Hillsdale PTSO Website



PTSO 2023-24 Membership Form (No Donation Required)

Knights Families,

Can you believe we've been back to school for a month? So much has happened since we started the school year--and so much more will be happening in the coming weeks.

The gratitude that we have for the wellness donations of Kleenex, wipes, etc that have been coming in can only be topped by our excitement for us being 20 members away from our highest recorded membership numbers! Thanks to all who came to our PTSO meeting this week, too. All of these things are showing us that our Hillsdale Community is back from the pandemic and stronger than it has been in years. If you haven't had the chance to sign up to be an active member (no voluntary or financial obligation required--but we appreciate it if you're able)  PTSO Membership 2023-2024

Wednesday afternoon, Sequoia lost to our Lady Knights Flag Football team 20-0. What an amazing way to kick off the inaugural season of flag football! Make sure to check the athletics calendar in the weekly bulletin for upcoming matches for flag football, as well as Hillsdale's other fall teams. After you check the athletics calendar, check your personal calendar to see if you are able to help with concessions during our home games (including tonight's games)  https://bit.ly/HHSKnightRider2023

Last night, the Instrumental and Choral Ensembles had their Back to School Concert. If you missed it, attending a concert event should be on your "to do" list for this school year, as we are lucky to have such strong artistic talent at Hillsdale. Another VAPA event is Drama's fall musical, Shrek. It has recently been cast and rehearsals have begun. Check future bulletins for dates and ticket purchasing information.

Next Friday, 9/22 is the Ritmo Latino Welcome Back dance. The dance will be in the Great Court and tickets are on sale now.

Tickets are on sale now for The Younger Games an evening of Freshman vs Sophomore games, fun, and food--Friday, 9/29 5:30-8:30. Tickets are $10 and sold during lunch and advisory.

Crafters, makers, and small businesses---you don't want to miss out on reserving a booth at The Marketplace, this event will benefit the Class of 2024. Not crafty? That's ok...we need YOU to attend the event and purchase from the vendors to help make The Marketplace a success. Questions? Scroll to the attached flyer or contact Andrea Celentano Savage (chefai@hotmail.com) or Rosemarie Pozzobon (rosemariepozzobon@gmail.com) for additional details.

We have some exciting news! The Hillsdale Foundation has a new Executive Director, Katherine Goodman. Scroll down to read the introduction letter she'd like to share. Katherine will also be a special in-person guest at our October PTSO General meeting. We, and the PTSO Executive Board have gotten to meet her and we know that she will be a great fit to our HHS Community.

Go Knights!

Jen and Holly

HHS PTSO Co-Presidents

HHS Foundation -

Welcome Katherine Goodman

Hello, everyone! My name is Katherine Goodman, and I’m the new Executive Director of the Hillsdale High School Foundation. I’m so excited to be joining the Hillsdale community – I’ve heard amazing things about the school from my many friends who’ve sent their children here over the years.

My family moved to San Mateo from Houston, Texas by way of Colorado and graduate school in 2013. My husband, Nick, works at Microsoft, and I have a daughter in 8th grade at Borel and a son in 4th grade at Meadow Heights.

Fundraising is my second career. I got my start as a volunteer with the PTA at Fiesta Gardens International School, and then joined the development team at Wornick Jewish Day School in Foster City. I most recently worked at HIP Housing, an affordable housing nonprofit here in San Mateo, where I was the grant writer and then the Fund Development Director.

If you see me out and about at Hillsdale or in the community, please grab me and say hello if I don’t grab you first – I’ll be the lady in the peach-colored baseball cap who says “y’all” a lot. I LOVE getting to know people, and Hillsdale is such a special place that I can’t wait to hear the stories you have to share. You can also feel free to drop me a line anytime at execdirector@hillsdalehsfoundation.org.

HHS Foundation -

Bienvenida Katherine Goodman

¡Hola a todos! Mi nombre es Katherine Goodman, y soy la nueva Directora Ejecutiva de la Fundación de la Escuela Secundaria Hillsdale. Estoy muy emocionada de unirme a la

comunidad de Hillsdale - he oído cosas increíbles sobre la escuela de mis muchos amigos que han tenido a sus hijos aquí en Hillsdale a lo largo de los años.

