Tiller News FOLLOW US A weekly newsletter brought to you by the staff and students of Tustin High School, a Gold Ribbon School.

ISSUE 12, VOL. 3 PAGE 1 OF 3 NOVEMBER 11, 2016

INSULT OR HONOR (OR HYPE) By Derek Johnson, History/Social Science Department Instructional Coach

o team or school mascots like the ’s Washington “Redskins,” or The University of Utah’s “Utes” honor D or insult the native cultures on which they are based? U.S. History students have been working to understand the often unpleas- ant relationship the has had with Native Americans and, as part of the discussion, they researched the controversy surrounding Indian Mascots. To express and share their authentic thoughts, students wrote letters to Team Owners & General Man- agers, University Presidents, even the Editor of the New York Times. Some argued that yes; Indian mascots signify an offensive, racially insensitive, and insulting use of stereotypical im- agery, which belittles already underserved groups. Others rejected the idea that Indian mascots must necessarily be offensive, citing shared pride and tradition enjoyed through the honoring of native cultures as mascots. The cynics weighed in, too. They suggested that the controversy was non-issue; a media driven inflammation of our racial sensitivities aimed at gaining readers and selling advertising space. What do you think?

AVID STUDENTS ARE BUSY By Joanna Vandal, AVID Advisor

e would like to thank the Tustin Public Schools Foundation for another suc- W cessful Dino Dash; TPSF helps fund our tutors and we couldn’t run our program without such an incredible partner! Many of our students volunteered at the event or ran the Dash. Seniors are in the middle of college application season and are already receiv- ing acceptance letters! We have students who have been accepted to the University of Arizona and Grand Canyon University. This week 100 AVID students toured Cal State Los Angeles and not only learned about the campus, but received valuable information on how to be a successful college student. Our AVID Club has been busy designing AV- ID Wear and catalogs should be here next week - there are many great designs and items available for sale. All proceeds will go directly to AVID Club College Scholarships. Keep up the great work AVID Scholars!

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC DEPARTMENT STUDENT OF THE MONTH By: Michael Fisk, Instrumental Music Director

s a Senior Drum Major, Evelyn Rodriguez has been a big asset to the Tiller Band. Through her A leadership, she has helped to ensure the Marching Band’s success this semester. While Evelyn has been in band since her years, she has a long list of impressive accomplishments here at Tustin High School that include membership in Marching, Concert and Jazz Bands, and Drumline; and Most Improved Marcher and Most Outstanding Musician. Besides holding the Drum Major and Concert- master positions, this talented musician also plays the Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone, and Cymbals, and is a member of two District Honor Groups: Concert Band and Jazz Band. We appreciate Ms. Rodriguez’s leadership, as she helps to set the standard of precision and professionalism in our Music Program. Congratulations, Evelyn, you have a bright future. Keep up the great work!

CUT CAKE NOT TREES By Zachary Apperson, Journalism, Class of 2018

riscilla Alvarez, Paulina Robles, and Natalie Avina are all juniors at Tustin P High. Despite Advanced Placement-level courses and athletics, the three re- main enrolled in Tustin High’s rigorous Model United Nations program and have organized a club as part of their capstone project, that will “focus primarily on the reforestation and recycling of things here at THS” explains club president, Priscilla Alvarez. Cut Cake not Trees, is a band of people who’ve gotten together in order to rejuvenate our Earth and exemplify ways we should take care of it. Priscilla Alvarez along with vice president, Natalie Avina, and treasurer, Paulina Robles, tell of the club’s future plans on cooperating with outside non-profit organizations, like Shadetree, with similar goals geared towards saving the environment. The club meets every other Thursday in Room 417 during lunch to discuss ideas and projects, all while sharing some delicious baked goods and desserts, of course. TILLER FOOTBALL PLAYS 1ST ROUND CIFSS FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11TH #gotillers

ustin Football is playing the first round CIF SS game this Friday night against Huntington Beach High School. Ticket T prices are as follows: General Admission $10, and Student price is $5. Students must show their student ID when purchasing tickets in order to get the student prices.

TUSTIN HIGH SCHOOL For more Tiller News from our students’ perspective, please Home of the Tillers, a Gold Ribbon School visit iTHSmedia.com, for our student-produced on-line 1171 El Camino Real, Tustin, CA 92780 magazine and videos. (714)730-7414 Information regarding Student Fees/Cuotas al Estudiante [email protected] COUNSELORS’ CHAT (Current Happenings At Tustin)

A weekly newsletter brought to you by your THS Counselors.

TILLER NEWS PAGE 2 of 3 NOVEMBER 11, 2016

elcome to the 2016-2017 school year! It’s a big year with changes in the FAFSA filing period using W prior-prior year, University of California personal insight questions, and an addition of a new application platform for some private universities. The Tustin Counselor Team will help your students navigate through this school year and get informed about college/ career pathways. If you are not sure who your counselor is, please refer to our website. The purpose of this newsletter is to provide current communication regarding resources, initiatives, events, and workshops available for all Tillers.

