Tustin Connect News

Welcome back Mavericks. Lots of updates and information as we return back from break. Check out below for information on the upcoming Virtual Book Fair, free take-home COVID antigen tests, TUSD transfers, and so much more. This week's background is an announcement for the upcoming Book Fair. It's a great opportunity to bring in some awesome books. As always, if you have any questions, concerns, or compliments, please reach out to Mr. Fineberg, our principal, at efineberg@tustin.k12.ca.us.

Happy New Year Maverick Families! We are so excited to welcome everyone back this week. It's great to see everyone and we are excited to kick off the 2nd half of the school year. A couple of big announcements:

• TUSD/TC Website: You may have noticed the TUSD/TC website was not fully functional and somewhat outdated. The website provider has experienced a ransomware incident and is working toward rebuilding the sites. In the meantime, you may see limited functionality.
• COVID At-Home Testing: We have home testing kits for students who believe they may have been exposed and/or are experiencing symptoms. If you are interested in getting the kit, please call the office (714) 430-2052, and we will be sure to have one ready for you.
• TUSD Transfer Window: The window will be open from January 10-28. During this time, parents are able to request transfers to a school if they would like to attend a school other than their school of residence. See below for additional details.

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 coming! 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 the proceeds from Scholastic come directly back to the school.

Our first PTA meeting of the year will be on January the 19th at 7 pm. Look for the link to be sent out the week before. 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.

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 accepting transfer requests starting Monday, Jan. 10, at 8 a.m. 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.

Good afternoon Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers,

As previously shared, the California Department of Public Health is making at-home COVID-19 testing kits available for free to Tustin Unified School District (TUSD) families. The Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) has not yet received the full shipment but has supplied TUSD with 9,618 antigen tests. The partial allotment of tests will be distributed proportionately to each of our school sites on Monday, January 10, 2022, and will be available to students who have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, is exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, or if you have any reason to believe they may have COVID-19. This system for distribution will allow each campus to best meet the needs of its students and families. Please contact the TC office if you would like a test to arrange pickup.

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. 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 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, the 10-day quarantine period is required.

Guidance for Use of Face Masks

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

Thank You

We understand this is a time of uncertainty and concern. We will work through this together, and as the pandemic continues to evolve, we will continue to respond and adapt quickly in order to keep our schools open in a safe manner. We appreciate your support and understanding and will continue to keep you updated.

Familial Support University “FSU”: You won't want to miss the second meeting of FSU. Join other TC families to gain strategies and learn ways to support your student at home. The upcoming workshop topic is “Social-Emotional Growth” CLICK HERE FOR FLYER on Wednesday, January 19 on Zoom 6-7 pm Sign up here: https://forms.gle/u21cR5KL3giUk3Vd9

School Website Calendar Link

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

January 17: No School-Martin Luther King Jr. Day

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

January 19: Familial Support University Meeting 2: Social-Emotional Growth (RSVP Flyer) @6pm

January 19: PTA Meeting @7 pm

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