Category: Must Sees

Several individuals and organizations who are leaders in the educational community were recently honored by the San Diego County Office of Education’s Lighthouse Awards during a virtual 2021 Equity Conference. The awards honor those who are “beacons” leading others to increase diversity, equity and inclusion.

Luis Lopez, Sweetwater District Equity & Culture Curriculum Teacher on Special Assignment was honored as one of the Lighthouse Awards recipients for his role in writing daily social and emotional learning activities formore than 1,800 teachers and 40,000 students in the Sweetwater District. Lopez was among seven individuals and organizations to receive this years Lighthouse Awards.

“Equity in education happens when every student has fair access to the resources, educational rigor, and opportunities they need to be successful despite race, gender, ethnicity, language, disability, family background, or family income,” says Lopez. “Equity in education requires that everyone in our SUHSD community see themselves as successful, or as important. Knowing that they belong. That they matter. That they are making a difference. That what they are doing is enough for our students during the COVID-19 Pandemic because they are showing up for them in big way.”

The written work Lopez developed is used in equity strategies so that all students feel included. He also works with LGBTQ students and the community to provide resources ensuring that all voices are heard.

“I strongly believe that equity doesn’t happen without compassionate, selfless, loving people who choose to give, even when they don’t have to. Equity is love in action. It is having our cups filled so that we can fill the cups of others. Loving every child in our system as if they were our own and having everything we need to ensure that they thrive,” said Lopez.

According to Lopez, this recognition came as a surprise. “I feeldeeply appreciative of having been nominated by my colleague and humbled to represent SUHSD with this award. I feel excited and energized to keep building on the equity work we have started as a district to keep chipping away at the challenges ahead!”

“Equity is not something that happens to you, it happens with you and we can achieve it by giving everyone a voice to be heard and acknowledged,” said Lopez.

For more information on the Lighthouse Awards and award recipients visit: sdequity.sdcoe.net/Lighthouse-Awards

The Sweetwater District has expanded educational opportunities during the 2020/21 school year to accommodate the growing needs of students and families. Launch Academy is an innovative program designed to serve students who benefit from a customized virtual education solution.

The new program provides participating students with the flexibility to complete all of their coursework outside of the traditional school building with the unique opportunity to participate in on-site extracurricular activities, including athletic teams and the districts award winning visual and performing arts programs (once the district has re-opened for in-person instruction).

Launch Academy’s motto, propelling you into the future, was developed by Dr. Dan Winters, Director of Educational Technology for the Sweetwater District and a team of educators. “In this first year of the program, our goal is to build a foundation in how we will serve our students,” said Winters. “It was intended to be fully online with or without a pandemic.”

The public online academy aligns with California Academic Standards and offers a self-paced education option for middle and high school students. Courses are taught by Sweetwater District teachers, and advanced academic offerings are also available.

According to Winters, given that this was a program with zero students and teachers as of mid-July 2020, the entire Launch Academy team has done an outstanding job to get this program off the ground. Currently, the program serves 220 students and 30 students through concurrent enrollment. “We are building an online community so that students receive support while taking part in a personalized educational program, “ said Winters. “We strive to integrate the best idea from a comprehensive site with the best tools and approaches from the digital world.”

Dr. Elvia Estrella, Launch Academy School Counselor says, “working during a pandemic where we are all experiencing a level of trauma, it’s important for students to have someone help guide them through the process of being behind a screen and go to school.”

Highly qualified, certified teachers providing online instruction, offer a personalized, self-paced approach, small group coaching sessions and work closely with students and parents to customize lessons and provide flexible scheduling options. Teachers and staff monitor student progress weekly through video calls, email or by phone. Launch Academy has a total of ten teachers where students attend twice a week and are expected to complete thirty hours of work each week online.

“Our teachers are outstanding individuals that care about students,” said Dr. Estrella. “I truly enjoy having a sense of normalcy being a part of something such as Launch Academy. If students are having a hard time during this transition, it’s key having someone to talk to. I owe my students the ability to validate that what we’re going through is going to be alright.”

Sisters Eleni and Sara Keener, both students enrolled in Launch Academy, say they are enjoying being a part of the program, as it allows both of them, the opportunity to work independently and at their own pace. “I’m really enjoying this new format of learning, as it forces students to be less dependent on teachers, and more dependent on ourselves,” said Eleni, a freshman.

