- Welcome everyone to our live-streamed board meeting! We are glad you are here in person, or if you are viewing from YouTube.
- I continue to be grateful for the selfless efforts of our staff in service of our students, both in and out of the classroom. A great example is the sampling of the events held on Saturday for students and families:
- Parent Symposium at RDR where over 200 parents/community members and staff were inspired by Keynote Speaker and author, Victor Villaseñor. Attendees then were able to learn about topics from strategies for students with ADHD to how to talk with your teenager to navigating financial aid for college and understanding A-G. Kudos to Director of State & Federal Programs Dr. LuzElena Perez and her team.
- The 19th Annual Math Field Day occurred with all middle schools represented. There were 14 different events where students collaborated and competed against each other. Thanks to the teachers and staff who organized and facilitated the event: Rob Davis, MoM; Daniel Crook, TOSA;Melissa O’Donoghue, TOSA; Mimi Williams, TOSA; Joette Fredrickson, CCR; Coaches Vicki Bauer, BVM; Cathy Morgan, CPM; Taffy Tom, CVM;Kurt Ulle, ELM; Sarah Mancero, GJ; Robert Holguin, MVA; Lorena Perez, MoM; Jay Jones, NCM; Laura Chavez, RDR; Ray Tornero, SoM.
- The Inaugural Middle School Underwater Robotics Competition was held at the MVH pool. MVA teacher Alicia Johal organized the event with support from our STEAM Coordinator Leo Ulloa. Six middle schools participated, approximately 70 students and their teacher coaches. That was so much fun!
- Unified Soccer Games Tournament for both middle and high schools was held at Southwest HS. TOSA Valerie Ruiz is inspiring so much participation and excitement.
- NMSI Student Study Sessions met and are gearing up for the Advanced Placement exams.
- Middle School Athletics League Boys and Girls Volleyball and many individual school activities too many to name.
- We really do have amazing staff who care so much!
- Tonight’s message relates to one of our new adopted Beliefs: We believe in a welcoming community that is inclusive, equitable, and promotes positive academic, social, and emotional well-being.
- Last week on April 4th was the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s assassination. For me, it was a reminder of am I doing enough? Not, am I thinking enough, but am I doing enough to make a difference? What was his lasting message to you that is meaningful even today? How will his memory inspire us to take action to make that difference?
- His nonviolent philosophy pushed insistently towards the goal of universal freedom and equality.
- The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, dedicated in 2011, honors him as a man of conscience; the freedom movement of which he was a beacon; and his message of freedom, equality, justice, and love. It is the first memorial on the National Mall devoted, not to a US President or war hero, but to a citizen activist for civil rights and peace.
- He was a leader in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 60s; the Crusade for Voting Rights Act in 1965; and the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963 where he gave his “I Have a Dream” speech, to name a few.
- At the time he won the Nobel Peace Prize, he was the youngest ever recipient at 35 years.
- His quote, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” is a warning we take seriously in Sweetwater. We are looking deeply into how our thinking influences our actions and our outcomes for students.
- How are we taking action and not just talking or thinking?
- We are encouraging our students to become active and engaged participants in democracy by observing High School Voter Education Weeks on April 16-27.
- We are working to join a Global Conversation Around Gender Equity on April 26th for the 2nd Annual 50/50 Day about how we are going to get to a more gender balanced world that is better for everyone.
- We hope the entire Sweetwater community will join us in taking action to help continue Dr. King’s message of freedom, equality, justice, and love.
- H-1 School Safety PPT – PDF
- Thank you for the opportunity to serve and support each of you!