TUSD ANNOUNCES EARLY START FOR 2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR Tillers, be sure to make next summer's vacation plans accordingly, as TUSD announces an EARLY START for the 2017-2018 school year!

COLLEGE VISITS - OPEN TO ALL GRADE LEVELS Students should sign up on Naviance if they plan on attending any of these visits, and also to view our entire calendar of ALL college visitations scheduled for this school year.

COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY REPRESENTATIVE DATE TIME

Santiago Canyon College Victor Castro Wed 11/16 1PM California State University, Los Angeles Jacquelyn Mendieta Wed 11/16 2:35PM Irvine Valley College Anne Ackers Tue 11/29 1PM Orange Coast College Eduardo Cervantes Tue 12/6 1:10PM

SENIORS - CLASS OF 2017

Ask me about November 30th: What is the significance of November 30th? This is the deadline to submit all CSU and UC applications. We strongly recommend that students aim to submit applications well before the November 30th deadline to avoid stressing about platform malfunctions. Don’t forget to update your Naviance accounts once you have submitted applications! ASVAB: Are you interested in taking the ASVAB to help identify your strengths and interests for career preparation? Go see your counselor to sign up for the December 7th exam! Preparing for the FAFSA or Dream: Do you need help applying for your FSA ID, FAFSA, or DREAM application? Come out to the library during Tutorial on Tuesdays and Thursdays! Financial Aid Counselors will be present to provide you support as well as your counselors. Please come prepared with your laptop and social security number/green card number. College Application Support: Are you working on your college applications and need help? Counselors are available during Tutorial on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the library. Remember that the CSU and UC deadline is November 30th! Please come prepared with your laptops. ROP: Interested in earning elective credit while getting “hands on” experience in a career pathway? Try an ROP class! Classes such as culinary arts, crime scene investigation, computer graphics, fire technology, and many more are available. Go see Mrs. Sam in the Library to inquire about Spring 2017 classes. #applied: As of today, 42% of the Senior class have submitted applications to post-secondary institutions. Counselors will be tracking this information through Naviance. Add your colleges on to your Naviance dashboards once you have submitted applications. Need information on how? Click here for a quick tutorial!

COUNSELORS’ CHAT (Continued on Page 3) COUNSELORS’ CHAT (Continued from Page 2)

TILLER NEWS PAGE 3 of 3 NOVEMBER 11, 2016

JUNIORS - CLASS OF 2018

November Workshops: Counselors will be presenting Workshops in English classes during the month of November. The presentation will focus on graduation requirements, A-G requirements, and planning for a productive Senior year. It’s an important step to ensure success at THS. Counselor Meetings: During the months of November and December, counselors will be meeting with their Juniors 1:1 to discuss classes for Senior year. Please keep in mind that Senior year is NOT meant to be a fluffy year. Students will be encouraged to pursue academic rigor as well as interests that will help advise future college and career plans. ROP: Interested in earning elective credit while getting “hands on” experience in a career pathway? Try an ROP class! Classes such as culinary arts, crime scene investigation, computer graphics, fire technology, and many more are available. Go see Mrs. Sam in the Library to inquire about spring 2017 classes. ASVAB: Are you interested in taking the ASVAB to help identify your strengths and interests for career preparation? Go see your counselor to sign up for the December 7th exam!

SOPHOMORES - CLASS OF 2019

College Visits: Admissions representatives want to talk to Tillers regarding prospective admissions at their universities. This is a great way to ask questions and get to know the campus as well as introduce yourself to a potential decision maker. Please don’t miss these opportunities! Sign up on Naviance. The list of colleges visiting will be updated as soon as appointments are made. If you need help signing up, go see your counselor! It’s an important step...so start early! ROP: Interested in earning elective credit while getting “hands on” experience in a career pathway? Try an ROP class! Classes such as culinary arts, crime scene investigation, computer graphics, fire technology, and many more are available. Go see Mrs. Sam in the Library to inquire about spring 2017 classes.

FRESHMEN - CLASS OF 2020

Link Crew: All Link Crew Leaders will be meeting with freshman on Tuesday, November 15th, in the Sports Pavilion during tutorial. Save the date and be there for another fantastic session! College Visits: Admissions representatives want to talk to Tillers regarding prospective admissions at their universities. This is a great way to ask questions and get to know the campus as well as introduce yourself to a potential decision maker. Please don’t miss these opportunities! Sign up on Naviance. The list of colleges visiting will be updated as soon as appointments are made. If you need help signing up, go see your counselor! It’s an important step...so start early! ROP: Interested in earning elective credit while getting “hands on” experience in a career pathway? Try an ROP class! Classes such as culinary arts, crime scene investigation, computer graphics, fire technology, and many more are available. Go see Mrs. Sam in the Library to inquire about spring 2017 classes.

TUSTIN HIGH SCHOOL For more information and resources, please visit: Home of the Tillers, a California Gold Ribbon School 1171 El Camino Real, Tustin, CA 92780 Naviance; THS Career Center (714)730-7414 THS College Planning [email protected] Financial Aid and Scholarships