News & Events
-
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
-
Recently, the Sweetwater District and South Bay Community Services partnered to commemorate the life and acts of service of American hero Cesar Chavez. As described by his family, Cesar Chavez was an ordinary man with an extraordinary legacy of great accomplishment and service to humanity.
The Sweetwater District and South Bay Community Services hosted a “Day of Service” on March 31st that included a community re-beautification and graffiti clean-up, cultural celebration, school garden planting at Hilltop Middle School and painting of a new mural at Castle Park Middle School.
“The pride these students have in this mural is inspiring,” said Castle Park Middle principal Gina Galvez-Mallari. “This project has united our students and created a platform for understanding the history behind the mural. To me that is what’s most important.”
Castle Park Middle School hosted the Opening Ceremony which featured an indigenous performance by members of the Danza Mexi’cayotl. Afterwards participants migrated to the east side of the campus where Castle Park Middle students and community volunteers completed the painting of the mural project. The ARTS Organization (A Reason To Survive) assisted Castle Park Middle students in designing a one of a kind mural honoring and celebrating the lives and work of labor and civil rights leaders Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta, Larry Itliong and Phillip Vera Cruz.
Later in the day, students and community members rallied at Hilltop Middle School where a spring garden planting project broke ground.
“Today would have been my grandfather’s 89th birthday,” said Barbara Ybarra, Executive Director of One San Diego and granddaughter of Cesar Chavez. “He would have been so proud to see the hard work happening in this community.”
-
Sweetwater High School recently debuted their new weight room during a ceremonial ribbon cutting event sponsored by the San Diego Chargers. The weight room was built with a $63,000 grant awarded in 2015 by Chargers Champions, a program of the San Diego Chargers. In addition to the weight room, the grant assisted with the purchase of much-needed football equipment.
“This facility was old and outdated,” said a Sweetwater High student. “Now we have a clean, safe and state of the art facility to lift in. It gives me more of a drive to preserver and push through.”
“We want kids to receive access to the best nutrition and fitness programs available, but schools can’t do it alone,” said Chargers President-Business Operations A.G. Spanos. “They need support from the business community and we’re proud to be able to do our part through the Chargers Champions program.”
Chargers Champions is committed to improving physical fitness in San Diego County schools by providing grants for new facilities and equipment.
“The Chargers grant is a great contribution to the Sweetwater High School weight room,” said Sweetwater High School Principal Maribel Gavin. “We were able to purchase equipment that has enhanced the ability for students to practice a healthy lifestyle which also contributes to their academic growth. We believe students need to be fit and healthy in order to be able to make even bigger academic gains and the Charger grant has definitely helped Sweetwater High move in that direction.”
-
Seaman Stu Hedley was aboard the battleship West Virginia when he was nearly killed as torpedoes hit it. He had just witnessed the explosion of the USS Arizona and saw 32 bodies fly off the ship.
At age 94, the former seaman has dedicated the past several decades of his life to preserving the memory of that infamous day, speaking to schools, churches and business groups.Most recently, Hedley visited Olympian High School in the Sweetwater District, speaking to more than 1,200 students. “If you can take anything away from my visit today, remember this. Stay in school. Do not quit under any circumstance.”
Hedley went on to express how important a college degree is needed for today’s generation. “With the way technology is advancing so quickly, obtaining a college degree is that much more necessary.”
Hedley also relayed his experiences during the historic attack. He talked about how he managed to escape when the 600-foot-long battleship was torpedoed. He escaped by jumping into the burning sea and swimming beneath the flames. More than 100 of his crew mates died that morning.“When we went into the water, we went as deep as we could and we swam under water,” Hedley said. “We broke the surface twice, and that’s the hottest breath of air we ever breathed.”
According to Hedley there are only 18 Pearl Harbor Survivors left in San Diego. The once-young sailors are a fading group of San Diego County veterans who lived to tell about the attack that launched America into World War II.“The moment we came around the bend, I could hear the bombs going off. I could see the ships blowing up. It was all replayed in my mind,” Hedley said.
After losing his wife two years ago, Hedley says he is committed to pouring into the younger generation. According to him, “They’re our future.”