Hillsdale Knights Bulletin ~

November 1, 2024


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Hillsdale PTSO Website



PTSO 2024-25 Membership Form (No Donation Required)

What's Happening at Hillsdale

Oh what a Knight...

We would like to thank each and every one of you who donated and volunteered (some did both) to A Knight 4 the Cure 2024. It was a HUGE success and such a fun time. We look forward to sharing details once our numbers are finalized. We can't wait for next year!!


The Pink Breakfast for faculty and staff turned out en masse to enjoy the treats last Friday as Pink Week wrapped up. Thanks to all who donated items! Thanks to Cruel Donuts (@crueldonuts) for their donut donation.

If you are coming to an event at school tonight, be sure to arrive early to get parking. We are BUSY! It's the final home football game for JV and Varsity, so that means it's Senior Knight for Football, Cheer, and Dance. There is a Cross Country team dinner in the MUR/Cafeteria. It's also Opening Night for Cabaret. 

Need tickets for the football game? Click here

Need tickets for Cabaret? Click here


Since it is our last home football game, that also means it's our last night of concessions. Concessions can't be successful without the support of volunteers---insider trick (volunteer for a shift--you get a free meal AND free admission to the game) Let's keep the lines short tonight and get some extra volunteers working! Click here


Just because it's November doesn't mean things will be slowing down. Next week is a spirit week for homecoming, wrapping up with a rally on Friday! 

The Spirit Committee has given us the inside scoop on the daily themes and we are excited to be sharing it with you! 


Monday: Back to the Future (dress as your younger self) 

Tuesday: Greatest Hits (group outfit) 

Wednesday: Inside Out (Sr-Disgust, Jr-Sadness, Soph-Anger, Fresh-Embarrassment) 

Thursday: Adam Sandler Day 

Friday: Friday Knight Lights (blue blooded)


Homecoming Games will both be at Aragon next week. JV will be on Thursday November 7 at 6:00pm. Varsity will be on Saturday November 9 at 12:00pm

Saturday evening is the Homecoming Dance. The theme is Knights, Camera, Action. The dance will be held at Devil's Canyon Brewery and Event Center from 8:00pm-11:00pm Tickets are available for purchase until next Friday, November 8 at the window of room 220 in Sir Cedric's Court. Tickets are $50. Payment via cash or check only. Please refer to the Dance Contract that was part of the 2024-2025 Mandatory Signature page at the beginning of the year for detailed dance rules/policies. Also refer to attendance eligibility for dances here under the section "Hillsdale Truancy/Tardy Policies: Attendance Eligibility for Extra Curriculars".


This week's Fundraisers: 

  • Today is the last day to purchase Warrior's tickets--benefits Cheer
  • Today is the last day for $80 presale of the yearbook with FREE personalization
  • Today is the first day to purchase See's Candy---benefits Dance Ensemble
  • Maverick Jack's will give 20% for dine in/take out Monday 11/6 (mention HHS when ordering)--benefits Cross Country 
  • Yearbook Senior ads go up in price December 31st
  • Donate to the HHS Foundation to support Smaller Learning Communities (donation flyer below)


This week's Volunteer Opportunities:

  • Knight Rider Concessions--TONIGHT
  • Community Garden harvest support--Thursdays 3:30-5:00pm
  • Peace Pantry distribution or delivery--Friday mornings starting at 7:00 or 7:30


Enjoy your week!


Jen and Holly

HHS PTSO Co-Presidents

Donate Now

A Note from Lead Principal Jeff Gilbert


In September, 20 educators from Anaheim spent two days visiting Hillsdale High School to learn about Smaller Learning Communities and Hillsdale's culture. After their visit, they wrote to me: 

"Thank you for welcoming us into your home. We were blown away by our experience at Hillsdale. The clarity of purpose that you all share–focused on creating meaningful relationships among one another, with students and staff, and with students and their peers–is palpable. It was a gift to be able to witness that firsthand." 


This response was a reminder of the power and impact of Hillsdale's model, which is often more visible to an outsider than to those of us who come to this wonderful school every day. We all left our time with Anaheim carrying a renewed commitment to our work within our community and with your students. Your generous support of the Hillsdale High School Foundation allows us to grow, adapt and envision even better things for our school. Thank you.


