Viking Vibes

The Viking Spotlight is the part in my weekly newsletter used to highlight and celebrate our students and staff anytime we can! If you would like your child acknowledged for something they have accomplished, whether on campus or off-campus, please feel free to fill out this google form HERE. I look forward to celebrating our Vikings and all of the great things they are doing!

As we step into February, we embrace a month filled with opportunities for reflection, growth, and celebration. February is Black History Month, a time to recognize and honor the incredible contributions of Black individuals throughout history. During Advisory classes this month, students will learn about the leaders, innovators, and changemakers who have shaped our world, from historical figures like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Harriet Tubman to modern trailblazers in science, arts, and social justice.

This is a time to reflect on the importance of diversity, inclusion, and the ongoing pursuit of equality for all.

As you know, it's registration season for the 25-26 school year! As such, we will continue our 6th grade visits to the local elementary schools to share all the great things MVA has to offer! This Friday, our 8th graders will visit their soon-to-be high schools for their respective Incoming 9th grader Days, and then next week they will register for their 9th grade classes. Our current 7th graders will also get a visit from our counselors in Science class next week to register for their 8th grade electives. It's hard to believe all this planning for next school year is already happening, but the end of this school year will be here before you know it! We encourage our MVA 7th grade parents to register asap for the '25-26 school year...see more details in the registration section below!

Congrats to Mr. Garcia's Advisory on winning the first Music Monday of 2025! 😉 Will your Advisory class be next?!?! 🎶

Let's make it a great week, Vikings!! 💛

Dear Sweetwater District Students, Families, and Community,

We understand that recent concerns about potential immigration enforcement activities may be causing concern and uncertainty for some in our community. We want to reassure you that we have adopted protocols so that our schools can be safe for all students and staff, regardless of immigration status, background, or personal circumstances. You are a valued part of our school community, and we are committed to providing a welcoming and supportive environment where all students can learn and thrive.

As a reminder, the Sweetwater District does not collect or maintain any information regarding the immigration status of our students. Our process includes the following Board Policies and Administrative Regulations (Board Policies 5145.13; 5145.22; 5145.23; 5145.29; and Administrative Regulation 5145.13). These policies provide instructions to our staff on how to manage these sensitive interactions.

It is also essential to address the importance of accurate information during these uncertain times. We kindly ask everyone to refrain from spreading rumors or misinformation regarding immigration enforcement. Sharing unverified information can exacerbate fear and anxiety within our community. Instead, we ask you to please contact your school site administration if you are seeking information and clarification.

Our priority is to create a safe and nurturing learning environment for every student. To achieve this, we will persist in providing resources that empower our students and their families, enabling them to excel both academically and socially.

Sincerely,

Moisés G. Aguirre

Superintendent

Sweetwater Union High School District

Be sure to dress up to earn 5-star points!! Don't forget to check in with Ms. Scott, Mr. Murillo, Coach Barajas, Mr. Garcia, Ms. Faiai, or Ms. Vattuone each day!

As an integral part of the total education system, school counselors help students form healthy goals, mindsets and behaviors. With the aid of their counselors, students learn to develop effective collaboration and cooperation skills, to practice perseverance, to develop time management and study skills, and to learn self-motivation and self-direction habits. Mr. Matson, Ms. Schmerbauch, and Mrs. Sigarroa-Sanchez go to incredible lengths to assist and care for our students in many of the ways listed above and more! We are so happy to have them on our campus and we wish them the best week ever for National Counseling Week! 💛

All students must complete Online Registration each year. The window to submit the yearly Online Registration opened on Monday, January 27, 2025. The sooner you get it done, the better! Click the flyer below that applies to you for more information on registration.

PARENTS - Don't miss out on an opportunity to earn free rewards for just registering your child at MVA for next school year!! Any parent/guardian that completes their 2025-2026 Registration in the month of February will earn the following FREE rewards for their child:

• Current 6th graders earn a FREE Viking t-shirt
• Current 7th graders earn a $5 Coupon for Food/Drinks at the ASB

Don't miss out and register your child today!!

We will be honoring our Viking students who earned Perfect Attendance and/or Most Improved Viking from November 4th-December 20th, as well as our Semester 1 Principal's Honor Roll. Last week, the parents of the students being honored received an email letting you know. If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Scott.

