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Hillsdale Knights Bulletin ~
September 26, 2025
Some email applications may automatically clip messages - to see the entire bulletin, please click 'View entire message' at the end or click VIEW AS WEBPAGE.
| | What's Happening at Hillsdale | | |
Knights Families,
Here we are at the end of September, but the weather is saying otherwise which is a GREAT thing...
Friday, we have home football games! Plus, the Senior Class has their fundraiser (all are welcome) of the Grill and Chill. Don't feel like the Grill and Chill? Concessions is looking for support through the night and would love to have you. Sign Up Here. The fun doesn't stop on Friday.
Saturday, we are having our first Rev and Roam--car show and marketplace! There will be food, cars, and craft items will be sold too. We would love to see you there!! We are still looking for volunteers to help the day of the event. Sign Up Here
Last night the College and Career hosted their first College Night focused toward our seniors--what a great event. Thanks to the College and Career Center staff for organizing the evening. Senior families, it's the season to start thinking about life after Hillsdale...don't forget to read the weekly bulletins, advisory emails, and emails directly from the College and Career Center so you are in the know.
Next week, the Latinos Unidos in partnership with Leadership will be hosting a Ritmo Latino on October 3 starting at 7pm (Flyer English/Spanish) Tickets are on sale NOW for $5 at the dance room window. ALL students are welcome to attend. PS--there are also events and celebrations happening thoughout the week at lunch for all to participate.
There is so much more going on...so don't forget to scroll to the bottom of the bulletin (or unclip the message) so you can be informed of all that is happening...like the drama and music food fundraisers next week!
We are so lucky to belong to Hillsdale's community and have the opportunity for our students and families to participate in so many different events and activities.
Hope to see you tonight or tomorrow!
Jen and Holly
HHS PTSO Co-Presidents
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Upcoming Events:
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Mon Sept 29- Fri Oct 3: Semana Latino
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Thur Oct 2 7pm: HHS Fall Music Concert (Flyer)
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Mon Oct 6- Fri Oct 10: Pink Week
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Mon Oct 13- Fri Oct 17: Pride Week
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Wed Oct 15: Districtwide College Fair @ San Mateo HS 6:30-8pm more info
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Fri Nov 14: Yearbook/Senior Ad Pre-sale Pricing Ends (Flyer)
Current/Upcoming Fundraisers:
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Fri Sept 26 5-7pm: HHS Grill & Chill (Class of 2026) (Flyer)
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Sat Sept 27: Rev and Roam: Car show and Marketplace (Community Event) (Flyer)
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Mon Sept 29: Cuban Kitchen (Drama Fundraiser) (Flyer)
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Tue Sept 30: Chipotle Fundraiser (Music Booster) (Flyer)
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Fri Oct 3: Ritmo Latino Dance (Flyer English/Spanish)
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Sat Oct 18: A Knight 4 The Cure (all classes AND Breast cancer charity)
Volunteer Opportunities:
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Hillsdale: A Community Like No Other
Hillsdale is home to a thriving community of parent volunteers. Hear from Barbara Sibley, co-president of the Hillsdale Drama Boosters and mom to Ashley (class of ‘24) and Senior Nolan Sibley. Pictured here with son Nolan as Shrek and husband Chris Sibley.
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"We were really excited to send our kids to Hillsdale (even though I am an Aragon Alumna). We had heard such great things about the House system at Hillsdale. Well, it was all true! They got the specialized attention that they needed to succeed and made lots of friends, especially during their first couple of years when it is so important.
Hilldale has been a great Community for Chris and I as well. We found ourselves immersed in all things Drama because both of our kids really loved to Act and Sing. The Drama Community is an inclusive and welcoming community for both the students and the parents. We have really met some wonderful parents and have made some life long friends by volunteering with this program."
For fun & community, click here to check out the Drama Boosters
| | It All Starts With Our Unique & Special House System | | |
Help us fund our House System and the connections that make Hillsdale so special.
Every gift is deeply appreciated. Our annual ask of $750 per student, comes to $75 a month for 10 months. Click here to give.
For those who are in a position to give more, help us uplift every child.
Thank you for being part of making Hillsdale a community like no other.
www.HillsdaleHSFoundation.org
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HHS Athletic Contest Calendar
Come support our athletes! Go Knights! (Games in BLUE = home games)
Link to game schedule
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We are the Stanford Parenting Center, an academic center seeking to empower parents with evidence-based strategies to help them foster healthy parent-child relationships and support their children’s mental health and well-being.
We offer online parenting classes, free webinars, free online video resources, and individual treatment options for a wide variety of parenting topics. We encourage you to visit our website for more information, and to check out our Instagram for bite-sized parenting research and event updates.
