Cardinal Community Connection

Preparing each student to succeed in their future and be college and career ready upon graduation.

Welcome to a New School Year, Cardinals!

Welcome back, Cardinals, and a very special welcome to all of our new students and families!

I was trying not to inundate you with emails and messages, so I waited until the 2nd week to send the monthly updates. This is usually a live link and updated with the events and new we have throughout the month. Between email, the newsletter and Instagram and Facebook, we are determined to get this information to you. We are excited to begin another school year at Tracy Independent Study Charter School. Our students are starting to get into their routines and we are excited to see them grow.

Some reminders as we start the school year:

📧 Communication Is Key!

One of the most important things students and families can do to stay connected and successful is CHECK YOUR EMAIL!

Students: Please check your TUSD student email every school day. Your teachers will use your school email to communicate important information about assignments, meetings, schedules, activities, deadlines, and other school updates.

Parents/Guardians: Please check your email regularly as well. School announcements, reminders, upcoming events, and important information will be sent electronically throughout the year.

Because we are an independent study school, communication is especially important. Email is one of the primary ways our teachers and school staff communicate with students and families. Missing an email can mean missing an important deadline, meeting, or opportunity.

If your contact information or email address changes, please let our office know as soon as possible.

🎉 Independent Study Doesn't Mean Missing Out!

One of our goals this year is to give our students more opportunities to connect, participate, create, and simply have fun together. Social events are an important part of that! While our students may complete much of their schoolwork independently, we still want them to feel connected to their school and to one another. These events give students an opportunity to:

• Meet other TISCS students
• Build friendships and connections
• Get to know our staff outside of their regular meetings
• Participate in activities and experiences they might not get through online coursework
• Feel like they are part of a school community

We strongly encourage students to attend when they can—even if they don't know anyone yet. That's exactly why we're having them!

🎉 HIGH SCHOOL SOCIAL

Wednesday, August 19
10:00–11:30 AM
All TISCS high school students are invited! Come hang out, meet other students, participate in activities, and start the year connected to your Cardinal community. More student events are coming throughout the year, so watch your email!

🎨🧵🖨️ NEW This Year — Our Learning Lab!

We have been working hard to create more hands-on opportunities for our students, and we are excited to open our Learning Lab! Students will have opportunities throughout the year to explore and create using:

🖨️ 3D Printing
✂️ Cricut Design & Vinyl
👕 Heat Press & Custom Apparel
🧵 Sewing & Textile Projects
📸 Digital Photography
🎨 Art & Creative Projects

🎶 Music Workshops (IN progress)

Our goal is to give students opportunities to take what they are learning beyond the computer screen and design, build, create, and explore new interests.

Watch for upcoming Learning Lab activities and workshops!

📚 Success Center Opens August 24

Our Success Center will open beginning Monday, August 24. The Success Center is available for students who need a place to work, additional academic support, help getting caught up, or simply a structured environment to complete their assignments. Students do not need to wait until they are struggling to use the Success Center. We encourage students to take advantage of this resource throughout the school year.

💻 Remember: Use Your School-Issued Computer

All students have access to a TUSD-issued computer, and students should use their district device for schoolwork. Using the school-issued device ensures students can properly access district programs and allows teachers to provide the appropriate academic support when needed.

Students should also remember that math assessments may be proctored by their teacher, so it is important to communicate with your teacher and follow all testing directions.

Please make sure you bring your computer with you to every meeting you have at school. We are a tech-based school, and it is important that you come in prepared to work on your computer.

❤️ Our Goal This Year: CONNECTION

Independent study gives students flexibility, but flexibility does not mean isolation.

This year, we want our Cardinals to connect with their teachers, connect with other students, connect with our campus, and take advantage of the opportunities available to them.

Attend a social. Visit the Success Center. Try something new in the Learning Lab. Join an activity.
Ask for help. Check your email. 😊

There is much more to us than completing assignments, and we are excited to continue creating new experiences for our students.

Looking forward to an amazing 2026–27 school year! Go Cardinals!

August

8/3 First Day of School

8/19 High School Social

8/27 Back to School Night

September

9/7 Labor Day, NO SCHOOL (No teacher meetings)

SORA Reading App (Free e-BOOKS!)

Access through Clever --> Library Resources

Time-Management Tip: Make To-Do Lists.

Each day make a list of all the things you need to do. Focus on one task at a time, and cross things off as they get done. At the end of each day, take the tasks that didn’t get done and put them on the next day’s To-Do list.

Time-Management Tip: Make a weekly schedule.

Each Sunday evening, take time to plan out the coming week. Make sure that you have enough time to do everything that’s scheduled.

Time-Management Tip: Use time wisely.

Use free time in school to start on homework. You’ll have a lot less work to do at night. Also look for chunks of time during the day that are wasted. Think about how you can use these times more effectively.

Time-Management Tip: Control time wasters.

Social media, TV, and video games can all be huge time wasters. Schedule small chunks of time for these activities, and stick to your schedule.

Time-Management Tip: Don’t overextend yourself.

If you’re doing more than you can handle, identify activities you can eliminate, shorten, or postpone. Do not give up sleep to get everything done.

Time-Management Tip: Create routines.

Having a good morning and nighttime routine will save you time, and help your day run more smoothly. Have a morning routine that includes getting up early enough to eat breakfast and not be rushed.

For more time-management tips, click here.

Email: tracycharterschool@tusd.net
Website: https://tracycharter.tracy.k12.ca.us/
Location: 1904 Corral Hollow Road, Tracy, CA, USA
Phone: (209)830-3380
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095120198486
Instagram: @tracycharterschool