On April 7, the Sweetwater Union High School District will be hosting its inaugural Parent Symposium at Rancho Del Rey Middle School.

This free event invites parents, students and members of the community to learn more about the District and its college readiness programs, social and emotional resources, tech support and parent leadership opportunities.

The District encourages parents to become active participants in their child’s learning to increase academic performance and engagement. The Sweetwater District offers a variety of opportunities for parents to volunteer in school events, clubs, sports, and committees.

The Parent Symposium will include a special appearance by award-winning Mexican-American writer Victor Villaseñor, who will deliver the keynote speech. Villaseñor is the author of Rain of Gold, Burro Genius, and Macho, which speak on the topics of diversity, culture, and language.

The Sweetwater District serves more than 9,300 English Learners and has established a District-level English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC) for parents to participate in. Once a month, the committee meets to advise the local governing board on programs and services that will best support English Learners.

For more information about DELAC and Parent Symposium, contact the Office of Language Acquisition, State and Federal Programs at (619) 934-8300.

The Parent Symposium will be followed by a Community Resource Fair until 1 p.m. and provide light breakfast refreshments during the morning.  Rancho Del Rey Middle School is located on 1174 East J Street Chula Vista, CA 91910. To register, visit the following link: https://goo.gl/forms/ZFYxqlFlK6t1fWnn1

About the Sweetwater Union High School District

The Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) is the largest secondary school district in California, with more than 42,000 enrolled students and 32,000 adult learners. The district is headquartered in Chula Vista and operates a total of 29 schools: 14 high schools, 11 middle schools, and 4 adult schools. Located in southern San Diego County, near the Mexican border, the district serves the diverse communities of Imperial Beach, National City, Chula Vista, and San Ysidro. Since 1920, the district has won numerous awards for its innovative programs and commitment to student success.

The Sweetwater Union High School District prioritizes the health and wellbeing of each student by ensuring all schools offer fresh, delicious and nutritious menu options.

For more than five years, SUHSD’s Nutrition Services have incorporated Farm to School practices to help schools buy and feature locally grown foods, such as fruits and vegetables, in the cafeteria. Daily menus have expanded to include clean-label foods, fresh ingredients, and more vegetarian and vegan menu options.

The state of California, especially San Diego and central California, is rich with local and organic farms, which helps the District build a stronger relationship with California produce distributers and introduce more nutritious foods to students.

The produce served at SUHSD schools are grown locally, regionally or within the state of California. Locally grown food is sourced within 25 miles of the San Diego County Line, regionally grown food is sourced within 250 miles of the San Diego County line, and California grown food is sourced from within the state.

The Sweetwater district has partnerships with the produce distributors American Produce and Food For Thought. Other locally sourced products come from Greenbellies, California Grown Brown Rice, and Hollandia Milk and Dairy,

In addition to fresh produce, this program includes educational components such as school gardens, farm field trips, and cooking classes.

About the Sweetwater Union High School District

The Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) is the largest secondary school district in California, with more than 42,000 enrolled students and 32,000 adult learners. The district is headquartered in Chula Vista and operates a total of 29 schools: 14 high schools, 11 middle schools, and 4 adult schools. Located in southern San Diego County, near the Mexican border, the district serves the diverse communities of Imperial Beach, National City, Chula Vista, and San Ysidro. Since 1920, the district has won numerous awards for its innovative programs and commitment to student success.

In Dec. 2017, the Sweetwater Union High School District adopted a new Mission and Belief Statements to better reflect its commitment to student success and the diverse communities it serves.

The final draft was approved by SUHSD’s Board of Trustees after careful consideration and input from members of the community. The initial drafts were written by 40 stakeholders, who made revisions according to the feedback provided in 115 comments from the community.

The district’s new mission celebrates its diversity and aims to provide a meaningful educational experience while the belief statements focus on student success and district values, such as transparency and collaboration between educators and communities.  

Mission: Located in the heart of an international border community, the Sweetwater Union High School District ensures a safe, inclusive, collaborative culture that empowers each student to actively engage in a meaningful educational experience to pursue personal and academic success.

Belief Statements: We believe each student can succeed; We believe in a welcoming community that is inclusive, equitable, and promotes positive academic, social, and emotional well-being; we believe relationships and collaboration matter; we believe resources shall be equitably distributed to ensure the success of each student; we believe in the value of community voice in decision-making; and we believe in a culture of trust based on integrity and transparency.

About the Sweetwater Union High School District

The Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) is the largest secondary school district in California, with more than 42,000 enrolled students and 32,000 adult learners. The district is headquartered in Chula Vista and operates a total of 29 schools: 14 high schools, 11 middle schools, and 4 adult schools. Located in southern San Diego County, near the Mexican border, the district serves the diverse communities of Imperial Beach, National City, Chula Vista, and San Ysidro. Since 1920, the district has won numerous awards for its innovative programs and commitment to student success.

Since 2006, Sweetwater Union High School District students have enjoyed the unique opportunity to expand their knowledge of engineering and science as members of the VEX Robotics Program.

