Hillsdale PTSO Website



PTSO 2025-26 Membership Form (No Donation Required)

Knights Families,

As we wrap up this week and head into next, we take a moment to give our thanks to you. We are truly thankful to the Hillsdale Community that we are so lucky to be a part of. Thank you for donating your time, support, and items to events and activities--we couldn't do what we do without each of you. Thanks for your words of kindness and encouragement to us, too.

Let's also take a moment to acknowledge HHS Alumni who are coming home for the Thanksgiving holiday. You may see them at the Basketball Alumni Games next Wednesday. This is a true indicator of what an impact Hillsdale makes on students--they come back to support and participate in events.

Another important event that is happening this coming Sunday is the 2nd Annual 5K to honor Quin White (Class of 2025) (Flyer)  We'd love to see you come out to participate. There will be AMAZING PRIZES!! PLUS-- there will be a Pancake Breakfast at the field after the event. $10 (Venmo or cash) will get you breakfast--the monies will go directly toward the Quin White Scholarship Foundation (last year they gave $4500 scholarships to SIX lucky HHS Seniors). Don't want to walk or run? We would love to have you volunteer to help. Can't make it? You can still donate (Flyer) Thank you for your support!!

Don't forget, next week is a short week due to the Thanksgiving holiday. 

Have a great weekend...and don't forget to read to the bottom of the bulletin to stay in the know of what is happening.

Jen and Holly

HHS PTSO Co-Presidents

Upcoming Events:

• Sun Nov 23: Quin's 2nd Annual 5K @HHS Track (Flyer)
• Nov 26-28: No School - Thanksgiving Break
• Wed Nov 26: Basketball Alumni Games @Main Gym 5:30pm
• Mon Dec 1: SCSCA Summer Exchange Application Due (Flyer)
• Mon Dec 1: Athletics Booster Meeting @MUR 6:30pm
• Fri Dec 5: Environmental Club Movie Night @MUR 6:00pm
• Mon Dec 8: PTSO Monthly Meeting @Room 428 and. Zoom 6:30pm
• Wed Dec 10: Dance- Winter Showcase @Little Theater 7:00pm
• Thurs Dec 11: Winter Concert Series #1 @Auditorium 7:00pm
• Fri Dec 12: Drama Fall Showcase @Little Theater 6:00pm
• Dec 16-19: Finals Week
• Thurs Dec 18 & Fri Dec 19: Improvalooza @Little Theater 7:00pm
• Dec 22-Jan 5: No School - Winter Break

Current/Upcoming Fundraisers:

• Until Dec 5: See's Candy (Dance Ensemble) (Link)
• Tue Dec 2: HHSF Giving Tuesday (Link)
• Thur Jan 1: Senior Ads Early Bird Pricing Ends (Link)

Volunteer Opportunities:

• Concessions: Basketball Home Games (Sign Up Here)
• Peace Pantry: Fridays 7-8am (Sign Up Here)

Giving Tuesday is a call for community, generosity and the collective good.

We publish a donor roll at the end of every November to give thanks to those who gave to uplift every student at Hillsdale High School.

Give by midnight tonight for inclusion in our Community & Corporate Donor Roll.

3 Easy Ways to finish your tax deductible end of year giving: 

1. Give to the Annual Fund: Help close the funding gap and support our teachers & students! Our annual ask is $750/student. Click here to give.
2. Opt for monthly payments: Spread your gift into monthly payments! Every gift is deeply appreciated. Click here to give monthly in any amount.
3. Make a gift of stock to the Foundation: Click here for easy instructions.

Corporations support Giving Tuesday

• Many companies double, even triple corporate matches on Giving Tuesday. It’s easy to check! Click here.
• Companies such as Google offer holiday funds to employees to designate to their favorite nonprofit charities. The Hillsdale Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.  Our Tax ID# is 87-0800728. Designate us as your favorite nonprofit charity!

Questions? Email Hillsdale Foundation Director Amy Michael: amymichael@hillsdalehsfoundation.org

Hillsdale is Stronger Together

www.hillsdalehsfoundation.org

HHS Athletic Contest Calendar

Come support our athletes! Go Knights! (Games in BLUE = home games)

Link to game schedule

Bell Schedule for Week of Nov 24

Tuesday November 25 will be a 1-7 Day and there is No School Wednesday November 26-Friday November 28 due to Thanksgiving Break. Please see the Complete Bell Schedule here.

2026 Summer Exchange Program

San Carlos Sister City Association (SCSCA) is excited to share an opportunity for high school students in San Mateo County to participate in our International Student Exchange Program with our sister city, Omura, Japan in July 2026. For a week, students will live with a Japanese host family where at least one member speaks English. In exchange, San Mateo/San Carlos students host their Japanese counterparts in the weeks following. Students do not need to know the Japanese language to participate!

