Hillsdale Knights Bulletin ~

August 16, 2024

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Hillsdale PTSO Website



PTSO 2024-25 Membership Form (No Donation Required)

What's Happening at Hillsdale

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year, Knights families!! 


If this is your first bulletin or your last first bulletin, we want to remind you about why it's important to read each week. We compile information from a variety of groups around campus and even districtwide and then put it in this newsletter. We joke that if it isn't in the bulletin, then it isn't happening--and that's why we strongly encourage you to read weekly and always scroll to the bottom for flyers! 


This is our first official Friday, but PTSO has been working hard behind the scenes for a few weeks already. Last week, PTSO welcomed the freshmen and new students on Maze Day with muffins, as well as coffee for their parents/guardians. This week, the PTSO catered lunch from Suavacito Birria and Tacos for the faculty and staff on Tuesday. Back-to-School treats are always well received and appreciated by all.


We want to thank the teachers, administration, and other staff for an amazing first day of school. We would also like to thank the Leadership students, cheer, and dance for decorating and being so helpful to the new students/families as we welcomed them onto campus. There is no feeling that is better than feeling Knight Pride!!


It's been so great getting to meet lots of you as the year is beginning! We are in the midst of our annual membership drive where we ask you to "sign up" to be an active PTSO member---this is not a commitment to volunteer or donate (but we love you to do either) Filling out the form is a way for us to keep you in the loop about all that is happening around school. Remember, we need you to activate your membership each year, as we start our mailing lists from scratch each school year. Click here to activate your 2024-2025 membership 2024-2025 PTSO Membership Scroll to the flyers to see just some of the things that PTSO does for the HHS community.


We aren't the only ones having an annual drive--check out the flyers from the HHS Foundation. They kicked off their annual fundraising drive last week. Scroll to their flyers for more information. 


Next week, we start our fall sports meetings. You should have received information from the athletics department regarding this. Remember, the freshmen families need to arrive earlier, for the meeting that is exclusively for them. The meeting is Wednesday 5:30-8:30 pm. If you have questions, reach out to your student's coach.


The following week, August 27-28 auditions for our fall musical are happening. The musical is Cabaret. For those who have never been to a HHS musical, be ready they are always fantastic. Scroll down for the flyers and more information


That's it for this week, but it's just the beginning of what we know will be a fantastic school year!!


Go Knights!


Jen and Holly

HHS PTSO Co-Presidents

Did you know...?


  • California ranks 33rd in the nation in student funding.


  • Our award winning Small Learning Community (House system) is only possible with the support of families who give to the Hillsdale Foundation.


  • Our goal is to raise $600,000 this year.
  • While $750 per student is our ask, any amount is deeply appreciated. Every dollar makes a difference when we pool our resources together.


Double Your Impact! Our Foundation Board will match every donation up to $35,000 between now and Aug 31st.


Triple Your Impact! Corporate Matching works. ⅓ of our $35,000 Board Match is thanks to Google.


Please Make Your Family's Contribution Today!

Hillsdale Athletic Boosters Fundraiser


If you are interested in getting an HHS jacket to wear to the games-now's your chance!! You have the option to keep it blank or add personalization – for instance, some have "Cheer Mom" ,"Football Mom" "Water Polo Mom" etc. while others are left blank.


We will be placing the order on August 20th, so you'll have your jackets in time for MOST of our fall athletic season! Plus, a portion of the proceeds from the jackets will go towards supporting the Hillsdale Athletic Boosters.


If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. Go Knights!

HHS Cabaret Auditions


Time To Audition for Cabaret!

