Raider Reporter Staff Edition

Amazing Raider Families,

"There is no scene/scenario where habits cannot enter.” ~Wendy Wood~

“Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become. ~James Clear~

After a progress report, I find that it is easy for students get go backwards into habits that may have made progress report stressful. In her book, Good Habits, Bad Habits, Wendy Wood discusses how habits play a role in our abilities to follow our resolutions to completion. Habits are automatic responses that require no effort while resolution requires our brains to work. So, when we have a resolution, we are making a conscious effort to introduce something new in how we live, for example, I will exercise more because it is healthy. However, these deliberate actions (resolutions) will be at war with deeply ingrained and unconscious actions (habits) that will remind you there is an easier way to become healthy, whatever that is for your life. So, the struggle is real. In his book, Atomic Habits, James Clear asserts that to change our "bad" habits, we must make them visible by pointing and calling them out to replace them with new ones that we repeatedly perform so they become the new habits. Students, it is not enough to just say, "I want to get an A or a passing grade in class." In other words, willpower is not enough. You must identify that "bad" habit that is preventing you from getting the results you want, and then follow these steps: 1) Make it invisible; 2) Make it unattractive; 3) Make it difficult; and 4) Make it unsatisfying. At the same time, you must adopt a small act that contributes to your end goal. It begins with identifying all the small acts that contribute to effective habits. You will acquire a new effective habit by following these steps: 1) Make it obvious; 2) Make it attractive; 3) Make it easy; and 4) Make it satisfying. Consequently, your habits will make you become more resilient if they are the effective habbits. As we approach the final 63 days of this school year, what effective habits will you focus on developing so that your don't experience stress when it comes to school?

California Schools Parent Survey Administration

Parents, it is important for us to hear from you about how you think we are doing as a school in providing education for your children. Please take time to complete this survey. Click on this LINK to complete the survey. We need 393 parents to complete the survey. The window for administration closes on March 15, 2024. Thank you for your support.

PIQE Classes

Parents, Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE) are offering classes for you to help you navigate the educational system so that you can provide appropriate support for your children. Classes are held every Tuesday at 9:00am in the library or at 5:30pm in the Parent Center (Room 210). For questions, please see Ms. Ramirez at melissa.ramirez@sweetwaterschools.org. For more information, see flyers below.

Future Raider Parent Meeting on February 27, 2024

Parents, if you have an incoming 9th grader for the 2024-2025 school year, please join us for a meeting next week on Tuesday, February 27, 2024. Pre-meeting festivities will begin at 5:30pm and the actual meeting will begin at 6:00pm. See you there!

Class of 2026 Fundraiser this Week

Students and Parents, please support the graduating class of 2026 in their fundraising efforts for their senior events next year. Go to El Pollo Grill Bonita, Victorino's Pizza Bonita and El Pollo Grill at Otay Ranch Mall. Mention Southwest High School and 25% of all sales between 11:00am - 9:00pm will go to the class of 2026. Do not print out a flyer as it will end the fundraiser.

Morning Tutoring Available This Week

Students, please take advantage of the opportunity to receive help with any assignments.

Monday & Wednesday

• English: room 210/211
• History: Library

• Math: room 210/211
• Science: Library

Athletic Accolades

Congratulations to the Boys Basketball Team for being the runner-up in the CIF Division IV Championship game. We are proud of you!

Raider families, let's have an amazing week!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Finley

As we conclude African-American History Month 2024 and prepare to enter National Women's History Month 2024, I would like to spotlight as many African-American wormen who have broken glass ceilings for young girls, regardless of color. In America, 2022 brought about the nomination and confirmation of the first African-American female Supreme Court Justice, Kentaji Brown Jackson. This is a significant milestone as the Supreme Court is highest court in the United States. 2021 began with the inauguration of the first African-American/Asian/Woman Vice President in Kamala Harris. We celebrated this historic milestone in honor of those who came before her and laid the groundwork ahead so that Vice President Harris can finally break the glass ceiling. Harriet Tubman, known as “Moses,” decided to escape slavery and became an abolitionist using a network called the Underground Railroad. Rosa Parks, aptly named as the “First Lady of Civil Rights” refused to give up her seat in the front of the bus to a white man. Ruby Bridges, at six years old, became the first black student to enter an all-white school to begin the mandated desegregation of schools. Shirley Chisholm, the first black woman elected to Congress, also became the first Black presidential nominee in 1972. These women understood and knew and understood the courage they displayed in their actions would have long term effects on changing the status quo for African Americans. Former Congressman John Lewis said this, “Take a long, hard look down the road you will have to travel once you have made a commitment to work for change. Know that this transformation will not happen right away. Change often takes time. It rarely happens all at once. In the movement, we didn't know how history would play itself out.” The fight for equality and rights is still alive as we begin the third decade of this millennium. We cannot sit out this fight as it will take all of us to transform systems that were designed to separate.

Congratulations to our Boys Basketball Team for being the runner-up in the CIF Division IV Championship Game last Thursday. You played hard, and we are proud of you!.

Second semester is a busy time for scholarships ! Please invest your time & apply to all of the scholarships you are eligible for! Keep in mind that scholarships are FREE and can help you so much with your college expenses. Scholarships are available for all grade levels and it is never too early to start !