“Being able to participate in traditional independent work has been a great time saver,” says Sara, a 7th grade student. “All of my teachers have been extremely accessible since school started. They’ve made my experience fun and meaningful.”

Both girls and their parents say they believe Launch Academy is not only providing education, but life skills for college bound students.

For more information, or to complete an enrollment request form visit, launch.sweetwaterschools.org

In an effort to provide support to parents in the South Region of San Diego County, the Sweetwater Union High School District and Community Outreach at UC San Diego Extension are offering “Parent University”, a certification program made up of a series of free workshops for parents and caregivers focused on navigating the challenges of learning at home during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

With more than 200 participants attending the first workshop, “Fundamentals of Brain-Compatible Learning for Parents”, Griselda Delgado, Director of State and Federal Programs says there’s one commonality parents attending these workshops have. “I’ve spoken to so many parents in our community whose dreams and aspirations went unfulfilled. Many of them have sacrificed their career dreams for their children for various reasons,” said Delgado. “I believe this is something that’s not only honorable, but inspiring. With that, I felt the need to help develop this program for parents, to focus on themselves for once.”

Sweetwater District Interim Superintendent and UCSD Alumni Dr. Moises Aguirre opened the inaugural event, welcoming participants and expressing his appreciation on the significance of this partnership. “I wanted to take a moment to welcome and encourage everyone to strengthen this partnership, to ensure that our community down here in the South Bay knows that the university is accessible and it is here to provide education, service and research to our entire community,” said Dr. Aguirre.

The Parent University concept stems from the districts State and Federal Programs annual Parent Symposium that launched three years ago. Due to the pandemic, Delgado and her team developed Parent University, for district parents to have an opportunity to earn a unique certification to gain 21st century skills in a competitive job market.

Dr. Morgan Appel, Assistant Dean of Education and Community Outreach UCSD served as the keynote for the “Fundamentals of Brain-Compatible Learning for Parents” workshop. According to Delgado, parents posed nearly fifty questions during the webinar and Dr. Appel answered each question individually.

In addition, the webinar was open to parents from in neighboring elementary school districts. According to Delgado, she believes parents begin educating their children early, and they begin to model to their children the importance of education. “I believe extending this invitation to our feeder districts helps parents build more confidence at home, but also in their future,” said Delgado.

The next three Parent University Webinar Workshops include:

• Social and Emotional Learning and Stress Reduction
• Creating and Maintaining an Effective Environment for Learning at Home
• Supporting Essential Skills for the 21st Century: A Guide for Parents

For more information and to register, visit: ola.sweetwaterschools.org

Q&A with the Experts – Christian Moreno – EastLake Middle School

How many years have you worked in education?
I am currently in my sixth year of teaching.

How many years with the Sweetwater District?
I have spent my entire career teaching in the SUHSD. It’s amazing to teach in the district I went to school in.

What subject area do you teach?
I teach 7th grade Dual Language World Cultures and English Language World Cultures.

What inspired you to pursue a career in education?
Growing up in National City to immigrant parents, I was taught the way out of a life of struggle was education. In a way, I have always been teaching; teaching my parents how to be American, how to be part of a country they were not born in. I also had to teach myself to adapt to being a person between two worlds: that of being American by birth and Mexican by culture. I was lucky enough to be guided by amazing teachers that led by example and taught me that I was more than capable to not only make it, but surpass expectations. Teachers from the National School District like Ms. Casillas, Ms. Svenson and teachers from Sweetwater like Mrs. Hall, Mr. Opina, Mrs. McNally and Mrs. Wadell. Now I feel as if I have unlocked this golden ticket on how to get students to be successful and I want to pay it forward.

What inspires you daily to do your best?
My students inspire me to do my best. They are so smart and they do not even know it. I engage my students on a daily basis by challenging them to do their best. I push them to do more than they think they can do by digging into their prior knowledge and skills and prove to them that they already know how to do something, but then apply it to our academics. The students bring me energy, motivation, inspiration and hope.

