Hillsdale PTSO Website



PTSO 2023-24 Membership Form (No Donation Required)

Knights Families,

Well here we are, mid-February. Have you caught that cough & cold bug that's been going around? 'Tis the season for germs and that means 'tis the season that we need Clorox wipes and Kleenex to keep those germs away! If you are out shopping, we know that classrooms would appreciate you adding some extra wipes or tissues to your list if you are able to. Wipes/Kleenex can be delivered to the front office c/o PTSO and the office will make sure that they are distributed. Thanks for helping us in the fight against germs. 

We know that you've all heard the term "SLC" or Smaller Learning Community whenever someone speaks about what The HHS Foundation funds. But, do you know what is paid for using those funds? Advisory staffing, technology upgrades, staff professional development and collaboration time, PLUS grants to drama, dance, music, and athletics boosters--including the PTSO. These things are made possible because of donations made by our community members and businesses. The Foundation is currently offering the opportunity for you to purchase engraved bricks that will be located on the athletic stadium walkway or the science/world language building. If you are considering donating, scroll below for links and more information. 

Here's what's happening around campus right now...

*Monday evening, we had our monthly PTSO meeting and the City of San Mateo spoke about the upcoming Alameda de las Pulgas /Hillsdale traffic signal project. There will be lots more in the coming months regarding this project--the city wants to hear your input and keep you informed of each step of the process.

*Wednesday was our February Hospitality event with Leadership. Teachers and staff were treated to bagels, cream cheese, and coffee along with a variety of candies. Thanks to all who donated to make this event such a heart-warming success! Pictures below. 

*Thursday evening was our choir concert at San Mateo high school and Friday is our instrumental concert in the HHS Auditorium. Come support our fabulous music department. (and save the date for our upcoming spring drama performance of Clue, March 22-24)

*Next week is Spirit Week, wrapping up with the Winter Rally on Friday and the Winter Formal on Saturday February 24 at HHS. Tickets are $25 cash/check and can be purchased now! (For financial help with tickets, please contact Ms. P [email protected]) Dance and ticket information are on the flyer below. Pay close attention to the section regarding eligibility.

*February also means that we are in "programming season". It's that odd time where we are in the 2023-2024 schoolyear, but are planning for the 2024-2025 schoolyear. Counselors will be visiting the Junior-Freshman English classes in the next few weeks to meet. 

*Students aren't the only ones planning for next year---our Athletics, Foundation, and PTSO are looking for Board Members for the coming schoolyear. No experience required. Contact the following for more information:

• Athletics:  Jenna [email protected]
• Foundation: Katherine [email protected]
• PTSO: Jen/Holly [email protected]

*Are you super eager to be involved and can't wait until next year? Consider volunteering to be on a Golf Tournament sub-committee. The Golf Tournament is a great athletics fundraiser and a FUN time, too! More details below or contact Stacey Sierra [email protected]

*Save the Date: March 7th is HHS Open House for all classes. There will also be a current 10th grade and Senior Class parent meetings that evening. More details including a full agenda below, plus there was a Parent Square/Aeries message sent yesterday.

Enjoy your 3-day weekend! More to come next week...maybe even a matching game!

Holly and Jen

HHS PTSO Co-Presidents

Help Get the Foundation the Rest of the Way to $600K!

All of us here at the Hillsdale High School Foundation are excited to announce that we’ve surpassed the $450,000 mark on our fundraising for this year and, as always, we want to give a shout out to the 245 families here at our school who’ve made a gift in support of Small Learning Communities.  Thank you for your generous support of the model that sets Hillsdale High School apart from every other educational institution on the Peninsula!

We are pushing to hit our $600,000 fundraising goal by the end of March, so you can expect to see some extra communication from us in the coming weeks that will highlight how your gift to the Hillsdale High School Foundation is an incredible investment in your student and their education.  And, of course, If you haven’t made your gift to HHSF this year, you can do so today via our online cart or by check.  Every gift we receive makes a difference, so please give what you can and keep our Small Learning Communities thriving!

Bell Schedule for the Week of February 19th

There is No School on Monday February 19th as it is President's Day.

Please see the complete bell schedule here.

