September 2011

Dear TUSD Community:

As the new superintendent of the Tustin Unified School District, I look forward to working with the school board, staff, parents and community members, and leading this outstanding school district in the years ahead.

During the 2011-12 school year, we will continue to focus on student achievement, facilities, high-quality employees, financial responsibility, parent/community partnerships, and education and information technology.

Tustin Unified continues to receive many accolades and awards for its outstanding students, teachers, administrators, staff and schools. Some of those from the past year include:

  • Over 1,550 seniors graduated from Beckman, Hillview, Foothill, Tustin High and Sycamore high schools.

  • Beckman High School was selected as a California Distinguished School. During the past six years, Tustin Unified has received four National Blue Ribbon honors and 20 California Distinguished School awards.

  • Guin Foss Elementary School was selected as a California Title I Academic Achievement School.

  • Lambert Elementary School second-grade teacher Tina Kim was selected as one of five Orange County Teachers of the Year by the Orange County Department of Education. She is the fourth Tustin Unified teacher in the past 10 years to be named Orange County Teacher of the Year.

  • Orchard Hills K-8 School opened last fall with grades 5 and 6 only. This year Orchard Hills School will add seventh grade to its campus.

  • TUSD continues to do very well in Academic Performance Index (API) scores and similar school rankings in comparison to all schools and districts in California. Our Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) scores continue to be higher than California and national scores. Each year hundreds of our high school students earn the distinction of Advanced Placement (AP) Scholar by the College Board. Tustin Unified’s graduation rate of more than 95 percent exceeds that of the county and state. During the summer, TUSD’s Measure G and L Modernization

  • Programs continued to move forward on several construction projects, including Foothill High School’s new Event Center and Tustin High School’s new Sports Pavilion and pool renovation. Soon the District will begin work on new activity centers at Columbus Tustin, Currie, Hewes and Utt middle schools.

All these incredible accomplishments would not be possible without your support. Thank you for your commitment to our students and schools. Let’s have a wonderful year!

Sincerely,

Gregory A. Franklin, Ed.D.
Superintendent

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