March 11, 2025
Important Dates
Tues, Mar 11: PTSA General Meeting @ Rm 1 and Zoom, 7-8pm
Wed, Mar 12:
- Student of the Month @ DMHS Library, Lunch
- Padres Unidos @ DMHS Cafeteria, 7-9pm
Principal's Message
Dear Del Mar Students and Families,
At Del Mar, we take pride in our school community, and we believe that every student plays a role in shaping the culture and climate of our campus. Over the past week, we have faced challenges that remind us how important it is to stand together as a school family. Now, we must focus on healing, learning, and moving forward—because your words and actions have power. |
Social Media & the Spectacle of Conflict
Last week, we saw the harmful impact of social media when fights on campus became spectacles, with students rushing toward conflicts not to help, but to record and share videos. This behavior escalates situations, increases harm, and turns real people’s struggles into entertainment for others.
I urge all of you to think about what it means to be part of a community. If you wouldn’t want to be in that situation, recorded and shared online, don’t do it to someone else. Instead of contributing to the spectacle, choose to be a leader who helps prevent harm.
If you see a conflict:
🚨 Get help from an adult instead of crowding around.
📵 Put your phone away—don’t record or share videos that fuel negativity.
🤝 Check in on your classmates who may need support.
Let’s be a school where students look out for each other, not where we rush toward harm for entertainment.
Moving Forward: Restorative Conversations & Student Leadership
We are committed to ensuring that every student feels safe, valued, and heard at Del Mar. Here’s how we are working to strengthen our school culture:
✅ Restorative Conversations – When conflicts arise, we will provide structured support to help students resolve issues in healthy and respectful ways.
✅ Increased Support & Resources – In addition to our Wellness Center and counseling team, Del Mar has strong partnerships with Empowering Our Community for Success, The City Peace Project, and Ujima. These organizations provide students with mentorship, mediation, and opportunities to build conflict resolution skills. If your student needs extra support, please reach out—we are here to help.
How You Can Help Shape a Positive School Culture
Each of us has a choice in how we contribute to our school community. Here’s how you can make a difference:
💡 Be an Upstander, Not a Bystander – If you see something that could escalate into harm, speak up or get help from an adult.
📱 Think Before You Post – Social media has real-world consequences. Before sharing, ask yourself: Will this help or harm my community?
🗣 Use Your Voice for Good – Your words have power. Choose to uplift, include, and encourage those around you.
🤝 Support One Another – If you or someone you know needs help, reach out—to a trusted friend, a teacher, or a staff member. We are here for you. |
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Get Involved!
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Join Us for Latinx College Access Night (Latinx CAN)!
We invite all CUHSD students and families to Latinx College Access Night (Latinx CAN) —an empowering event dedicated to supporting Latinx students in their journey to higher education. This event will provide valuable information on college admissions, financial aid, scholarships, and resources to help students and families navigate the college process.
📍 Location: Del Mar High School (1224 Del Mar Ave)
📅 Date: Wednesday, April 17
⏰ Time: 5:30 – 7:30 PM
🎓 Open to all CUHSD students and families
🗣️ This event will be held in Spanish
Students and families will have the opportunity to hear from college representatives, connect with mentors, and learn about programs designed to support Latinx student success in higher education. Whether you're planning for college or just beginning to explore your options, this event is a great way to get informed and inspired!
We encourage all students and families to attend. Let’s make college dreams a reality! #LatinxCAN #CollegeAccess #CUHSD
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Explore Career Opportunities at the CUHSD Career Expo!
We’re excited to invite all CUHSD students and families to the CUHSD Career Expo, an annual event designed to help students explore future career pathways, connect with industry professionals, and learn about opportunities in a variety of fields. Whether you're interested in technology, healthcare, business, or the trades, this is a great chance to gain valuable insights and take steps toward your future goals.
📍 Location: Del Mar High School (1224 Del Mar Ave)
📅 Date: Wednesday, March 19
⏰ Time: 6:00 – 8:00 PM
🎓 Open to ALL CUHSD students
This is a fantastic opportunity for students to network, ask questions, and explore career options in an engaging and interactive setting. We encourage families to attend and support their students in discovering potential career paths.
We look forward to seeing you there! #FutureReady #CUHSDCareerExpo
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Campus Cuteness
Career Talk: Mechanical/Aerospace Engineer Panel
Students attended a Engineer Panel during Flex on Tuesday. Students were able to learn more about what an engineer is, how airplanes are built, best recommendations for high school classes and more. Thank you to Maggie Rabasca and her sister Katie Rabasca (a Boeing Engineer) for providing this opportunity to the students!
APSU Field Trip to San Francisco Chinatown
The executive officers of APSU provided historical context on significant parts of Chinatown and their cultural importance. Students also had the opportunity to connect with their peers, fostering a sense of community. This experience deepened their understanding of ethnic history, enhanced cultural awareness, and supported the development of their identities. Shout out to Ms. Wan, Mr. Lee, and Ms. Lovin who organized and chaperoned the field trip. Ms. Lovin was also interviewed by the Mayor! How cool is that?
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Looking Ahead
I know that last week’s events left many students, staff, and families feeling frustrated, discouraged, or even disheartened. I want to acknowledge those feelings while also offering some perspective: the incidents that occurred involved less than 1% of our student population. While conflict can sometimes arise as students navigate challenges and emotions, it’s important to remember that the overwhelming majority of our students are here to learn, connect, and grow. These moments do not define our school or the students involved, and as a community, we have the opportunity to support each other in moving forward in a positive and restorative way.
It’s also important that we don’t let these disruptive moments overshadow the positive, meaningful work happening in our classrooms and throughout our school. Here’s just a glimpse of the incredible things happening at Del Mar right now:
🌟 AVID seniors are continuing to receive acceptance letters to their colleges of choice!
🎓 Several of our students completed their West Valley applications and were guided through their orientation process!
📚 Our English 3 team exceeded the schoolwide proficiency goal by almost 10% on Cycle 4 of the district’s common assessment! Even more exciting—they exceeded their Emergent Multilingual (EM) proficiency goal by over 18%!
As we move forward, I ask for your continued support in refocusing students on what truly matters: their learning, their relationships, and the values we hold as a school community.
Thank you for believing in our students, in this school, and in the positive, supportive culture we are building together.
Diana Nguyen
Principal
Del Mar High School |
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