Summer 2018 - Volume 7, Issue 4

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

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Fourth-grade students in teacher Jennifer Quinn's class at Tustin Ranch Elementary School enjoy "Mindful Monday" yoga in the multipurpose room. These mindful masters also study basic neuroscience

to better understand how stress impacts their "thinking power" and practice different strategies throughout the school day to stay focused.

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Quinn

Superintendent’s Message: Tustin Unified is Mindful of Student and Staff Wellness

I am very proud of Tustin Unified School District’s record of student achievement – outstanding scholarship, athletic championships, artistic expression, technical proficiency in many career paths, and community leadership. Yet, student achievement never matters more than student well-being. Young people in our state and nation are exhibiting the signs of chronic stress that threatens their physical, emotional, and mental health. Four years ago, our Board wisely added a District-wide goal addressing student wellness, and we continue to improve our practices and support of students in a variety of ways. Neurologists and psychiatrists now know that chronic stress has a tremendous negative effect on student health and ability to achieve academically. A Harvard research study even suggests that human longevity

is tied more closely with happiness and quality relationships than genetics or income. We know that student stress has many sources (school, family, athletics, poverty, social media) and it will never be completely eliminated, so TUSD is working to help students – and staff – manage stressors in a variety of ways. We have pioneering teachers using a variety of techniques such as mindfulness, breathing exercises, and community circles to help students identify and regulate their emotions and create productive classroom environments. Students are thriving in these classrooms, and we will be expanding these techniques in the years ahead. We also recognize that school employees must be at their best in order to help students thrive. We have all heard flight attendants explain that in case of emergency, we should put the oxygen mask on ourselves before helping others. So, too, teachers, counselors, and administrators have to take care of their own wellness in order to have the impact we all want for students. The District has trained a cohort of stewards in the Intentional Energetic Presence model who will begin training staff this summer to nourish and optimize their energetic presence they bring to students every day. I look forward to working together as we continue to improve our practices. Nothing matters more than preparing our students to thrive now and in the future. Go TUSD! Gregory A. Franklin, Ed.D.

TUSD 2018 School/Work Site Classified Employees of the Year were recognized at the “Classified Celebration at the Courtyard” event at the District Administration Center.

Photos courtesy of John Garrett

TUSD Announces Classified Employees of the Year Veronica Rivas, community liaison at Robert Heideman Elementary School, has been selected as the 2018 Classified Employee of the Year by the Tustin Unified School District. Rivas was chosen based on her significant contributions to the District and community. The 21st annual awards program recognizes classified or support services employees whose contributions to TUSD have proven to be outstanding. The award is given to a classified employee who provides valuable services to their school and contributes to a positive instructional environment.

Rivas has worked at Heideman for three years and was recognized for going “above and beyond” for the students and staff at the school, especially her work and support with the Tustin Police Department’s Run with a Cop program and Turkey Bowl, and Parents in Action group. She also organizes parent classes, arranges community speakers for parent nights, volunteers for many activities and events, and founded and coaches the school’s first-ever Speech and Debate Team. Heideman hosted its first Speech and Debate Tournament on Sunday, May 20. The other Tustin Unified nominees include: District Administration Center: Michael Segura, Warehouse delivery person for Nutrition Services. Maintenance and Operations: David Hinojoza, locksmith. Elementary Schools: Maria Bloor, paraeducator (instructional aide), Arroyo; Cara Elms, paraeducator, Benson; Ziggy McBride, paraeducator, Beswick; Tamara Stella, paraeducator, Estock; Linda Carter, library media technician, Guin Foss; Veronica Fernandez, paraeducator, Heritage; Guisela Garcia, office assistant, Hicks Canyon; Nancy Titterud, school secretary, Ladera; Sandra Nuñez, school secretary, Loma Vista; Cari Knezevich, paraeducator, Myford; Rick Kammerman, custodian, Nelson; Jenny Scott, Health Services clerk, Peters Canyon; Kimberly Sento, Nutrition Services assistant, Red Hill; Esther Andrade, office assistant, Thorman; Lynn Pomije, paraeducator, Tustin Memorial Academy; Laura Hall, office assistant, Tustin Ranch; and Norma Bailey, school secretary, Veeh. Orchard Hills School: Tony Vu, custodian. Middle Schools: Maria Mazuca, office assistant and health clerk, Columbus Tustin; Teresa Kegel, paraeducator, Currie; Fernando Galvan Rios, custodian, Hewes; Stephanie Narez, school secretary, Pioneer; and Carlos Ortega, paraeducator, Utt. High Schools: Trisha Primrose, paraeducator, Beckman; Melissa Wood, office assistant, Foothill; Maria Aviles, school secretary, Hillview; and Jason Linnen, technologist, Tustin. Rivas and all school/work site nominees were honored by the TUSD Board of Education at a special recognition ceremony, “Classified Celebration at the Courtyard,” on May 21 at the District Officer. Photo: TUSD Board President Tammie Bullard, left, and Supt. Gregory Franklin congratulate Veronica Rivas.