Mi familia se mudó a San Mateo desde Houston, Texas a través de Colorado donde asistí la universidad para mi posgrado en 2013. Mi esposo, Nick, trabaja en Microsoft, y tengo una hija en 8vo grado en Borel y un hijo en 4to grado en Meadow Heights.

La recaudación de fondos es mi segunda carrera. Empecé como voluntaria en la Asociación de Padres y Maestros de Fiesta Gardens International School, y luego me uní al equipo de desarrollo de Wornick Jewish Day School en Foster City. Más recientemente trabajé en HIP Housing, una organización sin fines de lucro dedicada a la vivienda asequible aquí en San Mateo, donde fui redactora de subvenciones/becas y luego Directora de Desarrollo de Fondos.

Si me ves en Hillsdale o en la comunidad, por favor, salúdame si no te saludo yo primero - seré la señora con la gorra de béisbol de color melocotón que dice "y'all" mucho. Me ENCANTA conocer a la gente, y Hillsdale es un lugar tan especial que estoy deseando escuchar las historias que tienes para compartir. También puedes escribirme cuando quieras a execdirector@hillsdalehsfoundation.org.

Bell Schedule for Week of September 18

Wednesday Sept 20 is a WASC Block minimum day with dismissal at 1:26pm. Please see the complete Bell Schedule here.

HHS Athletic Contests Calendar

Come support the Fighting Knights at this week’s contests. Games in blue = home games

Go Knights!

GoFan Ticket Link

Family Pass Link

Ritmo Latino Week / Ritmo Latino Dance

Hi Knights! This is a message from Latinos Unidos. Ritmo Latino Week starts next Monday, September 18 ending with our annual Ritmo Latino Dance on Friday September 22nd. Ritmo Latino Spirit Week also starts next week, and we will be having different activities during lunch on the Great Court each day. On Monday, we will be playing Loteria, and the winner will receive a gift card from Starbucks. On Tuesday, we will play Guess the Jarrito Flavor. On Wednesday, we will play musical chairs. Thursday is our club fair at lunch in the Great Court. Be sure to pass by our table. On Friday, our International Dance group and Latinos Unidos will be dancing "El Caballo Rodeo." Later that night on Friday, 22nd at 7 p.m. after school, we celebrate Ritmo Latino Dance in the Great Court. Tickets will be sold at the dance studio window from 7-10 p.m. next Wednesday until dance day for $5. We will sell raffle tickets and food. We hope to see you there!

Hola Knights! Este es un mensaje de Latinos Unidos. La Semana Ritmo Latino comienza el próximo lunes 18 de septiembre y finaliza con nuestro baile anual Ritmo Latino el viernes 22 de septiembre. La Semana del Espíritu Latino también comienza la próxima semana y tendremos diferentes actividades durante lunch en el Great Court cada día. El lunes jugaremos a la Lotería y el ganador o ganadora recibirá una tarjeta de regalo de Starbucks. El martes tocaremos Adivina el Sabor del Jarrito. El miércoles jugaremos sillas musicales. El jueves es la feria de clubs durante el almuerzo en el Great Court. No se olviden pasar por nuestra mesa. El viernes, nuestro grupo de Baile Internacional y Latinos Unidos bailarán "El Caballo Rodeo". Más tarde esa noche del viernes 22 a las 7 p.m. Después de escuela , celebraremos el baile de Ritmo latino en el Great Court . Los boletos se venderán en la ventanilla del estudio de baile de 7 a 10 p. m. el próximo miércoles hasta el día del baile por $5. Venderemos boletos para la rifa y comida. ¡Esperamos verlos ahí!

HHS Community Closet - Fall/Winter Clothing Drive

Why: The cost of living in San Mateo is incredibly high, a fact that impacts many of our Hillsdale families. We currently provide weekly groceries and produce to over 130 Hillsdale families through our Peace Pantry and Community Garden initiatives.

