Principal's Message...
Spring Break is traditionally the time where we figuratively and literally reset our clocks and gear up for the home stretch for the final quarter of the year. Like all things 2020-21, this is a unique spring break as it brings with it a change in tiers for Orange County and the beginning of the reopening of our communities, and the prospect of hope to return back to some semblance of normalcy. With that being said, we are all so excited while we continue to be vigilant in being safe. We can see the light at the end of this long tunnel and it is bright! We will continue to do all of the things that have made us successful in regards to the flexibility, rigor, care, and innovation, we provide. With that being said, please be on the lookout for a separate survey and link heading your way when we return from break. The survey will outline our plan for next year and provide a platform for parents to declare their intentions for 21-22 as well as provide critical feedback on our programs and school. Enjoy the rest of your break. We are excited about the homestretch! 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
Guidelines for Applying to Community College Classes and IVC's Promise Program
As we return from Spring Break and head into the summer months, it is also a time when many of our students are thinking of enrolling in community college courses. If you are thinking of doing so, please take a moment to review the linked document. It provides an overview of the enrollment process and related websites as well. It's super helpful and a great place to start. If you're considering taking a community college course, please reach out to Mr. Moreno and/or your advisory teacher. We can help you not only pick the best courses for your graduation plan but also help you navigate the process.
If you have not heard, IVC offers a Promise Program that provides two years of free tuition and other fees. The deadline to apply has been extended to April 16, 2021. Prospective IVC students must complete the steps to becoming an IVC student and submit a FAFSA or California Dream Act application before that deadline in order to be considered for the Irvine Valley Promise Program. For more information or to learn about the Promise Program please visit www.ivc.edu/promise or email ivcpromise@ivc.edu.
Elementary Information
5th Grade Math Placement Test: All 5th graders take a math assessment each year for placement in middle school math. There are two paths available for students- Math 6 and Math 6A (accelerated with all of the 6th grade standards and half of the 7th grade). Students will take this assessment in April. In order to protect our precious instructional time, we will take the test in two parts Part I on Wednesday, April 7, and Part 2 on Friday, April 9. The assessment is timed and will take approximately 2 hours. Students can come in person or take the test online. This is a proctored test, so students must take it at the same time. We will finalize the time as we get closer.
Report Cards Available: Report cards are available via your parent portal. Please see the linked directions to access a step-by-step walkthrough to access. If you would prefer to have a copy mailed to your home, please email Mrs. Alpay (kalpay@tustin.k12.ca.us) in the office and she can send one home to you.
Middle School Information
Empowering MS Girls: Please take a moment to read this Washington Post Article. It lays out great tips for parents to help middle-school girls build up their confidence and begin to develop career work-life skills.
SORA Spotlight: The month of March is Women's History Month. Please check out this link for some excellent resources.
Math Pathways Important Information: Please take a moment to review the linked letters based on your child's current math level. This is important information as we look at placing students in math classes for 2021-22.
Math 6/7 Families: English Version Spanish Version
Math 8 Families: English Version Spanish Version
Algebra 1 Families: English Version Spanish Version
High School Information
Summer School 2021: TUSD is offering two options for summer school this year. Students can take summer school at our local high schools or a Pacific Coast High School. TUSD's summer school will have an in-person component while PCHS will be 100% virtual. TUSD will focus on incomplete and D/F grade recovery while PCHS will offer a larger variety of courses. Please contact Mr. Moreno for all of the details and a referral to summer school as well.
Summer CTE Internship for Rising Seniors: The TUSD CTE
Summer Internship Program will be launched this summer. This exploratory opportunity will be for rising Seniors in the summer of 2021. See the flyer for more information.
TPSF Summer Internships: Summer internship opportunities are available now for this summer's Academy. It's a great opportunity to build your resume, gain some terrific experience, and have some fun! Apply now at www.tpsf.net/summer.
TUSD Senior Students and Parents Scholarship Opportunity
Many of us vividly remember Sergeant Del Pickney and we continue to honor him. For those who did not know him, Del worked for Tustin PD for nearly 29 years, retiring July 2017. Del stayed on as a Master Reserve Officer until his passing. Del was a big guy who had a “gigantic” impact on many of us at Tustin PD. Some of his contributions continue at Tustin PD, such as the adopt-a-complex and the massive impact he had on the FTO program. Unfortunately, Del suffered a fatal heart attack on February 22, 2018.
Through the Tustin Police Foundation we have formed a memorial scholarship fund in his name. All high school seniors of City of Tustin employees and all TUSD seniors are eligible. Any high school senior moving on to a form of college or enlisting to serve our great nation in the armed services is eligible. To apply, have your son or daughter click on the google form link below.
This year we will be awarding (2) $1,000 scholarships which will be announced on Thursday, May 13th at the Annual Battle of the Badge Golf Tournament hosted by the Tustin Police Foundation.
Del Pickney Scholarship - https://forms.gle/PbBViuvMZ3i17ykM6
If anyone has any questions, please feel free to contact me at any time.”
Stay Safe,
Ryan
Lieutenant Ryan Coe │ SWAT Commander
City Operations Division
City of Tustin │Police Department
300 Centennial Way │Tustin, CA 92780
P: 714.573.3265 │rcoe@tustinca.org
K-12 Digital Books Resource Spotlight
Tustin Unified has a growing collection of over 750 read-along titles available in Sora.
Read-alongs are a great way for students to experience picture books, beginning readers, and easy non-fiction in an eBook format with professionally recorded narration that plays while they read. Read-along features include:
Narration that you can start and stop
Text highlighting so the reader can follow along
Automatic page-turning and speed control
You can find read-alongs by logging into Sora through Clever, select Explore and look for the featured Fiction and Non-Fiction Read-Along collections!
Questions? Visit the TUSD Library Service eBooks & Audiobooks webpage OR contact your site library staff.
Important Upcoming Dates
6-12 Quarter 3 Ends: March 12th
Spring Break: March 15th-19th (No School)
Spring Virtual Book Fair: April 5-18 (more details to follow)
Spring Virtual Event: April 15
Teacher Appreciation Week: May 3-7
8th Grade Promotion: May 19th, 5:30 pm @ B Street Campus
End of Year Virtual Event: May 26 @5:30 pm
Senior Graduation: May 27th, 12 noon @ THS Sports Pavilion
Counselor Corner
Social-Emotional Learning at Home Resource
Topic: Attentiveness and Whole Body Listening SEL at Home
Family Engagement Event
Topic: Not So Safe, The Facts About Vaping and E-Cigarettes
Date: Wednesday, March 24, 9:30-10:30 am or 6-7 pm
Registration: Link
TUSD Mental Health Newsletter: Please take a look at this excellent resource of topics to support your children at home from the TUSD Mental Health Professionals.
Grade 6-12: 24/7 Virtual Tutoring for all Tustin Connect Students
That's right, all TC 6-12 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.
Video Tutorials
Getting Started on Paper (8:36)
How Teachers Use Paper (10:48)
Introduccion a Paper (10:44)
Paper for Parents (7:05)
Paper para Padres (14:23)
Online Learning Guide for Students - PDF
Upcoming Parent Nights
Tustin Parent Night (English) - Wednesday, March 24th at 6:00-6:30 PM
English Flyer, English Meeting Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89137963291
Tustin Parent Night (Spanish) - Thursday, March 25th at 6:00-6:30 PM
Spanish Flyer, Spanish Meeting Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82323363176
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