Eight TUSD Schools Named California Honor Roll Schools

Eight schools in the Tustin Unified School District have been selected as 2017-18 Honor Roll schools by Educational Results Partnership (ERP) and the Campaign for Business & Education Excellence (CBEE). They are Guin Foss, Hicks Canyon, Ladera, and Myford elementary schools; Orchard Hills School; Pioneer and Utt middle schools; and Beckman High School. TUSD’s eight Honor Roll schools were recognized for demonstrating consistent high student academic achievement. For the high schools, the Honor Roll recognition also includes measures of college readiness. The CBEE Foundation and ERP annually identify and honor the highest performing public schools in California – approximately 1,798 this year.

Staffs at Orchard Hills (top photo) and Tustin Memorial Academy celebrate distinguished school honors. Photos courtesy of John Garrett

Orchard Hills School and Tustin Memorial Academy Selected as California Distinguished Schools

Orchard Hills School and Tustin Memorial Academy have been named 2018 California Distinguished Schools by the California Department of Education. Nearly every elementary school in TUSD has been named a state distinguished school or a California Gold Ribbon School in the past two years. Orchard Hills and Tustin Memorial are among 287 elementary schools in the state and 43 Orange County public schools that were named as California Distinguished Schools. The 2018 California Distinguished Schools Program recognizes California elementary schools that have made exceptional gains in implementing academic content and performance standards adopted by the State Board of Education. Schools that applied were eligible based on their performance and progress on the state indicators as described on the California School Dashboard. Indicators include test scores, suspension rates, and English learner progress. Schools were also eligible to apply for a California Exemplary Program Award in various categories. TMA received a 2018 Exemplary Program Award in physical activity and nutrition. The Distinguished Schools award rotates each year between elementary schools and secondary schools. Schools earning the Distinguished School title agree to share their “signature practices” with other schools and serve as mentors to other educators who want to replicate their work.

Photo courtesy of Brandy Lehigh/Lifetouch Photography

Three TUSD Leaders Honored as O.C. Administrators of the Year

TUSD Chief Personnel Officer Dr. Chuck Lewis, Director of Elementary Education Maggie Villegas, and Tustin Ranch Elementary School Principal Tracy Barquer were named 2018 Orange County Administrators of the Year by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA), Region 17. All three administrators were honored at the 45th annual ACSA “Administrators of the Year and Friends of Education Awards” Dinner on May 7 at the Irvine Marriott Hotel. ACSA annually recognizes outstanding administrators for their leadership skills, professionalism, creativity, innovation, and commitment to a quality education. Region 17 represents 28 school districts in Orange County. Barquer was named Elementary Principal of the Year. In addition, she was selected as a state finalist for ACSA’s Administrator of the Year awards. Only 25 individuals were chosen for state recognition throughout California, representing candidates from all 19 ACSA regions. Lewis was selected as Personnel/Human Resources Administrator of the Year. Villegas is the recipient of the prestigious Tracy Gaffey Award for mentoring other administrators, dedication to the profession, and appreciation of the work and importance of educational leadership.