Please share your experience in teaching during a pandemic?
I would not be truthful if I did not say this has been the most stressful teaching experience of my career. I am blessed with the curriculum that was developed for the district by Ms. Aida Jarrett, but the planning and expectations that I have for myself and my students requires me to do a lot. I have to be engaging to students so they are motivated to contribute to class and complete their assignments. On a personal level, I have to balance being a parent of two children who need their father to help them with distance learning themselves, as well as a wife who is also working from home.

What have you learned most during this season of teaching?
During this teaching season I have learned how much I enjoy teaching. I work extremely hard to motivate my students and in turn they work hard in my class and for themselves. I am still able to connect with my students, though screens, and show them how much I appreciate them. Connecting with them via distance learning is still possible!

How have you adapted to distance learning?
I have had to adapt my very hands on teaching to creating assignments that require more student independence. My checks for understanding have changed to “thumbs up” in chats to “raising your hand” in TEAMS to typing “I understand.” In reality, I am teaching the students a more abbreviated version of our class with the most energy I can possibly give from my living room.

What advice would you give parents on how best to support their students?
I would encourage parents to ask their children daily what they are learning and how. Asking them what they are learning will allow them to put into words what they are learning, solidifying what it is they are learning. If you can teach it, you know it. Students should be teaching their parents what they themselves are learning in class.

What unique ways have you tried to engage with your students while teaching online?
I like to engage students by showing them how excited I am to see them and constantly telling them. In this difficult time where teachers are working the most they have ever worked, I like to tell my students that all the work that I do is worth it when I get to be in class with them. It’s not lip service, it’s the truth.

Any fun hobbies or interests you’d like to share?
Cycling has become a much needed stress reliever. I ride with some awesome people from the community of Chula Vista. My own kids have reached the age where they are riding two wheelers and it’s currently the greatest thing ever.

Q&A with the Experts – Amanda Stroberg – Eastlake High School

How many years have you worked in education?
This is my 22nd year in education and I have a multiple subject, single subject, and preliminary services administrative credential.

How many years with the Sweetwater District?
This is my 14th year in the district.

What subject area do you teach?
I am a Biology teacher by trade. I also developed a Forensics course that has been approved by the University of California system as a “g” elective. In my current role, I serve as the Attendance Coordinator at Eastlake High School.

What inspired you to pursue a career in education?
Initially, I wanted to go to medical school and knew I wanted to be in the field of science. That led me to teaching.

What inspires you daily to do your best?
The staff I work with inspire me to do my best. I want to support them the best I can, as well as the students I serve.

Please share your experience in teaching during a pandemic?
I taught the first three weeks and recognize the challenge in developing relationships with students and families online. I believe all teachers want to meet their students in person to create a more personal connection, but everyone is doing the best they can, given the situation. Creating work that cannot simply be copied off the internet is time-consuming, and because we all care, educators are putting in the necessary time to do the best they can. I am fortunate to work with colleagues who are willing to do what it takes.

What have you learned most during this season of teaching?
Communication is key. Keeping that line of communication open is just as important.

How have you adapted to distance learning?
This shift was not difficult for me as I worked online for six years prior to the pandemic. I am comfortable teaching online, managing time online, and making phone calls home due to my prior experiences.

What advice would you give parents on how best to support their students?
Educators cannot stress enough the importance of being involved in your child’s education. That means checking their grades and work to see if your student is struggling. While we want students to self-advocate, if your student is not succeeding online, we encourage parents to get involved in their learning. Teachers need parent support during this time to help keep students on pace if they are not participating. Equally as important, communicate immediately with teachers if you see your student is struggling. We do not want students to fail and appreciate when parents contact us for help or to let us know if there are factors at home interfering with school.

What unique ways have you tried to engage with your students while teaching online?
I like to text students to see if they have a phone since many of them have this communication tool already in place.

As a teacher and a parent with school age children, how are you navigating working and providing distance learning for your children?
I have children in 6th, 8th, and 11th grade. I am very fortunate that my children can work independently. I do check in with them periodically and I check their grades weekly as well. While time consuming, I do read all teacher messages (14 teachers) and all principal messages (3 principals), as well as know the bell schedules as they all have different schedules. As a parent, it is my responsibility to keep up with the information and be informed, so I take the time to read at night so I’m aware of what’s needed from them. With all the transparency these days, we parents have access to all our students’ information so it is easy to see how my children are doing.