Robotics combines computer science, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering to design, construct, and operate robots. Unlike other programs, the VEX Program differs in magnitude, outreach, continued growth, and sustainability.

Over the past 12 years, more than 6,000 students have participated in the VEX Robotics Program. Today, the District has over 50 VEX teams combined in high schools and middle schools. To accommodate for the growing number of members, the district has separated the league into two groups: The Sweetwater Middle Schools VEX Robotics League and the Sweetwater High Schools VEX Robotics League. The 2017-2018 school year marks the first time middle schoolers have the opportunity to complete in their own League.

In addition to robotics, the Sweetwater District offers a wide range of other programs in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM). Students who participate in STEAM programs have the opportunity to enhance their learning by engaging in hands-on projects and activities that promote critical thinking, creativity, leadership and collaboration.    

Other STEAM programs and events offered at SUHSD include Hour of Code, ACE Mentor Program, SoCal Cyber Cup & CyberPatriots, FIRST Robotics Competition, Junior Solar Sprint (JSS) & Sweetwater Solar Sprint, Math Field Day, SeaPerch, and Sweetwater Science and Engineering Fair.

About the Sweetwater Union High School District

The Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) is the largest secondary school district in California, with more than 42,000 enrolled students and 32,000 adult learners. The district is headquartered in Chula Vista and operates a total of 29 schools: 14 high schools, 11 middle schools, and 4 adult schools. Located in southern San Diego County, near the Mexican border, the district serves the diverse communities of Imperial Beach, National City, Chula Vista, and San Ysidro. Since 1920, the district has won numerous awards for its innovative programs and commitment to student success.

The Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) offers a variety of programs that prepare students for postsecondary education and a successful future.

The Career-Technical Education (CTE) programs combine core academic knowledge with technical and occupational knowledge to provide students with a direct pathway into California’s biggest industries.

Joining CTE allows students to explore their career options, collaborate and learn from industry experts, develop leadership skills, gain the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in their field of interest, and connect with local communities and businesses.

The Sweetwater district offers career pathways in 11 of the 15 industry sectors. Students can select one of multiple pathways that represent a unique field within an industry. Each pathway has an occupational focus, includes standards that demonstrate sequence potential and offers grade-appropriate instruction for all high school students.

Each pathways represent one of 15 high-demand industries in the state of California: Agriculture and Natural Resources; Arts, Media, and Entertainment; Building and Construction Trades; Business and Finance; Education, Child Development, and Family Services; Energy, Environment, and Utilities; Engineering and Architecture; Fashion and Interior Design; Health Science and Medical Technology; Hospitality, Tourism, and Recreation; Information and Communication Technologies; Manufacturing and Product Development; Marketing Sales and Service; Public Services and Transportation.

The Sweetwater district collaborates with local colleges and businesses to conduct research and determine the needs of each industry in order to design a rigorous curriculum that will best help SUHSD graduates enter the workforce.

About the Sweetwater Union High School District

The Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) is the largest secondary school district in California, with more than 42,000 enrolled students and 32,000 adult learners. The district is headquartered in Chula Vista and operates a total of 29 schools: 14 high schools, 11 middle schools, and 4 adult schools. Located in southern San Diego County, near the Mexican border, the district serves the diverse communities of Imperial Beach, National City, Chula Vista, and San Ysidro. Since 1920, the district has won numerous awards for its innovative programs and commitment to student success.

For the past 18 years, the Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) has made it possible for thousands of students to obtain a college education through its award-winning Compact for Success Program.

Students who join the program during middle school are guaranteed admission to San Diego State University upon the completion of required benchmarks. Since the year 2000, Compact for Success has increased the number of SUHSD graduates who qualify for admission to San Diego State University by approximately 580 percent.  

Throughout the school year, SUHSD teachers collaborate with the SDSU faculty to ensure school curriculum aligns in core subjects to meet the specific requirements for college admissions. The Compact for Success Program provides rigorous college prep courses, informational workshops, how-to session for students and parents, mentoring, motivational activities, college tours and numerous more resources.

Compact for Success opens many new educational opportunities for Sweetwater graduates. Throughout their middle school and high school years, students learn organizational habits, leadership skills, critical thinking skills, time management and other invaluable skills necessary to that will help them achieve their academic goals.

Once a student has been admitted to SDSU, they can remain in the program as a Compact Scholar. This post-secondary program helps Compact for Success students navigate the college system through service learning, leadership development, undergraduate research, financial aid and study abroad.

San Diego State University is a nationally renowned university that offers more than 190 degrees and 80 majors with an emphasis in accounting, biology, business, finance, chemistry, communication, engineering, nutrition, information systems, and international business.

About the Sweetwater Union High School District

The Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) is the largest secondary school district in California, with more than 42,000 enrolled students and 32,000 adult learners. The district is headquartered in Chula Vista and operates a total of 29 schools: 14 high schools, 11 middle schools, and 4 adult schools. Located in southern San Diego County, near the Mexican border, the district serves the diverse communities of Imperial Beach, National City, Chula Vista, and San Ysidro. Since 1920, the district has won numerous awards for its innovative programs and commitment to student success.

