The ongoing federal government shutdown may be creating uncertainty and hardship for many federal employees. SNAP, EBT, and CalFresh benefits for November and future months could be delayed, potentially affecting families in our community. We want to ensure that you have access to accurate information and know where to find available support and resources.
The Sweetwater Union High School District is actively exploring additional ways to assist families during this time. This page is dedicated to sharing up-to-date information on food resources, medical and mental health supports, and other services as the government shutdown continues to impact our communities.
El cierre continuo del gobierno federal puede estar causando incertidumbre y dificultades para muchos empleados federales. Los beneficios de SNAP, EBT y CalFresh correspondientes a noviembre y los próximos meses podrían retrasarse, lo que podría afectar a las familias de nuestra comunidad. Queremos asegurarnos de que tenga acceso a información precisa y sepa dónde encontrar apoyo y recursos disponibles.
El Distrito Escolar Unificado de Sweetwater está explorando activamente formas adicionales de ayudar a las familias durante este tiempo. Esta página está dedicada a compartir información actualizada sobre recursos alimentarios, apoyo médico y de salud mental, y otros servicios mientras el cierre del gobierno continúa afectando a nuestras comunidades.
We stand in solidarity with our neighbors, public agencies, elected officials, and community organizations in response to the unacceptable treatment of U.S. Senator Alex Padilla by federal agents in Los Angeles. This incident does not reflect the values we hold as Americans, and we unequivocally denounce it.
We recognize the growing concern about immigration enforcement in our South Bay community. The Sweetwater Union High School District remains committed to supporting and respecting our Latino and immigrant communities. With a student population that is 70% Latino and 10% Filipino, we take pride in our binational identity and the richness it brings to our schools.
Sweetwater does not collect or maintain immigration status information. Our board policies and administrative regulations ensure staff are equipped to handle these matters with care. Our top priority is to maintain a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for every student.
Living along the border gives us a unique understanding: we can uphold law and order while also demanding empathy in enforcement. Every person deserves dignity, and we call on all who enforce the law to do so with compassion.
To those who choose to protest, we urge peaceful assembly, inspired by leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Cesar Chavez, who showed that nonviolence leads to lasting change.
Let us continue to build a community rooted in unity, diversity, and our shared commitment to justice. Together, we can rise to the challenge and uphold the democratic values that define us.
In solidarity,
Moises G. Aguirre, Ed.D. Superintendent Sweetwater Union High School District
Estimada Comunidad de Sweetwater,
Nos solidarizamos con nuestros vecinos, agencias públicas, funcionarios electos y organizaciones comunitarias en respuesta al trato inaceptable recibido por el Senador de los Estados Unidos, Alex Padilla, por parte de agentes federales en Los Ángeles. Este incidente no refleja los valores que sostenemos como estadounidenses, y lo condenamos de manera inequívoca.
Reconocemos la creciente preocupación sobre la aplicación de leyes migratorias en nuestra comunidad del South Bay. El Distrito Escolar Sweetwater Union High reafirma su compromiso de apoyar y respetar a nuestras comunidades latinas e inmigrantes. Con una población estudiantil compuesta en un 70% por estudiantes latinos y un 10% por estudiantes filipinos, nos enorgullece nuestra identidad binacional y la riqueza que aporta a nuestras escuelas.
Sweetwater no recopila ni mantiene información sobre el estatus migratorio. Nuestras políticas de la mesa directiva y reglamentos administrativos aseguran que el personal esté preparado para manejar estos asuntos con sensibilidad. Nuestra máxima prioridad es mantener un entorno seguro, acogedor e inclusivo para cada estudiante.
Vivir en la frontera nos brinda una comprensión única: podemos mantener el orden y la ley mientras exigimos empatía en su aplicación. Toda persona merece dignidad, y hacemos un llamado a todos quienes hacen cumplir la ley a que lo hagan con compasión.
A quienes eligen manifestarse, les pedimos que lo hagan de manera pacífica, inspirados en líderes como Martin Luther King Jr. y César Chávez, quienes demostraron que la no violencia conduce a un cambio duradero.
Sigamos construyendo una comunidad basada en la unidad, la diversidad y nuestro compromiso compartido con la justicia. Juntos, podemos enfrentar este desafío y defender los valores democráticos que nos definen.
Con solidaridad,
Moises G. Aguirre, Ed.D. Superintendente Distrito Escolar Sweetwater Union High
As a district that proudly serves a diverse student population, we remain steadfast in our commitment to creating safe, welcoming, and inclusive learning environments for every student—regardless of immigration status.
In light of recent national developments, we want to reassure our community that our district policies strictly prohibit immigration enforcement on school campuses without a valid judicial warrant. We are also committed to protecting the confidentiality of student and family information in accordance with the law.
All school staff have been reminded of the proper procedures to follow should immigration or law enforcement officials come to a school site. Additionally, schools have access to resources such as “Know Your Rights” materials and legal support contacts to help guide and protect families. Each school will also receive “Red Cards” in English and Spanish, provided by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, which outline Constitutional rights in an easy-to-understand format. These cards are also available in multiple languages online. For immigration resources click here.
