Sweetwater Must Sees Newsletter

Dear Team SUHSD:

As this unprecedented school year draws to a close today Friday, June 3, I would like to thank all our staff, for exercising patience through a very demanding, yet productive school year. As we prepare to launch into summer break, I want to recognize each of you for the dedication, talent, energy and care you bring to our work. As a team, we are making a visible difference in the lives of our students, families, and communities.

This year in spite of challenges, we have stayed the course and remained focused on what matters most - ensuring our students are learning and thriving and that we as a district and staff continue to grow. I want to recognize your daily contributions in educating our children for a successful future. Your committed work has made a positive difference for kids this year.

By building on our strengths and addressing our challenges head on, I am confident we can continue the work in making Sweetwater a district that prepares graduates, our students for the future.

I hope you have the ability this summer break to refresh, connect with family and friends and to recharge for the new school year. Have a wonderful summer break!

Many Thanks,

Dr. Moises G. Aguirre

The Sweetwater Counseling and Guidance Association (SCGA) is proud to announce Maggie Padilla as the 2021-2022 Counselor of the Year. Ms. Padilla has been a counselor in the Sweetwater District for over 22 years and has proudly served the students, staff and community at three high schools. In addition to her role as school counselor, throughout her career, Ms. Padilla has held a variety of roles, which include Faculty Advisory Committee Member, Head Counselor and Scholarship Counselor.

Ms. Padilla’s passion for assisting students with financial needs and guiding students toward their educational goals, has led her to become an invaluable member of both the SCGA Scholarship Foundation and Adelante Mujer. Ms. Padilla’s professionalism, compassion, commitment, and leadership serve as a model for not only the students within our district, but for those that share her profession.

Congratulations to Ms. Maggie Padilla and her family for this great honor and we wish her the best for the remainder of her career here in Sweetwater.

State Mandated SB328 student late start will go into affect July 1, 2022. This means school will begin no earlier than 8:00am for middle school/8:30am for high school students. Contact your school site for bell schedules, transportation & athletic times/details.

The Rancho Del Rey Middle School VEX VCR Robotics Team won the 2022 VRS Middle School World Championship May 7 in Dallas, Texas. Of the thousands of teams registered, only a few hundred teams from 40 countries were selected for the world competition.

Coach Chad Pearson and his 7th grade students; Ethan Ileto, Neil Ambalkar, Enoch Shinm; and 8th graders Andrew Espinola, Jolee May Esmele, Maile Lee, and Lilianne Montehermoso represented the Sweetwater District and South Bay community beating out their opponents to take the World Championship.

Beyond science and engineering principles, VEX encourages creativity, teamwork, leadership, and problem solving among groups. The Sweetwater District hosts 30 competitions and state champions annually. VEX students will represent future engineers of the world in interactive satellite technology, military and other fields.

Congratulations to the VEX Robotic students and families of Rancho Del Rey Middle School!

Congratulations to Bonita Vista High School students Jesse Goff and Kevin Ituriaga winners of the Anti-Vaping Video PSA Contest sponsored by the Chula Vista Police Department. The students developed their own slogan and video to bring awareness to the dangers of vaping.

Bonita Vista High was selected as the winner – check out their video titled "Forget the Vape” - Video available here

It's important to know that vaping is very dangerous to the lungs, brain, and cardiovascular system and is highly addictive. For more info about nicotine addiction and how to get help, visit: https://www.flavorshookkids.org/parent-resources/

Photo: Officer Campolo and Dr. Del Rosario, Bonita Vista HS Principal. May 5, 2022. Teacher: Ed Lim.

Launch Virtual Academy has started the enrollment process for the 2022-23 school year. The first step in the process is to attend an informational meeting. Join us to learn more about a new, innovative way to do school!

The 13th Annual SUHSD Digital Media Showcase held a virtual event showcasing the phenomenal Digital Design, Photography and Video entries created by our very own talented students. Congratulations to all the participants and winners!

The 2022 SUHSD Solar Sprint was a huge success!

“This year’s Solar Sprint Competition was more than just a STEAM activity, it’s an important event that brought together students and families with teachers, administrators, superintendent, and board of trustees,” said Brahim Wahib, Solar Sprint District organizer/administrator. “It provided our district communities with a beacon of hope and assurance that students are ready to take on 21st Century skills. That assurance and hope was reinforced by our Superintendent Dr. Aguirre, and Board of Trustees Segura’s words of encouragement and commitment to the future of STEM education. Sweetwater district students are proud to STEAM ahead with 21st Century STEM education!”

We want to give a huge shout out to our SUHSD athletes! Here is a highlight video showcasing the amazing hard work ethic and talent of our Spring Sports season athletes! Congratulations to all our talented athletes on a successful season!

