigned school, you will need to complete a transfer request.

Transfers can be made online via the TUSD website at www.tustin.k12.ca.us (select the “Transfers” tab to begin the process or at www.tusdtransfers.org. Anyone needing assistance completing a transfer request can contact the Transfers Department at (714) 730-7301, ext. 51317, or visit the TUSD Transfer Office at 14741 North B St., Tustin. The office is accessible through the Helen Estock Elementary parking lot on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. As a reminder, only students that are matriculating or wishing to attend a school other than their school of residence need to apply. If students are continuing at their current school, no application is necessary.

As in previous years, the Transfer Process can be completed entirely online. If you need in-person assistance, COVID-19 protocols will be in place at the TUSD Transfer Office. Individuals must wear face masks to protect themselves and others.

All TUSD schools will accept qualified transfer applications for the 2022-23 school year. Applications submitted during the transfer period will be processed according to a random and unbiased process based on space availability. Notification of acceptance or denial will be sent this spring.

COVID Home Testing Kits are still available to students who have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, is exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, or who have any reason to believe they may have COVID-19. Please stop by either the K-8 or High School TC office if you would like a test.

The state has developed flyers in English and Spanish that explain when to test your child and what steps to take if you get a positive test result. More information can be found on the CDPH website.

As a reminder:

• There is no statewide testing mandate for students returning to school. While some school districts in California may implement local testing policies, the state is not requiring a documented negative test to return to the classroom. The CDPH says its efforts are intended to increase access to tests for K-12 students.

• There is no cost to families. The tests have been purchased by the California Department of Public Health with funds provided by the federal government to support testing in schools.

TUSD is committed to continuing in-person instruction and has taken measures to ensure we are doing that safely. We know students and staff experience lower levels of exposure while at school and at work. Health and safety measures are working such as the use of outdoor and flexible learning spaces; enhanced ventilation systems; stand-alone air purification systems for classrooms, office spaces, and common areas; access to frequent handwashing; increased disinfecting practices and protocols, and wearing masks while indoors.

You can help by ensuring your child is vaccinated (and boosted if applicable); testing for COVID-19 if they have been exposed or are presenting symptoms, and keeping them home if they are ill. If your child has not yet been vaccinated, please schedule them as soon as possible.

Update on California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Guidelines

CDPH has issued new guidelines regarding quarantine periods for those who test positive for COVID-19 or who have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19. Based on this update, The Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA) has also issued an updated health order on isolation requirements. The quarantine period has been reduced from 10 days to 5 days when certain conditions are met. The quarantine can end after 5 days under the following conditions outlined by the OCHCA updated health order:

• At least 5 days have passed since the COVID-19 symptom onset; AND
• At least 24 hours have passed since the resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications; AND
• Other COVID-19 symptoms have improved (except the loss of taste and smell which may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation); AND
• A US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved/authorized COVID-19 test is negative on or after day 5 from COVID-19 symptom onset. COVID-19 antigen testing is the preferred test to be used for this repeat testing. PCR tests will commonly remain positive for many weeks after illness starts and are not recommended for use to assess appropriateness for ending isolation.

Individuals will need to continue wearing a well-fitting mask when around others for an additional 5 days. If individuals are unable to test or choose not to test, a 10-day quarantine period is required.

Guidance for Use of Face Masks

The CDPH has extended the requirement that masks be worn in all indoor public settings, irrespective of vaccine status, until February 15, 2022.

School Website Calendar Link

January 10-28: TUSD Transfer Window (visit transfers website for more information)

January 17-28: Tustin Connect Virtual Book Fair (see the flyer for more information)

January 26: PTA Meeting @7 pm Link to the meeting.

February 11: No School - President's Day

February 16: Senior Pictures in the TCHS MPR from 8:45 am – 11:00 am no appt. necessary (flyer)

February 21: No School - President's Day

If you have any technology questions or needs, please take a moment to visit the Resources section on our TC website and which has helpful hints and answers many of your questions. It also has a link to our TUSD helpdesk where you can get help for a wide range of issues from iPads to Schoology,, apps and more. Check it out!

To provide students a flexible, yet rigorous, alternative education solution within a caring community that cultivates success, resilience, and advocacy for themselves and others

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