What: In August 2023, we opened the Hillsdale Community Closet as an additional level of support to community members in need. The Closet offers seasonal clothing and essential items at no cost to eligible students and their families.

How (i.e. our ask for you): We continue to need clothing and essential items for our Community Closet. From September 18-October 13th we are asking Hillsdale students, families, and staff to consider donating the following:

1. Jeans, hoodies, sweats, Hillsdale gear 
2. Homecoming/prom clothes and accessories
3. Winter clothing
4. Essential items: toiletries, towels, sheets, school supplies, new socks, undershirts and underwear, etc.

All items should be clean, undamaged, and something that a current teenager would wear/use.

When: Starting September 18, we will be accepting donations in Advisory classes, Thursdays (2:30-4pm) and Friday mornings (7:30-9 am) at the Community Closet. The Community Closet is located in the Alameda parking lot next to the stadium/track.

Interested in Volunteering? Please sign up here: HHS Community Closet, and we will add you.

Many thanks to all of the community members and volunteers who have already contributed their time, effort, or items to our HHS Community Closet! Flyer Link

Jack's Prime: Music Booster Fundraiser

Enjoy a dine-in or to-go lunch or dinner at Jack's Prime on Monday, September 18 from 11-2 and 5-8. Just mentioned the HHS fundraiser and 12% of your bill will be donated to the Music Boosters to support our amazing HHS Music program! Thank you for your support. Flyer Link

HHS International Dance Club

Hey guys! We’re going to have a meeting on Monday during lunch for people who have questions or want to hear more about our ideas and who also want to give ideas! We’re planning on meeting in the CRC (room 110). Hope to see you there!

¡Hola todos! ¡Vamos a tener un reunion el lunes durante el almuerzo para las personas que tengan preguntas, quieren escuchar a nuestros ideas y que también tengan sus propios ideas! Queremos reunirnos en el CRC (salón 110). ¡Espero verlos a todos allí!

~ A message is from the International Dance Club.

HHS College kNight

For our 12th grade families, it's the annual 12th grade College kNight on Thursday September 20th @6:00pm-7:30pm in the HHS Auditorium, hosted by the Counseling Department.

We are thrilled to welcome students and their grownups to campus to talk about financial aid, 2 and 4 year college applications, timeline, and how Hillsdale supports students who will be applying to college.

Questions? Reach out to Laura Burtness (College, Career & Financial Aid Advisor), your student's advisor, or your student's counselor.

See you next Thursday!

PS. Students don't HAVE to come, but they are welcome!

Flyer Link: English / Spanish

HHS: The Marketplace

Come support the Class of 2024 at The Marketplace, Sunday, September 24th @ 11am in the Stadium Parking lot (entrance on Alameda de las Pulgas).

Know a small business that might be interested in renting a booth? Scan the QR or contact Andrea Celentano Savage (chefai@hotmail.com) or Rosemarie Pozzobon (rosemariepozzobon@gmail.com) for additional details. Flyer Link: English or Spanish

HHS Spirit Wear - Spirit Squad Fundraiser

Show your Fighting Knights spirit and support the Spirit Squad! Flyer Link

Freshmen and Sophomores -

The Younger Games

The Sophomore class officers are currently organizing "The Younger Games" to be held on Friday, September 29th @ 5:30-8:00 pm. Yummy Pizza dinner included with ticket, fun games and so much more!

We hoping that you can help encourage students to purchase a ticket and attend! The Younger Games will be an opportunity for the lower classmen to bond and for the Freshmen to experience all the fun HHS has to offer!

Tickets are $10 and are being sold outside the dance room tickets window, and during advisory STARTING Monday September 11!

We will also plan on stopping by during advisory in the next few weeks to pass out grams and give brief information about the event. Thank you so much!

-

Sophomore Class Officers

Concession Volunteers Wanted

Wanna join the fun? Sign up to volunteer here: https://bit.ly/HHSKnightRider2023

See you at the next game!

