Tustin Connect News

Issue 39, you have to be out of your mind! Only one more week to go. This week's newsletter is all about celebrations and the end of the year. We have details on the End of Year Funkfest, Graduation and 5th-grade Promotion, device return, and more. This week's background features a picture from our 8th grade. The promotion ceremony was incredible. Thank you to all of the parents, staff, and families! We were excited to celebrate them and all of our students along with our promoting 5th graders and graduating seniors. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Mr. Fineberg, our principal, at efineberg@tustin.k12.ca.us.

It truly is the final countdown to the 2020-21 school year. We are excited to be able to celebrate our 2021 graduates in person as well as those promoting as well onto middle and high school. We are so proud of all of our students and appreciate our students and families for working through this intensely challenging year. It was great to celebrate our 8th graders in person and surreal to realize that many of them met each other in person for the first time at their promotion ceremony. Big thank yous to Dr. Kim for all of her hard work and all of the other volunteers in making the promotion ceremony a success. It was a beautiful night and a wonderful way to conclude these students' middle school experience. We even had some students attend virtually from Dubai and Vietnam.

In case you missed it, the latest issue of TUSD School News Roll Call magazine came out this week. Check out the issue and some cool updates regarding Tustin Connect (See pages 8 and 24 specifically). Lastly, for those of you at the high school that knows Mrs. Murashige, she will be with us full-time next year! Yeah!!!!! 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

Tustin Connect families May 14, 2021

As we wrap up this year and look to next, Tustin Connect PTA is most grateful for the support and the participation you have shown. This, being an exceptionally challenging year we look forward to the day when we can meet face to face, where, in conjunction with Principal Fineberg, and the exceptionally talented staff at TC, our families can continue building on our community.

As PTA looks to next year, l encourage all our families to consider lending your ideas, talents, and time to this extraordinary school and joining your PTA.

Thank you, to all our donors who without their support PTA wouldn’t be able to offer the campus enhancements, events, and recognitions.

Thank you, Ashley Le for your leadership early in our PTA. Without hesitation, you raised your hand and offered your talents and tremendous spirit to get this PTA going.

Thank you, Rebecca Walter for the fundraising efforts and the enhancements you’ve brought to our gardens. They will be enjoyed for years.

Thank you, Maneesha Singh for your dedication and willingness to help as treasurer and auditor, two of the essential functions of our PTA, and always doing it with enthusiasm.

Thank you, Tara Hirose for your kind and professional spirit in loyally showing up and supporting in any way you can. It has been a pleasure serving with you. Thank you, Corine Goodwin, you will be missed next year but your contribution to our PTA will remain.

Thank you, Linda Ly, for the miracles you work with our events and we look forward to seeing what next year brings.

Thank you, Brandon Dove for your patience and work on the website.

Thank you to our wonderful parents who supported Tustin Connect students and staff, with the 8th-grade promotion and 12th-grade graduation events.

Lastly, thank you, Tustin Connect, you inspire us to work for your extraordinary school, offering students alternatives to traditional schools. We are most grateful.

Thank you

Melissa Weiss

Tustin Connect PTA

714-719-3782

TustinConnectPTA.com

It's almost here! Please come by to get your bag in order to complete the craft. It's going to be awesome. As a reminder, the event will be Wednesday, May 26th at 5:30 for Elementary and 6:15 for Middle School. We will be having a funkified costume/ background competition, scavenger hunt, and game. As always, prizes will be awarded to the winners as well. RSVP using this link. You can pick up supplies for our craft at either Tustin Connect location now. Big thank you to our PTA for sponsoring this event!

5th Grade: The Promotion Picnic is on Wednesday, May 26th. See flyer for details. As you know, it will be held on the field behind P11 at the B Street Campus. Be sure to bring your blankets, chairs, hats, and sunscreen. ;) Reminder due to guidelines, we are limiting the event to households only.

Seniors: Reminder we are at Tustin High School Northrup Stadium. The start time will be 12:30. Graduates need to report by 11:30 at the Tustin HS Sports Pavilion. If you did not pick up your cap, gown, tassel, yard sign, t-shirt, and swag bag be sure to do so before Thursday at the San Juan Street campus office.

Congratulations to all of our 8th-grade graduates who will be heading off to high school. What an exciting next step. A huge thank you to Dr. Kim and the team of volunteers for all of your help and support in making the Promotion Ceremony a memorable event for all. Thank you to Mrs. Dove for an amazing year and our PTA for your continued support.

