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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Watch the Teacher & Counselors Tribute video below:
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From L-R: Dr. Joseph F. Johnson III, Dean of the SDSU College of Education, SUHSD Teacher, Ms. Lindsay Goulet, Dr. Karen Janney, Sweetwater District Superintendent & Dr. Lisa McCully, SDSU Manager of the Office of Student Services Recently the Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) and San Diego State University (SDSU) College of Education hosted a kick-off event for the Return, Inspire, and become a Sweetwater Educator (R.I.S.E.) Program. The event was held on April 20th in the Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center on the SDSU Campus. The Alumni Center was packed with Compact Scholars, community partners and SUHSD faculty and staff all in attendance to learn more about the details of this exciting new program.
Through the R.I.S.E. Program, current SDSU Compact Scholars are guaranteed employment opportunities in the Sweetwater District.
“This is an incredible opportunity to not only make a difference in the lives of students and their families, but jumpstart your career right out of college,” explained Dr. Karen Janney, Sweetwater District Superintendent.
Students who successfully complete all program requirements are guaranteed employment with the Sweetwater District in the critical teaching shortage area (math, science, or special education) in which the teaching credential was earned.
“I’ve made it a mission in life to lift up others so they can accomplish what I was so fortunate of accomplishing,” explained Dr. Joseph Johnson, College of Education Dean. “You have the capability to do the same thing.”
This exciting opportunity stems from the collaborative efforts of Dr. Karen Janney, SUHSD Superintendent and Dr. Joseph F. Johnson III, Dean of the SDSU College of Education. Drs. Janney and Johnson believe that the R.I.S.E. program is not only beneficial to Compact Scholars who will receive employment guarantees, but also to the entire Sweetwater community that will be inspired and educated by SDSU alumni that return to teach in the district.
SDSU student Maria Moy says without a doubt she plans on participating in the program. “Opportunities like this don’t come around often,” she said. “I’m definitely going to sign-up and give back to the community that helped me get to where I am today.”
“You all reflect the Sweetwater community and this is a great opportunity to teach, lead and inspire the next generation,” said Dr. Janney.
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Recently, a San Diego Fire-Rescue helicopter landed on the campus of Sweetwater High, part of a partnership educating students about fire based air operations and career opportunities.Students looked in the distance in awe and anticipation as the nearly 2,500 hundred pound aircraft hovered and landed on the high schools field.
“Actually seeing the aircraft and being able to ask the rescue team questions was a dream come true,” said Paulina Lagarda, senior at Sweetwater High. “I’ve always had a passion for helping those in need, so getting into this field is perfect for me.”
Not long after the helicopter touched down at Sweetwater High, did the rescue team receive an assignment sending them to Cowles Mountain to rescue a hiker.
“The partnership with San Diego Fire-Rescue is absolutely invaluable to our students,” explained Mike Diaz, a Career Technical Education Fire Technology teacher at Sweetwater High School. “Engaging students with a talk about the air ship, its capabilities and their duties is something that will stick with these students for a long time.”
Diaz says the Career Technical Education Fire Technology program is a two-and-a half year program designed to show students all the opportunities that come with a career as a first responder.
National City Fire Department sponsors the academy at Sweetwater High and this year they awarded three students with scholarships.
“The helicopter visit helps students visually make their dreams a reality,” explained Mike Diaz, a Career Technical Education Fire Technology teacher at Sweetwater High School.
“Being a part of the Health and Fire Science Academy allows me to gain experience in the medical field,” said Andrew Sanchez, a senior in the Health and Fire Science Academy. “This is a great opportunity I’m glad I get to be a part of.”
According to Diaz, fire academies can be very difficult to get into. Diaz explained how Sweetwater’s program prepares students by exposing and training them in fire service essentials such as basic medical care and search and rescue.
At the end of the program, students take a capstone class to wrap up their fire service education before potentially moving onto a career.