Hillsdale PTSO Website



PTSO 2024-25 Membership Form (No Donation Required)

Welcome Back, Knights Families!! 

What a full week it's been...and things just keep getting busier as we get back into school mode. Thank you!!! We are beyond thrilled to announce that we have record breaking numbers of PTSO membership for this school year!! Volunteer, don't volunteer (we would love it if you did) but sign-up so that you stay in the know of what is happening in and around school! When you sign up for PTSO membership we can also help direct you to all other parent booster groups. Don't miss out--PTSO Membership 2024-2025

This week fall athletes and their families attended their mandatory sports meetings. It's always so amazing to see the number of students we have participating in the various sports. The parent meeting on Wednesday night was standing room only in the auditorium! Thanks to all of the families and their athletes for taking the time to attend and learn more about athletics in general, as well as their sport's program. Speaking of sports, each week, Athletics posts a list in our bulletin of home and away games/matches so that fans can attend our various sporting events.

This week, we have a preseason football game at home vs. Livermore starting with JV at 5:30...We are highlighting football for an important reason. Since we play at home, that means CONCESSIONS are open!! 

Have you ever volunteered to work concessions?? It is a great way to meet other families, whether working the grill or inside the trailer. It is also a great way to get FREE admission to the game AND a FREE meal! Talk about a win-win! Profits from concessions benefit ALL athletics, so we appreciate all athlete families (and even non-athlete families) who take the time to support by volunteering or purchasing items. Sign up to help here Concessions 2024

Also at the game---athletics will have a table where there are the famous HHS Hawaiian shirts, cozy blankets, AND seat cushions. Sales will start at 6:30.

Our Senior families are starting the year with the annual Pub Crawl Senior Fundraiser and have scheduled it for Saturday, September 21. The parents of the class of 2025 invite you (all HHS families, friends, etc. who are 21yrs and over) to join them for this fundraiser. All Details coming soon!! THIS IS NOT A SCHOOL SPONSORED EVENT, BUT AN EVENT ORGANIZED BY PARENTS.

Next week is also WOW week--or--Week of Welcome. It is the first spirit week of the year, wrapping up with a rally on Friday. (This means Friday will be a Rally day schedule--check the website for times) See attached flyers for what your student is encouraged to wear to show their school spirit. 

Next week, we are also having Make Up Picture Day for those that missed out at the beginning of the year. See flyer below for times and location.

Do you want to audition for our fall musical, Cabaret?? Dates are coming up this week!! See flyer below for exact times and location. 

And speaking of music...our music boosters are having their first meeting next week, too!! You can learn more about our fabulous music program, see blurb below for more information. All are welcome!

Last but certainly not least, we have a challenge for you to take on before August 31st! Our HHS Foundation has set a goal of matching every donation up to $35,000 by that date. If you are able, please consider donating to the Foundation. (Corporate matches included!) Every single dollar donated does make a difference!! Scroll down for the QR code to give. We can't wait to share the final totals from the challenge!!

Have an amazing week and we look forward to keeping you in the know,

Holly and Jen 

HHS PTSO Co-Presidents

You can still help us crush our goal! Our Foundation Board promised to match every donation up to $35,000 until Aug 31st. If your employer has a Corporate Matching Gifts Program, ask them to match your donation as an easy way to give HHSF even more support! Our award winning Small Learning Communities (House system) is only possible thanks to you, and 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.

Please Make Your Family's Contribution Today!

HHS Athletic Contest Calendar

Come support our Fighting Knights! (Home Games are in BLUE)

Link to buy FAMILY PASS (Entrance for 2 Adults and 2 Children to all HHS hosted events for 24/25 season, excluding CCS playoff games)

Is your student playing a sport this fall? You can make your Athletic Booster donation here. Any amount is appreciated.

Concessions Volunteers Needed

Can you help will concessions? The Snack Shack is looking for volunteers for our Knights' home games this fall starting this Friday! Volunteers get FREE admission to the game AND a FREE meal!

Please sign-up here.

Career Speaker Series Panel - Volunteers Needed

Love your job? Want to share it with interested students?

The Career Speaker Series needs YOU!

Hillsdale's College & Career Center runs a Career Speaker Series panel in which YOU volunteer to speak with students who are interested in a particular career field. We have these panels once a month, focusing on a general career field. We are looking for all educational levels and backgrounds.

To sign up/get more information: https://bit.ly/CareerSpeakerSignUp

Questions? Contact Jerel Reyes, Career Coordinator [JReyes@smuhsd.org; 650 558 2648] or Laura Burtness, College, Career, & Financial Aid Advisor [LBurtness@smuhsd.org; 650 558 2613]

We hope to see you!

HHS Cabaret Auditions

Time To Audition for Cabaret!

Music Booster Meeting

Please join us for the first Music Booster meeting of the year on Wednesday, August 28 @ 7pm in Room 501.

Learn about the 2024-2025 seasons for all ensembles, band, orchestras, symphony, and choir and how you can support our students and teachers.

BJ's Fundraiser for Girl's Water Polo

Please help support our Girls Water Polo Dine Out Fundraiser at BJs Bridgepointe on Thursday August 29 from 11:30 am to 10:30 pm

Annual Pub Crawl Senior Fundraiser~

SAVE THE DATE for Saturday, September 21, 2024

The parents of the Class of 2025 are organizing a fundraiser to help fund Senior Class Graduation activities. To all those over 21, please SAVE-THE-DATE for Saturday, September 21, 2024 for the annual PUB CRAWL in downtown San Mateo. Stay tuned for more details on how to purchase tickets!

*this is a parent organized event, and not sponsored by Hillsdale High School.

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 just launched our Back To School Clothing line for Hillsdale families enrolled in our Peace Pantry. *Please follow us on Instagram @hhs_community_closet

Hillsdale Stands Together

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 for our Career Speaker Series Panel

Hillsdale's College & Career Center runs a Career Speaker Series panel in which YOU volunteer to speak with students who are interested in a particular career field. We have these panels once a month, focusing on a general career field. We are looking for all educational levels and backgrounds.

To sign up/get more information: https://bit.ly/CareerSpeakerSignUp

Questions? Contact Jerel Reyes, Career Coordinator [JReyes@smuhsd.org; 650 558 2648] or Laura Burtness, College, Career, & Financial Aid Advisor [LBurtness@smuhsd.org; 650 558 2613]

allcove San Mateo Youth Drop In Center Upcoming Events

allcove San Mateo is a youth drop-in center where youth can hang out, study, attend events, and access services. allcove provides a unique space for students to access resources and support for family, friends and the larger community.

Students are invited to attend upcoming events in August and September to learn more about allcove:

>Job Search Workshop: August 19, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

>Organization and Time Management Workshop: Tuesday, August 20, 4:30 - 6 p.m.

>Back to School Movie and Game Night: Friday, August 30, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

allcove is also hosting an open house on Monday, September 16 from 3 - 6 p.m. Community members are invited to take a tour, learn more about what allcove offers, and meet the team! Food will be provided.

Learn more.

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/