The Sweetwater Union High School District recognizes that academic and social engagement are essential to increase student achievement and help each learner meet academic standards.

Throughout the school year, the Sweetwater district offers more than two dozen extracurricular activities and enrichment programs that provide students with a safe environment to learn and play.

These programs aligned with the school day and are completely free to all GUHSD students who wish to participate.

During 2017-2018 school year, students will have the opportunity to join any of the following programs and extracurricular activities: robotics, music production, STEM/STEAM education, football, basketball, soccer, baseball and softball, volleyball, cheer, music, dance, video production, tutoring, color guard, STEM education, garden club, and YMCA Campus Crawl.

Middle schools provide supplemental programs through After School Education & Safety (ASES) program, while high schools provide programs through the After School Safety and Enrichment for Teens (ASSETs) program.

Extracurricular activities and enrichment programs are available on a first come first served basis. Priority is also given to students who attend most frequently.

About the Sweetwater Union High School District

The Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) is the largest secondary school district in California, with more than 42,000 enrolled students and 32,000 adult learners. The district is headquartered in Chula Vista and operates a total of 29 schools: 14 high schools, 11 middle schools, and 4 adult schools. Located in southern San Diego County, near the Mexican border, the district serves the diverse communities of Imperial Beach, National City, Chula Vista, and San Ysidro. Since 1920, the district has won numerous awards for its innovative programs and commitment to student success.

This summer, over 150 Sweetwater Union High School District students will have the unique opportunity to sharpen their creative skills at the district’s annual Summer Arts Academy.

This one-week camp brings together students from a variety of different arts disciplines, including string orchestra, choir, concert band, jazz band, dance, mariachi and visual art. During their stay, students work more with visual and performing arts instructors to further their talent and knowledge of the arts in a safe and fun environment.

Camp is completely free to eligible SUHSD students and reflects the district’s mission to provide comprehensive arts education at all grade levels and empower each student to think creatively, work creatively and live creatively.

The Sweetwater Summer Arts Academy enhances each student’s learning experience by allowing them to explore their passion for the arts and develop initiative, discipline and leadership skills.

At camp, students receive four times to rehearse each day– with multiple break times in between– and can participate in numerous camp activities that promote unity and collaboration among students who share the same passion for visual and performing arts.

Within a concentrated environment, students can focus solely on personal growth, then take the knowledge and skills they gained at camp back to their schools and share them with members of their arts program.

This year’s camp will be held at the Army Navy Academy in Carlsbad from June 11 to 16. On the last day of camp, students will hold performances and an art exhibit at Chula Vista High School Jack Tygett Performing Arts Center.

About the Sweetwater Union High School District

The Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) is the largest secondary school district in California, with more than 42,000 enrolled students and 32,000 adult learners. The district is headquartered in Chula Vista and operates a total of 29 schools: 14 high schools, 11 middle schools, and 4 adult schools. Located in southern San Diego County, near the Mexican border, the district serves the diverse communities of Imperial Beach, National City, Chula Vista, and San Ysidro. Since 1920, the district has won numerous awards for its innovative programs and commitment to student success.

The Sweetwater Union High School District has hired the first R.I.S.E. Program graduate, marking a momentous achievement in the district’s mission to provide students with a seamless pathway from high school to a professional career.

Stephanie Balvaneda is the first SUHSD graduate hired under the RISE Program, a professional education program led by the Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) and San Diego State University’s College of Education.

The RISE program, which stands for Return and Inspire to become a Sweetwater Educator, is an extension of Compact for Success, which offers Sweetwater students guaranteed admission into SDSU if they meet certain academic requirements during their middle school and high school careers.

Once a student has successfully graduated from a Sweetwater school and been accepted to SDSU as a Compact Scholar, they have the option to pursue a career in teaching as a RISE Program member, which guarantees employment in the Sweetwater district for newly certified educators in math, science, special education and other hard-to-fill positions.    

Since the program’s launch over 18 years ago, Compact for Success has increased the number of SUHSD graduates who qualify for admission to San Diego State University by approximately 580 percent. By hiring Sweetwater graduates, the district aims to inspire more students to pursue a post-secondary education.

The Sweetwater district serves very diverse communities across four South Bay cities and has made it a mission to present students with positive role models who grew up in the same neighborhoods and understand the special obstacles they face as they strive for a brighter future.

RISE Program graduate and new SUHSD faculty member Stephanie Balvaneda is one of many role models students can look up to for inspiration and motivation as they further their education.

About Compact for Success

The Compact Scholars Program is the postsecondary component of the Compact for Success, a partnership between the Sweetwater Union High School District and San Diego State University. The program supports student success by connecting students to the rich resources of the San Diego State campus community. Compact Scholars actively engage in “high impact” educational experiences, most notably study abroad, service-learning, undergraduate research, and leadership development. The goal of the Compact Scholars Program is to deepen student engagement and to promote higher graduation rates for Sweetwater District students.