HHS Athletic Contests Calendar

Come Support our teams! GO FIGHTING KNIGHTS!

Home games are in BLUE.

• GoFan Ticket Link (needed for Wrestling and Basketball)

Spring Athletic Apparel Store

Our annual Spring Athletics Apparel Store has opened! We have great options available for purchase until March 3rd (when the online store closes). You can access the online store by clicking on the link below. All proceeds go to the HHS Athletic Boosters. Thank you in advance for your support.

James Madison

HHS Athletic Director

Hillsdale High School

https://2024hillsdaleboosters.itemorder.com/shop/home/

FAFSA/ CADAA Support

**Note: The SMHS date has changed. **

These workshops are open to all SMUHSD 12th Graders and their families. Attend a workshop to get hands-on support in filling out the FAFSA or CADAA / Dream Act applications. We plan on having a bilingual staff member on hand to help Spanish speaking families with the application process.

Remember, it is now a graduation requirement that you have to file for financial aid!

No RSVP required - just show up! Any student is welcome to attend any workshop, regardless of what school they attend.

Questions? Contact College, Career and Financial Aid Advisor Laura Burtness at [email protected]

Flyer Link English / Spanish

HHS Open House

Dear Hillsdale families,

We hope you will join us for Open House on Thursday, March 7th, from 6-8pm! Open House is a chance to meet your student's teachers and learn more about what they're doing in their classes.

We will also hold a meeting for current 10th grade families about what to expect in the upper division and a meeting for 12th grade families with information about graduation and senior activities. Our Visual and Performing Arts Department will also be holding a showcase. 

See the full agenda for the evening here.

We hope to see you there! 

Go Knights!

POPs Concert Series TONIGHT

Please join us for our annual POPs Concert Series featuring popular and familiar music sure to energize your weekend. Tickets are available at: http://hillsdalemusic.blogspot.com

Our Choral Concert will be held at the San Mateo Performing Arts Center and will include performances from Hillsdale HS, San Mateo HS, and Bowditch Middle School. The Instrumental Concert will include all Hillsdale orchestras, bands, and Jazz ensemble.

Choral Concert: Thursday February 15th at 7PM

Instrumental Concert: Friday February 16th at 7PM

Students are FREE

Adults: $10

Seniors: $5

Music families, we need volunteers for this event. You can sign-up at this link: https://bit.ly/48Rhkyh

HHS Winter Formal ~ A Knight in Paris

Saturday, February 24th @ 8pm-11pm

Hillsdale High School South Gym

Tickets sales will take place February 13-22 in both the Dance Room and the Leadership Room (428). Tickets are $25 and can be paid for with check or cash. Checks should be made to "Hillsdale High School." All ticket sales are final.

Students must be attendance eligible to purchase a ticket. You must have less than 4 periods of cuts and less than 9 tardiness events from January 9 to February 12 to attend. 

If a student plans on bringing a guest from another school, completed guest forms must be submitted at the time of purchase. Those forms can be found in the main office. 

Financial Assistance

If you qualify for free/reduced lunch OR are a senior requesting financial assistance, please complete this form.

Hillsdale Effect - Taco Dinner

Hillsdale Effect invites you to our annual Taco Dinner, Friday February 23rd @ 5:30pm - 8 pm. Pre-paid tickets on sale now for $10 at bit.ly/theTD2024, or buy at the door for $12.

HHS Yearbook - The Shield

Buy the 2024 Yearbook today! Do not wait until the last minute because we ran out out of yearbooks last year. To honor your graduate, buy a Senior Ad before space runs out.

¡Compre el Anuario 2024 hoy! No espere hasta el último minuto porque el año pasado se nos acabaron los anuarios. Para honrar a su graduado, compre un anuncio para Seniors antes de que se acabe el espacio.

Flyer link

HHS Music Department

Are you a musician at heart or have you always dreamed of playing a musical instrument? Join us at Hillsdale High School Music Department and explore your passion! Whether you're a seasoned player or a beginner, our band, orchestra, and choral classes offer a welcoming space to rehearse and perform exciting music. Join us for the thrill of creating music together, and who knows? You might even get the chance to travel with us on musical adventures! All instruments welcome, including piano and guitar! Don't miss out on this opportunity to be part of something special. Join the Hillsdale High School Music Department today!