TUSD Makes the College Board’s Eighth Annual AP District Honor Roll

The Tustin Unified School District has been named to the College Board’s eighth annual AP District Honor Roll. TUSD is only one in four Orange County school districts among 34 California districts — and 447 across the U.S. and Canada — recognized for expanding access to Advanced Placement courses and increasing the percentages of students scoring a 3 or higher on their AP exams. The College Board administers the Advanced Placement program, which enables students to do college-level work while they’re still in high school. Students can also earn college credit and placement through AP exams, which are given in May and scored on a scale of 1 to 5.

TUSD Chief Personnel Officer Dr. Chuck Lewis, Tustin Ranch Elementary School Principal Tracy Barquer, and Director of Elementary Education Maggie Villegas display their Orange County Administrators of

the Year Awards from the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA), Region 17.

Diane Aust, seated, displays the 2018 Community Service Award while TUSD Board of Education members Lynn Davis and Jonathan Abelove; TSMA President Troy Fresch; Board members Tammie Bullard, Francine

Scinto, and James Laird; and Superintendent Dr. Gregory Franklin look on.

Gerry and Diane Aust Receive TSMA Community Service Award Longtime educators and community volunteers Gerry and Diane Aust received the 2018 Community Service Award from the Tustin School Management Association at its annual “Friends of the Tustin Schools” Community Dinner. The Austs were recognized for their outstanding contributions and support of students and schools in the Tustin Unified School District. After a long career in TUSD, both retired educators and administrators continued to stay in touch with schools. For 22 years, the Austs volunteered to lead Tustin middle school students to Washington, D.C., shepherding over 2,500 students and making history and democracy come alive for them. Additionally, the Austs have been involved with numerous school and community groups, such as the Tustin Public Schools Foundation – Dinosaur Dash and Teacher of the Year Dinner, Tustin Area Council for Fine Arts, Tustin-Santa Ana Rotary Club and others. “Gerry and Diane Aust mean so much to this community,” TSMA President Troy Fresch said. “Sadly, we lost Gerry last year, and words are not enough to express our gratitude and appreciation for both Gerry and Diane’s generosity, caring and selfless service over the years. They are an inspiration to us all.”

TUSD Board Names “Gerry Aust Activity Center” at Hewes School In honor and celebration of Gerry Aust’s deep and long-lasting contributions to the Tustin Unified community, the TUSD Board of Education at its May 21 meeting approved to dedicate the activity center at Hewes Middle School as the “Gerry Aust Activity Center.” A dedication ceremony will take place in the fall. “Gerry always focused on the students and what better way to pay tribute and honor this TUSD Icon,” School Board President Tammie Bullard said. “His memory will live on for years and decades to come for the students, staff, parents, and the community.”

TUSD’s Principals for a Day gather for a “Class of 2018” photo in the courtyard at the District Office. Photo courtesy of John Garrett

Local Business and Community Leaders Serve as “Principals for a Day”

