Fall 2019 - Volume 9, Issue 1

News and Information from Superintendent Dr. Gregory Franklin

for employees of the Tustin Unified School District

Visit the TUSD Website at www.tustin.k12.ca.us and www.DestinationTUSD.org

Follow us on: Twitter: @SuptFranklin and @TUSDschools

#TUSDThrives

Facebook: facebook.com/TUSDschools Instagram on iPhone or Android: @TUSDschools

Students in a full-day kindergarten class get comfortable while reading their favorite books.

Superintendent’s Message: Take a Break – Learn More!

Academic, neurological and medical research is converging on a common idea – a key to development and learning is time for rest and reflection. As our world continues to speed up, it’s a challenge to purposefully slow down and provide opportunities to rest, reflect on experiences, and consolidate learning. In Tustin Unified School District, we are consciously addressing these opportunities in our schedules and instructional strategies.

Several years ago, the District made a commitment to shifting the school year to begin in mid-August. The earlier start has multiple benefits, one of which is that high school students take first semester final exams before Winter Break. Now the two-week break truly provides a respite from studying for tests and working on projects. Students are reporting they have more time to decompress and visit with friends and family.

As part of their Challenge Success work, high schools have lengthened passing periods, so students and teachers are not rushing from one class to another five times a day. Students have time to check in with friends, talk to teachers, or take a quick break. This small change has made a significant impact on the pace of the day on the high school campuses.

This year, full-day kindergarten lengthened the instructional day, but no new academic content was added. Therefore, teachers are able to slow the pace of the day and include age-appropriate developmental activities that had been eliminated in the past.

Many teachers across the grade levels have included mindfulness practices into their instructional routines. Students spend a few minutes on deep breathing and focusing their attention in order to productively participate in lessons. These brief practices are known to counteract the toxic effects of long-term stress.

Finally, all teachers are being encouraged to adopt “collaborative structures” in lessons so that students have an opportunity to process the content of the lesson with their classmates. A recent study at Harvard indicated that students learned and retained more information when they interacted directly with the content AND had an opportunity to discuss it with their peers.

We all value academic achievement by our students – the good news is that mental health does not have to be sacrificed to achieve it. Students – and adults – will learn and achieve more with regular opportunities to rest, reflect, and interact with their peers.

Go TUSD!

Gregory A. Franklin, Ed.D.

Tustin City Manager Matt West, TUSD School Board members Tammie Bullard and Jonathan Abelove, Tustin City Council Members Barry Cooper and Letitia Clark, TUSD Board President James Laird, Tustin City Council Member Austin Lumbard and TUSD Superintendent Dr. Gregory Franklin get together at the SOTS Breakfast.

State of the Schools Breakfast: Superintendent Highlights Accomplishments and Successes

The Tustin Public Schools Foundation and Tustin Unified School District held their eighth annual State of the Schools Breakfast on September 16 at Beckman High School. Over 300 community members, parents, business owners, civic leaders and school district staff gathered in the Beckman gymnasium to learn more about Tustin Unified’s accomplishments, challenges and plans for preparing students for success in college and careers. TUSD Superintendent Dr. Gregory Franklin presented the keynote address. His topics included advanced math and science programs, digital storytelling, educational technology, magnet programs, robotics and computer science, connected classrooms, student wellness and facility needs. He also talked about the District’s new Legacy Magnet Academy. The state-of-the-art middle and high school will open in August 2020 with grades six through nine.

Beckman High School ASB students served as volunteer helpers at the annual breakfast. Entertainment was provided by the Beckman Orchestra, under the direction of music teacher Jim Kollias. Beauty and the Beast made an appearance to promote their spring musical in February and March. Photos courtesy of John Garrett

Construction continues at the new Legacy Magnet Academy, which will open in August 2020.

New Magnet School is a Legacy in the Making

Legacy Magnet Academy, Tustin Unified’s future sixth through 12th-grade school, is scheduled to open in August 2020, and the momentum is building! LMA recently completed the development of its seven-year course and curriculum pathway, and the school is shaping up to be a unique learning opportunity for students interested in Technology, Innovation, Design and Entrepreneurship (TIDE). The process for teacher recruitment and hiring is underway, and the District can’t wait to find the educators who will become the first staff members at LMA. Once selected, these teachers will begin collaborating as they utilize the seven-year curriculum pathway as a guide in developing Project-Based Learning (PBL) units that will become the cornerstone of LMA’s instructional program. Visit the Legacy Magnet Academy Website at https://www.tustin.k12.ca.us/legacy/about-our-school/interest-form and sign up to stay in the loop!