We are currently enrolling for five online parenting classes this fall. These are small, interactive group courses facilitated by Stanford clinicians and faculty:
- Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions
- Mealtime Made Easier: Tools for Tackling Picky Eating
- DBT Caregiving Strategies for Teens with Emotional Challenges
- Supportive Parenting for Little Ones with Big Feelings
- Parenting With Confidence: Handling Challenging Behaviors
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Congressional App Challenge
hosted by Congressman Kevin Mullin
Do you know a middle or high school student who is interested in technology, coding or building an app? Then please encourage them to apply for this year’s nationwide Congressional App Challenge! Rep. Mullin is excited to announce that he is hosting the local competition for students in California’s 15th Congressional District.
Students learn the exciting process of developing their own software application for mobile phones, tablets, or computers. Participants can register as individuals or as a team, and applications are due October 30, 2025 @ 9am PT.
Learn more about the App Challenge
Every year, this competition highlights the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (S.T.E.M.) education and fields. For more information on the rules and timelines, please visit the Congressional App Challenge website.
The winner of the Congressional App Challenge will be invited to Washington, D.C. next spring for an opportunity to present their project. I hope to see a creative submission from you soon!
Watch Rep. Mullin’s interview about the Congressional App Challenge.
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Cuban Kitchen ~ Drama Fundraiser
Join Hillsdale Drama Dept. Monday, September 29th, for delicious, healthy, and authentic Cuban food, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, at Cuban Kitchen, San Mateo 3799 S. El Camino Real. Order in, for takeout, or directly by phone (650) 627-4636 and mention Hillsdale Drama!
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Chipotle ~ Music Booster Fundraiser
Burritos for a cause! Support the Music Boosters and enjoy a dine-in or to-go dinner at Chipotle in San Mateo (1050 Park Place, near Whole Foods) on Tuesday September 30 @ 4-8pm. Just mention the HHS Music Boosters fundraiser or show the attached flier, or use the code DBGLWHQ if ordering online. 25% of the proceeds will go to our amazing HHS Music Program! Thank you!
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Fall HHS Music Concert
Join us for an upbeat Pop and Jazz concert featuring HHS Concert Choir and Chamber Singers, the HHS Jazz Combo Knight Train, and other featured soloists. This showcase will take place Thursday October 2 @ 7PM in the Hillsdale High School Auditorium.
Tickets are free for students, $5 for seniors, $10 for adults. You can purchase tickets at https://hillsdalemusic.blogspot.com/.
It will be a fun evening for all!
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Buy your Yearbook now!
The Shield 2026 staff has begun production on the next edition of Hillsdale's yearbook. Editors, photographers and copy writers are hard at work creating the next amazing book of memories. The pre-sale price of $80 lasts until November 14, 2025.
Senior Ads are also on sale at our Friesens Publisher store link: https://ybstore.friesens.com/768274
¡Compra tu anuario ya!
El equipo de The Shield 2026 ha comenzado la producción de la próxima edición del anuario de Hillsdale. Editores, fotógrafos y redactores están trabajando arduamente para crear el próximo y maravilloso libro de recuerdos. El precio de preventa es de $80 y dura hasta el 14 de noviembre de 2025.
Los anuncios para estudiantes de último año también están a la venta en el enlace de nuestra tienda Friesens Publisher: https://ybstore.friesens.com/768274
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Welcome Class of 2026!
Senior Fall Events
Save these *tentative* dates for upcoming senior events!
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Fri Sept 26 5-7pm: Grill & Chill-Senior Fundraiser; Football Field vs Burlingame
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Sat Sept 27: Rev and Roam (All Class fundraiser)
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Fri Oct 3: Ritmo Latino Dance
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Sat Oct 18: A Knight 4 the Cure (all class community event and fundraiser)
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Sat Oct 25: Senior Class Pub Crawl (this is NOT a school sponsored event, but a fundraiser for the Senior class) 21+ and older only
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Fri Nov 7: Homecoming Game - Football
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Sat Nov 8: Homecoming Dance
Please join our Instagram site @hhs2026parents for more information about senior activities!
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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.
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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 **
| | HHS Peace Pantry ~ Community Garden ~ Community Closet | |
September 2025
“Empathy is about standing in someone else’s shoes, feeling with their heart, seeing with their eyes.”
~ Daniel H. Pink
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Ways to Get Involved:
Peace Pantry
If you would like to volunteer at our Peace Pantry in September 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
Now is the time we really need help in the garden with our harvest in full swing. If you are interested in joining our Community Garden Team please email bstevenson@smuhsd.org to learn more OR stop by and meet our volunteer team who work in the garden every Thursday from 3:30pm-5:00pm and complete various gardening tasks. No experience required. *Please follow us on Instagram, @etatogether, for updates.
Community Closet
Our Community closet resumed service August 20th. For the month of September, the Community Closet is in need of the following essential items: shampoo, conditioner, lotion, shaving cream, toothpaste and laundry soap.
*Please follow us on Instagram @etatogether.
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Connect with the Hillsdale High School Community
We’d like to invite you to (re)connect with the Hillsdale High School (HHS) Community by becoming a supporter of the Empowerment Through Action (ETA) Program. Please take a few minutes to read this message to learn more about this initiative to support the Hillsdale community.