HHS Golf Tournament - Silent Auction

HHS Athletic Boosters Needs your help to make our Golf Tournament's Silent Auction on May 10th a success!!! If you own a business, restaurant, vacation home or looking for a tax write off-consider donating to our worthy cause!! All donations are needed by Friday, May 3rd!

HHS Golf Tournament ~

Committee Volunteers Needed

We are looking to form a committee to plan the Annual HHS Golf Tournament to be held on Friday, May 10 @ 1:00pm at Poplar Creek/Par 3. Golf will be followed by a banquet dinner and auction (live and silent).

We are forming the following subcommittees:

• Participant Recruitment
• Donations--Auction
• Marketing
• Planning/Decorations

If you are able to help, please let me know AND/OR if you know of others who you think might enjoy helping, send me their names!!

Thanks so much!

Stacey Sierra, [email protected]

Athletic Booster Secretary

Hillsdale Athletic Boosters ~

Executive Board 2024-2025

The Athletic Boosters have two open positions for next year's Executive Board:

• Vice President
• Secretary

Current officers Scott Wellwood and Stacey Sierra will continue to be active with their support but are currently doing multiple jobs! If you are interested in making a significant positive contribution for our Hillsdale High School community, please consider joining our Board!

Please message directly with questions or to volunteer.

Jenna Carson , Hillsdale Athletics Booster President

650-207-5989     [email protected]

Peace Panty/Community Garden/Community Closet

Happy February Hillsdale Community!

We are making February about our need for Winter Coats and Essential Items i.e. toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, deodorant, laundry detergent, shampoo, conditioner etc. Community Closet will be open Wednesdays 2:30-4pm and Friday mornings 7:30-8:30am to receive donations in Alameda Parking Lot. If those times don’t work please feel free to drop off in main office. It has been really cold and rainy and a warm coat matters. 

Hillsdale Community Closet: If you would like to volunteer at our Community Closet (Alameda Parking Lot) in February please email [email protected] for information.

Our new hours to volunteer or drop off clothes/essential items will be Wednesdays from 2:30pm-4:00pm.

*Please follow us on Instagram @hhs_community_closet

Hillsdale Community Peace Pantry: We need February 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 February, 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 [email protected].

Hillsdale Stands Together!

Warriors Game ~ Spirit Squad Fundraiser

Support the Cheer team - Gather your family and friends and join Hillsdale High School Nights at Chase Center as your Golden State Warriors take on the Utah Jazz on Sunday, April 14 @ 12:30pm! Last day to buy tickets is February 23, 2024.

See Flyer for details...

FAFSA/ CADAA Support

**Note: The SMHS date has changed. **

These workshops are open to all SMUHSD 12th Graders and their families. Attend a workshop to get hands-on support in filling out the FAFSA or CADAA / Dream Act applications. We plan on having a bilingual staff member on hand to help Spanish speaking families with the application process.

Remember, it is now a graduation requirement that you have to file for financial aid!

No RSVP required - just show up! Any student is welcome to attend any workshop, regardless of what school they attend.

Questions? Contact College, Career and Financial Aid Advisor Laura Burtness at [email protected]

Flyer Link English / Spanish

Yearbooks and Senior Yearbook Ads

Buy the 2024 Yearbook today! Do not wait until the last minute because we ran out out of yearbooks last year. To honor your graduate, buy a Senior Ad before space runs out.

¡Compre el Anuario 2024 hoy! No espere hasta el último minuto porque el año pasado se nos acabaron los anuarios. Para honrar a su graduado, compre un anuncio para Seniors antes de que se acabe el espacio.

Flyer link

Senior Day and Senior Knight Forms

Senior Families--please print and fill out forms for Senior Day and Senior Knight. Hard copies of both forms are available in the office. Senior Knight is free for all students. A payment is needed for Senior Day only*.

All forms and payments are due BY March 1 (at the front office).

*scholarships are available contact Andrea Savage [email protected] for details

February College & Career Newsletter

Greetings, and happy February, 12th grade families!

