Highlights from the March 11 Regular Board Meeting

At their regular meeting on March 11, the Board of Education celebrated OC Parenting Top 25 Teacher Jeff Farr from Foothill High School. In addition, the Board honored our Teachers of the Year including Elementary Teacher of the Year Melani Meekhof (Tustin Memorial Academy), Middle School Teacher of the Year Rey Halili (Utt) and High School Teacher of the Year Abbey Zinsser (THS).

The Board also honored our National Merit Finalists including TUSD students Brian Chang, Devon Chang, Ian Cheng, Stephen Chien, Amudhan Gurumoorthy, Joelle Kim, Vishaal Krishan, Sydney Osako, Saahil Sinha, Aayush Sehgal, Adrienne Tang, Lindsey Tom, Tashu Vakil and Ivan Yu.

The Board welcomed reports from our student board members, highlighting events and programs across their campuses. Sharing their reports were Olivia Ramirez (Beckman), Riley Macias (Foothill), Valerie Carrillo (Hillview), Zenji Van Zutphen (Legacy) and Leilah Patel (Tustin). In addition, Chriscelle Mangahas celebrated events across our elementary and middle schools through her report.

Following this, Assistant Superintendent, Special Education, Dr. Kathryn Christmas, was joined by Coordinator I, Bianca Gullien, and Facilitator, Jessica Angel, in highlighting the District's evidence-based practices through this month's Bright Spot. Moreover, Chief Business Officer Harold Sullins shared the Second Interim report, providing an overview of the State budget and its impacts on our budget.

Middle and high school students and their families are invited to join us at Pathways to Success, an evening of resources, information, knowledge and tools to support you as you plan for your future. Held April 9 from 5-8PM at Tustin High School, the evening is filled with sessions focused on you as you look ahead. Join us to learn more about CTE pathways, college admissions, in-demand industries, hear from college counselors and more. RSVPs are requested through ParentSquare. More information is available in the Pathways to Success flyer or by contacting Emily Alvarez, COSA.

All TUSD campuses and offices will be closed the week of March 18-22 for spring break. We hope that the week is a restful break for our staff, students and families. As a reminder, Monday, March 25 is a non-student day. We look forward to welcoming students back to campus on Tuesday, March 26.

The Tustin Area Council for Fine Arts (TACFA) recently announced this summer's Broadway in the Park production. Throw your mittens around your kittens and away we go to Rydell High as TACFA and Kris and Becky Lythgoe bring Grease to Peppertree Park this summer. TUSD high school students are encouraged to audition for a role in what will be the biggest production in TACFA's history. Auditions begin March 18. Casting information and additional details are available in the Grease audition flyer. And be sure to visit TACFA's webpage for word on tickets for Broadway in the Park. We will see you there!