• Eligibility: Mature and curious high schoolers within San Mateo County
• Cost: No program fee (Student families will cover their own airfare and spending money, but we make no profit from the program)
• Application Deadline: Monday December 1st, 2025

Apply here: https://forms.gle/g5n7F2wNw6mhRSCR9

For further details or questions contact: Ryan.Tomita03@gmail.com

Please CC on any inquiry emails: johnjhoffmann@icloud.com, sancarlossistercityassociation@gmail.com

Fundraising and Sales

Snack Shack Volunteers Needed

Have a free hour or two?

Come help out in the Snack Shack during our Basketball Quad Games!

Click the link or scan the QR code to sign up. Grab a friend (or two!) and join the fun!

Quin’s 2nd Annual 5K

Please join us for Quin’s 2nd Annual 5K on Sunday, November 23rd. This special event is an opportunity to come together as a community to honor Quin, enjoy time with friends and neighbors, and start the day with fun and fitness. Whether you choose to walk, jog, or run, we hope you’ll join us in celebrating Quin’s spirit and making lasting memories. The event will take place rain or shine! We look forward to seeing you there!

Register Here

Dancing Into The Holidays with See's!

Do some holiday shopping while supporting your favorite dance team! Storefront will be open until December 5th and orders will ship directly to your home.

All sales will support Knight Moves XXVIII.

Seniors Corner



Graduation Information

Senior Family Packet

Welcome Class of 2026!

Senior Fall Events

Please join our Instagram site @hhs2026parents for more information about senior activities!

Yearbook Senior Ads

Senior Class parents! Please consider purchasing a Senior Ad in the 2026 yearbook for your graduate. It is a fun way to commemorate their years of education. You can get a 1/4, 1/2 or full page ad. You provide the pictures and words, the design is done by a professional at Friesens Publishing Company. Prices go up January 1st. Order at: https://ybstore.friesens.com/768274

Avid young journalists and designers from Hillsdale can attend the National High School Journalism Conference using these funds and experience in depth learning about publishing and broadcast. 

Senior Portraits

Class of 2026 - Get your Graduation Portraits Taken Now

This will be the senior's picture in for the year book and you will have the opportunity to purchase photos.

See Flyer for more information.

Class of 2026 ~ Grad KNight

Don’t miss out on Grad KNight! 🎓⚓

The Class of 2026 will set sail for an unforgettable Bay Cruise! It will be an evening of music, dancing, food, casino fun and celebrating this milestone year. Reserve your student’s spot today! Let’s make this a knight they’ll remember forever.

** Please note that Grad Knight is NOT a school sponsored event and takes place immediately following the graduation ceremony. It is an event organized by parent volunteers from the class of 2026 **

Empowerment Through Action at Hillsdale

Peace Pantry ~ Community Garden ~ Community Closet

November 2025

“Imagine a circle of compassion and no one is standing outside of it.”  

~  Father Gregory Boyle

Read the November 2025 Newsletter here..

Ways to Get Involved:

Peace Pantry

If you would like to volunteer at our Peace Pantry in November please sign up here. Our volunteer team meets in the Alameda Parking Lot every Friday morning at 6:45am-7:15am (shift #1) and/or 7:15am-8:00am (shift #2) to provide weekly groceries and essential items to families. Volunteers can sign up to help set up and/or work a station at our Farmer’s Market and/or break down. No experience required. *Please follow us on Instagram, @etatogether, for updates.

Community Garden

Our 2025 Harvest has officially come to a close. 2025 has been a record setting year! If you are interested in joining our Community Garden Team please email bstevenson@smuhsd.org so we can add you to our WhatsApp Garden Group as we complete post harvest tasks and prepare our winter garden. No experience required. *Please follow us on Instagram, @etatogether, for updates.

Community Closet

For the month of November, the Community Closet is in need of warm coats, jackets, HHS Swag, Jeans, hoodies, new socks, t-shirts and the following essential items: shampoo, conditioner, lotion, shaving cream, toothpaste/tooth brushes, deoderant and laundry soap.*Please follow us on Instagram @etatogether

College & Career Counseling

Current Workshops, College Rep Visits and Events

Junior & Senior Newsletters:

12th Grade Newsletters

11th Grade Newsletters

Please reach out with any questions:

Ms. Laura Burtness

Hillsdale's College, Career, and Financial Aid Advisor

LBurtness@smuhsd.org

650 558 2613

Opportunities Slide Deck for All Students!

This is a wonderful, frequently-updated slide deck that features volunteer opportunities, job openings, community engagement activities, summer opportunities, career exploration, research positions, and more. bit.ly/SMUHSDCareerOpportunities

Parent Venture Webinars For Parents / Guardians

E-Bike for the Holidays: How to Buy Smart and Ride Legal 

Tuesday, December 2, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Learn more and register

Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive in a Digital World

Wednesday, December 3, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Learn more and register

Sexy Selfie Nation: Changing the Narrative Around Girls’ Body Image

Thursday, December 4, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Learn more and register

In-Person Financial Aid Workshops

These workshops are open to all SMUHSD families

Save the dates for the following in-person workshops offering students and their families with assistance in filling out financial aid paperwork.

