March 24, 2021

Dear Sweetwater Community,

We grieve the recent tragedy in Atlanta, Georgia wherein eight people were killed in connected shooting incidents—six of the victims were of Asian descent.

Members of our Asian, Filipino, and Pacific Islander communities are hurting as anti-Asian bias and hate-motivated incidents are increasing across the nation and in our region.

Sweetwater Union High School District stands in solidarity with our Asian, Filipino, and Pacific Islander communities in condemning any and all acts of hate, intolerance, and discrimination.

Throughout our District, we seek to foster a climate and culture that is welcoming to all of our students, faculty, staff, community members, and alumni and ask that you join us in taking action in support of our communities.

Specifically, in support of our Asian, Filipino and Pacific Islander students and communities, we look forward to our continued engagement with the Filipino Advisory Committee as well as the San Diego County Filipino Resource Center. Further, we will partner with San Diego State University Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Center and participate in the APIDA Conference, to be held April 3 and April 10, 2021. This conference will examine COVID-19 impacts on APIDA communities, featuring leaders from STOP Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Hate, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, and other organizations.

For students needing assistance or support in dealing with this crisis or discrimination, please contact your school’s counselors or administrators. To access District personnel and services, you may contact Student Support Services at 619-691-5564 or student.services@sweetwaterschools.org.

To file a report of discrimination, please contact the Compliance Office at
compliance@sweetwaterschools.org.

We stand united against all forms of hate and violence.

In Solidarity,

Moises G. Aguirre, Ed.D.
Interim Superintendent