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- (02/21/19) South County teams showcased in CIF winter sports playoffs
- (02/18/19) Nine Metro Conference teams remain alive for CIF titles
- (02/17/19) Six district roller hockey teams qualify for Kiwanis Cup playoffs
More than 500 participants from 17 countries all across the globe, traveled to be at the Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools 2019 National Conference held at Olympian High School in the Sweetwater Union High School District.
Educators spent a full day at Olympian High for the “school visit” portion of the conference that began with a panel discussion moderated by Special Olympics Chairman Tim Shriver. Other panelists included Sweetwater District Superintendent Dr. Karen Janney, Sweetwater District Assistant Superintendent for Equity, Culture & Support Dr. Joe Fulcher, Sweetwater District Coordinator of Athletics Joe Heinz, Sweetwater District Unified Champion Schools Coordinator Valerie Ruiz and a few others.
According to Special Olympics Chairman Tim Shriver, the Unified Champion Schools program is changing the lives of students throughout the Sweetwater Community and all of the United States by promoting inclusion and acceptance of students with and without intellectual disabilities. More than 400 middle and high school students throughout the Sweetwater District participate in the Unified Champion Schools program year around.
In 2018, the Sweetwater District was named the first Unified District in all of Southern California. “Being a Unified District is very important as it shows our commitment to creating an inclusive school culture, meeting our LCAP goals, and the inclusion of students with disabilities who, historically, is a population that is segregated on campuses.” said Valerie Separa Ruiz, Sweetwater District Unified Champion Schools Coordinator.
The Unified Sports program links developed student athletes alongside students with disabilities – as their peers. Students engage in self-advocacy, friendship, fitness and sports together, building relationships that help to change the atmosphere of competitive sports and toward inclusion.
Conference attendees, students and their families had the opportunity to attend an information fair organized by middle, high school and Southwestern College students. They also had the opportunity to watch several Unified Sports students in action during soccer games, Cross Fit activities and a culminating basketball game that was featured on the ESPN network. “Everyone who attended were able to witness social inclusion and a Unified way of life in Sweetwater,” said Ruiz. More than 280 Sweetwater District students from 10 Unified Schools participated in the games.
“It is my hope that Sweetwater was able to demonstrate that it is possible to be a Unified School District,” said Ruiz. “If not that, I hope attendees were inspired to start unified sports at their school. That they were able to see first-hand the positive impact inclusion has on students and school culture.”
Scholars and Parents: Please join us on February 23rd at Olympian High School to celebrate the rich heritage and success of the Black Community. We will provide lunch, amazing guest speakers and opportunities to interact with local black scholars, artists and business professionals. Check with your BSU advisors or ASB advisor for more information about transportation.
When: Saturday, February 23rd Time: Registration starts at 7:30 AM
Where: Olympian High School (1925 Magdalena Avenue, Chula Vista, 91913)
8:15 Welcome
8:30 Speakers (Shirley Weber – Keynote Speaker)
9:00 Performers (Step Team, Drum Line, African Dance Team and more!) 9:30 Workshops
11:30 Student Performers
12:00 Workshop
12:45 Lunch (provided) and Celebration
Please register by clicking here by February 16, 2019.
Our Sweetwater STEM Research Science Fair (formerly known as our Science Fair) was hosted at Otay Ranch High School last week. There were 210 students who participated (165 middle school/55 high school); 167 projects were submitted, 124 Junior Division/43 Senior Division.
This couldn’t happen without our middle and high school teachers at BVM, CPM, CVM, ELM, MoM, NCM, RDR, SoM, BVH, ELH, OLH, SUHI.
Sweepstakes Winners Junior Division:
Life Sciences: Samantha Noriega, CVM – Teacher Tina Tom.
Physical Sciences: Eric Guizar, CVM – Teacher Gina Saclauso-Caro.
Sweepstakes Winners Senior Division:
Life Sciences: Mary Jasmine Lara, OLH – Teacher Michael Tony Claudio.
Physical Sciences: Issac Broudy, BVH – Teacher Michelle Mardahl-Dumesnil.
The top three places in all categories move on to the 2019 Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair for sure; all other projects are encouraged to enter as well. Thanks to all students and staff on a job well done!
Kudos to the following Sweetwater District Winter League Champions:
Basketball Boys
Mesa – Montgomery
South Bay – Sweetwater
Basketball Girls
Mesa – Co-Champs, Bonita Vista and Mater Dei
South Bay- Chula Vista
Soccer Boys
Mesa – Eastlake
South Bay – Chula Vista
Soccer Girls
Mesa – Co-Champs, Bonita Vista and Eastlake
South Bay – Co- Champs, Mater Dei and Hilltop
Wrestling Boys
Mesa – Olympian
South Bay – Montgomery
Wrestling Girls
Metro – Tri-Champs, Eastlake, Olympian, Hilltop
Girls Water Polo
Mesa – Eastlake
South Bay – San Ysidro
The Hidden Struggle: Activating our Community Voices
You are invited to participate in an interactive forum to address the pain and hope related to youth suicide in our community.
March 7, 2019
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Otay Ranch High School
Multi-Purpose Building
1250 Olympic Parkway
Chula Vista, CA 91913
LCAP Goal 2
Create a safe and healthy environment for each student by building a culture of equity and a positive climate that promotes excellence throughout the district.
LCAP Goal 3
Foster and honor parent/guardian and community engagement to support excellence in each student’s success.
For More Information:
Margaret A. Sedor
(619) 796-7310
Margaret.sedor@sweetwaterschools.org
Sonia Picos
(619) 691-5564
Sonia.picos@sweetwaterschools.org
The Sweetwater Union High School District is hosting its 2nd Parent Symposium. Parents, students, and community members are invited to attend.
Saturday, April 27, 2019
7 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Montgomery High School
3250 Palm Avenue
San Diego, CA 92154
Free parent workshops and prizes!
Space is limited! Please register here.
Keynote Speaker – Dr. Pedro Noguera
Distinguished Professor of Education at the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies at UCLA. His research focuses on the ways in which schools are influenced by social and economic conditions, as well as by demographic trends in local, regional and global contexts.
Workshop Topics:
Confirmed Colleges:
*Breakfast and Community fair will begin at 7:30am
Watch a video covering the 2018 symposium here.
For more information contact:
SUHSD Office of State & Federal Programs
Email: Griselda.Delgado@sweetwaterschools.org
www.ola.sweetwaterschools.org
(619) 934-8300
Kudos to several Sweetwater District students who recently performed in the Young Artists in Harmony: A Reason to Survive, “Art of Elan” event. The organization believes in the power of the arts and creativity to transform the lives of students, especially those facing adversity.
“This workshop taught me how to put emotions I do not like to talk about on to paper,” said Anastasia Salas. Another student, Jacob Herrera said, “This program has really helped me achieve a goal of improving my time managment skills while writing music and staying dedicated to it.”
Kudos to Anastasia Salas and Reeca Dionisio from OLH, Jdu-an Davis and Jacob Herrera from MVH, and Aiden Fimbres and Jaidy Leyva from BVH.
“The hard work each student put into their compositions was evident,” said Dr. Karen Janney, Sweetwater District Superintendent. “The music and entire event was absolutely phenomenal.”
The process consisted of weekly workshops where advanced music students from SUHSD had the opportunity to be individually mentored by professional Art of Elan musicians in an effort to create new music compositions.
The culminating performance was hosted at the San Diego Art Institute in Balboa Park, which was recorded and available for free download and streaming. Click here for an encore musical experience.