In-Person Workshops

December 2, 6 - 8 p.m., Capuchino High School

More in-person workshops will be scheduled for January 2026 - visit www.smuhsd.org/financial-aid to stay up-to-date.

All families-- regardless of home school-- are welcome to attend either event. More events will be coming starting in January!

Additional information

Refreshments will be served.

No RSVP needed, drop in between 6 - 8 p.m.

As a reminder, filling out the FAFSA or CADAA is a graduation requirement! 

Learn more

Talleres sobre ayuda financiera en persona.

Asista a estos talleres en persona si:

Necesita ayuda para completar la forma FAFSA o la CADAA

Tiene preguntas sobre el proceso de solicitud de ayuda financiera

Reserve las fechas:

martes 2 de diciembre, 6-8 p.m. en Capuchino High School

Se programarán más talleres en persona para enero del 2026

Todas las familias están invitadas a asistir a cualquiera de los eventos, independientemente de la escuela a la que asistan sus hijos. ¡Habrá más eventos a partir de enero!

Información adicional

Se servirán refrigerios.

No es necesario confirmar asistencia

Puede acudir en cualquier momento durante el taller

¿Tiene alguna pregunta? Póngase en contacto con el asesor de ayuda financiera de su escuela

California Teen Poet Laureate Applications Due November 30

The California Arts Council (CAC) announced today that the application process is now open for the state’s first California Teen Poet Laureate. The role offers young adult word artists within our state the unique opportunity to promote literary arts and engage with diverse communities throughout California. All eligible teenaged poets are encouraged to apply. 

This new position, established through Senate Bill 748, authored by Senator Henry Stern and signed into law in 2019, will serve as an advocate for poetry throughout the Golden State.  

Learn more and apply at capoetlaureate.org.

The 2026 Scholastic Awards Are Now Open for Submissions

The Scholastic Awards are the nation’s longest running, and one of the most prestigious recognition programs for creative teenagers across America and a significant source of scholarships for young artists and writers. The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization manages the growing program.  

One of the benefits of entering the Scholastic Awards is the opportunity to have your work considered for national scholarships ranging from $500 to $12,500. Learn more

Visit the What You Need to Know page to find out everything you need to participate, including the Awards AI Policy, category changes, new category updates, and portal updates.

Teens and educators can visit artandwriting.org now to log in or create an account in the portal. 

Deadlines

Region at Large West Writing Deadline: December 2, 2025, 8:59 p.m.: https://www.artandwriting.org/regions/WRALW/details

California Bay Area Art Region Deadline: January 6, 2026, 8:59 p.m.: https://www.artandwriting.org/regions/CA005A/details

Apply Now for Creative Youth Awards

The Creative Youth Awards (CYA) is an annual program founded by the Bay Area Creative Foundation to celebrate, cultivate, and inspire creativity in youth and young adults.

The Awards are an opportunity for San Francisco Bay Area high school students to submit original artworks and performances across a range of creative disciplines, including visual art, film, music, dance, photography, and writing.

Submission deadline: December 10, 2025. 

Learn more and apply: https://www.creativeyouthawards.org/creative-youth-awards

Aplique para los Premios Creativos para Jóvenes

Los Premios Creativos para Jóvenes (CYA) son un programa anual fundado por la Fundación Creativa del Área de la Bahía para celebrar, cultivar e inspirar la creatividad en los jóvenes y adultos jóvenes.

Los premios son una oportunidad para que los estudiantes de preparatoria del Área de la Bahía de San Francisco presenten obras de arte y actuaciones originales en un amplia gama de disciplinas creativas, incluyendo artes visuales, cine, música, danza, fotografía y escritura.

Fecha límite para aplicar: 10 de diciembre de 2025

Obtenga más información y presente su aplicacion en: https://www.creativeyouthawards.org/creative-youth-awards

San Mateo County Poetry Out Loud Registration Now Open

Poetry Out Loud (POL) gives high school students the confidence to make themselves heard, using one of the most powerful tools at their disposal—poetry. It encourages teens to learn about poetry through memorization, performance, and competition.

Educators, youth organization leaders, and high school students are invited to be part of San Mateo County’s Poetry Out Loud 2026 Program. Teens build public speaking skills and self-confidence, while learning about literary history and contemporary life through poetry with the help of a coach.

School/organizational champions will be mentored by local Poet Laureates and poetry teachers preparing them to effectively compete at the county, state and national levels if selected.

Poetry Out Loud is a national arts education program in partnership with the NEA, the Poetry Foundation, and each state’s arts agency. Important dates:

September 1 - December 12, 2025: Registration window is open

January 2026: Mentoring sessions for teens via Zoom

February 2026: San Mateo County Finals

March 15 - 16, 2026: State Finals Competition in-person in Sacramento

May 2025: National Finals in-person in Washington, DC

Learn more and register: https://www.smcgov.org/ceo/poetry-out-loud-2026

Become a Basementeer! 

Register as a Basementeer. Basementeers' receive a 10% discount and Sports Basement gives back 10% of the profit to HHS. Just select Hillsdale High School as your beneficiary!