As we enter into the fourth week of school, we are so pleased to see a return to some sense of normalcy. Our amazing teachers are helping reorient students to in-person instruction; our dedicated counselors are providing classes needed to move towards graduation; and our classified staff all over campus are making students feel at home and safe. This is especially important when we continue with the abnormal – the continued community spread of COVID-19.
With all students back on campus, we are receiving reports of increased numbers of students and staff testing positive for COVID-19. The District is following local and state guidance on COVID-19 notification and quarantine as a result of these cases. Because local guidance is changing frequently, we will be providing you frequent updates as changes occur. As part of this update, the FAQs previously shared with students and families have been updated. A few highlights include:
Symptomatic Students Must Stay Home. Students may return with a COVID-19 Negative PCR test after no fever for 24 hours and improved symptoms.
Students that are COVID-19 Positive MUST stay home.
Quarantine protocols for Asymptomatic Close Contacts have been modified. Students who remain in in- person instruction must present COVID-19 Negative Test Results to the Nurse every 3-4 days during quarantine or will not be allowed to remain in in-person instruction.
COVID Testing: Updates on testing requirements for extracurricular activities and recommended site wide testing forthcoming.
Based on Governor’s order, guidance on implementation of staff vaccination or testing requirements will be forthcoming.
Guidance on AB 104: New information about students who want to modify a grade received during COVID-19 with a pass or no pass. Forms are Due on Monday, August 16th.
As always, we appreciate your support and consideration regarding health and safety throughout our community, which can be done by getting vaccinated, continuing to wear masks, respect social distancing when possible, practice good hand hygiene, and get tested.
Should you have questions, please visit our district’s website for Frequently Asked Questions at www.sweetwaterschools.org, or contact your site administrators for more information.
Thank you,
Dr. Moises G. Aguirre
Superintendent
Bonita Vista High BVTV Student Producer Julian Rodriguez nominated for 2021 All-American High School Film Festival in NYC
Bonita Vista High, student, and BVTV Producer, Julian Rodriguez’s short film has been selected for the, “2021 All American High School Film Festival”. His film titled “What Makes Us Matter”, was produced in his home last year during distance learning.
Student’s films were selected across 50 states and 40 countries. The festival will take place in New York City and Julian and his family are thrilled for the opportunity to attend. His film will be featured on the big screen at the AMC Theatres in Time Squares.
Hard work and resilience do make dreams come true! Congratulations Julian!
What got you interested in video production?
It was a consistent love for movies and television. Growing up I was always mystified by the art form and how they make movies so I found the perfect path for that is in video production and learning all the equipment and tools to craft a story.
How has BVTV enhanced your learning and experience as a student?
BVTV has helped me become more cooperative and to work better in teams. As a student filmmaker you're kind of on your own for a lot of the filmmaking process and it has been a struggle for me in the past to try to get a team or try to work with actors, but the multimedia program here at Bonita Vista High School has helped me become more of a team person and a team leader. I really appreciate the opportunity and I want to continue working better with fellow students and developing my skills.
What was the experience and challenges of making your short film "What Makes Us Matter"?
I think the biggest challenge of making the short film "What Makes Us Matter" was the special effects. I never actually well versed in special effects and I kind of just did the bare minimum when it came to that subject. I was using a silhouette style of shooting which is completely new to me but thankfully I was able to understand it in time to make the movie. Also knowing I had a strict deadline beforehand pushed me forward to completing the film. It was very challenging and intense but it was also very fun to create.
What is your message behind the film?
What inspired the project were overall challenges the entire community was going through, especially during the pandemic things were very hard to watch on the news. The whole world was essentially struggling together and I felt that the people who kept it together were the essential workers, such as the military, medical personnel and grocery store workers. I wanted to take the opportunity to celebrate them and the work they do to help our world.
What are you looking forward to with the upcoming All-American high school film festival?
One thing I'm really looking forward to is to meet other student filmmakers. The field of student filmmakers is kind of small and I don't think there's really a huge amount of student Directors in the community so it's kind of cool to have the chance to find a hotspot of them. Also, it will be great to see other movies and to see their creativity and the different perspectives of the world they bring.
What are you looking forward to in your own career path in filmmaking?
I'm looking forward to hopefully working with completely new people and actually do some cool live live-action work which I haven't done in a very long time.
What creative role do you gravitate to and enjoy working in the most?
The one field that I really gravitate towards is Directing, and while I also love writing and have always loved storytelling, the role of Director has always been a fun and challenging one. At times I couldn't really get certain cast members or couldn't really get certain voice actors to perform in my projects so I have also had to kind of pitch in as the actor on certain films.
Anything else that you would like to add?
It's been a pleasure being at Bonita Vista High School. To have access to learn the important skills to further your craft has given me a new way of thinking and a new way of seeing movies and television. I'm really grateful for my teacher, Mr. Martinez, who has helped me along the way. He saw something in my talents and motivated me to join his class and I'm really grateful for the opportunity.
So if you're someone who wants to enter this field of video production or television production I would definitely suggest taking this class at school to take it to the next level. I hope that more students become more aware of this field and take the opportunity to just go for it!
CountyWide Classified School Employee of the Year
Congratulations to Sweetwater District Budget Control Analyst, Veronica Plummer for being named one of the countywide Classified School Employees of the Year. The San Diego County Office of Education runs the countywide Classified School Employee of the Year program to recognize the work that these vital employees do every day.
The countywide Classified School Employee of the Year program recognizes employees in the following occupational specialties: paraprofessional, clerical and administrative services,
transportation services, food and nutrition services, custodial and maintenance services, security services, health and student services, and technical services. A nomination committee made up of classified employees from throughout the county selects the winner.
Veronica was nominated by Financial Services Director, Nancy Picone and Director of Human Resources Milena Aubrey and Chief Financial Officer Dr. Jenny Salkeld
Retired Hilltop High School Teacher, Celebrates turning 100 by parachuting out of an airplane
Photo Courtesy of Thomas Goisque
BEST OF SOUTH COUNTY 2021 READERS POLL
This is your opportunity to let your voice be heard! Vote for your favorite people, places, and businesses to help us determine who is the very best in South County. All our winners will be announced on November 12 in The Star-News Best of South County special section. Deadline to vote is August 30, 2021 at 5:00 pm.
San Diego Union-Tribune
Attention all SUHSD students and teachers, you are eligible for free digital subscriptions to The San Diego Union-Tribune. Don't miss out on this opportunity to have direct access to information for research purposes and stay up to date on the latest current events. Click here for details.
SUHSD Grants and Communications Department
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Phone: (619) 691-5578
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