Congratulations to our Classified Employees of the Year! This week, we were excited to surprise TUSD Classified Employee of the Year Red Davalos with his announcement. Red serves as Mechanic with our Maintenance and Operations team.

Congratulations as well to the Classified Employees of the Year from each of our campuses, District Office, Kinder Readiness Program and M&O including:

Jesus Arroyo Arroyo Elementary

Sara Hungerford Beckman High School

Karen Avalos Benson Elementary

Veronica Rivas Beswick Elementary

Paul Marsden Columbus Tustin MS

Mindy Thai District Office

Christy Gomez Estock Elementary

Ruvicelia Ruvalcaba Foothill High School

Brittany Hall Guin Foss Elementary

M. Gracia Godinez Heideman Elementary

Janet Zwirner Heritage Elementary

Nichole Thompson Hewes MS

Ruth Darlington Hillview High School

Garmille Tran Hicks Canyon Elementary

Christina Ramirez Kinder Readiness

Tricia Grosch Ladera Elementary

Holly Smyth Legacy Magnet Academy

Luis Enriquez Loma Vista Elementary

Red Davalos Maintenance & Operations

Mayra Gomez Myford Elementary

Zulennie Caldera Nelson Elementary

Lizette Bunney Orchard Hills School

Colleen Cho Peters Canyon Elementary

Nishta Chopra Pioneer MS

David Miranda Red Hill Elementary

Jose Barron Sycamore Magnet Academy

Tino Sanchez Tustin High School

Alex Hernandez Tustin Memorial Academy

Karen Dillon Tustin Ranch Elementary

Miguel Zamudio Utt MS

At their regular meeting on April 8, the Board of Education celebrated our Student Board Members in appreciation of their hard work and valuable contributions while serving as student representatives to the TUSD Board of Education during the 2023-24 school year. The Board honored Olivia Ramirez and Ethan Erickson (BHS), Riley Macias and Brinley O’Neill (FHS), Valerie Carrillo and Albert Osnaya (Hillview), Zenji Van Zutphen and Marissa Sanchez, (LMA), and Chriscelle Mangahas and Leilah Patel (THS).

The Board also recognized Hannah Fung (Pioneer) for her first-place win in the Middle School Poetry category in the 25th Annual Holocaust Art and Writing Contest. Hannah's poem, The Chance, was inspired by testimony by Holocaust survivor Engelina Billauer.

The Board also honored our 2024 Administrator of the Year honorees including Maurita De La Torre, Ed.D., Chief Personnel Officer, Personnel/Human Resources Administrator Honoree; Kristina Posavec, Coordinator, Secondary Education, Central Office Administrator Honoree; Deanna Parks, Heideman Elementary, Elementary Principal Honoree; Jennifer Harrison, Ed.D., Legacy Magnet Academy, Secondary Principal Honoree; and Yaneli Rivera, Sycamore Magnet Academy, Elementary Co-Administrator Honoree.

Heritage Principal Courtney Smith was recognized for her selection as Top Leader of Orange County by Parenting OC Magazine. And Carol Moore, Library Media Technician at Pioneer, was celebrated for her recognition as a 2024 Orange County Classified Employee of the Year. She is one of only nine this year across the county to earn this top honor.

Lastly, the Board celebrated Legacy Magnet Academy, Pioneer Middle School and Tustin High School for their recognition as California Distinguished Schools. These schools are part of a select group of only 38 in Orange County honored for their success in closing the achievement gap and delivering exceptional student performance.

Following this, Assistant Superintendent, Administrative Services, Dr. Grant Litfin, was joined by CTE, Engineering, & Robotics TOSA, Megan Lund, in highlighting the District's robotics and engineering programs through this month's Bright Spot. Mrs. Lund shared how the District is furthering student understanding of the engineering design process from Kindergarten through high school.

Middle and high school families walked away with valuable resources, tools and information for their futures after attending Pathways to Success. The evening, held at Tustin High School earlier this week, included sessions focused on CTE pathways, college admissions, career panels and insight from college counselors. A huge thank you to Counselor on Special Assignment Emily Alvarez, our counselors and presenters for bringing this event to our families.

Looking for a fun way to start the summer by exploring something new or diving deep into a subject that interests you? TPSF Summer Academy enrichment classes are offered in two- and four-week morning sessions at Orchard Hills School. To help with the morning rush, busing is available from three locations. There are still many classes available for kindergarten through high school. Friends and family outside of TUSD can also attend. All classes are created and taught by credentialed TUSD teachers. Art, coding, marine biology, gardening, technology, cooking, photography, physics, and drama are just a few of the subjects in more than 70 classes now available.  Reach out to a friend, add it to your calendar, and sign up now for a great start to summer! All the details and a quick and easy registration are at www.tpsf.net/summer.

Dollars for Tustin Scholars is a local, grassroots scholarship program focused on supporting the financial needs of TUSD students as they pursue a college degree. Since it was initiated in 1987, Dollars for Tustin Scholars has awarded more than $450,000 to our students.

Join us at the Dollars for Tustin Scholar's upcoming Kentucky Derby Party. Held on May 4 at the Orange County Mining Company, the event will raise funds in support of scholarships for our graduating seniors. For more information and to register, visit the Dollars for Tustin Scholars' website.