Congratulations to Hicks Canyon Assistant Principal Agnes Vasquez who was honored this week as Elementary Co-Administrator of the Year by ACSA Region 17! The Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) annually recognizes remarkable administrators throughout Orange County for their achievements and dedication to public education. Ms. Vasquez was celebrated for her lasting impact on the students, staff and families at Hicks Canyon, her support of student behavior and social emotional needs and her excellence in leadership. Congratulations Ms. Vasquez on this much-deserved recognition!

TUSD is proud to have 21 teams qualified for the VEX Robotics World Championships. At last weekend's state-level competition, TUSD teams secured six additional tickets to the World Championships. In addition, 8838B Orchard Hills were State Champions and awarded the Innovate Award. Additional awards earned include: 8838A Orchard Hills awarded Design Award, 6627A Foothill awarded Think Award, 6627X Foothill awarded Amaze Award and 2496X Beckman awarded Innovate Award. Schools that have qualified for World include: Foothill, Beckman, Legacy Magnet Academy (high school and middle school), Orchard Hills (middle and elementary), Hicks Canyon and Tustin Memorial Academy. Congratulations to all of our robotics teams for their hard work and determination this season. We are excited for the upcoming VEX Robotics World Championships in April.

At their regular meeting on March 13, the Board of Education celebrated Counselor Bianca Contreras-Garcia from Loma Vista and her recent recognition by the Orange County Department of Education as Elementary School Counselor of the Year. In addition, the Board honored TUSD 2023 Administrators of the Year including: Michelle England, Foothill, Secondary Principal honoree; Eric Killian, Orchard Hills, Middle Grade Principal honoree; Lauren Steinmann, Loma Vista, Elementary Principal honoree; Agnes Vasquez, Hicks Canyon, Elementary Co-Administrator honoree, Megan Galindo, Columbus Tustin, Secondary Co-Administrator honoree, Maurita De La Torre, Chief Personnel Officer, Personnel/HR Administrator honoree and Ali del Castillo, Coordinator, Secondary Education, Curriculum and Instruction Administrator honoree. Lastly, the Board celebrated our 2023 Teachers of the Year including Vivian Chang, Red Hill, Elementary Teacher of the Year; Colleen Driscoll, Utt, Middle School Teacher of the Year; and Chelsea Dehn, Foothill, High School Teacher of the Year.

The Board also highlighted the work of our Adult Transition Program in this month's Bright Spot. Assistant Superintendent Dr. Amy Lambert was joined by Director Dr. Kate Christmas and Coordinator Johanna Puccio in celebrating the work of the staff and students a part of our Adult Transition Program.

Lastly, Student Board Members Erin Song (Beckman), Nyah Kinsey (Foothill), Samara Delgado (Hillview), Jaiden Le (Legacy) and Valerie Ontiveras (Tustin) shared recent events from their campuses. And, Malaika Fortes (Foothill) shared an overview of happenings from across the district at our elementary and middle schools.

The Tustin Public Schools Foundation's Golf Classic and Auction was a fantastic success! Held at Strawberry Farms on March 16, the event brought our community together in support of students and programs in all TUSD schools. A day filled with golf was topped off by an entertaining reception and auction in the Big Red Barn. TPSF also hosted an online silent auction to allow those not able to attend the chance to support from afar. We are grateful for the Tustin Public Schools Foundation for their generous support of each and every student in Tustin Unified. To learn more about TPSF and to stay up to date on the may ways in which they are supporting all TUSD schools, sign up for the TPSF Newsletter.

TUSD Educational Services is excited to host High School Pathways to Success, an event for students and families. Please join us on April 4 for valuable resources and tools to support you as you plan for your future beyond high school. The event will take place at Tustin High School from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and will include information about workforce trends in our community, college options out of state, resume building, understanding your financial aid award letter and college counseling. More information is available in the High School Pathways to Success flyer. Registration is encouraged by March 25.

The Tustin Student Film Festival (TSFF) will be held on April 21. TSFF showcases and celebrates the skill and creative talent of our student filmmakers.

The TSFF Student Planning Committee invites our community partners to join us in support of this celebration of our student filmmakers. Sponsorship opportunities are available for organizations looking to support our students while also promoting their businesses. More information is available in the TSFF sponsorship letter.

For additional details on the Tustin Student Film Festival, and to purchase tickets, please visit the TSFF website.