
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
Last fall, SUHSD contracted with the University of San Diego’s Mobile Learning Technology Center research team to perform a comprehensive review of our 1-1 learning initiative at both middle and high schools. Results of the study were shared with our new Board of Trustees on Monday, March 10. The data from the team’s review identifies strength and areas for growth. Our intention is to take immediate action on the recommendations in order to address the areas for growth and discuss next steps for the areas where exemplary practices exist and can be shared more widely across our organization.
To that end, we hope you will join us for a meeting where the study findings will be shared and discussed. You and your student are invited to attend.
We will ask participants to review recommendations in small groups in hopes of getting recommendations regarding our plan of action for the 2015-16 school year and beyond. Several topics need to be discussed and addressed including professional development, iPad deployment, technology integration, equity, and technology acceptable use policy development. This initial meeting will be the first of several stakeholder meetings on this topic. Your attendance does not obligate you to future meetings but we hope the meeting will generate a high level of interest and enthusiasm for ongoing participation.
Date and Time: Tuesday, April 14 from 4 – 5:30 pm.
Location: Sweetwater District Professional Development Center (PDC)
680 L Street Suite C, Chula Vista, 91911
If you are unable to attend the first meeting but want to participate in future meetings, please communicate using the RSVP link above. Dinner will be provided for this meeting. Whether you attend this meeting or signify interest in future meetings, we will include you in all future communications regarding our technology planning. These communications will include meeting minutes and documents.
Contract will be voted on during regularly scheduled meeting
In a closed session on March 12, 2015, the Sweetwater Union High School District Board of Trustees selected Mr. Phil Stover to be the Interim Superintendent while a search is being conducted for a permanent superintendent.
The trustees will vote on a contract for Stover at the regularly scheduled meeting on March 30, 2015.
Mr. Stover has been actively engaged in education for almost forty years. He has masters’ degrees in education and in counseling psychology, with extensive additional post-graduate work in educational leadership, organizational behavior and design, religious studies, and marriage and family counseling.
He has assessed and designed management programs for over 120 school districts, private schools, and institutions of higher learning. He has studied and led the reorganization of various operations at some of the largest school districts in the U.S. Most recently, he served as Deputy Superintendent for the San Diego Unified School District.
“We are very excited about having Mr. Stover join the Sweetwater Union High School District team,” said Board President Frank Tarantino. “He has a long proven history of success and we know that he will lead the district well through this very important transition.”
The search for the permanent superintendent is currently underway and being done by the Cosca Group, who was selected by the Board of Trustees earlier this month.
Current Interim Superintendent, Ms. Sandra Huezo will continue in her role until Stover’s contract is approved by the Board of Trustees.