Any fun hobbies or interests you would like to share?
I enjoy music and like to play the guitar (still learning) and sing at church. I also enjoy working out, reading, and spending time with my family.

Free Career Technical Education Courses Offered at Four Locations

In an effort to provide assistance to adult learners in the South Region of San Diego County, the Sweetwater Union High School District, Adult Education Division has launched Free Career Technical Education courses to provide aid for students and communities in need during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

“During these unprecedented times, it is our priority to help and support our community through this global pandemic by offering free courses throughout the South Bay,” said Audrey Diedorff, Teacher in the Adult and Continuing Education division.

While English as a Second Language, earning a High School Diploma and other classes have always been free, Adult Educations career training courses have historically been offered at a low cost. However, due to the global pandemic and it’s affect on community member jobs and finances, the program is aware that many students and families are experiencing difficult times and need support.

Adult Education has been a strong and integral part of Sweetwater Districts educational programing for many years. Adult Education provides adult students, with valuable career and technical education, so students can enter the workforce with skills and competencies to be successful in pursuing advanced training in postsecondary educational institutions or upgrade existing skills and knowledge.

Courses will be offered for the 2020-2021 school year at four locations of the districts adult schools that include: Chula Vista Adult, Montgomery Adult, San Ysidro Adult and National City Adult School. A few of the course offerings include, administrative medical assistant, certified nursing assistant, computer applications, health care essentials, medical coding and billing, pastry chef, culinary arts and security.

“The Adult Education Division has always been committed to meeting the needs of the South Bay community,” said Diedorff. “We encourage community members to come learn a new career or trade with us. All courses are currently online and are available mornings and evenings.”

For more information, and for details on courses visit, adulteducation.sweetwaterschools.org/cte.

Sweetwater Districts very own Marielle Venturino, science teacher at Mar Vista Academy, was selected for the Fulbright Distinguished Award in a Teaching Research Program. The program based in the Netherlands is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.

Venturino will be spending approximately five months of the Spring 2021 school year in the Netherlands to complete an inquiry based research project. The title of her working project: “Using Technology to Build Bridges in Science Education Between School and the Community.”

“I love seeing the faces of my students light up when they’ve learned something new,” said Venturino. “They ask some of the most profound questions and are always so curious.”

Venturino has been with the Sweetwater District as a teacher for nine years and has also taught at Castle Park Middle School and Granger Junior High.
Venturino is among 22 other U.S educators who plan to travel to 10 other countries around the globe to participate in the Fulbright Program.

She was selected for the grant on the basis of academic and professional achievement, leadership skills, as well as a history of service to her school community.

The Fulbright Program is an international educational exchange program created to increase mutual understanding and build lasting connections between the citizens of the United States and other countries.

As a participant in the Fulbright Program, Venturino will address critical global challenges in all fields, while building relationships, knowledge, and leadership in support of the long-term interests of the U.S.

“In my class, it’s always been a priority of mine to make science fun with hands-on labs and activities,” said Venturino. “Specifically my goal has been to plan engaging lessons to spark their curiosity and the joy of learning. By participating in the Fulbright Program, I believe I will be given the opportunity to that in new and innovative ways.”

For more information on the Fulbright Program visit eca.state.gov/fulbright.

Meet Our New 2020-2021 Student Board Representative
The Board of Trustees includes one student representative who serves in an advisory capacity to represent the interests of students in the Sweetwater Union High School District. The student board representative represents their peers by providing communication to the Board of Trustees.

Desiree Adamos

Desiree Adamos is a junior at Olympian High School. Something interesting she did over self-quarantine was join a local grassroots organization called Anakbayan San Diego, which fights for human rights in the U.S and in the Philippines. Through this organization, she was able to learn from inspiring community organizers and passionate activists in her community that truly shaped her moral and ethical values and her perspective on life.

Adamos was given amazing opportunities to educate peers her age, to speak with local authorities, and to participate in events that directly helped the community. Many individuals in this organization are talented, compassionate, and motivated about their ambitions, which inspire Adamos to become not only a better student, but a better person as well.