Here (https://bit.ly/Latestseniornews) is the latest 12th grade newsletter.

Highlights of this Senior Newsletter:

• Promise scholarship at our local community colleges!
• What should students be doing now for after Hillsdale plans?
• Upcoming workshops: FAFSA/DREAM + How does the Transfer Guarantee work from CSM to a 4 year college?
• New scholarships!

As always, contact me with questions or concerns.

Best--

Laura Burtness, [email protected]

Hillsdale's College, Career, and Financial Aid Advisor

650 558 2613 (direct line)

The 2nd Annual Pride Prom will be held Friday, February 23, 2024 at the College of San Mateo.

Celebrate the 2nd Annual Pride Prom, an inclusive, safe, welcoming, night to remember for 9th-12th grade students who attend high school in San Mateo County.

This FREE event will celebrate and uplift LGBTQ young people and advocate for the sustained and continued efforts in our County to build places where youth are seen and supported in environments free from hate and discrimination.

We recognize that while high school district proms are inclusive and welcoming, not all

students have an opportunity to celebrate themselves at their prom. This event will provide

a variety of activities, including dancing and a DJ, lots of food, drinks and much more.

Dress code: Just be You!

Students can RSVP now for this free event: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeWPYCWcenzBYVJxWyX3GiCFshspGf3LKMqd3EJ-4e5Y7L0-Q/viewform

Baile de Graduación Del Orgullo 2024

La fecha límite para inscribirse es el 11 de febrero. Viernes, 23 de febrero, 6:30 - 10 p.m. Ubicación: College of San Mateo, 1700 W. Hillsdale Blvd.

College Center Edificio 10, 2.º piso

Estacionamiento gratuito: lotes G y M o cualquier otro lote para alumnos. Sin costo para los alumnos Código de vestimenta: ¡Sé tú mismo!

Celebra el segundo baile anual de graduación del Orgullo, una noche inclusiva, segura y acogedora para celebrar a los estudiantes de noveno a duodécimo grado que asisten a la escuela preparatoria en el condado de San Mateo. En este evento GRATUITO, celebraremos y animaremos a los jóvenes LGBTQ, y promoveremos los esfuerzos continuos de nuestro condado por construir lugares en los que los jóvenes se sientan tomados en cuenta y apoyados en entornos sin odio ni discriminación.

Si bien la noche debe ser para divertirse con amistades, también es una celebración de esta comunidad entrañable. Las personas de cualquier identidad sexual y de género están invitadas a expresarse y divertirse.

Sabemos que, aunque los bailes de graduación de las escuelas preparatorias del distrito son inclusivos y acogedores, no todos los alumnos tienen la oportunidad de celebrarse en dicho evento. En este evento, se organizarán diversas actividades, incluido el baile y DJ, habrá mucha comida, bebida, y mucho más.

Obtenga más información en: www.smuhsd.org/prideprom

February is National Black History Month! This National Black History Month is an opportunity to teach students about racial progress and our shared and collective responsibility to address racial injustice towards the Black community.

This year, we celebrate African American artists – including poets, writers, visual artists, and dancers – who have historically served as change agents through their craft.

Check out an extensive list of resources on Black History Month for ways to celebrate and learn more: www.smcoe.org/bhm.

Read the Black History Month proclamation, presented at the January 18 Board Meeting: www.smuhsd.org/proclamations.

El Mes Nacional de la Historia Afroamericana es una oportunidad para enseñar a los estudiantes sobre el progreso racial y nuestra responsabilidad compartida y colectiva para hacer frente a la injusticia racial hacia la comunidad negra.

Este año rendimos homenaje a los artistas afroamericanos (incluidos poetas, escritores, artistas visuales y bailarines) que históricamente han servido como agentes de cambio a través de su arte.

Consulte una amplia lista de recursos sobre el Mes de la Historia Afroamericana para saber como celebrarlo y obtener más información: www.smcoe.org/bhm.

Lea la proclamación del Mes de la Historia Afroamericana, presentada en la reunión de la Junta Directiva del 18 de enero: www.smuhsd.org/proclamations.