Concessions Team: Chef PJ Stalteri and Melanie Baldwin

Flyer Link

Career Speakers Series:

We are back and we are looking for you!

Are you in a job that you’d like to share with high school students? We’d love to host you for the College & Career Center’s 2nd annual Career Speaker Series!

Programs will take place on Fridays, from 10:15-11am and arranged by general topic. We will be holding the events in person in the College & Career Center at Hillsdale.

We are interested in having a wide-variety of educational levels, from high school, community college, and through to graduate school. You would be part of a 3-4 person panel, with Hillsdale staff asking questions about your job, your educational pathway and other relevant topics.

Below are the career groupings. If you are interested in being part of a panel, we’d love to have you! Please fill out this Google Form by October 1st. Thank you so much for your interest in supporting HHS students!

Jobs in VAPA (ex. Audio, video, photo, dance, music etc.) - September 15, 10:15-11:00 am

Jobs in Trades and Public Services (ex. Police, Fire, TSA etc.) - October 6, 10:15-11:00 am

Jobs in Engineering and Science - November 17, 10:15-11:00 am

Jobs in Medical/Healthcare Field - December 1, 10:15-11:00 am

Jobs in Business/Fashion and Beauty - January 12, 10:15-11:00 am

Jobs in Legal Services - February 2nd, 10:15-11:00 am

Jobs in Education - March 1, 10:15-11:00 am

Jobs in Technology - April 12,, 10:15-11:00 am

https://forms.gle/Q5FbTV71z8jtvfmeA

Class of 2024 and Families - Grad Knight

Registration for Grad Knight at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is now open! Early bird pricing of $175/person is available through Friday, October 13. More info and and/or to sign up, please see flyer or visit bit.ly/GradKnight2024. Sign up today!

Flyer Link: English / Spanish

In case you were unable to attend the Senior Family Meeting at BTSN, the slide presentation can be found on the Senior Information page of our Hillsdale website.

The Shield 2024 Yearbook Pre-sales 

We have chosen a new publishing company that has better printing and better pricing for our 2024 yearbooks. The deadline schedule for the yearbook students also make production more smooth. 

Buy now!

$80 Early Bird Pricing ends October 1, 2023

Deals on personalization and icons included.

https://ybstore.friesens.com/768274/

Preventa del anuario The Shield 2024 Hemos elegido una nueva editorial que tiene mejor impresión y mejores precios para nuestros anuarios de 2024. El calendario de fechas límite para los estudiantes del anuario también facilita la producción. 

¡Comprar ahora! El precio de reserva anticipada de $80 finaliza el 1 de octubre de 2023 Ofertas en personalización e íconos incluidos.

Chipotle: Girls Water Polo Fundraiser

Order dinner from Chipotle (near Whole Foods) on Tuesday, October 3 and 30% of your total bill will be donated to the Girls Water Polo team. Thanks for your support!

Flyer Link: English / Spanish

Hillsdale Community Peace Pantry,

Closet & Garden

Hillsdale Community,

Whether you are a new staff member, new parent or veteran parent to Hillsdale we want to welcome you to a community who stands together to support Hillsdale families experiencing food insecurity and the impact of the high cost of living. If you have been thinking about getting involved or are hearing about our community response to food insecurity for the first time, now is the time to get involved and volunteer. You can either sign up below, email or stop by our garden at 3:45pm on Thursdays or at our Peace Pantry and Community Closet Friday mornings at 8am to learn more. Giving an hour a week would make a huge difference for our community. 

To learn more about these programs, please see:

HHS Community Support Slidedeck

Hillsdale Stands Together!

Hillsdale Community Closet

If you would like to volunteer at our Community Closet(Alameda Parking Lot) on a Friday in August please sign up here. *Please follow us on Instagram @hhs_community_closet

Hillsdale Community Peace Pantry

We need September volunteers to work the drive thru OR deliver groceries to 2-3 families who do not have transportation. If you would like to volunteer in September, please sign up here.