Join us in helping to bridge the funding gap!

California is 33rd in the nation in student funding. Our students deserve more. We need to raise $600,000 to make our annual budget.

While our ask is $750 per student, any amount is deeply appreciated.

Together, when we pool our resources, we can make a huge difference in the lives of our students. Help us fund our special House System.


When we all contribute, we can make Big Things Happen in Small Learning Communities

Join us today! We also accept stock transfers. Email Marcine Jansen to find out how!


Bell Schedule for Week of November 4


Friday November 8 will follow a rally schedule. Please see the complete Bell Schedule here.

HHS Athletic Contest Calendar


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


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)

Homecoming Dance ~

Knights, Camera, Action


HHS Homecoming Dance will be on Saturday November 9th @ 8:00pm-11:00pm at Devil's Canyon Brewery and Event Center, 935 Washington St. San Carlos. The theme is Knights, Camera, Action.


Tickets will be available for purchase until next Friday, November 8 at the window of room 220 in Sir Cedric's Court. Tickets are $50. Payment via cash or check only.


Please refer to the Dance Contract that was part of the 2024-2025 Mandatory Signature page at the beginning of the year for detailed dance rules/policies. Also refer to attendance eligibility for dances here under the section "Hillsdale Truancy/Tardy Policies: Attendance Eligibility for Extra Curriculars".


If you qualify for free/reduced lunch, you're eligible for a homecoming ticket at a reduced price. Please complete this form to apply for a reduced rate ticket.

BSA Troop 44 Invites Teens, Boys & Girls

to Check Out Our Youth Group!


Troop 44 Annual Canoe Day!

Sunday November 10th @ 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Foster City Dog Park


If you are a teen, boy or girl who loves to experience new adventures, learn leadership skills, participate in community service events, and make new friends, then come join us for a day on the water and a BBQ lunch.


Canoe Day is a fun annual Troop 44 event where boys and girls can meet the scouts in our troop and enjoy a fun morning canoeing in the Foster City Lagoon, before returning for a BBQ lunch.


This event is open to boys and girls ages 10 to 17 and no prior scouting experience is necessary.


Please RSVP to bsatroop4t4@gmail.com by November 1.

Hillsdale Peace Pantry ~ Community Garden ~ Community Closet


November 2024

"Let us remember that, as much has been given us; much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds." - Theodore Roosevelt

Hillsdale Community, 


If you have been considering joining the fight to help Hillsdale address food insecurity in our community, NOW is the time. One hour a week or month, volunteering at our Peace Pantry, on a Friday morning would make a huge difference in supporting Hillsdale families with a week’s worth of groceries. Our new Farmers Market format needs additional volunteers to ensure this support continues in 2025. If you would like to volunteer at our Peace Pantry this Friday OR in November please sign up here


Gratitude is our theme in Empowerment Through Action (ETA) for the month of November. We are grateful for our partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank. October 25th marked a major shift from a Food Drive Thru to a Farmer’s Market model at our Peace Pantry. We believe this new model will directly benefit our families with our ability to offer individual choice for weekly groceries. However, we are in need of more volunteers on Friday mornings with this new model. We are beyond thankful for all of the extra support we received last Friday.


On October 25th, we also hosted our Third Annual Harvest Dinner in the garden. Resident Chef PJ prepared a homemade dinner as folks enjoyed being in community together on a beautiful fall evening. At our Harvest Dinner, we expressed our gratitude and appreciation to our wonderful garden volunteer team. We also recognized a few individuals by presenting our first Annual Daniel Wolfsohn Master Gardener Award. To close the evening, we presented our 2024 Heart of a Knight Award to ETA parent and alumni parent volunteers who have made a significant impact on our community this year. Our Garden Team has worked tirelessly to harvest 1,794.93 pounds of organic fruits and vegetables this far in 2024. 


Hillsdale Stands Together!


Peace Pantry

If you would like to volunteer at our Peace Pantry this Friday OR in November please sign up here. Our volunteer team meets in the Alameda Parking Lot every Friday morning at 7:00am (shift #1) and/or 7:30am (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. 