Local business owners and community leaders served as “Principals for a Day” in schools throughout the Tustin Unified School District on April 17. The event was part of the 29th annual TUSD Educational Partnership Week, April 16-20. “Principals for a Day” is a hands-on opportunity for local business and community leaders to learn about the issues, challenges and accomplishments in public education as they take on the role of school administrators. Each participant shared the role of school principal and performed various daily duties, such as visiting classrooms, meeting with students and teachers, attending staff meetings, reviewing budgets, and participating in other activities. The 2018 “Principals for a Day” included: Elementary schools: Dr. Sharon Sutton, Cotsen consultant for digital learning, Arroyo School; Jim Salzetti, general manager, O’Neill Clothing, Barbara Benson School; Tustin Council Member Dr. Allan Bernstein, Benjamin Beswick School; Tustin Assistant City Manager Matt West, Helen Estock School; John Gambardella, store manager, Tustin Orchard Supply Hardware, Guin Foss School; Tustin Chamber of Commerce Board Member and Speedpro Imaging owner Rand Scherff, Robert Heideman School; TUSD Board of Education Member Jonathan Abelove, Heritage School; Tustin Public Schools Foundation (TPSF) Board Member and business owner Sona Shah, Hicks Canyon School; Tustin Chamber of Commerce President and Black Parrot Sign Studio owner Bill McInerney, Ladera School; Peter Chang, founder and executive director, Child Creativity Lab, Loma Vista School; Irvine Mayor Donald Wagner, Myford School; Tustin Council Member Letitia Clark, Nelson School; John Wende, financial advisor, Edward Jones, Peters Canyon School; Michael Hickman, president/broker, Seven Gables Real Estate, Red Hill School; Mike Shaghnessy, general manager, Alexander’s Mobility Services, Jeane Thorman School; Christine Petty, general manager, Snooze Eatery in the Tustin Market Place, Tustin Memorial Academy; Tustin Council Member Chuck Puckett, Tustin Ranch School; and Orange County Board of Education Member and Tustin Mayor Pro Tem Beckie Gomez, Marjorie Veeh School. Orchard Hills School: Irvine Police Chief Mike Hamel. Middle schools: Tustin Planning Commission Chair Austin Lumbard, Columbus Tustin School; Joseph Kazemi, president, Sterling Collision, LLC., Currie School; former TUSD Board Member Bud Henry and

2018 Ms. Southern California and FutureWise Consulting owner Eulynn Gargano, Hewes School; Tustin Mayor Al Murray, Pioneer School; and Joe Villado, sales and marketing manager, Southern California Barricades, Utt School. High schools: Traci Fahimi, Dean of Social & Behavioral Sciences and Business Services, Irvine Valley College, Beckman; Tustin Toyota Parts and Service Director Glenn Kashima, Foothill; Jeff Herrell, Vice President of Business Development, Berkley International, and Matt Hudack, president, Financial Synergistics Group Inc., Hillview; and Tustin Police Chief Charles Celano and Alicia Berhow, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, Orange County Business Council, Tustin High. Tustin Connect (K-12 Online) and Adult Education: TPSF Board Member and retired educator Kathy Ellis.

TUSD Robotics Teams from Foothill High School (top), Beckman High School (far left) and Orchard Hills School competed against international teams in the VEX Robotics World Championship in Kentucky.

Photos courtesy of Cari Williams

TUSD Robotics Proves to be World Class

TUSD Robotics proved to be a competitive force at the 2018 VEX Robotics World Championship once again. The District had a remarkable season with 15 teams making it to the state championship and eight teams going to the world championship held in Louisville, Kentucky. For three days, teams competed in the largest robotics competition in the world hosting 1,075 teams from 39 countries.

TUSD Robotics represented at all levels with one elementary team and two middle school teams from Orchard Hills School, two teams from Beckman High School, and three teams from Foothill High School. Five of these teams made it to the final rounds in their divisions. Beckman teams V and Y made it to the first round of the finals with Beckman V taking home the Build Award for the Technology Division. Foothill Team B made it to the quarterfinals and Orchard Hills Team B

got to the semifinals with a very close match against an alliance of two Chinese teams. Foothill’s Team A not only won the division champion title, but went on to the very end with their alliance from British Columbia to play the five other division champions. They fought hard in the big arena at the Kentucky Expo Center and lost the final match against an alliance from Canada and China to place first in the nation and second in the world. The winning Foothill Knights Bots team was led by engineering teacher-advisor Jeff Farr.

Tustin Unified is very proud of the hard work all of the TUSD Robotics teams and coaches have put in this season. The District is grateful for the dedication and passion that is being developed at the school sites to produce world-class competitors. TUSD Robotics is a part of the TUSD Project Code initiative and is helping to prepare future leaders in the fields of robotics, engineering, and computer science.