TUSD Teachers of the Year to be Honored by OCDE

The Tustin Unified School District’s 2019 Teachers of the Year – Megan Venezia, third-grade teacher at Helen Estock Elementary School, and Stacy Colón, physical education teacher at Beckman High School – will be honored by the Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) at its annual Orange County Teachers of the Year Dinner on Friday, November 1, at 6 p.m. at the Disneyland Hotel. Last spring, Venezia and Colón were named TUSD Teachers of the Year and represented the District in the 2019-20 Orange County Teachers of the Year Program. Venezia was selected as one of 15 semifinalists in the program.

Tustin Unified School District’s school nurses (RNs), from left, Pam Atkins, Chassy Pham, Marilyn Belanic, Michelle Ollada Alipio, Tina Takahashi, Julia Smiley, Cathy White (Lead Nurse) and Shelley Borovinsky congratulate Tim O’Donoghue, center, for receiving the 2019 Orange County School Administrator Halo Award.

Tim O’Donoghue Receives School Administrator Halo Award From Orange County School Nurses Organization

Hillview High School Principal Tim O’Donoghue has received the 2019 School Administrator Halo Award from the Orange County School Nurses Organization.

The award is given to an educational administrator for outstanding contributions to health services via support for school nurses, school health programs and school children in their district.

O’Donoghue has worked in the Tustin Unified School District for 39 years. He taught at Currie Middle School and Tustin High School, served as an assistant principal at Tustin High and was principal of Columbus Tustin Middle School. O’Donoghue has served as principal of Hillview for the past 14 years. He has also coached youth sports in the community for more than 40 years.

O’Donoghue has supervised the school nurses for the past seven years and helps facilitate health practices and procedures within the District. He was recognized for overseeing the nursing staff as a cohesive and collaborative group, as well as being “a strong leader, dedicated school administrator and caring supporter in the health and well-being of students, families and staff in Tustin Unified.”

The Orange County School Nurses Organization said, “Mr. O’Donoghue is a great mentor who remains understanding and open to the ever-changing health practices in our society and TUSD nurses continue to benefit from his exceptional leadership.”

Teacher Ed Hernandez and FOX 11 News anchor Megan Colarossi pose with Tustin High students, from left, Anaka Mahesh, Ivy Dang, Jonathan Marshall, Natalia Murrietta and Dhaval Vora in the T-Tech classroom.

Photo courtesy of Marissa Reyes

Ed Hernandez Spotlighted on Local FOX News “School Standouts!”

Tustin High School engineering teacher and T-Tech Academy Director Ed Hernandez was selected for a new segment on KTTV FOX 11 News called “School Standouts!” TUSD Counselor on Special Assignment Judy Park submitted his nomination.

FOX 11 News is spotlighting students and teachers who are making a difference at their schools, and creators of outstanding school programs in Southern California. They are honoring the individuals’ accomplishments and sharing their inspiring stories each week on FOX 11 News’ “Good Day LA.”

FOX 11 News anchor Megan Colarossi and her video crew visited Tustin High to interview Hernandez and some of his students. They also videotaped students at work in the T-Tech classroom.

The segment included a brief history on how Hernandez helped found the T-Tech Academy, a four-year high school program where science, math and technology are brought to life.

The T- Tech program allows students to get hands-on experience inventing things using advanced tools in education and technology. Inventions have included a gum-removal vacuum, electric racecars, vending machine and robotic prosthetic body parts.

“Hernandez is the mastermind behind T-Tech and the man making tech magic happen in Orange County,” according to the FOX 11 News segment, which aired in October.

To learn more about the T-Tech Academy, go to the FOX 11 News link: https://www.foxla.com/news/school-standouts-the-ironman-teacher-behind-the-award-winning-t-tech-academy.

Microsoft Engineer Anthony Ferrari helps Tustin High students with their new Microsoft Surface Pro 6 devices.

Technology: Bringing Education to the Surface

Over 8,000 Tustin Unified high school students and teachers headed back to school this fall with a brand-new instructional tool in their hands, the Microsoft Surface Pro 6. This cutting-edge device was issued to students for the first time this year as a part of “TUSD Connect,” the Measure S instructional technology bond program.

Grades 9-12 have already seen a significant positive impact on instruction, especially in classrooms where screen sharing, the use of the touch screens, on-board cameras, and “surface pens” are providing opportunities that previous devices could not. In just six years, Measure S devices, in the hands of skilled teachers and engaged students, have made instances of communication, collaboration, and critical thinking skyrocket.