Peace Pantry ~ Community Garden ~ Community Closet


“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” Teddy Roosevelt


Hillsdale Community, 


We hope this finds you well. Summer is often a time to catch up on rest, travel and extended time with family and friends. Summer also allows time for reading. I recently watched a PBS Frontline documentary, Two American Families 1991-2024, and started reading a wonderful book by Margaret Wheatley, Walk Out Walk On, which was suggested by a good friend. Two American Families is a must watch documentary and is a reminder of our changing economy and the challenge so many families face making a living wage. This documentary hits home as we think about the income inequality that exists right here, today, in San Mateo. The fact that it takes four minimum wage jobs to afford a two bedroom apartment in San Mateo County creates a strain and pressure on families that requires our community to stand up and offer support. Walk Out Walk On examines seven communities around the world where we meet people who have walked out of limiting beliefs and assumptions and walked on to create healthy and resilient communities. At times, we can get overwhelmed at the size and scope of issues in our very own community OR we can choose to to take action. “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” Teddy Roosevelt


Hillsdale Volunteer Opportunities

Hillsdale Peace Pantry

We are beyond proud of our Peace Pantry Volunteer Team who persisted all summer to keep our Emergency Food Drive Thru open on Friday mornings. If you would like to volunteer in August please sign up here. Our volunteer team meets in the Alameda Parking Lot every Friday morning at 7:30am to provide weekly groceries and essential items to families. Volunteers can sign up to work the Emergency Food Drive Thru or volunteer to deliver groceries to 3-4 Hillsdale families who do not have transportation. Our Peace Pantry is ALWAYS looking for reinforcements on our volunteer team! You will be greeted with a smile, gratitude and simple instructions. The best way to get started is to bring a friend on a Friday morning to learn more about ways to support students and families in our Hillsdale Community! 


Hillsdale Community Garden

If you are interested in joining our Community Garden Team please email bstevenson@smuhsd.org to learn more. We currently need Thursday harvest support from 3:30pm-5:00pm. All you need to do is show up. You will be greeted by a dedicated and kind group of volunteers. No experience required. Our Community Garden directly supports Hillsdale families enrolled in our Peace Pantry with weekly organic fruits and vegetables. *Please follow us on Instagram, @hhs_community_garden, for updates.


Hillsdale Community Closet

Our Community Closet Team is ramping up operations in order to launch our Back To School Clothing line for Hillsdale families enrolled in our Peace Pantry. Our volunteer team definitely needs help this Thursday, August 1 from 12:15pm to 1:45pm and/or August 8th from 3:30pm-5:00pm. We would like to open for the first week of school which is August 14th. *Please follow us on Instagram @hhs_community_closet


Hillsdale Stands Together

News from the College and Career Center

College and Career Counseling link

@hhscollegeandcareercenter

College & Career Counseling

 

Current Workshops, College Rep Visits and Events


Please reach out with any questions:

Ms. Laura Burtness

Hillsdale's College, Career, and Financial Aid Advisor

LBurtness@smuhsd.org

650 558 2613

Volunteer Opportunities for Teens!

Check this site for virtual volunteer opportunities https://teensvolunteer.org/

The inclusion of an opportunity in this document is not an endorsement or recommendation by SMUHSD.
Important District Updates

Updates from SMUHSD


For the latest updates, please click here.

Conozca el sistema escolar de Estados Unidos - Foro de padres

Martes, 20 de agosto, 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Presenta: Michelle Remond, maestra, migrante, comunicadora y enlace comunitario del Distrito Escolar de Redwood City.

Seminario en línea gratis.

Registro: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/conozca-el-sistema-escolar-de-estados-unidos-foro-de-padres-37-registration-974199616277?aff=oddtdtcreator


Cada país tiene su propio sistema escolar. Asista a esta plática virtual para conocer más de cómo funcionan las escuelas públicas en Estados Unidos y que usted y su hijo(a) tengan una mejor experiencia como migrantes.

9th-12th Grade Students: Apply to be a Youth Climate Ambassadors

Applications are due September 2 at 10 p.m.


The Youth Climate Ambassadors program brings 9-12th grade students from across San Mateo County together to empower youth to take climate action into their own hands. Through the seven-month program, students develop projects designed to drive change within San Mateo County and gain a diverse set of skills related to sustainability and climate action. Students are paid a $550 stipend. Learn more: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1E3KnN4rBanmz4o_J_BJacgE363CjEVWm/view?usp=drive_link

Estudiantes de los grados 9 al 12: Soliciten ser Jóvenes Embajadores del Clima

Las solicitudes deben presentarse a más tardar el 2 de septiembre a las 10:00 p.m.


