Raider Reporter Staff Edition

Amazing Raider Families,

"No matter what accomplishments you make, somebody helped you." ~Althea Gibson~

In the final week of Black History Month, I would like to highlight the sports achievement of Black athletes. In the white-dominated sports of tennis, Althea Gibson, became the first female Black tennis player to win Wimbledon in 1957. As with any trailblazer, Ms. Gibson, faced many challenges in her attempts to play tennis but she never allowed these challenges to stand in the way of being included in this sport. With support of other female players, she was allowed to play and showcase here tennis talent that led her to win 11 titles including the four major events: the French Open, US Open, Wimbledon and Australian Open. Her audacious and resilient efforts opened the doors for other Black players like Venus Williams, Serena Willians, Naomi Osaka and Madison Keys. Students, I encourage to be a trailblazer like Ms. Gibson. Do not let fear stop you from pursuing your dreams. You never know how your brave steps into breaking barriers will open the doors for others.

LCAP Survey for District 2026 Single Plan for Student Achievement

The Sweetwater Union High School District is requesting the input of parents, students, classified staff, certified staff, and administrative staff in the goals and actions of the 2026-27 Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP). We need your valuable feedback to evaluate our progress within the state’s priorities and to evaluate and create the 2026-27LCAP Goals. Please complete the survey below no later than February 27, 2026.

• LCAP Survey Link

Changes in Access to the Counseling Center

Families, in losing one of our main office support staff to MVA as a consequence of the district's "right sizing," the counseling has been moved to the front to replace her. This move is causing us to create new protocols and processes on how students can access the counselors as there is no secretary to greet the students and appropriately direct them. Until these protocols are in place, students need to email their counselors to meet with them to ensure that they receive support services in these crucial times, especially for seniors applying for FAFSA. This week, the counselors are creating a QR code that will be placed outside the counseling center for students to scan and put in their request. We are also working on a plan to have support staff be stationed in the counseling center during lunch. We thank you for your patience as we navigate this difficult transition.

Congratulations to the Girls' Basketball Team for Reaching the CIF Semifinals.

We want to congratulate the Girls' Basketball Team, Coach Kumagai, Coach Huntley, Coach Cortez and Coach Wes on advancing to the semifinal round by beating the Rock Academy. The semifinal game is on Tuesday, February 24 starting at 7:00pm and will be played at Escondito Adventist Academy. Let's support them and show up at the game.

First Progress Report of Semester 2 is on February 27, 2026

Students, this is a reminder that progress report grades will be released on Campus Portal on the morning of February 27. This is a reminder to all spring athletes that these grades will determine eligibility for spring sport. If you are a currently failing a class, please make sure that you talk to your teachers to see how you can raise your grades.

Coffee with the Principal is on February 26-27, 2026

Parents, please join me on one of these times for Coffee with the Principal. The meeting will be held in the cafeteria. You will also receive a paper copy of your child's grades. I look forward to seeing you there.

• Thursday, February 26 @ 5:00pm
• Friday, February 27 @ 9:00am

Semester 1 Principal Honor Roll is on February 20, 2026

Congratulations to all students who made last semester's Principal Honor Roll. This means you earned a weighted GPA of 3.75 or higher. We will celebrate you next week in person. See you there!

2026 Summer School Information is OPEN

Summer School Registration is now open. Southwest High School will host summer school this year. Go to the summer school section in the newsletter to read instructions on how you can enroll your student or for a student to self enroll. The deadline to apply is March 13, 2026 otherwise, you will have to wait unitl the first day of class in June to enroll. Do not wait and lose a spot.

2026-2027 School Registration is Now Open.

Families, please read the section below so that you can register your child)ren) for next year. If you arehttps://drive.google.com/file/d/16k1oG0miIsiQNrlAmJnCT7SqsZMVLto8/view?usp=sharing a NEW transfer student, that is, your home school is not SOH, please read the part regarding the transfer process.

For Planning Purposes: Graduation Date is June 4, 2026

Class of 2026, your graduation date is June 4, 2026. To ensure your participation in this milestone event, please make sure that you pass all your classes, and you also do not get in trouble. Starting in February, the senior non-privilege list will released. You will be placed on the list if you have are not passing your classes at the first progress report, you missed school and did not make it up at Saturday School, you were seen at the main office for behavior issues and/or you owe the library monies.

February Library Newsletter is HERE!

Read this month's newsletter and see what is available for your students. Click HERE to read the newsletter.

Raider families, let's have a marvelous week.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Finley

Seniors, it is time to apply for scholarships. Below is our live scholarship link, which is updated continuously as new opportunities become available. Check the link regularly and take advantage of these resources. Don't miss out on these financial supports that are available to you, if you meet the requirements.

Also, join Ms. Gonzalez every Thursday in Room 701 to apply for available scholarships. Bring your lunch.

Scholarship Live Scholarship Bulletin:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1POa_6o1cY0XYfXAjUjcQvb305pmfmxhs1ougFyQs-gE/edit?usp=sharing

Dear Sweetwater Union High School District Families,

We are pleased to share important upcoming dates for the 2026–2027 school year.

Online Registration for all returning and new students will open next Monday, January 26, 2026.

In addition, the Intradistrict Transfer application window will be open from January 26 through February 27, https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gtKbfOpvRW-cxWmGSpiT5uC9-qvJAanY/view?usp=sharing2026. During this time, families may submit transfer requests online for students seeking to attend a school other than their school of residence. More detailed information, including step-by-step instructions and eligibility guidelines, can be found in the attached documents and on the Student Support Services webpage.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support as we prepare for the upcoming school year.

Registration for 9th Grade Transfer Students

If Southwest High is NOT your home school, your information has been forwarded to hour home school. You will need to register at your home school to and then in Campus Portal, you will complete the Transfer Request Application. See linked documents below.

• Transfer Request Process IFlow Chart: English or Spanish.
• Student Intradistrict Transfer Procedures for the 2026-2027 School Year: English or Spanish

Students, if you failed a class or more, you will need to attend summer school. We are hosting this summer, so it is more convenient for you to attend. Below are links that will help you with selecting your class(es). Deadline for early registration is March 13, 2026. If you do not apply by then, you will have to wait until the first day of school. If this applies to you, email your counselor and talk to her to make sur that you take the right class(es). You will apply via Campus Portal (where you check your schedules, attendance and official grades.

Click HERE to go to Campus Portal.

Click HERE to the Curriculum and Instruction Website for information on summer school.

Click either HERE in English or HERE in Spanish to read the instructions on how to select a class in Campus Portal.