With the features of the Surface Pro 6 and the full Adobe Creative Cloud provided to all students, creativity is now a soft skill able to be cultivated across the District.

Personnel Services:TUSD Hosts Ninth Annual Employee Health Fair

The Tustin Unified School District will hold its ninth annual Employee Health Fair on Wednesday, October 30, from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the courtyard at the District Office. The fair, hosted by TUSD Personnel Services and sponsored by Burnham Benefits, includes flu shots, interactive and informational booths, biometric screenings and a healthy lunch served by TUSD Nutrition Services.

TUSD employees will be able to talk to over 30 vendors – health experts and representatives from local fitness and physical therapy centers, vision and health insurance companies, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, and more. Additionally, there will be raffle prizes – gift cards, donations from vendors, and bicycles.

Teachers participate in the Inclusive Schooling Learning Academy and are excited to receive new resources.

Educational Services: Learning Academies Inspire Teacher Growth

When teachers come together to work in learning communities, great things happen for students and teachers. This year, TUSD Educational Services is excited to be offering a variety of content specific Teacher Learning Academies for interested teachers.

Each Learning Academy teacher will participate together throughout the school year as a cohort group attending after-school learning sessions, release days during the school year for continued professional development and lesson design, participation in a professional book study, and attendance at a professional development conference.

Facilitated by the District teachers on special assignment (TOSA’s) and instructional coaches, each group will examine how to utilize and combine instructional strategies, technology and pedagogy around the California common core state standards and curriculum frameworks in each of the areas of study.

Uniquely designed and offered separately for elementary and secondary teachers, each academy will prepare teachers to provide the highest level of instruction to TUSD students.

Academies being offered for elementary teachers this year include: Reading, Writing, English Learners, Mathematics, Digital Storytelling, Inclusive Schooling, Science and Social Studies. At the secondary level teachers can choose to participate in the following academies: Language, Project-Based Learning, English, Math, Science, The Comprehensive Classroom and Digital Storytelling.

Tustin Unified hopes all participating Learning Academy teachers will be energized by their own learning and inspired by their colleagues to continue to grow as educators.

Orchard Hills students (above) find it fun to run with their friends at Dino Dash and mascot Dash the Dino (below) warms up with Pioneer and Utt middle school runners, who will participate in the November 3 event.

Photos courtesy of John Garrett

Tustin Public Schools Foundation: Excitement Builds for the Biggest Dino Dash Yet!

The Tustin Public Schools Foundation is planning for the largest turn-out to date for the 29th annual Dinosaur Dash. The morning of Sunday, November 3, nearly 10,000 community members will fill the Tustin Market Place ready to run, walk and bike in support of Tustin Unified schools. Students and families from each of the District’s 29 schools will be participating. The community is joining in support with more than 120 event sponsors donating to the largest fundraising event for TPSF. Balfour Beatty is back again as the lead sponsor for the Dash.

The community event is open to everyone. Registration is made easy at www.Dinosaurdash.net. Individuals can choose to run or walk the 2K fun run, 5K and 10K timed runs, or the second annual half-marathon. For those who prefer to ride, there is a 5K, 10K, or 50K bike tour.

If you are unable to make make the event, you can still participate and make sure all students are included by becoming members of the Runners Circle or donating individual runnerships.

A portion of each registration goes directly back into the classroom or school of one’s choice. All proceeds contribute to excellence in TUSD schools through innovative grants, robotics, library resources, middle school sports programs, summer academy and school-wide grants.

Tustin Public Schools Foundation President Sujata Mody Kamdar receives a $58,000 donation during last year’s School Partnership Program from Tustin Auto Center’s John Patterson.

Tustin Auto Center Supports TUSD Schools

Once again, the Tustin Auto Center has partnered with the Tustin Public Schools Foundation to offer enhanced programs in all Tustin Unified schools. During the month of October, Auto Center dealerships are donating $50 to the TUSD school of one’s choice when the individual purchases or leases a new car. Every dealer is participating, so find the car of your dreams while helping Tustin Unified schools!

Follow Superintendent Franklin

and TUSD on Social Media!

During the year, get the latest news and information! You can always follow Superintendent Gregory Franklin and the Tustin Unified School District on Twitter: @SuptFranklin and @TUSDschools / Facebook: TUSDschools / Instagram: @TUSDschools. Stay in touch with us!

The Franklin Almanac is produced by the TUSD Communications Office.

For questions, comments or information, contact: Mark Eliot, Director of Communications

and Public Information (714) 730-7339 or meliot@tustin.k12.ca.us