How can you help support ETA?
- Help with Peace Pantry on Friday mornings OR with our Community Garden on Thursday afternoons.
- Join an upcoming Community Connector Info Session to learn more about the ETA program.
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Connect us to potential supporters - We’re looking for corporations, large/small businesses or high-wealth individual donors to ensure ETA can continue to support currently enrolled students and the Class of 2029 for their entire high school journey.
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Explore opportunities to get involved - Perhaps you’re interested in becoming an ally, volunteering, mentoring, helping us find internship/job opportunities, etc.
Community Connector Info Sessions: Please RSVP here
- Friday, September 26 @ 8:00am-9:00am - in-person
The Thursday evening in-person sessions will take place at the ETA Resource Center at the top of Hillsdale's campus (Del Monte parking lot). More location details (or the Zoom link) for the Thursday evening sessions will be sent out a couple days prior to the event.
The Friday morning in-person sessions will be held at the Peace Pantry (at the Alameda/Stadium parking lot).
Brett Stevenson
Dean of Students
Hillsdale High School
bstevenson@smuhsd.org
https://www.etahhs.org/
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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
| | Important District Updates | | |
Save the Date! The Districtwide College Fair is Wednesday, October 15 from 6:30 - 8 p.m.
This year the annual College Fair will be held at San Mateo High, located at 506 N. Delaware Street.
More than 75 representatives from colleges across the country will be in attendance.
The Fair is open to all SMUHSD students and families!
More information will be posted at www.smuhsd.org/collegefair
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Reserve esta fecha: La feria universitaria del Distrito es el 15 de octubre
Este año la feria universitaria se llevará a cabo en San Mateo High School el 15 de octubre de las 6:30-8 p.m. Este evento está abierto a todos los estudiantes de SMUHSD y sus familias.
Aspectos destacados de la feria universitaria:
¡Habrá más de 75 representantes de diferentes universidades!
¡Habrá presentaciones sobre cómo pagar la universidad y más!
Más información sobre la feria universitaria, incluyendo una lista de universidades participantes, será publicada al final de septiembre en: www.smuhsd.org/collegefair
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Parent Venture Webinars For Parents / Guardians
Helping Students Navigate AI with Confidence and Curiosity
Thursday, October 9, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Learn more and register
Why Neurodivergent Kids Need Autonomy to Navigate a Neurotypical World
Wednesday, October 15, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Learn more and register
The Five Principles of Parenting: An Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans
Thursday, October 16, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Learn more and register
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High School Student Opportunity: Lead Engaging Vaping Prevention Sessions for Middle School Students
In partnership with the California TUPE program, CATCH Global Foundation (https://catch.org/) is excited to host two upcoming CATCH My Breath Students-Teach-Students Trainings for individuals working with student groups who are interested in participating in the pilot program during the 2025–2026 school year.
As part of this pilot, the CATCH My Breath team will offer these two training opportunities, along with ongoing support through optional community of practice meetings where participants can share challenges and successes.
The trainings will equip high school students with tools and strategies to lead engaging vaping-prevention sessions for middle school students.
After implementing the Students-Teach-Students program, participating educators and students will have the opportunity to provide feedback to help improve the program for future participants.
Training Opportunities:
Tuesday, September 30, 1 - 3 p.m.
Download the flyer to register
Both trainings will cover the same content, and participants may choose the date that works best for them.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Sam Kelley (skelley@ocde.us) from the TUPE Capacity Building Project or Whitney Thomas (whitney@catch.org) from the CATCH My Breath team.
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NAMI San Mateo County Offers Virtual Mental Wellbeing Support for Teens
NAMI San Mateo County’s Uplift Teen Group, formerly known as the Blues Teen Group, is starting on Saturday, September 27 from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. on Zoom.
This free 6-week support group helps students learn coping skills and methods to improve their mental wellbeing. This cohort of the Uplift Teen Group is open to students all over California in 9th-12th grade.
If you want to learn more or register for our next cohort, visit fill out the interest form.
For any questions, please email olivia@namisanmateo.org.
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Poetry Contest: Young Voices Speak Out - Celebrating United Against Hate Week
Calling all young poets, ages 11- 18 years old: The Burlingame Public Library will be celebrating United Against Hate Week by putting up five poems in front of Burlingame City Hall from October 19-25, 2025.
The deadline to submit your poem is October 1. Submissions are online only.
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2026 YoungArts Application Now Open
Calling all artists: The 2026 YoungArts application is officially OPEN! If you’re 15-18 years old or in grades 10-12 and passionate about visual, literary, or performing arts, this is YOUR moment!
Apply now at youngarts.org/apply
Why apply?
- Win cash awards up to $10,000
- Receive lifelong creative and professional support
- Access mentorship through our robust network of artists
- Be nominated for U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts
Deadline to apply is Wednesday, October 8, 2025, 5 p.m.
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to showcase your talent and creativity!
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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
| | Other Ways to Support Hillsdale | | | | |