Hillsdale Community Garden

https://www.hhscommunitygarden.com/

Our Hillsdale Community Garden provides organic fruits and vegetables to Hillsdale families enrolled in our Peace Pantry. Primary volunteer opportunities are Thursday harvest support from 4:00pm-5:00pm and Friday morning projects from 8:00am-11:30am. Please follow us on IG at @hhs_community_garden for updates. If you are interested in volunteering, please email Brett Stevenson at bstevenson@smuhsd.org.

Senior Newsletter

Dear 12th grade families:

Greetings, and welcome to another school year! My name is Laura Burtness, and I am the College, Career, and Financial Aid advisor at Hillsdale. My role is to support all students with their after-Hillsdale plans, whatever those plans might be.

Here is the latest newsletter, which I send to families and students at the beginning of each month. (The newsletters-- both current and past-- can also be found here.)

Highlights of this month's newsletter:

• Resources: what Ms. Burtness does, college visits, how to find info. on the HHS website, scholarships, and more!
• 12th Grade College kNight, Sept 20, 6pm: save the date! In person, at the HHS auditorium
• Certificate programs at our local community college
• What is Ms. Burtness listening to or reading?

Welcome again to the school year!

Best-- Laura Burtness, LBurtness@smuhsd.org

650 558 2613

California Scholarship Federation (CSF)

SPRING 2023 Submission

* Only smuhsd.org emails can access to these documents

Please submit your Spring 2023 CSF forms by September 18, the absolute deadline.

What is CSF and why join? General CSF Information and the CSF Official Website. 

Follow these steps to keep your CSF membership updated:

1. Complete this CSF online form by September 18th using your Spring 2023 grades (Students are NOT allowed to retroactively submit CSF application forms.) Refer to this CSF List of eligible classes.
2. Counselors will check grades for final approval. No need to attach transcripts.

Please email your counselor directly with any questions. 

Parent Connect - Fall 2023 Dates Announced

Raising teens can be one of the most challenging jobs you may ever have. If your student is not attending school or is exhibiting difficult behaviors, we can help. SMUHSD has developed a Family Support Group with parents and primary caretakers in mind.

Our goal is to provide you with the tools you need to proactively resolve conflicts with your teens, improve their attendance and enhance their well-being.

Sessions are offered in English and also in Spanish. Parents/guardians can join the sessions at any date:

English: Wednesdays, September 13 -  October 18, 2023

Spanish: Tuesdays, September 12 - October 17, 2023

Location: District Office, 650 N. Delaware Street, San Mateo (next to San Mateo High School)

Learn more: www.smuhsd.org/parent-connect

Programa Parent Connect -

Conexion entre Padres Fechas para el otoño 2023

Criar adolescentes puede ser uno de los trabajos más difíciles que pueda tener. Si su estudiante no asiste a la escuela o muestra comportamientos difíciles, podemos ayudarlo. SMUHSD ha desarrollado un GRUPO DE APOYO PARA FAMILIAS con padres y cuidadores de los estudiantes de nuestras escuelas.

Nuestro objetivo es brindarle las herramientas que necesita para resolver de manera proactiva los conflictos con sus adolescentes, mejorar su asistencia y mejorar su bienestar.

Las sesiones grupales se llevarán a cabo en la Oficina del Distrito, 650 N. Delaware Street, San Mateo. Los padres/guardianes pueden unirse a las sesiones en cualquier fecha.

Estas sesiones son para familias de habla español: martes, 12 de septiembre - 17 de octubre, 2023

Aprende mas: www.smuhsd.org/parent-connect

San Mateo Police Department - Pink Patch Party

Save the date for the San Mateo Police Activities League’s Annual Pink Patch Party on Saturday, October 7 @ 11am - 4pm Free Mammograms will be offered! Learn more.

Reserve la fecha para la Fiesta Anual del Parche Rosa organizada por la Asociación de Oficiales de Policía de San Mateo el sábado 7 de octubre a partir de las 11:00 am hasta las 4:00 pm. ¡Se ofrecerán mamografías GRATUITAS! Aprende más.