Tustin Connect News

So much to do and share with Issue 32. Lots to cover as information and updates continue to come in. We also got some great feedback on the newsletter from our School Site Council Members and will provide clarity for who each message applies to in order to help with scanning the newsletter. This week's picture comes from our Middle School class as they attempted to make a group heart on their class call. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Mr. Fineberg, our principal, at efineberg@tustin.k12.ca.us.

It seems like every week there is a whole new set of changes to discuss and share with you all. We will continue to stay on top of the latest and be sure to include what it means for Tustin Connect students. We are blessed to be in a learning environment we were designed to handle. This certainly does not minimize the obstacles of staying at home and missing out on the live sessions, but it does mean we are more prepared for the academic challenges and independence and responsibility required to be a Distance Learning student. From a business standpoint, we will be addressing grading, promotion, teacher appreciation, and device collection as some of the hottest topics below. Again, thank you for your continued support and let me know if you have any additional questions or concerns. efineberg@tustin.k12.ca.us

COVID-19 Update for Parents and Guardians – April 23, 2020

From Gregory A. Franklin, Ed.D., Superintendent

Tustin Unified School District

TUSD Grading Update – Administrative Regulation

As mentioned in previous communications, the Tustin Unified School District has received updated information from the colleges and universities about high school transcripts and admissions. Based on this information, the Administrative Regulation below has been adopted on a temporary basis for the 2020 spring semester. Please note, all high school students will have the option of selecting a letter grade for each class. Please read the following:

Temporary Grading Regulation During the Spring Semester 2020 due to the Governor’s Executive Order to Shelter at Home

Evaluating student work and progress is an important function of teachers and schools. School closures create many challenges to this regular educational function because teachers and students each have unique contexts for their work during this time. This Administrative Regulation outlines the District’s grading practices in this context.

Final report cards for students in grades TK-5 will have a mark of “no grade,” and will receive end-of-the-year comments from their teachers.

Final report cards for students in middle school (grades 6-8) will have a mark of “no grade” and will receive marks in work habits and citizenship as well as end-of-the-year comments from their teachers.

Final report cards for high school students (grades 9-12) will receive marks of “Credit” or “Incomplete.” Letter grades will only be issued for classes selected by students. Students must notify their teachers via a provided Google form by Friday, May 22, in order to receive the letter grade option. Under both options, students will receive a “Credit” (or letter grade) that is equal to or higher than their third quarter grade, which was completed before school closures began. Students who have not earned credit or a passing grade by the end of the semester will be given an “Incomplete.” The “Incomplete” mark allows students to complete the course for “Credit” during summer school 2020, and fall and spring semesters 2020-21.

Dear Tustin Connect High School Students and Parents,

I wanted to follow up with you all on the recent email from the TUSD regarding grading practices and the specific impact to our students. With the continued guiding principle of doing “no harm for students, a modification to our grading practices was shared today. As a direct result of updated information from the colleges and universities about high school transcripts and admissions, we are moving to an option of Pass/Incomplete and grades. Being on a quarter system presents its own benefits and challenges for Tustin Connect as we work to put this policy into practice. For simplicity sake, here are some main points to consider for Tustin Connect students and their families:

· All high school students will have the option of going Pass/Incomplete or letter grade for their 3rd and 4th quarter classes. If students choose to do nothing, their default will be pass/incomplete on their transcripts.

· The district will send out a survey for students on May 19th to complete so that they can decide which grading option they want for each course no later than May 22, 2020 at 3pm.

· As a result of this change and to ensure that students are able to make an informed decision, gradebooks will close May 15th. All work must be completed and turned in by May 15th.

· In response to the gradebook changes and current conditions, there will be no final exams in any of our classes.

· Teachers are currently adjusting pacing guides to accommodate for the updated timelines.

· No later than this Monday, teachers will zero out their gradebooks in UC Scout Only for all assignments that will be required prior to the end of the year. This will allow students to track their progress more accurately and be able to see where they are at academically and progress needed and made toward completion.

· Beginning the week of May 18th through the end of the year on May 28th, teachers will be providing students with enrichment activities and assignments to close out the year.

From the entire Tustin Connect staff, we hope that you and your families are doing well, staying safe and healthy. This are incredible times and together we will get through this. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. I am here to help.

Sincerely,

Erick Fineberg, Principal

Tustin Connect K-12 Blended Learning School

efineberg@tustin.k12.ca.us

(714) 430-2052

Hi Tustin Connect Parents. We hope you are all doing well and staying safe.

An important reminder to share with our TC families. We have our TEACHER APPRECIATION coming up the week of May 4-8TH. If you and/or your child would like to show thanks and appreciation to their teachers, we will be collecting all donations THIS weekend April 24-26. To help facilitate the transfer of your donations and gifts to each teacher, the PTA is organizing the collection of your gifts at one of our PTA member's home in North Tustin. You can drop your cards, gifts, anything you want for your teacher and it will be collected and placed in a basket and distributed for that teacher. Money can also be donated to be contributed towards their gift baskets. Please keep in mind, these gifts do not need to cost money! Our teachers will appreciate and love handmade cards, crafts, gifts by their students. Please let us know if you have any questions. Thank you!

We've had several parents ask some additional questions and we'll share below in case others have the same questions.

Drop off Dates : Starting today until Sunday April 24-26

Location: Sheila Wang's house at 11782 Outlook Lane, North Tustin 92705.

If donating money (any amount is great!): Via checks (payable to Sheila Wang), Venmo (@Ashley_LeBoyd)

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me. Be well and safe.

Ashley Le,

Tustin Connect PTA President

ashleyleboyd@gmail.com

Hello 8th Grade Families,

We miss you! We acknowledge that our current situation and social distancing guidelines provide some unique challenges. The unknowns surrounding promotion and end of the year festivities may be weighing heavy on you, as they are on me. This should be a time for reflecting on your journey at Tustin Connect and celebrating accomplishments with peers, teachers, and staff, who have shared in your journey.

First, I want to thank Mrs. Dove, our PTA, and parents who began the planning process for some memorable end of year festivities. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, our traditional end of the year festivities must yield to social distancing mandates. This means that the Disney Trip and other activities will not happen this year. I know you, and your families were looking forward to those culminating events. Canceling those events does not diminish all of your hard work, personal/social/emotional growth, and noteworthy achievements through your K-8 educational journey.

The school district has established a task force to host a virtual promotion. More information will be coming shortly. We encourage you to stay connected with your teachers, classmates, and staff as we head into our last month of school. On behalf of the entire Tustin Connect community, we are incredibly proud of our Middle School Class of 2020. We know you will soar to success in high school and you are well prepared for the road ahead. I will keep you informed regarding promotion and device collection.

Thank you and Be Safe,

Erick Fineberg

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