This Friday, February 7th, our 8th graders will be going on a field trip to their projected high schools for Mariner Day and Raider Day, respectively. Students who are zoned for Mar Vista High School will be going to MVH from 8:45-11am, while students who are zoned for Southwest High School will be going to SOH from 8:45am-12pm. Mariner Day Permissions slips were due last week, while Raider Day permission slips are due this Tuesday. Any 8th graders who do not turn in a permission slip will remain on campus in the library for the duration of the field trip.

Parents/Guardians, please come join us for our last Viking Shadow Day of the Year on Tuesday, February 18th. This will be an opportunity for parents to go into classes and touch base with teachers before the Quarter 3 Progress Report comes out on February 28th. In addition, we will be hosting a parent presentation on Cyberbullying at 11am for parents who would like to hear more information about that. We hope to see you there! Please click the link below to rsvp for Viking Shadow Day!

Hello Viking families,

Yearbook Recognition Ads are available for purchase. This is the perfect way to honor and highlight your student!

1/2 page color ad: $25
1/4 page color ad: $15
1/8 page color ad: $10

Ads were a huge hit in last year's yearbook. They are simple to create, Jostens has templates for text and adding photos.

The deadline to purchase and create your ad is February 13, 2025.

Order your recognition ad here: https://bit.ly/MVAad

If you have any questions, let me know,
Dr. Portaro

PS. Yearbooks are still on sale for $35, order yours here: https://bit.ly/MVAyb25 The deadline to guarantee your copy of the 2024-2025 yearbook is February 28th!

Due to our pending construction, we will be moving the Sign-out and morning drop-off area for VALOR. Effective Monday, February 10th, VALOR sign-out and morning drop-off will be on Thermal Avenue between the main office and the 200 building. Please review the map below and look for VALOR signage.

The soccer season will wrap up this Saturday with the playoffs. As soon as we receive the playoff schedule, we will post it here so be sure to check back midweek!

Southwester College presents the South Bay Black Family Listening Tour every Tuesday in the month of February! Join us in this safe space to engage in discussions about our shared experiences as students/parents of Black or African descent in the South Bay. This event is open to all South Bay families, and will be followed by collaborative planning of solutions and next steps. Each event is the same, so just choose one to attend! We hope to see you there!

Dear Future Raider Families,

We are thrilled to welcome all incoming 9th-grade students and their families to the Southwest High School community! Join us for a special Incoming 9th Grade Parent Night on Tuesday, February 4th at 6:30 PM in the gymnasium. This is a wonderful opportunity to get to know our school and what makes it exceptional.

You’ll have the chance to meet our Principal, Ms. Easter Finley, and our dedicated staff. Learn about our unique academic programs, athletic opportunities, and extracurricular activities. Discover our commitment to college and career readiness, including our Compact for Success partnership with SDSU. We are excited to connect with you and share why Southwest High School is a fantastic place to learn.

Warm regards,

Southwest High School Team

Help our school be a safe place for you and your friends! If you have information on incidents surrounding bullying, vandalism, safety concerns, etc., report it anonymously to p3tips.com or use the app!

In an effort to help support our MVA students, we welcome any donations of school supplies and/or money. All funds would go directly to supporting our MVA students in the form of spirit shirts, celebrations, recognition awards, school supplies, and more. Checks can be made payable to Mar Vista Academy ASB and tax-deduction forms will be provided upon receipt. Any questions, please email Ms. Scott.

The mission of Mar Vista Academy is to engage, educate and empower each student to thrive in the global community.

• 2024-2025 Bell Schedule
• 2024-2025 Important Dates
• 2024-2025 Daily Calendar

Please reach out with any questions, comments, or concerns!

The Sweetwater Union High School District prohibits discrimination, intimidation, harassment (including sexual harassment) or bullying based on a person’s actual or perceived age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, immigration status, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or association with a person or a group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. For questions or complaints, contact Equity Compliance Officer Dr. Vernon Moore at 1130 Fifth Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91911, (619) 691-5564, vernon.moore@sweetwaterschools.org; Title IX Coordinator Robert Hughes at 670 L Street, Suite G, Chula Vista, CA 91911, (619) 600-4900, robert.hughes@sweetwaterschools.org; and Section 504 Coordinator Sonia Picos at 1130 Fifth Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91911, (619) 691-5564, sonia.picos@sweetwaterschools.org.

Email: sasha.scott@sweetwaterschools.org

Website: mva.sweetwaterschools.org

Location: 1247 Thermal Avenue, San Diego, CA, USA

Phone: (619) 628-5100