Principal's Message...
The door to 2020 is officially closed, and although the year was not all bad, the Dodgers and Lakers both won Championships, I am certainly looking forward to turning the page and welcoming 2021. The change in the calendar year brought with it a change in the mandatory quarantine rules. The big change is a move to a 10-day from a 14-day window. Please see the information below or you can use this link to learn more about when to quarantine and for how long. As a reminder, remember to contact the office or me if you or your family have tested positive or have been instructed to quarantine and if you are coming on campus, please continue to follow the guidelines outlined in this video we sent in Octover. We are certainly in unique times, but I feel so fortunate to be navigating these times as part of such a terrific school and district. 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
Save The Date: 1st PTA Membership Meeting
Our first 2021 PTA Membership meeting is on January 20th, 2021 time TBD. We welcome you all to join in this important meeting as we discuss the results of our Fall Fundraising events, our PTA budget, and what we have planned for our students and schools for this quarter.
Spiritwear
They are finally here! We did not forget about them. PTA will work on getting these orders organized. For those who have students in the hybrid program, please keep an eye out for an email for when they are ready to be picked up at your child's school. For the virtual students, they will be delivered to your home in the next week or so to the address associated with your child. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Message from your PTA
We hope you and your family will continue to stay safe and healthy. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns. Your voices are more important than ever as we build our community at Tustin Connect. We welcome all feedback, suggestions, and volunteers to help keep our children thriving during these challenging times.
Elementary Information
Notice for In-person Learners at B-Street Campus: As mentioned in the newsletter, the TUSD transfer window kicks off this Monday and continues through January 29th. As you know, the B Street office is not only Tustin Connect but also Transfers. When picking up or dropping off your students, you may see additional cars in the parking lot. We wanted you to know why. Additionally, there will be tents set up to accommodate the transfers in the parking lot. The applications will be handled in the area outside the offices in the parking lot, so there should not be any impact to TC students outside of some additional cars in the parking lot.
Staff Additions: As mentioned in the principal message before the break, we added an additional 1st-grade teacher to the Elementary Staff over the break to accommodate the increased enrollment and maintain our class sizes. We worked hard to minimize the disruption to our students and their teachers. All the affected students have been notified. We appreciate your patience and flexibility and am excited to welcome Mrs. Weldon (back) to Tustin Connect.
Middle School Information
Notice for In-person Learners at B-Street Campus: As mentioned in the newsletter, the TUSD transfer window kicks off this Monday and continues through January 29th. As you know, the B Street office is not only Tustin Connect but also Transfers. When picking up or dropping off your students, you may see additional cars in the parking lot. We wanted you to know why. Additionally, there will be tents set up to accommodate the transfers in the parking lot. The applications will be handled in the area outside the offices in the parking lot, so there should not be any impact to TC students outside of some additional cars in the parking lot.
Math Reminder: You likely noticed we increased the amount of time we are asking students to spend on Freckle. Students will be required to do 30 minutes a day 3-5 times a week. Freckle is an adaptive program that links with our assessments and allows us to provide targeted practice, remediation, and/or acceleration to your students. It's an invaluable resource and one of our primary resources to prevent learning loss in math.
High School Information
Change of Class Policy: Effective this quarter, students that would like to change classes have until the end of week 2 to make that change. After week 2, we will be unable to change student classes. This includes moving into or out of honors classes or switching any other courses.
Great News for High School Students Fall Grades: In light of the challenges that came with the continued reality that our students are working through, all high schools in TUSD were able to offer Incompletes rather than F grades for students that earned 30%-59% at the final quarter. What this means is students who would have normally had to retake the class, will have the opportunity to complete an abbreviated version of the full class for credit. This is far better for students than retaking the entire class over again. For those students that would prefer a letter grade, they can retake the entire lass over summer as well.
School of Choice and Plans for 2021-22 School Year
It's that time of year when you want to think about your plans for the 2021-22 school year as TUSD's School of Choice/Transfer window opens this Monday, January 11th at 8 am. The window will remain open through January 29th at 3 pm. As a reminder, you are guaranteed spot at your resident school or if you were slated for a transfer this year, that transfer will be honored in 21-22. If you would like to continue with Tustin Connect, you will not need to apply for a transfer. If you would like to attend a school that is not Tustin Connect or your school of residence, you must complete a Transfer Request during the priority window January 11-29 to maximize the likelihood that your child is able to attend the school of choice. Please visit the TUSD Website Transfer Page for more information or contact the office if you have any questions.
SAT Registration-Open Until 1/15/21 DON'T DELAY!
SAT for 11th Graders: Great news. All 11th-grade students will be invited to take the SAT on-site at Tustin Connect. In lieu of the PSAT, TUSD will be offering the in-person SAT School Day Administration on Wednesday, March 3, 2021. Registration will be open to all 11th-grade students in TUSD. The exam will be administered at each TUSD high school and is limited to Juniors to support the recommended current health and safety guidelines. Please see the details below.
Registration Window: 12/8/20 - 1/15/21
SAT Test Date: March 3, 2021
Cost: $72 for all students. ($19 if you qualify for the Free and Reduced Lunch Program)
Location: The SAT School Day will take place in-person at Tustin Connect High School
How to Register: Students will register and pay for the exam through RegiSmart, a system that will allow schools to safely collect and easily monitor registration and collect exam fees from students. Use this link for step by step instructions along with a link to register.
Important Upcoming Dates
TUSD Transfers Window: Monday, January 11th-29th
TUSD School Tours: January 12th, 9 am and 6 pm
SAT Registration Due: Friday, January 15th
Martin Luther King Jr Day: Monday, January 18th
PTA General Membership Meeting: Wednesday, January 20th
8th Grade and Senior Photos: Thursday, January 28th
Counselor Corner
Weekly TUSD Mental Health Newsletter: Take a look at our TUSD Mental Health Newsletter. It is filled with tremendous resources and useful tips for families.
Social-Emotional Conversations at Home: Check out these great conversation starters to spark discussion at home about SEL topics. This one is about Asking for Help.
SEL Conversations at Home (ENG) SEL Conversations at Home (SPA)
K-12 Digital Books Resource
Tustin Unified is excited to offer students an additional collection of fun and engaging digital books and audiobooks through Sora. What’s great in Sora:
Popular titles, series, authors, and genres across all grade levels
Variety of materials including picture books, chapter books, graphic novels, and Spanish language items
Full-length audiobooks and read-along picture books
Enjoy on all major devices and tablets
Access & Login
Access Sora directly (https://soraapp.com/welcome) or as a link in Clever
Clever is available as an app on all TUSD student devices or through the Student Portal on the district webpage
Login to Sora through Clever.
Use your TUSD Google username (with @mytusd.org) and password.
Look for and select "Tustin Unified School District" as your school or use our setup code: TustinUSD.
Select "Sign in using Tustin Unified School District"
For more details, including helpful information, visit the TUSD Library Services eBooks & Audiobooks webpage.
Please check out this video in order to get started!
Grade 6-12: 24/7 Virtual Tutoring for all Tustin Connect Students
That's right, all TC 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.
How Do Students Use PAPER's Essay Review?
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