El programa Jóvenes Embajadores del Clima reúne a estudiantes de los grados 9 al 12 de todo el Condado de San Mateo para capacitar a los jóvenes para que tomen la acción climática en sus propias manos. A través del programa de siete meses, los estudiantes desarrollan proyectos diseñados para impulsar el cambio dentro del Condado de San Mateo y adquirir un conjunto diverso de habilidades relacionadas con la sostenibilidad y la acción climática. Los estudiantes reciben un apoyo económico de $550 dólares.


Obtenga más información en: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1E3KnN4rBanmz4o_J_BJacgE363CjEVWm/view?usp=drive_link

Save the Date - The Districtwide Career Expo is September 10


SMUHSD invites students and their families to attend the annual Career Expo on Tuesday, September 10 from 5 - 7 p.m. at the San Mateo Performing Arts Center and the San Mateo High School Main gym.

Expo highlights

  • Learn about high-paying careers
  • Network with industry professionals
  • Hands-on experiences
  • Over 50 Bay Area companies, apprenticeships and training programs will be represented


Thank you to 2024 Career Fair sponsor, San Francisco International Airport!


Learn more about the event, including a list of participating organizations, as of August 14.

¡Reserve la fecha! La exposición de carreras es el martes 10 de septiembre


SMUHSD invita a todos los estudiantes y sus familias a asistir a nuestro evento anual Exposición de Carreras el martes 10 de septiembre de 5-7 p.m. en el San Mateo Performing Arts Center y en el gimnasio principal de San Mateo High School.


Aspectos destacados de la exposición:

  • Obtenga información sobre carreras bien remuneradas
  • Establezca una red con profesionales de la industria
  • Experiencias prácticas
  • Más de 50 empresas representadas sobre programas de aprendiz y programas de capacitación del área de la bahía


¡Gracias al Aeropuerto Internacional de San Francisco por patrocinar esta exposición de carreras!


Obtenga más información sobre el evento, incluyendo una lista de organizaciones participantes, a partir del 14 de agosto: smuhsd.org/careerexpo

Congressional App Challenge


The Congressional App Challenge (CAC) is a public effort to inspire students to dream big and encourage them to learn how to code through annual district-wide competitions hosted by Members of Congress for their district. 6th-12th grade students are invited to create and submit their own app for the opportunity to receive national recognition. Submissions are due October 24, 9 a.m.


Learn more: https://www.congressionalappchallenge.us/

Did you know that SamTrans provides free bus travel for eligible Kindergarten through 12th Grade students? Learn more: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KqSdu_HowKciaqnZmmi4hzlc-sOLG-hz/view

¿Sabía que el transporte público SamTrans ofrece viajes en autobús gratuitos para estudiantes elegibles desde kinder hasta el grado 12?


Obtenga más información en este enlace: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KqSdu_HowKciaqnZmmi4hzlc-sOLG-hz/view

Ways to Support Hillsdale
Support Hillsdale by becoming a Basementeer! 

Sports Basement is spinning the traditional “loyalty” program into a win-win for their loyal customers and our community. Basementeer’s receive 10% and give 10%:
 
  • 10% off every item every day
  • 10% of profits back to Hillsdale High School
  • Please watch this one minute video to get the idea
 
On your next visit to Sports Basement, register as a Basementeer and select Hillsdale High School as your beneficiary! Better yet, register online and the $25 fee is waived!  
 
Please visit Sports Basement – they have stores throughout the Bay Area including Redwood City and San Francisco) or visit them online at https://shop.sportsbasement.com/

Thank You to Our Hillsdale High School Foundation Business/Corporate Sponsors!

Learn How to Become a Business/Corporate Sponsor

We encourage you to support these businesses that have generously donated to HHS.

Knight Level $5,000

Armor Level $2,500
Shield Level $1,250
Sword Level $850
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