December 4-8, all of our campuses participated in Hour of Code. From TK through twelfth grade, students enjoyed activities designed to demystify code and broaden participation in the field of computer science. In TUSD, students explore logic and sequencing as early as pre-K before learning how to write in a coding language. We checked in with students across the district at Foothill, Pioneer, Peters Canyon and Benson, as they share their excitement for coding.

At their annual organizational meeting, the Board of Education elected officers for 2024. Congratulations to President Allyson Muñiz Damikolas, Vice President Jonathan Stone and Board Clerk Lynn Davis.

The Board celebrated Senior Director, Business Services, Nam Nguyen as she enters retirement. Ms. Nguyen has dedicated 28 years to public education, having been a part of the TUSD Family for the last eight. Staff joined the Board in wishing Ms. Nguyen the very best in retirement.

In addition, the Board honored the Beckman Girls Volleyball team, Head Coach Darin McBain and Assistant Coaches Teagan DeFalco and David Tran in celebration of their CIF-SS Division III Championship win. This is the first CIF-SS championship title for our Lady Pats and the Board celebrated them on a job well done.

The Board also enjoyed the singing of the Fifth Grade Honor Choir led by Elementary Music Liaison Vici Cope. Following their performance, the Town & Country Philharmonic Committee presented a generous donation in support of elementary music.

The Board also received a generous donation from the Tustin Public Schools Foundation in support of enriching education in all TUSD schools, presented by Dino Dash Co-Chair Kristen Simpkins. And, the Board honored Sarah Han, Beckman, for her logo design for the 32nd Annual Dino Dash Ride and Run for Education.

The Board was excited to hear from our Student Board Members as they highlighted recent events on their campuses. Sharing their reports were Olivia Ramirez (Beckman), Brinley O'Neill (Foothill), Albert Osnaya (Hillview), Zenji Van Zutphen (Legacy) and Chriscelle Mangahas (Tustin). In addition, Riley Macias (Foothill) celebrated events across our elementary and middle schools through her report.

The evening closed with a First Interim Financial Report, shared by Chief Financial Officer Harold Sullins.

Thursday marked the return of a tradition of honoring TUSD high school teachers and staff nominated by students with the Tustin Public Schools Foundation's Golden Touch Awards. Hillview Principal Tim O'Donohue initiated the renewal of the awards, and more than 275 nominations came in from students across the six TUSD high schools. Through the sponsoring of breakfast by SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, family and colleagues were able to join the TPSF board and staff, along with TUSD administrators, to hear first-hand the special impact of our winners. Students shared that they felt seen, connected, friendship, kindness and comfort from their honorees. For photos and honoree names, please visit the TPSF website.