Tustin Unified School District

COVID-19 Update: Orange County Enters Yellow Tier – No Change for Schools

May 19, 2021

Dear TUSD Parents and Guardians:

Good news! Orange County continues to make great progress in its fight against COVID-19 and now has moved to the state’s yellow tier with the least restrictions for businesses. However, it is still business as usual – no change – for Orange County schools. Tustin Unified School District students and staff will continue to follow the state’s health and safety protocols on all campuses and work sites. The last day of school is Friday, May 28.

Wearing Face Masks is Still Required

As a reminder, the California Department of Public Health and Orange County Health Care Agency has not changed their face covering requirements despite recommendations from the Center for Disease Control. Tustin Unified will continue to follow state guidelines of wearing face masks in schools, classrooms, and offices regardless of vaccine status. According to Governor Newsom and health officials, wearing masks will remain in place until Tuesday, June 15, when the state is expected to eliminate the colored tier system and mask mandate. For more information, visit www.covid19.ca.gov.

Tustin Unified is providing the following information about vaccine providers, such as Families Together of Orange County, Orange County Great Park, Orange County Health Care Agency (Othena website), California Department of Public Health (My Turn system), hospitals, pharmacies, and vaccine finder website:

Families Together of Orange County

Families Together of Orange County, a community health center in Tustin, is offering COVID-19 vaccine appointments to all individuals in Orange County who are 12 years of age and older. Families Together is located at 621 W. First Street (corner of Yorba and First streets). For students who are at least 16 years old, parents can call Families Together at (714) 332-6367 to make their child’s vaccine (Pfizer) appointment. Please note that at least one parent must be present at the appointment if the student is less than 18 years old. Vaccines are by appointment only, and the organization is not accepting walk-ins.

Community Mobile Clinic! Families Together is sponsoring a vaccine mobile clinic at Robert Heideman Elementary School, 15571 Williams Street, Tustin, on Wednesday, May 26, from 12 to 8 p.m. The clinic is open to all Orange County residents, 12 years and older. IDs are required. Appointments can be made by calling (714) 573-3369 or emailing at community@tustinca.org.

Albertsons COVID-19 Vaccine School Clinics

The Tustin Unified School District is partnering with Albertsons on COVID-19 Vaccine School Clinics. The vaccination clinics will be held at the Beckman High School Gymnasium, 3588 Bryan Avenue in Irvine on Thursday, June 3, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Columbus Tustin Middle School Activity Center, 17952 Beneta Way in Tustin on Friday, June 4, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The clinics are open to students (12 years and older) and their family members. The Pfizer vaccine will be administered. Students under 18 years of age must have a consent form signed by their parent. Individuals must bring a completed consent form and a copy of their insurance card. Uninsured are welcome too.

To schedule an appointment, visit https://kordinator.mhealthcoach.net/vcl/TustinUSD-P1.

Orange County Great Park Vaccination Clinic

Individuals can get vaccinated at the drive-thru COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine. The current hours for the clinic are 8 to 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. Clinic hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Vaccines currently offered are Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. Pfizer is also available for anyone over the age of 12 years old. No appointment is necessary. However, if you would like to schedule an appointment, visit myturn.ca.gov or call 1-833-422-4255. For more information, visit cityofirvine.org/vaccine.

Orange County Health Care Agency

Vaccinations are administered at Point Of Dispensing sites (PODs) throughout Orange County and are open to eligible members of the public with appointments. Register at the www.Othena.com website to be notified when vaccination appointments are available. Individuals who lack access to technology can call the OC COVID-19 Hotline at (714) 834- 2000 for assistance. To view a list of who is currently eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination, visit www.COVIDVaccineFacts.com and click “Distribution Plan.”

California Department of Public Health / My Turn

If you’re eligible, you may register for a vaccine appointment through the State’s My Turn system by visiting www.myturn.ca.gov.

The State of California’s COVID-19 Hotline is accessible to people with disabilities and offers services in English and Spanish, with connection to interpretive services in more than 250 languages. Call (833) 422-4255 or 833-4CA-4ALL (Mon-Fri 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., Sat-Sun 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.) for appointment information.