Thank you for your trust and partnership as we continue to uphold our values of equity, safety, and respect for all. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to your school principal or district office.
Best regards,
The Sweetwater Union High School District
Estimada Comunidad de Sweetwater:
En nuestro distrito, estamos orgullosos de servir a una población estudiantil muy diversa. Por eso, seguimos comprometidos en crear ambientes seguros, acogedores e inclusivos para todos nuestros estudiantes, sin importar su estatus migratorio.
Ante los eventos recientes a nivel nacional, queremos asegurarles que nuestras reglas no permiten que oficiales de inmigración entren a las escuelas sin una orden judicial válida. También cuidamos mucho la privacidad de la información de nuestros estudiantes y sus familias, como lo exige la ley.
El personal escolar ya recibió recordatorios sobre los pasos correctos a seguir si un oficial de inmigración o la policía llega a una escuela. Además, las escuelas tienen acceso a recursos como materiales de “Conozca sus Derechos” y contactos legales para ayudar a las familias. También entregaremos a cada escuela “Tarjetas Rojas” en inglés y español, proporcionadas por el Immigrant Legal Resource Center. Estas tarjetas explican los derechos constitucionales de forma sencilla, y también están disponibles en línea en varios idiomas. Para ver estos recursos, haga clic aquí: click here.
Gracias por su confianza y apoyo continuo. Si tiene preguntas o inquietudes, por favor comuníquese con la directora o el director de su escuela, o con la oficina del distrito.
As the 2020-21 school year is coming to a close, we want to take a moment to say thank you for all that your students have accomplished during this very challenging year, where we have all been impacted by the COVID-19 global pandemic. Also, we would like to update you regarding the 2021-22 school year. All of the schools in our District will be returning for in-person instruction, five-days a week, during the upcoming school year. We will continue to closely monitor federal, state, and county health guidance to ensure our return is done in a manner that observes the prevailing safety protocols.
After nearly a year of protests, the nation and the world focused on Minneapolis, Minnesota, for the announcement of the verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial for the murder of George Floyd. Officer Chauvin was found to be guilty on all three counts of murder.
The implications of this trial are profound; the relationships between law enforcement agencies and communities of color continue to be strained and scrutinized. Officer Chauvin, through the due process provided to him by the American justice system, was held accountable for the murder of Mr. Floyd.
Now that the Chauvin trial has been adjudicated, we can begin the process of healing as a society, as a country and as a community. Undoubtedly, this case has affected us and our students. As educators, we need to provide safe spaces for students to dialogue about this case and its impact on their lives.
The San Diego County Office of Education has developed curated resources for educators to use with students in processing this event. These resources can be accessed HERE.
The Sweetwater Union High School District looks forward to continuing the dialogue about this case as well as the systemic inequities related to student achievement. For more information about the District’s educational equity work, please use the information below to contact Dr. Vernon Moore.
Since March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant challenges to our education system. Campuses were closed to in-person instruction, athletic programs were paused and for the Class of 2020, in-person graduation and promotion exercises were canceled.
This month, we have reopened schools across the District to more students. This year’s seniors, the Class of 2021, have been invited to return to schools for these last weeks of in-person instruction.
On April 6, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued new guidance regarding graduation and promotion ceremonies for schools. This guidance provided recommendations to help us properly celebrate the momentous milestone of graduation and promotion, while also preventing the spread of COVID-19. The guidance from state and local agencies will be monitored on an ongoing basis and we will make adjustments to our planned ceremonies, as needed.
We are excited to announce that beginning on June 2, should the COVID-19 conditions allow, we will host modified in-person graduation ceremonies for our 12th graders and in-person promotion ceremonies for our 8th graders.
In order to minimize large crowds, these ceremonies will be scheduled in small cohorts of 200 students or less. Each school will schedule a sufficient number of small cohort ceremonies to ensure that all eligible graduating and promoting students have an opportunity to participate.
Please note: These in-person graduation and promotion ceremonies must follow all COVID-19 health and safety protocols. Specifically, the current guidelines require us to limit the number of guests invited to the ceremonies. As such, the spectator limits and protocols are as follows:
Each graduate or promoting student is allowed to have FOUR (4) guests. These four guests are expected to be from the student’s primary household and may NOT be transferred to another student. Further, the guests MUST arrive with the graduating or promoting student in order to be admitted to the venue.
All students and guests must sign a District waiver prior to entering the graduation/promotion venue.
All students and guests must submit to a health screening and temperature check prior to entering the venue.
All students and guests must wear a mask (covering both the mouth and nose) at all times— before, during and after the event.
Prior to entry into the ceremony, the student and guests must wait together, maintaining at least six feet of distance from other groups.
Once in the venue, students will be seated together (six feet apart) while guests will be seated in the stands or other observation area. Guests from the same household will be expected to sit together, maintaining six feet of distance from other groups while seated in the stands.
There will be no concessions within the venues.
Each cohort session is expected to last 30-45 minutes.
These are the initial guidelines for the District’s graduation and promotion ceremonies. In mid-May, your individual school will provide more information, such as the specific dates, times and locations of the ceremonies, as well as other important protocols.
