Tustin Connect News
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Volume 2 Issue 31
Principal's Message...
We are excited to be back and in the home stretch for the 21-22 school year. As mentioned last week, the news related to COVID vaccine rates and the related metrics surrounding the disease continues to be very positive. As a result, Dr. Franklin released some great news about the 21-22 School Year below. As a result, we temporarily put our survey on hold in order to provide families the most up-to-date information with which to make a decision for the upcoming year. Please know that the delay will not negatively impact your child's ability to attend their school of residence for the 21-22 school year. Thank you for your patience as we work to provide you with an opportunity to make an informed decision for the 21-22 school year. 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
Supt. Franklin Message Regarding 21-22 School Year Return to Full-Time In-Person Learning
Tustin Unified School District
Message to Parents and Guardians
March 25, 2021
Students Will Return to Full-Time In-Person Learning for 2021-22;
District Will Also Offer Tustin Connect Independent Study Program
Dear TUSD Families:
Great news! As COVID-19 cases continue to decrease and vaccines become more widely available, the Tustin Unified School District is pleased to announce all students will return to full-time, in-person instruction at all elementary, middle and high schools for the 2021-22 school year. The first day of school is Thursday, August 12.
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has issued updated guidance on physical distancing in schools. The language is similar to the new CDC guidance, which advises a minimum of three feet between students instead of six feet. This change in social distancing guidelines from six feet to three will accommodate more students on campus and increase valuable in-person instructional time.
In the 2021-22 school year, Tustin Unified will return to a traditional schedule of five days per week. In April, families will have the opportunity to learn more about the District’s award-winning Tustin Connect K-12 School that offers an independent study program. Families who wish to keep their students home during the 2021-22 school year will have an opportunity to transfer to Tustin Connect. Please look for this message in the coming weeks.
Due to these recent developments, TUSD is also working on a process to expand in-person classes for the remainder of this school year for those students who have already opted for in-person instruction. Details are being worked out and will be shared as soon as they are available.
Tustin Unified continues to make every effort to maintain a safe and healthy environment for students and staff, while adhering to all health and safety guidelines established by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA). The District’s health and safety measures include face coverings, daily temperature checks, physical distancing, use of outdoor and flexible learning spaces, enhanced ventilation systems, stand-alone air purification systems for each classroom, office spaces and common areas, handwashing/hand sanitizing stations, and increased disinfecting practices and protocols.
The District greatly appreciates your continued cooperation throughout the school year and will continue to work closely with CDPH and OCHCA to monitor the situation and provide updates as needed.
Please continue to visit the TUSD website at www.tustin.k12.ca.us for additional information and resources, including the TUSD COVID-19 Dashboard.
Keep strong and stay healthy.
Gregory A. Franklin, Ed.D.
Superintendent
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.
Current 5th grade Parents: Please check out the linked Rising 6th Grade Parent Night information. The flyer includes links to the parent night for each middle school. Please find the link for the school your child is planning to attend. For those remaining at Tustin Connect, you are good to go and our Middle School Teachers will reach out. The transition is pretty seamless.
Middle School Information
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
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.
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.
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.
Tustin Public School Foundation(TPSF) - Tustin Summer Academy
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.
Important Upcoming Dates
Spring Virtual Book Fair: April 5-18 (more details to follow)
Incoming 6th Grade Parent Night: April 8 5 or 6 pm dependent on school
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: Handling Conflicts SEL at Home
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.
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.
HYBRID SCHEDULES:
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
Principal Fineberg Selected as ACSA 2021 California Administrator of the Year
TUSD News Release:
Tustin Connect School Principal Erick Fineberg has been named the 2021 California Continuation/Educational Options Administrator of the Year by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA).
“There are thousands of school administrators in California representing 19 regions and to be chosen as a state Administrator of the Year is quite an accomplishment,” Tustin Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Gregory Franklin said. “Erick is an outstanding educational leader who is making a tremendous difference in Tustin Unified by expanding learning opportunities for all students.”