Educational Services: TUSD Teachers Participate in Professional Learning Opportunities

This summer, elementary teachers in the Tustin Unified School District will have many opportunities to continue their professional learning. Teachers at all levels will once again have the opportunity to participate in a Summer Learning Institute Day on August 8. A variety of professional development will be offered and presented by TUSD mentors, teacher experts, and coaches. At the end of June, the District plans to host 140 elementary teachers for a week of learning at the Summer School Learning Lab. In small groups, teachers will observe other Reading and Writing Workshop teachers in action while they are teaching summer school students. Connect Coaches will facilitate the groups and provide collaborative learning experiences for these teachers. Another offering will be a three-day Digital Storytelling Course that will expose teachers to the introductory skills needed to instruct students in creating their own digital content. Tustin Unified’s GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) Summer Scholars week of learning in July will provide a lab learning experience for 45 teachers as part of their GATE certification process. They will observe teachers implementing GATE strategies and engage in study groups to build their repertoire of skills. A parent forum is also available so parents can observe teachers and learn about GATE strategies and programs. Middle School teachers will also be receiving training in their new College Preparatory Mathematics adoption materials, science and engineering practices, digital storytelling, as well as reader’s and writer’s workshops. In August, all TUSD high school teachers will participate in a Safe Schools Training that will include active shooter drills, lock-downs, and site protocols for each of their school sites in coordination with local enforcement services. The District is looking forward to a summer of new learning opportunities for TUSD teachers.

TUSD Hosts Student Film Festival

The Tustin Unified School District held is first districtwide Elementary Student Film Festival on May 15, celebrating the innovative work many teachers and students have explored in digital storytelling. The event was held in the Beckman High School Performing Arts Center with over 300 students, teachers, parents and administrators in attendance. The red carpet event honored students for their creative work as writers and filmmakers. Jonny Parker, a fourth-grade teacher at Robert Heideman Elementary School, emceed the program, which showcased 33 short films and involved nearly 200 Transitional Kindergarten (TK) through sixth-grade students. Student award-winners received mini-Oscar statuettes in categories such as Best Plot Twist, Best Character Development, and Most Meaningful Movie. The event was a big success and students, teachers and parents are already looking forward to next year’s student film festival.

Photo: TUSD Educational Services staff members Ashly McNamara, Denise Granger, Maggie Villegas, and Monica Wyman get ready to host the District’s first Digital Storytelling Film Festival for elementary students.

Nutrition Services: School Cafeterias Get a Gold Star in Food Safety

The Environmental Health Division of Orange County has given the Award of Excellence to the school cafeterias at Columbus Tustin, Currie, Pioneer and Utt middle schools; Orchard Hills School; and Beckman and Foothill high schools. Only schools with cooking kitchens are eligible to win this award. The award is given to establishments in recognition of consistently protecting the residents and visitors of Orange County through excellence in food safety and sanitation at the food establishment. The Award of Excellence Program was implemented in 1999 in an effort to encourage food establishments to strive for excellence in food safety and sanitation practices, and to recognize those who succeed in these areas. This year’s award recipients were determined by a review of the establishment’s inspection reports. “The inspection reports from these cafeterias indicate that the food handling practices and overall sanitation at their facilities were outstanding during the past year,” TUSD Nutrition Services Director Teresa Squibb said.

Second Harvest Food Bank Partnership

All TUSD school cafeterias have systems in place to reduce food waste as much as possible, but some food waste is inevitable. It has been the goal of the Nutrition Services Department to partner with an outside agency to facilitate the District’s distribution of unused food items. Recently, after doing extensive research, Nutrition Services has collaborated with the Second Harvest Food Bank to donate the schools’ leftover unserved hot and cold entrees to local mobile pantries and senior programs. Photo: Cafeteria Supervisor Israel Bunney and cook Alice Sanchez wrap green salads in the Currie kitchen.

The Second Harvest Food Bank collects food donations from a variety of sources, such as, grocery stores, food manufacturers, distributors, farmers, community food drives, restaurants, and schools. Through hundreds of community partners, Second Harvest delivers millions of pounds of food throughout Orange County. Second Harvest has been picking up food items from Currie Middle School, and Foothill and Tustin high schools. Second Harvest’s community partner, Tustin Area Community Service Group, will be picking up the leftover meals every week. Nutrition Services Director Teresa Squibb is working with the Second Harvest Food Bank to find community partners in order to expand the program to all secondary schools.

