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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Dear Sweetwater School Community,
The Sweetwater Union High School District and Sweetwater Counseling and Guidance Association are pleased to have reached agreement on a comprehensive memorandum of understanding (linked here) related to our provision of distance counseling during the COVID-19 related school closures. We recognize that this may be a challenging time for our students, families and staff, however, we are committed to ensuring a high-quality educational program to support our students academically and emotionally.
The memorandum of understanding’s key points include:
1. District shall establish a Districtwide student schedule to provide a daily routine for our students during the closure, including how to access educational and social-emotional guidance opportunities through remote counseling and supports. Counselors will share with students when they are available to provide assistance.
2. Counselors will determine the best method of assisting students remotely during their work day, such as via email, online meeting or phone, including determining if their student’s needs are better met flexibly outside the timeframe set in the Districtwide Student Schedule. Counselors will share their support plan with administrators weekly identifying their priorities (such as assisting seniors in completion of graduation requirements, master scheduling work, or meeting with students that may need additional supports).
3. District will provide counselors training and supports during the transition to distance counseling that are self-directed and counselor co-created. This ongoing professional development will be coupled with existing PLC and staff meeting structures ensuring site teams can support the school community together.
4. Recognizing that maintaining connections with students during the closure is a team effort, counselors will work with administrators to assist teachers in contacting students who are not participating in distance learning and with whom teachers are unable to otherwise connect.
5. Counselors will not be expected to work on site during the closure, in accordance with the County and Statewide orders and in modeling “stay at home” order to our community. Trips to school sites to gather materials or to access resources need to be pre-approved by the principal to ensure everyone’s safety.
6. Counselors will not have to worry about loss of pay or benefits so long as they are able to work remotely providing quality counseling supports to students.
We appreciate the collaboration during this uncertain time that has resulted in a memorandum of understanding that focuses on meeting the needs of our students, counselors, and school community.
Sincerely,
Karen Janney, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Sweetwater Union High School DistrictAlfredo Cendejas
President
Sweetwater Counseling and Guidance Association -
Dear Sweetwater School Community,
The Sweetwater Union High School District and Sweetwater Education Association are pleased to have reached agreement on a comprehensive memorandum of understanding ( linked here ) related to our provision of distance learning during the COVID-19 related school closures. We recognize that this may be a challenging time for our students, families and staff, however, we are committed to ensuring a high quality educational program to support our students academically and emotionally.
The memorandum of understanding’s key points include:
1. District shall establish a Districtwide student schedule to provide a daily routine for our students during the closure, ensuring materials are available both online and offline. In some cases, students will need flexibility in order to participate.
2. Teachers will determine the best method of assisting students remotely during their work day, such as via email, online meeting or phone. Teachers will share their individual plans with administrators and students weekly to ensure students know how and when they can connect with their teachers.
3. District will provide teachers training and supports during the transition to distance learning that are self-directed and teacher co-created. This ongoing professional development will be coupled with existing PLC and staff meeting structures ensuring site teams can support the school community together.
4. Recognizing that maintaining connections with students during the closure is a team effort, teachers will work with administrators to assist teachers in contacting students who are not participating in distance learning and with whom teachers are unable to otherwise connect.
5. Teachers will not be expected to work on site during the closure, in accordance with the County and Statewide orders and in modeling “stay at home” order to our community. Trips to school sites to gather materials or to access resources need to be pre-approved by the principal to ensure everyone’s safety.
6. Teachers will not have to worry about loss of pay or benefits so long as they are able to work remotely providing quality educational supports to students.
We appreciate the collaboration during this uncertain time that has resulted in a memorandum of understanding that focuses on meeting the needs of our students, teachers, and school community.
Sincerely,
Karen Janney, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Sweetwater Union High School DistrictJulie Walker
President
Sweetwater Education Association -
April 1, 2020
Dear Senior Students of the Sweetwater Union High School District,
We know that you have many questions regarding this school year in regards to community service requirements, credit completion, prom, grad night, graduation, and other important milestones. Many of these items are still under consideration and will be addressed in detail in another communication in the near future. However, we did want to immediately address the current requirement of 30 hours of community services. Our official guidance for this school year is that the class of 2020 will not be required to meet the community service hours in order to be eligible for graduation. Because the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency has extended the order to stay home and eliminate any gatherings, and the social distancing requirements remain in place, we do not want to expose students to any potential harm. The community service requirement has been eliminated for this school year.
Thank you and we hope you and your families are safe and well.
Estimados estudiantes del doceavo ano del Distrito Escolar de Sweetwater,
Sabemos que tienen muchas preguntas con respecto a este año escolar con respecto a los requisitos de servicio comunitario, finalización de crédito, graduación, noche de graduación, y otros hitos importantes. Muchos de estos elementos todavía están bajo consideración y se abordarán en detalle en otra comunicación en un futuro próximo. Sin embargo, queríamos abordar de inmediato el requisito actual de 30 horas de servicios comunitarios. Nuestra orientación oficial para este año escolar es que no se requerirá que la clase 2020 cumpla con las horas de servicio comunitario para ser elegible para la graduación. Debido a que la Agencia de Salud y Servicios Humanos del Condado de San Diego ha extendido la orden de quedarse en casa y eliminar cualquier reunión, y los requisitos de distanciamiento social siguen vigentes, no queremos exponer a los estudiantes a ningún daño potencial. El requisito de servicio comunitario ha sido eliminado para este año escolar.
Gracias y esperamos que usted y sus familias estén sanos y salvos.