Tustin Connect News

It's Friday and another awesome week at Tustin Connect. We hope that you are all doing well and staying healthy. We have some updates below as well as some exciting news about our next virtual event. This week's background features senior Michelle Castillo. Michelle was recognized as this year's honoree for Every Student Succeeding. Congratulations to Michelle! We are so proud of you. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Mr. Fineberg, our principal, at efineberg@tustin.k12.ca.us.

I am super excited to announce that our 2nd Virtual Event has been scheduled for Thursday, February 11th at 6 pm. In honor of Valentine's Day, we will be having a 60s themed Lovefest! We will have a costume/background contest and games with lots of prizes and of course, I will be your host once again. More details in the coming weeks, but we wanted to be sure that you marked your calendars now! The following Friday and Monday are holidays, so you'll have 4 days to savor the fun from the event. 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

PTA General Meeting

Next week is our first PTA General Meeting in 2021! We can’t wait to share an update on our campus beautification efforts and how your donations during the fall fundraiser helped make it happen. As a reminder, you can donate any time of year in any amount that’s comfortable for you on our website.

Topic: Tustin Connect PTA Public Meeting

Time: Jan 20, 2021 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81932035262?pwd=eUlHaExZdjQ2M0xnU0pUSDU4bXliZz09

Meeting ID: 819 3203 5262

Passcode: 533745

Volunteers, Chairpersons, and PTA Positions

It’s no surprise that a PTA is only as good as its volunteers. The more we have, the more we can do! Throughout the year, volunteers can make a huge impact on the students and teachers. We’re looking for ongoing short-term volunteers to help out as well as additional leadership on the PTA Executive Board for 2021-22 school year. If you would like to get involved, please get in touch with us at tustinconnectpta@gmail.com.

Only two more weeks for the Priority School of Choice Window. The window will remain open through January 29th at 3 pm. As a reminder, you are guaranteed a 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 prior to January 29th at 3pm 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 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 to register.

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

TC Virtual Lovefest: Thursday, February 11th

President's Day Holidays(No School): Friday, February 12th, and Monday, February 15th

Attention Seniors: Remember SENIORS! It is time to create your portals with the top schools you are interested in joining this Fall! Keep up with the "To Do List" for each individual school. Also, focus your attention on financial aid. You can apply to FAFSA for our citizen/resident students https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

or Dream Act for our undocumented students https://dream.csac.ca.gov/

Apply as the March 2nd deadline will be here in no time! Contact Mr. Moreno for further questions gmorenoomana@tustin.k12.ca.us

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)

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!

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.

What is PAPER?

Who are PAPER's Tutors?

How Do Students Use PAPER's Essay Review?

How Do Students Access 24/7 Live Help on PAPER?

How does Paper help students?

Paper for Parents & Guardians

Parent Video in Spanish

Live Help in Spanish

Essay Review in Spanish

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

Tustin Unified School District

Tustin Connect K-12 Blended Learning School

STATEMENT OF NON-DISCRIMINATION

(Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, § 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973)

The Tustin Unified School District (Tustin USD) is committed to ensuring equal, fair, and meaningful access to employment and education services. The District prohibits, in any employment practice, education program, or educational activity, unlawful discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, intimidation, and bullying, based on actual or perceived race or ethnicity, color, ancestry, nationality, national origin, immigration status, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital or parental status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, veteran or military status, medical condition, pregnancy and related conditions, retaliation, or political beliefs; or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. Your child has a right to a free public education, regardless of immigration status. The District will take steps to assure that the lack of English will not be a barrier to admission and participation in District programs. A copy of the District’s nondiscrimination policy is available from the Tustin Unified School District Office.

The following position is designated Coordinator for Nondiscrimination at Tustin Connect K-12 Blended Learning School to handle complaints regarding discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying, and to answer inquiries regarding the District’s nondiscrimination policies:

Erick Fineberg

Principal

1511 San Juan Street & 14741 North B Street

(714) 430-2052

Any student who feels that he/she has been subjected to discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying should immediately contact the Coordinator, the principal, or any other staff member. In addition, any student who observes any such incident should report the incident to the Coordinator or principal, whether or not the victim files a complaint.

Any school employee who observes an incident of discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying or to whom such an incident is reported shall report the incident to the Coordinator or principal, whether or not the victim files a complaint.

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