Amazing Raider Families,
“Whenever you have taken up work in hand, you must see it to the finish. That is the ultimate secret of success. Never, never, never give up!” ~Dada Vaswani~
We are 24 days away from the end of the school year.
Congratulations to our Boys Volleyball team who persevered in five sets to beat rival San Ysidro last Friday. As we waited to honor the seniors, one of the players told me that we will most likely lose because San Ysidro beat us 3-0 the last time we met. After losing the first set, we won the second. San Ysidro won the third and we won the 4th game in a tight finish. So it was going to be decided on the 5th game. And our boys held on to become co-league champions with San Ysidro. I wish you could have been there for the elation that the boys felt. Throughout the match, I saw the mental toughness they demonstrated to see them finish the match into a win. They could have lost and it would have been still a success because of they mentally stayed in the game. But a win and a championship makes the fight to finish even more sweet. Every aspect of our lives is about finishing strong. If you start something, finish it. The worst thing to have is regrets of unfinished work that you set out to do. Raiders, as you finish the year, do not give up. Instead, finish strong with what you started.
Teacher Appreciation Week is May 5 - 9, 2025
Students and Parents, let's take time to honor our teachers this week! There is information below on how we plan to celebrate our teachers. We need a couple more donations for our Teacher Wellness/Spa Room for Wednesday. But the best gift you can give them are appreciation notes. To write your teachers a gratitude note, click ENGLISH or SPANISH version to download the apple note and write/draw your thanks to each teacher. Please bring your notes to the main office. DO NOT GIVE THEM TO YOUR TEACHERS YET! We will give them out on May 8. Let's fill your teachers' boxes with appreciation notes.
May 9, 2025 is a Minimum Day
Families, this is to inform you that on May 9, 2025 will be a minimum day with lunch at the end so that we can host a teacher appreciation luncheon immediately after school. The dismissal bell is at 1:17pm. Please see the bell schedule below. Thank you for supporting this event.
May is Asian-American & Pacific-Islander Heritage Month
Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month is important because it honors the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of AAPI communities to the fabric of American society. It provides an opportunity to recognize the resilience and achievements of individuals who have often been marginalized or overlooked in mainstream narratives. This month also encourages education, cultural appreciation, and unity, helping to combat stereotypes and promote inclusivity. By highlighting these diverse voices, we foster a deeper understanding and respect for the AAPI experience. Raiders, let's take time to learn about our Asian-American and Pacific Islander cultural heritage. Please watch the video that Ms. Gomez created for AAPI.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Understanding about mental health is important because it helps break the stigma surrounding mental health issues and encourages open conversations about emotional well-being. It raises awareness about the challenges many people face and highlights the importance of access to mental health resources and support. By promoting understanding and compassion, this month empowers individuals to seek help and support as needed. To promote this awareness, I created a calendar of activities for you to do each day. Click on this LINK to access the calendar of activities. Let's combine our efforts and become a mentally healthy school!
Important End-of-Year Dates
Families, below are the most important dates for the remaining days. Please mark your calendars.
Senior Finals: May 29-30, 2025
Finals Week: June 2 - 5 2025
Graduation Date: June 4, 2025 @ San Ysidro High
Summer School: June 9-20, 2025 (6/19 - holiday)
11th Grade Summer Bridge: June 9-20, 2025
9th Grade Summer Bridge: June 9-20, 2025
Advanced Placement Testing Begins this Monday
All students taking AP classes, please review the AP testing schedule below and mark them on your calendar. You should have received an email from Ms. Salogel with all the information you will need for these two weeks We wish you the best in all subjects.
Wish Well Parent Workshop onMay 6, 2025
Parents, this Tuesday, we will host Wish Well Organization who will provide a workshop tilted Reconnect with your Teen. This is a great workshop. It will be held in the Parent Center at 9:00am. I hope to see many of you there.
LINK Crew Applications Due May 6, 2025
Link Crew is currently looking for future juniors and senior students who want to help shape the culture of Southwest High School by becoming a leader for the incoming Freshman. Link Crew is taking applications and will have a meeting on Tuesday at Lunch in Room 207 to discuss becoming a leader at next year’s Freshman Orientation. If you are interested, please see Mr. Rodriguez next Tuesday in Room 207 at lunch. Paper Applications are due by May 6th.
Class of 2025 Graduation Information
Please read message below from Ms. Martinez. She also sent this out via Jupiter Grades
- Attention Seniors: For Seniors who are not able to purchase a cap and gown for the Graduation Ceremony, we will be offering Loaner Units. Seniors may borrow the cap, tassel and gown for the ceremony, but must return all 3 items to ASB the next day when they pick up their diploma at their designated time slot. For Seniors borrowing a cap and gown from a family member, please fill out this form as well.
- If you plan to borrow a unit from ASB or from a family member, please fill out this online form before May 2nd: forms.gle/Pi5YSNj3Yfkch7919
If you have any questions, stop by the ASB and see me.
Thank you!
Ms. Cuellar-Martinez
Senior Highlights
Seniors, you are so close to the end of your high school career, and there are many events and activities that are just meant for you. Click on this LINK to access these activities. One of the most important activities is the Senior Survey. Here is the Senior Survey Link. We want to know how your experience was at SOH. Also, scroll down to the Senior Highlight Section of the newsletter with more information regarding senior highlights.
ASB Bi-Weekly Information
Students, click on this LINK to access all information regarding activities in the next two weeks.
End-of-Year Library Protocols
From our librarian, Ms. Gomez:
- Social science teachers will bring their classrooms to return textbooks on May 27/28th. Schedule will be sent out soon.
- The library will be closed from May 5th- 16th due to AP testing
- The library will be closed from May 27th-June 2nd due to textbook/laptop collection.
- Students, put your cases back on your laptops. Missing cases will cost you $30 to replace.
New Bell Schedule for 2025-2026 School year
Parents/Guardians, starting in July, we will no longer have the eight-period day. Instead, we will have a six-period day with options to take zero or 7th period. Please see the new schedule below.
Families, here is the LINK to the May Library Newsletter.
Raider families, let's have a wonderful week!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Finley