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. No experience required. Our Community Garden Team is currently producing a weekly harvest of organic fruits and vegetables which directly supports Hillsdale families enrolled in our Peace Pantry. *Please follow us on Instagram, @hhs_community_garden, for updates. *We need additional support in November putting a fresh layer of wood chips down to help prepare our garden for rain and winter. 


Community Closet

Our Community Closet Team is working hard on our Community Closet expansion project. Soon, students will be able to access a well designed space to shop for clothes and essential items. Our volunteer team is currently in need of (ONLY) men’s (high school age) jeans, Hillsdale gear/swag, new socks, new undershirts, shampoo/conditioner and essential items. We can accept donations every Wednesday from 2:45pm-4:00pm OR Friday mornings from 7:30am-8:30am in the Alameda Parking Lot. *Please follow us on Instagram @hhs_community_closet


Brett Stevenson

Hillsdale ETA Co-Executive Director

ETA Website, ETA Overview Slides. ETA Donation Page

Fundraisers and Sales

Hillsdale Yearbook Pre-sale ENDS TODAY!


Yearbook Pre-sale Pricing Ends November 1!

The Shield 2025 pre-sale price is $80 and includes free personalization - First and Last Name on the back cover. Don't wait! Buy your copy now at: https://ybstore.friesens.com/768274


Senior Parents:

On December 31st the pricing for Senior Ads goes up.

Please submit your photos and message as soon as possible after you order your Senior Ad using this form: https://forms.gle/bq5PDtTSjFmKhqTq6


Thank you for your support!

Golden State Warriors ~ Cheer Team Fundraiser

Last Day to Order Tickets


Last chance to support your Hillsdale High School cheerleaders and the Golden State Warriors by purchasing tickets to the December 5th game against the Houston Rockets!


When you use the link on the flyer, the Warriors will donate a portion of each ticket sale to the HHS Cheer Team. Make your purchase today as you only have until November 1st to take advantage of this opportunity. Grab your friends, family, or co-workers and make a night of it! See flyer for details on how to purchase tickets.

HHS Drama ~ Cabaret

Friday, Saturday and Sunday


Cabaret Tickets are on sale! Scan the QR code or click here: https://hillsdaledrama.ludus.com/200460103

Maverick Jack's ~ Cross Country Fundraiser


Have dinner at Maverick Jack's on Monday November 6 and support the HHS Cross Country team! Don't forget to mention HILLSDALE when ordering.

Dancing into the Holidays with See's!


Do some holiday shopping while supporting your favorite dance team! Storefront will be open until December 6th and orders will ship directly your home. All sales will support Knight Moves XXVII.

Concession Volunteers Needed


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


Please sign-up here.

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.


Next Board Meeting is Thursday November 21 @ 7pm

Veterans Day Reminder

There is no school on Monday, November 11 in recognition of Veterans Day. The District Office and all school sites will be closed.

La Oficina de San Mateo Union High School District estará cerrada el lunes, 11 de noviembre en conmemoración del Día de los Veteranos.

San Mateo County Polar Plunge


November 2, 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Join the first-ever Polar Plunge at Coyote Point Beach! This chilly dip raises funds for Special Olympics Northern California, and offers team building and community engagement for students, staff, and families. Learn more.

Upcoming Family Education Webinars


The below Parent Venture webinars are free to attend and offer simultaneous Spanish interpretation unless otherwise noted.


Parent Forum: How to be Your Child's Favorite Conversation Partner

Friday, November 1, 12- 1 p.m.

Speaker: Dr. Eran Magen, founder of Parenting for Humans

Register


The Teen Brain - Short Film & Conversation with Tiffany Shlain

Wednesday, November 6, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Speaker: Tiffany Shlain, Award-winning filmmaker, Bestselling author, Founder of the Webby Awards

Register


Fostering Mathematical Brilliance in All Students

Wednesday, November 13

Speaker: Christa Jackson, PhD, Professor of Mathematics, Science and STEM Education, St. Louis University

Register


Learn more: www.smuhsd.org/family-ed

Students Interested in Green Careers

- Check out this Speaker Series


Join Canopy for its virtual speaker series featuring a diverse group of professionals in the environmental sector.


