Month: July 2020

The 2020-2021 school year will look different from previous years for Sweetwater District students, families and staff, but the quality of teaching and learning remains the same. First in San Diego County to begin school with full-time distance learning on August 3rd through October 2nd, Sweetwater District Board of Trustees recently approved the districts re-opening plan.

The re-opening plan fully details the steps the district has taken to ensure every student has the ability to successfully learn from home. Students are scheduled to pick-up technology devices beginning this Wednesday, July 29 through Friday, July 31st.

The district has also developed online tools that will provide resources for district staff such as teachers, counselors, and parents in addition to providing trainings on student social and emotional needs.

The newest component to the distance learning shift is the districts Independent Study program, Launch Academy. The program is a blended learning approach designed for students and families who desire a flexible educational program. It is available to any 7th through 12th grade student whose desire is to primarily shift to online learning. In addition to online learning, Launch Academy will also eventually include Athletics, Visual and performing Arts, and STEAM.

Included in the plan, the graduating class of 2021 will not be required to fulfill 30 hours of community service due to current public health orders issued by the Governor of California.

For more information and to view the full draft of the districts re-opening plan, please visit www.sweetwaterschools.org.

Pave California Roads with Plastic? Bonita Vista High Students Say Yes

Soon, California may be moving towards a different way to pave roads for drivers.

After a visit from Senator Ben Hueso, Bonita Vista High Schools Progressive Club and Green Club were challenged to find a solution to put the plastic surplus in California to good use.

Bryce Garrod, then a junior at Bonita Vista High, and his classmates recalled reading an article about the MacRebur company located in Vista, that takes plastic and prepares it to be used in asphalt.
“That was one of our focuses, doing something with the plastic and making it useful,” said Garrod, now a senior at Bonita High.

Chris Sparks, the president and CEO of MacRebur takes plastic out of the recycling and landfill chain, and then processes it. Then the company sells the plastic to asphalt companies who use the plastic mixture in place of oil when making asphalt. MacReburs product has already been tested in San Diego County, specifically on a road on the UC San Diego campus that has been built with the recycled plastic material.

According to MacReber, the material is more environmentally friendly and also creates a stronger, sturdier road. Instead of going into the states landfill, it will be recycled and repurposed to bring aide to thousands of roads throughout California.

As a result to Senator Huesos proposal, the state Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 1238, which directs Caltrans to study the use of plastics in asphalt for construction, or repair of a state highway or road.

Ensuring the students of the Sweetwater District have equitable access to quality meals has been a top priority for Director of Nutrition Services, Eric Span. An innovator in his field, Span was named one of the California Department of Educations’ (CDE) Hunger Heroes for the work he has done to implement a school based urban farm, which grows produce to sell and serve all the schools in the Sweetwater District.

“It is a great honor to have our district recognized for the innovation and the lengths we go to in support of our students,” said Span. The extraordinary work Span and the entire Nutrition Services Department has implemented in the fight against hunger has helped ensure students are healthy and nourished to support their academic careers.

Span has led the Sweetwater Districts everyday heroes, known as cafeteria staff and educators, who have made healthy meals possible for all students in the district. “It brings me great pride and joy that we are still able to provide support to our families during these really unprecedented and challenging times,” said Span.

Span is among three other award winners deemed heroes in the fight against hunger. Awardees include Novato Unified School District, Redding School District and Escondido Union School District who chosen because of their passion, creativity, and tenacity when it comes to fighting child hunger.

According to the CDE, the California Hunger Hero recognition is for a devoted school nutrition individual who has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to hunger relief in their local communities. This individual has stepped up, gone the extra mile and served in the frontlines, to ensure all children receive the meals needed during school closures.

The Sweetwater District thanks Mr. Span for his leadership, dedication and for being a champion, advocating for the essential needs of all students.

In collaboration with San Diego County, the Sweetwater Union High School District is set to launch a new Pilot Program for Foster Youth students in the district.

On average, foster youth are assigned a social worker responsible for students safety and basic needs. With the new program, each student will be assigned an additional social worker focusing on their educational needs in collaboration with their family, teachers and counselors.

“As a district we are excited about what possibilities this program will bring for our students,” said Mariana Gomez, Program Manager for Equity, Culture, Support Services. “It is our hope this will increase academic success of our foster youth students.”

The annual graduation numbers are staggering when it comes to foster youth in San Diego County. With that said, the Sweetwater District and San Diego County are in hopes this new pilot program will effectively turn those numbers around.

The three-year program will pilot at Castle Park Middle School and Castle Park High School with an educational focus for foster youth. “It’s been proven that students who experience trauma; that directly impacts their academic outcomes,” said Gomez.

According to Supervisor Greg Cox, his hope is that this program levels the playing field for foster youth in San Diego County. If the program does well, Cox plans to expand to other districts in the county.

“Often times, students in the foster care system fall under the radar. It is our hope this partnership will really help our students experiencing hardships in all areas, but specifically academics.” The program is set to begin this fall.