Hospitals

MemorialCare Medical Group: Call (877) 696-3622 or schedule through your MyChart account

UCI Health: For general accessibility information or to request a disability-related accommodation, please email covid19@uci.edu or call (949) 824-9918

Hoag Hospital: Register at www.HoagConnect.org/MyChart/signup

Kaiser Permanente: Register through the state’s My Turn at www.myturn.ca.gov or call (877) 813-7312

Providence: Register through the State’s MyTurn at www.myturn.ca.gov or call (877) 813-7312

Pharmacies

Albertsons, Pavilions, Safeway, and Vons: Visit www.mhealthappointments.com/covidappt

Costco Pharmacies: Visit www.Costco.com/covid-vaccine.html

CVS: Call (800) 746-7287 or visit www.CVS.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine

Health Mart Pharmacies: Visit www.HealthMartCOVIDVaccine.com

Kroger: Visit www.Ralphs.com/rx/COVID-eligibility

Rite-Aid: Call (800) 748-3243 (7-1-1 if hearing/speech disabled) or visit www.RiteAid.com/pharmacy/COVID-qualifier

Walgreens: Call (800) 925-4733 or visit www.Walgreens.com/topic/promotion/COVID-vaccine.jsp

Walmart: Visit www.Walmart.com/cp/1228302

VaccineFinder

VaccineFinder shows you locations that have available COVID-19 vaccines. VaccineFinder will provide you with a link to schedule the appointment through the location’s website or with a phone number to call to make an appointment. Visit www.vaccinefinder.org

As a reminder, everyone should continue physical distancing, washing their hands, and wearing a face mask. We are all optimistic that if current trends hold, these protocols will continue to evolve over the summer and students can return to a regular school experience in the 2021-22 school year.

Thank you and stay well.

Gregory A. Franklin, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Tustin USD is excited to announce the next two opportunities for our no-cost COVID testing on a voluntary basis for all students. TUSD has partnered with LivingFit Nation to provide this opportunity on May 19 at Beckman High School.

Here are the details:

• • No cost
  • May 19 at Beckman High from 12:00 - 3:30 p.m.The linked May 19 flyer has links with information on how to register and schedule your time
  • Walk-ins will only be accepted after 3:00
  • On your scheduled day, park and look for the pop-up tents set up in the parking lot
  • Lab results are provided within 48 hours
  • Students do not need to quarantine after voluntary testing

The TUSD Board of Education is committed to student and staff safety and is offering no-cost testing to help prevent the spread of the virus. TUSD strongly encourages you to take advantage of this opportunity.

Social-Emotional Learning at Home Resource

Topic:

• Wellness Activities #1 (ENG) Wellness Activities #2 (ENG)

• Wellness Activities #1 (SPA) Wellness Activities #2 (SPA)

• 24 different wellness activities for kids to try at home

• These activities give kids an opportunity to do something each day for their well-being.

5th Grade Promotion Picnic: May 26th @ 10:30 am B Street Campus Field

End of Year Virtual Funkfest Event: May 26th @5:30 pm ES and @ 6:15 pm MS

Senior Graduation: May 27th, 12:30 pm @ THS Stadium

Last Day of Official School for TUSD: Friday, May 28th

Last Day School Office is Open: Wednesday, June 2nd

Tustin Connect Office Reopens: Monday, July 19th

From the School Nurse:

Dear Families,

Doctor authorizations for school medications or health, procedures must be renewed annually. If your child will need medication or a medical procedure at school during the upcoming school year, please complete a medication or procedure form with your child's doctor or health care provider and submit it to the health office prior to having medication on campus. A doctor authorization is needed for all prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as emergency medications carried in student backpacks ("self-carry medications").

Forms and additional information can be found on the TUSD website: English / Spanish

Please reach out to the school nurse if you have any questions or school health concerns.

Thank you for your help. I wish you all a safe and restful summer.

Pam Atkins, B.S.N., R.N.
Tustin Unified School District
714-981-1602

Registration is now open for the TPSF Summer Academy. The Academy runs over 4 weeks split into 2 2-week sessions. June 7-17 and June 20-July 1 M-Th from 8:30 - 12:30. There are options for in-person and online courses for students in K-12 grades. In case you didn't know, Mr. Fineberg is the director of the program. It's pretty amazing. Check out the different options at www.tpsf.net/summer or you can always ask Mr. Fineberg.

Tustin Unified growing collection of read-along titles available in Sora continues to grow. Please help us choose the books you'd like to see by completing this survey.

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!

Here are some cool collections you may want to check out.

May Coming Soon and New Releases

Breakfast for Dinner? Make something yummy!

I'm Bored...here's an idea!

Questions? Visit the TUSD Library Service eBooks & Audiobooks webpage OR contact your site library staff.

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)

• Student Dashboard Walkthrough (3:12)

• Teacher Dashboard Walkthrough (2:18)

Online Learning Guide for Students - PDF

Upcoming Parent Nights the second Tuesday in English and every second Thursday in Spanish.

• Tustin Parent Night (English) - Second Tuesday every month. Register using the following link: https://pages.paper.co/webinars-for-parents-and-guardians

• Tustin Parent Night (Spanish) - Second Thursday every month. Register using the following link: https://pages.paper.co/es-us/presentaciones-para-padres-o-representantes

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