
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
The entire Sweetwater Union High School District applauds and celebrates Armando Leon, U.S. History and AVID teacher at Mar Vista Academy for being named one of the five 2015 San Diego County Teachers of the Year.
“I encourage all teachers and educators not to make assumptions about our students,” said Leon. “As educators we always need to find ways to make them believe in themselves and that going to college is attainable!”
The 25th Annual Salute to Teachers event presented 44 school district nominees for San Diego County Teacher of the Year in an Academy Awards-style television event on October 10, 2015. Including Leon, the four other nominees from SUHSD were: Laurie Baker-Worthington of Hilltop Middle School, Blakeslee Detisch of Montgomery Middle School, Diane Ince of Castle Park Middle School and Gale Marshburn of San Ysidro High School.
Leon has taught history at Mar Vista Academy for three years and says his philosophy to teaching is to set high standards for his students. “I see potential in each and every one of my students,” said Leon.” I love teaching more than I love history. My students inspire me to dig deep each day and I owe this award and honor to them.”
The 44 nominees represented 26,000 San Diego County teachers. Each year ten finalists are chosen during the two-hour program which culminates in the announcement of the five teachers chosen to represent San Diego County for 2015. This tribute to teachers and the incredible work they do on behalf of children is like none other in the nation. During the program, the nominees shared their passion, innovation, and heartfelt commitment to students and learning. Leon will represent San Diego County throughout the 2015-2016 school year as a County Teacher of the Year and will also be in the running for a spot as a California State Teacher of the Year.
The Sweetwater Union High School District revisited its Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP). The purpose of this revisiting was to create a plan that brought greater clarity and focus around the direction of the school board and the superintendent.
During the month of October and into the first week of November, the Sweetwater District hosted five community meetings engaging the public in the process and presented the goals and objectives of the LCAP.
The Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) is re-engaging processes to update the comprehensive Long Range Facility Master Plan. This current draft includes information from community meetings, school site meetings, District-wide on-line survey data, current education adequacy review by consultants, condition assessment of existing buildings and technology. The SUHSD vision for completing the update to the 10 year Long Range Facility Master Plan is to engage the stakeholders to attend a round of community meetings starting in October 2015.
The Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) is asking the stakeholders to provide insight to their schools in the District. Stakeholders’ insight to their schools are the key cornerstone to a successful Long Range Master Plan for the next 10 years. We understand that stakeholders are in contact with the schools everyday and hold the greatest knowledge and understanding of the needs of their schools.
Stakeholders’ attendance at the community meetings are for stakeholder voices to be heard by the District, so we can better serve you.
The locations and dates for the community meetings in your Region are listed below:
Meetings are scheduled from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at each host site.
Schools and Board of Trustee Representative: Frank A. Tarantino
Schools and Board of Trustee Representative: Kevin J. Pike
Schools and Board of Trustee Representative: Nicholas Segura
Schools and Board of Trustee Representative: Arturo Solis
Schools and Board of Trustee Representative: Paula Hall