This is a unique opportunity for high school students and young adults to hear from and ask questions of industry professionals about their careers as they begin to plan their own. A range of panelists will talk about their work in fields such as environmental justice advocacy, landscape architecture, materials recycling, research, and education. You will hear about their workdays, likes and dislikes of their field, and what steps they took to get to where they are today.


Register for any of the remaining sessions:


Careers in Urban Forestry: Wednesday, November 6, 5:30 p.m.

Art Exhibition Opportunity for San Mateo County High School Students

Selected artists will exhibit their art at Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) Community Space in Redwood City


In 2022, the Chan Zuckerberg Foundation launched an art program at the CZI Community Space to create opportunities for San Mateo County artists of all ages and abilities to showcase their artwork. This year’s theme is Metamorphosis: Evolving Identities. Learn more about the art exhibition opportunity and submit an application by November 25: https://www.rwcpaf.org/art-at-the-czi-community-space

Dr. Cora Clemons Emerging Young Samaritan Award


Inspired by the devotion to community service demonstrated by our

founder, Dr. Cora Clemons, Samaritan House is proud to announce

the establishment of the Dr. Cora Clemons Emerging Young

Samaritan award. This annual $2,000 award recognizes a young San Mateo

County changemaker whose work exemplifies the selfless spirit and energy

of Dr. Clemons.


Applicants/nominees must be San Mateo County residents, 16-22 years old on January 1, 2025, and pursuing their service work in the County.


Applications open October 1, 2024, and the submission deadline is January 24, 2025.


To learn more and apply, visit www.samaritanhousesanmateo.org/dr-clemons-award/

Premio Dra. Cora Clemons de Casa Samaritana (Samaritan House)


El premio Dra. Cora Clemons está inspirado en el trabajo de servicio comunitario y el espíritu desinteresado de nuestra fundadora, la Dra. Cora Clemons.


Este premio anual de $2,000 reconoce a dos jóvenes creadores de cambios en el condado de San Mateo, cuyo trabajo de servicio comunitario modela el compromiso de la Dra. Clemons con el servicio. El comité de premios da la bienvenida a los nominados que toman la iniciativa para generar un impacto en su comunidad y ejemplifican el valor y el poder de la compasión y la empatía. Los nominados pueden postularse directamente o ser nominados por un miembro de la comunidad.

El comité de premios da la bienvenida y valora todos los proyectos y trabajos que honran el legado de la Dra. Clemons de luchar contra la pobreza y mejorar vidas.


Los solicitantes/nominados deben ser residentes del Condado de San Mateo, tener entre 16 y 22 años para el 1 de enero de 2025 y realizar su trabajo de servicio comunitario en el condado.


Las solicitudes se abren el 1 de octubre de 2024 y la fecha límite de presentación es el 24 de enero de 2025.


Para obtener más información y presentar una solicitud, visite: https://samaritanhousesanmateo.org/dr-cora-clemons-premio-joven-samaritano-emergente/

Poetry Out Loud Competition

Registration Deadline is December 3


Poetry Out Loud (POL) inspires in high school students and teens 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.


Participants master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about literary history and contemporary life. And the best part about POL, it’s fun and easy to participate:


Ask a teacher, mentor, or group leader to be your sponsor.

  1. Sign up by December 3, 2024 at bit.ly/PoetryOutLoud2025. You will receive a confirmation email and instructions.
  2. Go to the POL website and choose three poems.
  3. Coaching sessions will be available to a limited number of students from each school or organization to be held in January 2025 via Zoom.
  4. Check out video of past participants and resources: www.poetryoutloud.org
  5. Start memorizing and have fun!

The San Mateo County competition will take place on February 4, 2025.

Love the Arts? Attend an Upcoming Concert or Play!


Visit the District website at smuhsd.org/vapa for a list of upcoming concerts and plays taking place across the District. These visual and performing arts events are open to anyone in the community.


Upcoming Performances:

Aragon

Fall Musical - Sister Act The Musical: November 21-24, 2024


Burlingame

Fall Play - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee: November 14-17


Capuchino

Fall Play - Ghostlight: November 14-16


Hillsdale

Fall Musical - Cabaret: November 1-3, 2024


Mills

Fall Plays - Steel Magnolias and The Play that Goes Wrong: November 7-9


San Mateo

Instrumental Winter Concert: December 10

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

Other Ways to Support Hillsdale

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! 

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