What interested you in the student board representative position?
I had experience with student leadership in middle school when I was ASB president and I thought I was pretty skilled at negotiating with school administration on behalf of student interests. Fast forward into high school, I developed a deep passion for advocacy and youth activism through the multiple clubs and extracurricular activities that I was involved with.

One thing in particular that fostered my love for my community was volunteering at a local hospital, where I got to hear the stories of many individuals from totally different backgrounds; as more, new perspectives of life were introduced to me, the more I learned how to put myself in another person’s shoes. So when the applications for student board representative were open, I saw it as an opportunity to vocalize the concerns of every student in the district, including, but not limited to, our LGBTQ+ students, our students of different gender expressions, our POC students, our immigrant students, our special education students, and our low income students.

What particular strengths do you believe that you will bring to the Student Board Representative position?
I am 4’10. This is definitely not the average height of a 16 year old girl, but in many ways it has trained me to have very strong characteristics which I believe contribute greatly to my leadership. I have become persistent in pushing for what I want because of how easily it is for other people to dismiss me.

With this, I have strongly developed the ability to be intellectually curious within every situation, asking why and how, because I knew that nobody would explain it to me if I never asked. Practicing this throughout my few short years of leadership, I have naturally become ambitious and driven with my ideas. So in a sense, being short would be the particular strength that I will bring to the Student Board representative position.

What do you believe your biggest challenge will be as a Student Board Representative?
My biggest challenge this year as Student Board representative would definitely be the pandemic. I assume that this is the biggest challenge for anyone this year as well. The coronavirus pandemic has not only limited my methods of contacting others, but it has also taken away opportunities for students this year.

This unprecedented situation has left many questions unanswered, and in addition to the financial crisis that the district is going through right now, it is the perfect storm for a stressful year. The lack of certainty with distance learning alongside the infuriating issues that district debt has brought upon students and staff is an issue that will not only affect me as a student board representative, but also the thousands of students, parents, teachers, and staff members that are fighting alongside one another to prevail through this to ensure that students receive the education that they deserve.

Why do you believe it’s important to include student voice on the governing body of the School District?
Why wouldn’t it be important to include student voice on the governing body of the School District? Nobody knows about a student’s experience about bullying, oppression, harassment, difficulties, struggles, and worries than a student them self. The decisions that board members are making in board meetings are directly affecting the lives of students. Students deserve the right to have an opinion on a decision that is structured to make them feel safe, comfortable, and respected at school.

At the end of your term as a Student Board Representative, how would you know if you were successful?
I would be able to call myself successful as a Student Board Representative if my constituents from the POC community, LGBTQ+ community, immigrant community, low income community, special education community, and all students from diverse backgrounds and marginalized communities have told me that I have advocated for them effectively.

Specifically, to do this, I would love for a few things to be implemented during my term as Student Board Representative: I would love for Ethnic Studies to be implemented at every school site in SUHSD. I would love for students who go to school in low income communities to have access to school psychologists and counselors. I would love for students to be inspired to be educated about educational funding and educational bureaucracy so that they can advocate effectively for their interests at board meetings. If any of these aspirations are achieved during my term, I would consider myself successful.

Who is your inspiration?
Two strong, independent women in my life inspire me. One of them is my AP World History teacher in my sophomore year, Ms. Hadi, and another would be one of my Assistant Principals in middle school, Mrs. Vargas. Both have taught me valuable life lessons about how to carry myself and how to deal with insecurities and self-doubt.

In many ways, both of these inspiring women have motivated me to become a stronger, a more confident person, and a more compassionate friend. They have contributed greatly to my development of leadership, compassion, and motivation. I definitely would not have had the courage for Student Board Representative in the first place if it weren’t for my role models.

If you had the influence and resources to initiate any type of change within South County, what would it be?
If I had the influence and resources to initiate any change within our city, I would implement free, drive through mass testing located in National City and Chula Vista, where the pandemic has struck the most. In areas like National City, COVID-19 testing is unaccessible to low income communities and has therefore led to the surge of coronavirus cases that these communities cannot simply bounce back from. I believe that with enough affordable testing, individuals in these communities will be able to effectively protect their loved ones and their neighbors.

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.