Robert Heideman Elementary School’s new two-story classroom building nears completion. Photo courtesy of Balfour Beatty Construction

Maintenance and Operations: Facilities Projects Move Forward

The Tustin Unified School District staff will be managing or directly performing over 100 maintenance and construction projects across 29 schools this summer. Most work will be completed over the summer break and a few will spill into the new school year. Each respective project varies in scope and complexity and ranges from a few hundred dollars to about $1 million for improvements at Robert Heideman Elementary School. The maintenance work includes:

Carpet replacement at Arroyo, Beswick, Heideman, and Hicks Canyon elementary schools

Perimeter fencing at Arroyo, Benson, Nelson, Thorman,, and Tustin Memorial Academy elementary schools; Currie Middle School, and Hillview High School

Exterior painting at Hillview High School

Playground replacement at Ladera, Myford, Nelson, Peters Canyon, and Tustin Ranch schools

Slurry and striping at Heritage, Hicks Canyon, Ladera, and Myford elementary schools, Orchard Hills School; and Beckman, Foothill, Hillview, and Tustin high schools

Solar work across 15 District sites is also moving full speed ahead with the majority of carports and shade structures now complete and a few remaining sites scheduled for completion this summer. The new two-story classroom building at Robert Heideman Elementary School is also on track for completion shortly and will open to staff and students to start the school year in August.

TUSD’s 28 School Site Teachers of the Year were honored at the Tustin Public Schools Foundation’s Teacher of the Year Dinner. Photo below: elementary Teacher of the Year Carrie Murillo (Nelson Elementary

School) and Secondary Teacher of the Year Joanna Vandal (Tustin High School) received the top awards. Photos courtesy of John Garrett

Tustin Public Schools Foundation: TUSD Teachers of the Year Honored

The 24th annual Teacher of the Year Dinner was held on May 18 at the Irvine Marriott. Nearly 800 guests attended the event, which honored 28 teachers nominated by each of the Tustin Unified schools. It was a night of celebration and inspiration as the audience heard the accomplishments of those who help students reach their potential. Each school site Teacher of the Year was featured in a video created by the Foothill High School Digital Media Arts Class, under the supervision of teacher Chris Price.

Carrie Murillo and Joanna Vandal Named Semifinalists in

O.C. Teachers of the Year Program

W.R. Nelson Elementary School fourth-grade teacher Carrie Murillo (left in the photo) and Tustin High School AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) teacher Joanna Vandal were selected as two of 15 semifinalists for the Orange County Teachers of the Year program. As semifinalists, they moved forward to the interview process at the Orange County Department of Education.

Murillo and Vandal represented the Tustin Unified School District in the 2018-19 Orange County Teachers of the Year Program. Murillo was named TUSD Elementary Teacher of the Year (grades K-5) and Vandal was selected as TUSD Secondary Teacher of the Year (grades 6-12). Murillo has taught in public education for 14 years – four in TUSD. Vandal has been a teacher in Tustin Unified for 24 years – all at Tustin High School. The Teachers of the Year program recognizes outstanding teachers who have displayed extraordinary teaching, creativity, and excellence at their school and community. Murillo and Vandal will be honored at the

Orange County Teachers of the Year awards dinner on November 2 at the Disneyland Hotel.

Photo courtesy of John Garrett

Summer Academy Expands Students’ Minds

The Tustin Public Schools Foundation’s Summer Academy enrichment program for K-8 students will be in session June 18 through July 12. The Summer Academy offers courses in a variety of subjects, from kindergarten readiness to STEAM, art exploration to robotics, and more. All courses are designed and taught by TUSD educators. This year, TPSF was able to award scholarships to more than 125 students. Scholarship funds came largely from TPSF’s fifth annual Golf Classic and Auction held April 19, which raised over $120,000 thanks to generous donors, auction bidders, and attendees. For more information or registration, go to www.tpsf.net/summeracademy.

Follow Superintendent Franklin and TUSD on Twitter!

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

Have a great summer!

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