Principal’s Message

Amazing Raider Families,

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” ~Albert Einstein~

Every April is Autism Awareness Month, and it begins with United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day on April 2. Throughout the month, it is important for us to focus on coming together in unity and collaboration by fostering worldwide support, sharing stories and connecting to create a more inclusive world. Many of us know someone who is austistic or is on the spectrum and many struggle to embrace their uniqueness knowing fully how different they are. If you do not know anyone who is autistic, let me introduce you to Dr. Temple Grandin, professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University. Dr. Grandin did not speak until the age of three and a half years. She loved horses and found friends with kids who shared that interest with her. She credits her science teacher in mentoring her to pursue her love of animals. One of her biggest contributions is designing how facilities handle cattle to provide low-stress environment during herding and especially on the way to being slaughtered. She is the leading expert in this area in the cattle industry. And she has was diagnosed with autism. Her biggest fan to not have her institutionalized was her mother. Click on this LINK to hear Dr. Grandin speak about her gift of autism. On a personal level, I have two nephews and one niece who have been diagnosed with autism. Due to their parents’ unwavering support, my niece is getting her masters in art therapy from the University of Louisville (she has an IEP), one of my nephew has been accepted to UCSD, SDSUS and Cornell College (he has a 504) and the other nephew is in high school in the process of obtaining his pilot license (no IEP/504 but his parents exposed him and his brother to multiple experiences such as globetrotting every summer). Know that all of us are different, which is what makes us unique. And one’s autism diagnosis does not make that person less than; it just makes them different. During this month, let’s commit to standing together to make a world of difference where all people with autism can reach their full potential.

We Are Southwest High

Student/Parent Handbook

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Living The Raider Way

Vision

Southwest High School is a community of learners that build relationships in order to educate and empower students to become  productive members of society by living The RAIDER WAY.

Mission

The RAIDER WAY contributes to an equitable environment that provides a rigorous, relevant, and restorative campus where all the Southwest High School stakeholders: students, staff, and parents share the collective responsibility for ensuring that each student         is equipped with 21^st Century skills in order to achieve college and career readiness at grade level literacy.

The Raider Way for Students Embrace a college-career going culture Take advantage of rigorous classes Participate in college and job fairs Strive to succeed at the highest level in order to be at grade level or above in literacy and numeracy. Bring materials to school everyday Be prepared for rigorous daily learning and study Seek academic assistance and emotional support when needed Focus on learning and apply it to your life Arrive on time and ready to learn Complete meaningful community service Contribute to a safe, restorative, and welcoming school environment Be an active member in a restorative school where all are valued Participate in extra-curricular activities Celebrate success

The Raider Way For Staff The staff strives to build relationships in order to… Embrace a college-career going culture for each student Commit to the work of the Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)with a growth-mindset approach to learning Become facilitators in the teaching and the learning for each student to be at grade-level or above in literacy and numeracy Focus on teaching, learning, assessing, and providing feedback Provide a safe, restorative, and trauma-informed classroom environment Foster high expectations our students, our colleagues, and ourselves Celebrate success

The Raider Way for Parents Embrace a college-career going culture Support your student academically and emotionally to be literate at grade level or above Seek academic assistance and emotional support for your student when needed Attend school events Contribute to a safe, restorative, and welcoming school environment Monitor grades, communicate with teachers and support staff Celebrate success

Our Southwest sun,

Shines through with spirit free.

The Red the Gold we will truly see,

Beyond the Raider dawn

We hail the Red, the Gold, the White

In our faithful song

With loyal courage we raise our hands,

Eternal glory we command,