Where do I apply? Live Scholarship Bulletin(continuously updated) : docs.google.com/document/d/1POa_6o1cY0XYfXAjUjcQvb305pmfmxhs1ougFyQs-gE/edit?usp=sharing

Upcoming Scholarship Deadlines

Brad Fowler Memorial Scholarship
Due: February 23, 2024 (postmarked) or submitted to Ms. Gonzalez by 2:00 PM
Amount: $6,000 renewable for two years for a total of $12,000
Criteria: High school senior who will enroll in either a two- or four-year colleges overcome personal obstacles and troubles in life associated with drugs or alcohol .
Demonstrated athletic achievement and participation in organized sports. Demonstrated leadership ability and demonstrated personal responsibility. Demonstrated academic growth and financial need. Student has a strong commitment to setting and reaching life goals
Application: Complete all attachments though Live Bulletin

Foundation 649 2024 Scholarship
Due: March 1, 2024
Amount: Each recipient will receive $1,000 USD annually for 4 years
Criteria: Be a degree-seeking, full-time student enrolling in a U.S. accredited
university in Fall 2024 as a Freshman or transferring from a community
College. Identify as Asian American or Pacific Islander, have a track record of involvement and interest in AAPI communities,
issues, or causes. Have demonstrated financial need for the scholarship
Application: foundation649.com/

North Island Federal Credit Union Scholarship
Due: March 8, 2024
Amount:10- $1,000
Criteria: Open to college bound seniors. Must be a resident of San Diego or a member of California Credit Union/North Island Credit Union OR a dependent of a member who lives outside the service area.
Application: www.ccu.com/student-scholarship/?region-set=nicu

Adelante Mujer Scholarship
Due: March 8, 2024 to Ms. Gonzalez by 2:00PM
Amount: 2-$500 scholarships
Criteria: Open to female seniors of Latina background. Must attend a Sweetwater Union High School District School with a GPA 2.5 or above. Student must be planning to attend a college, university, or vocational school in the Fall 2024. Winner must also be able to attend the Adelante Mujer Conference which will be held on Saturday April 20, 2024
Application: Apply though live link

Rick Phillips Legacy Scholarship
Due: March 8, 2024
Amount: up to $1,000
Criteria: Open to Safe School Ambassadors (SSA) Program graduating seniors who are going to public, private, career & technical training, certificate programs, community colleges or 4-year schools are encouraged to apply (for full or part time students
Application: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScDSjog_vaqSoljgcbWevd6JiuYRGEC2qUG_IOtzMbRill11Q/viewform

Creaser Scholarship Application
Due: March 12, 2024 to Ms. Gonzalez by 2:00PM
Amount:varies
Criteria: The Phil and Alice Creaser foundation scholarship is to recognize current high school seniors in the Sweetwater Union High School District who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, a commitment to learning and community service, and success in the face of challenges.
Application: Apply through Live Link

Please see attached PDF of the most current scholarships. Remember to apply through the Live Scholarship Bulletin link

If you have any questions or need support with scholarship applications please come visit me in the Counseling Center. Keep up the good work Raiders!

Have a wonderful rest of your day!
Ms. Gonzalez
Scholarship Counselor

February-March Scholarship Bulletin-Upcoming Deadlines.pdf

Raiders, please sign up to attend this event. SOH will provide a bus for you. Please see your AVID teacher, Mr. Quintero and Mr. Joel Rodriguez to sign up for a spot on the bus. Use the flyer below to sign up for the event.

Parents,

If you have incoming 9th graders for 2024-2025, please come to our parent orientation meeting on Tuesday, February 27, 2024. Pre-meeting festivities will begin at 5:30pm with the actual meeting starting at 6:00pm.

24-25 Registration Information

Families, every year students must be registered to attend school. Here are some important information regarding registration

• Transfer Request are open January 29th – March 1st: Parent MUST have their student enrolled at Home School and create an OLR Parent Portal Account. Request must be completed online through the Parent Portal. Any questions regarding their requests need to be emailed to Student.services@sweetwaterschools.org,
• Returning students from SOH: Everyone is required to complete online registration. Proof of residency is ONLY required if they have moved. If a parent has forgotten their username or password, you can reset it in the “Guardian Account Password Reset” tab.
• Incoming 9th grader from SOM, MVA etc. you will need to make sure you are in the 2024-2025 school calendar to access the username or reset the password.
• New students out of the district (Nestor, Hawking charter, out of state, country etc.) All need to fill out the registration packet and provide proof of residency dated within 60 days and be cleared by the nurse prior to enrollment.
• Any incoming 12th grader must meet with an AP to have their credits reviewed prior to enrollment.

For support, please attend one of the registration dates below:

• 02/06/2024 8 am- 11:30 am & 2:30pm – 3:30 pm
• 02/7/2024 8am to 11:30 am (Registrar office will close at noon for the day for a district meeting.
• 02/08/2024 8 am- 11:30 am & 2:30pm – 3:30 pm
• 02/09/2024 8 am- 11:30 am & 2:30pm – 3:30 pm