News & Events
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Dear Sweetwater Community,
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 -
Dear Sweetwater Community,
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.
Atentamente,
El Distrito Escolar Sweetwater Union High School
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District leadership has received inquiries on recent election results and the way in which students and staff are responding to that event. Please take a moment to read…
Today and every day, the Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) is committed to “Putting Students First” and we remain steadfast in our efforts to support each student, our staff, and our community.
Stressful events take different forms — natural disasters, personal loss, school violence, political unrest — and their effects on us vary. Our reactions to stressful circumstances can impact students and staff who are directly affected, as well as their families and community members.
During stressful times, students and staff may experience a wide spectrum of emotions. But, stress can become a problem when we are unable to cope well with it and when it gets in the way of going to school, doing our jobs, or taking care of ourselves and family. Coping well with stress begins with recognizing how we are reacting and taking steps to manage our reactions in a healthy way.
Common Reactions to a Stressful Event
· Disbelief and shock
· Feeling sad, frustrated, helpless, and numb
· Fear and anxiety about the future
· Feeling guilty
· Anger, tension, and irritability
· Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
· CryingAlthough students and staff may react differently to a stressful situation, it is important to assess the impact to provide appropriate support.
· Determine Impact – Encourage teachers to ask students how they are feeling about the events taking place. Some students may be experiencing fear and anxiety, while others may be coping well. This is an opportunity for students to share their thoughts and feelings and at the same time listen and support one another. Restorative circles can be used to do this. Some students may struggle to share how they feel or may not have the right words to describe their emotions. They tend to show their stress through their behavior. Staff are encouraged to focus their interest on the students’ experience rather than on the behavior that results from it.
· School Response – If students are having a difficult time, it may be helpful to bring a counselor or district staff to talk with students about the stressful event. Encourage students to ask questions, and talk about their fears and unpleasant feelings. If a student has additional worry, it may be time to seek additional help.
· Continued Efforts – Many students experience extreme stress and similar symptoms as those of adults. During these times, students must depend on the adults around them to help them. Staff is reminded to continue their efforts to build safe, respectful, and positive school and classroom environments.
· It’s important to closely monitor the reactions of staff for signs of stress.Strategies to reduce stress: · Acknowledge their feelings
· Promote a positive environment by modeling healthy coping behaviors
· Model respectful behavior by maintaining equitable treatment of each member of our learning communityFinally, and most importantly, keep calm and take care of yourself! Students often are impacted by the stress they see and feel from the adults around them. We continue to be a district where we not only respect our diversity and differing viewpoints, but we also encourage dialogue and better understanding of one another.
Each and every day, regardless of what happens around us, we are given the opportunity to educate students and have a positive impact on their lives. We can only be successful at this if we take care of ourselves and take care of each other.
We thank you for the opportunity to serve you and please know that we are here for you as a resource.
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Not one empty space was available on the bleachers in the Olympian High gymnasium as hundreds of students listened to a talk about bullying, student isolation, teen suicide, discrimination, and overall school violence.
The Rachel’s Challenge assembly travels across the U.S. to schools to equip and inspire individuals to replace acts of violence, bullying, and negativity with acts of respect, kindness, and compassion. Rachel’s Challenge is based on the life and writings of Rachel Joy Scott who was the first victim of the Columbine school shootings in 1999.
A few weeks after the tragedy at Columbine, Darrell Scott, Rachel’s father, spoke to a Congressional House Judiciary Committee regarding issues of school violence. Since then, his speech has become one of the most widely read documents on the internet.
Shortly afterwards, he founded “Rachel’s Challenge”, a bullying and violence prevention program. Rachel’s Challenge has reached more than two million students annually and many have accepted the challenges, modeled after Rachel’s life and writings. Students in the United States and several other countries have heard the universal message of kindness and compassion through Rachel’s story.
In her diary Rachel challenges herself to:
To take away all prejudges against those that are different
Start a chain reaction of kindness
Dream big, choose positive influences
Speak with kindness
“The purpose of today’s assembly is to promote a safer school environment by building a connected student culture,” said Soo Yeohn De, ASB Dean. “We are honored to learn more about Rachel’s legacy.”