SUHSD State & Federal Programs department in collaboration with Live Well San Diego hosted the 3rd Annual Parent Symposium & Community Fair on Saturday, May 7th at Montgomery High School. Workshops to support Parents, Middle and High school student's Mental Health, Relationship building, Safety, Socio-emotional learning, College Career readiness, Technology, STEM, and Special education were the focus of this year's event!

Recently, Hilltop Middle School hosted a Ribbon Cutting ceremony for the completion of the new 600 Modernization Science building. This new science building will significantly impact both our students and community, now and into the future.

Congratulations Hilltop Middle!

Pixca Farm, a small urban People of Color farm worker cooperative in San Diego, visited EastLake Middle & Eastlake High School students to share their mission to advance food sovereignty! This effort guarantees fresh, local, cultural, relevant food that is respectful to the Earth and environment!

This year’s Employee Recognition Event hosted at Olympian High School on May 12 honored and celebrated the valuable contributions the district's teachers of the year, employees of the year, years of service and retirees have to our students, schools and community.

Here in Sweetwater, we acknowledge and appreciate that our district is full of talented and dedicated employees who carry an essential role, responsibility and stake in the safety, security and success of our students.

The event identified and recognized employees who, in their contributions and service to the District, have exemplified our core values and mission of making Sweetwater the great district it is.

Congratulations to all the honorees!

Chula Vista Middle school celebrated their end of the year with a SDSU/NIH COVID research project incentive party. Partnered with CLUB TC (CVM's after-school program), SDSU, and SBCS the fun-filled event featured two food trucks (Rice or Death and El Tapatio), a Tostilocos bar, a COVID Bucks fair with games and prizes, and a CLUB TC Bowl where mixed teams of students and staff played flag football representing UCLA vs USC teams. The "halftime show" highlight featured the hip-hop dance group "FUEGO".

Students at Chula Vista Middle School recently received an intimate workshop on rolling sushi with sushi expert and Chef Jeff! Students also had the opportunity to sample the delicious sushi rolls afterwards! Thanks to Nutrition Services Director Mr. Eric Span and his team for hosting a delicious and educational event!

Congratulations to Olympian High School students Gian Paraguya and Brandon Li, first place winners of the Triton Hacks Competition. Triton Hacks is a 30 hour high school hackathon hosted at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) that provides students with the tools and opportunities to pursue interests in computational fields. The program aims to provide students of all backgrounds and experiences STEAM exploration and collaboration.

During the Triton Hacks competition, students were able to join teams to work on a collaborative project, attended technical workshops hosted by UCSD faculty and sponsors that introduced them to new technologies.

This was the first Triton Hack Competition for both Gian and Brandon. The students created a sound sensor web app using programs such as Arduino, JavaScript HTML, and CSS.

According to Gian and Grandon, Triton Hacks was quite the experience.

Congratulations!

The 2022 Race for Autism returned to Balboa Park for its 18th annual Superhero 5K run and walk. The Sweetwater District Special Services Department participated in the run/walk raising funds to support the National Foundation for Autism Research. This year’s race raised over $164,000.

Click here to see footage of SUHSD representatives at the race!

https://vimeo.com/710184330

This year Bonita Vista High students hosted TEDx sessions, their own version of a Ted Talk. These sessions were shared with peers and local community members. The fully student-run production discussed themed topics focusing on social development and overcoming difficulties and adapting to change.

The TEDx events included live speakers to ignite insightful discussion and illicit a connection with the audience. Students had the opportunity to learn from guest speakers' unique perspectives, and interact with other Bonita community members.

Kudos BVH!

The event, requiring months of meticulous planning and practice displayed the students poise and excellence making the evening enjoyable for all!

Kudos to all students and staff involved!

Congratulations to Photography Teacher at Hilltop High, Ana Nita-Potts, and her students who recently participated in and won the Sweetwater Authority’s High School photo contest!

In addition to the recognition, the students were invited to the Artists Reception at the Bonita Museum & Cultural Center, where their winning photograph are displayed.

Congratulations: Ashley Monroy, Carlee Gregg, Joaquin Angulo, Esteban Robledo, and Janet Mendoza.

Winning photos can be found at www.sweetwater.org/photocontest2022.

We are Hiring! SUHSD has a variety of openings across the district. Are you or someone you know looking for work? Do you want to join a team passionate about serving students? Apply today!

Share your story with us!

Website: http://www.sweetwaterschools.org/
Location: 1130 5th Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91911, USA
Phone: (619) 691-5578
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SUHSD
Twitter: @SUHSD