Tustin Connect News

It's time to delve into Issue 12. We started a brand new quarter in high school and continue to roll along with K-8. This week's background comes from Mrs. Fairburn's Algebra 2 Trig Class. The picture captures Mrs. Fairburn teaching both in-person and online students simultaneously. She does so effortlessly and effectively. She's awesome! As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Mr. Fineberg, our principal, at efineberg@tustin.k12.ca.us.

Can you believe we are 1/4 of the way through the school year? Amazing. We're certainly finding our groove and our students appear to be doing so as well. This is also a time when students may need some additional support. Please keep in mind our counselor, Mr. Moreno, is available to support along with our Mental Health Professional Mrs. Bullock (not the science teacher Bullock, it's a different one). We are ready and willing, please don't hesitate to reach out. We've got some updates below related to a few different topics. Please take a few moments to check them out. Enjoy your weekend. 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

Gifted and Talented Education (GATE): The Tustin Unified School District will screen and identify second- through eighth-grade students for GATE this school year. The screening includes a cognitive test (OLSAT or NNAT) which will be administered in person. Social distancing and paper quarantine guidelines will be followed to keep students and staff safe. Please click HERE for a GATE Screening Information Screencast. Here are the English Presentation Slides/Spanish Presentation Slides.

To register your child to screen for GATE, please complete the Consent to Test Form linked HERE by Thursday, October 29, at 4:30 p.m.

Students who have already been identified GATE in Tustin Unified maintain their eligibility and do not need to screen again.

TUSD, in partnership with Vital Link, is proud to offer it’s first ever virtual College and Career Fair. This event will be open to all TUSD students and families. The virtual fair will offer opportunities for students to learn about over 150 colleges and universities, as well as engage with industry professionals in a variety of sectors. The event will take place virtually from 4PM-6PM November 9,10,12, and 13, 2020. In order to access the virtual College and Career Fair, students must register through a protected portal.

A schedule of events is below. All sessions will be recorded and remain available for all students who registered to attend the event.

For our 11th grade families, we share your disappointment in the cancellation of the administration of the PSAT this past Wednesday. We received a formal apology from The College Board yesterday expressing their apology "for the missteps on [their] part."

As a fall out to the missed date, some students may still want to submit entry for the National Merit Scholarship Program. That can still be done. Here's how. Students are able to submit an application through alternate entry for the National Merit Scholarship Program. The student or a school official must write to NMSC after the missed PSAT/NMSQT administration to request information about procedures for Alternate Entry to the National Merit Scholarship Program. To be considered, a request must be emailed to ae@nmerit.net or postmarked no later than April 1, 2021. The Alternate Entry request should include:

• name and address of the student

• contact information of the person making the request

• name and address of the student's high school

• brief explanation of why the student missed the PSAT/NMSQT

Students or school officials can provide the information below for a brief explanation:

“Tustin Unified School District was unable to administer the October administrations for the PSAT due to testing materials not being shipped in time by the Collegeboard.”

Information and requirements for an alternate entry that applies to the October 2020 PSAT administration and the January 2021 administration will be available at the website below by late October.

https://www.nationalmerit.org/s/1758/interior.aspx?sid=1758&gid=2&pgid=401

Check out the upcoming parent workshop highlighting healthy coping skills on Wednesday, October 21st at 5pm via Zoom. In today’s climate, the rise of anxiety and stress among youth is evident. Western Youth Services will offer parents an opportunity to learn more about identifying signs of stress and anxiety in children with healthy ways to cope. Speakers will also provide ways to integrate and use coping strategies at home and school. Please see this flyer for additional information and details. Here are two more workshops for High School parents.

A Healthy Approach to College Admission Tuesday, October 27th at 5 pm - What do college rankings really measure?

- Are students who attend higher-ranked colleges better off later in life?
- What is “fit” and why does it matter?
Learn strategies to help reduce pressure around the college admissions process and ways to support students' well-being and readiness for life in college and beyond. With the pandemic inserting more uncertainty into this process, we will include a Q&A at the end to answer some of your most pressing questions. Click here for more information and to register.

Navigating School During Uncertain Times Thursday, November 12th @ 5 pm How can parents best support the personal and academic needs of their children while also attending to their own professional and family needs? In this presentation, caregivers will learn how they can establish a healthier home environment for their school-aged child, reduce academic stress without sacrificing achievement, and increase resilience, creativity, and well-being. Click here for more information and to register.

Parent Workshop: K-12 Wednesday, October 21st @ 5 pm

PTA Reflections Due Date: The contest is open to entries through October 23rd. Please see the flyer below for additional details.

School Site Council Meeting 2: Friday, October 23rd at 8:30 am

Red Ribbon Week: Week of October 26-30

State of the Schools: October 28th at 4 pm. Click here to register.

Veteran's Day: No School Wednesday, November 11th

Make-Up Picture Day: November 19th

We understand that new technology can be frustrating. We are doing our best to get resources out to make the transition as smooth as possible. To that end, we have created a dedicated space on our school website to help answer any questions you may have as well as contact information for our community technology helpdesk. Please visit us at https://www.tustin.k12.ca.us/tustin-connect/resources/technology

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

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