FRIDAY REFLECTION
From the desk of Dr. Tuin, THS Principal
August 26, 2021
The Tiller tradition of the poster plaza continued last night. Our ASB team worked into the evening carefully placing hundreds of posters on the plaza floor, all the way from the sun dial to the back of the stage. It is not only a demonstration of school spirit, but also a work of art.
One of the reasons there is so much excitement for the game this year is that both teams showed they are worthy opponents in their first game. Foothill beat one of our league competitors and our Tillers came from behind in dramatic fashion last week with a 2 point conversion that sealed the win in overtime against Capo Valley.. Our team showed a great deal of resiliency, composure and determination in the effort. Before I knew we won, I was already proud of our team for the character they showed in battling back.
Football wasn’t the only sport to experience a comeback of sorts. Our girls Volleyball played to games this week at home and won them both. On Tuesday, against Portola, they won the first set but lost the next two, only to come back to win the next two. Then last night after loosing a set, they gathered their focus and completed the win. I think the baseball team had as much fun as anyone cheerin on our girls. It was another example of student appreciation for being able to e
In our second full week, I was busy with multiple meetings from gathering virtually with district administrators to meeting in person with parents. Monday night was both our PTO monthly meeting and a beginning of the year Title I meeting. I enjoyed meeting new parents in both. The Title I meeting was mostly in Spanish thanks to my secretary, Patty Lee. She had a delightful visit with 8 awesome mothers who were there to learn about their child’s school. I was able to explain our Title I funding and how it is used. More importantly, I had the privilege of meeting new parents. I often say Tustin is an amazing place, and it is because of the people.
Coming off the pandemic experience, it is obvious that students are grateful to be back in school, and interacting in person with peers and teachers. It is also obvious that for some, being back in person is a source of anxiety. Whether it is learning to appropriately interact with students not seen for many months or actually worried about the virus, some students struggle. I have appreciated the teachers, paras, counselors, social workers and administrators who have been there already to support students. This week I participated in a Restorative Practice Circle with 8 young ladies and some adults. It exposed for me some of what our students are dealing with in returning. I was proud of our students advocating, listening and trying to figure it out. I am grateful to be on a team who cares about students on so many levels.
We continued to have fun this week at lunchtime with special activities each day. The teachers took it to the next level with cornhole competition on the front stage. It is just good to see people enjoying and appreciating the opportunity to be together.
In all the business of this week, I appreciated the opportunity to have conversations with some of our staff and students. It was a reminder that we all have a story and bring such varied experiences to this one grand Tiller experience. It is great to be together, and great to be a Tiller!
Go Tillers!
Dr. Jon Tuin
Tustin High School Principal
Contact us!
Email: THSInfo@tustin.k12.ca.us
Website: https://www.tustin.k12.ca.us/tustin-high
Location: 1171 El Camino Real, Tustin, CA 92780, USA
Phone: 714-730-7414
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TustinHighSchool/
Twitter: @TustinHS