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Hillsdale Knights Bulletin ~
December 5, 2025
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| | What's Happening at Hillsdale | | |
Knights Families,
It's definitely Winter Weather and around campus, there is a buzz about Winter Break being upon us, but there's still so much that will happen before then!!
TODAY is your last chance to support the See's Dance Ensemble Fundraiser--candy will be delivered to you in time for the holidays!!
TONIGHT is the Environmental Club's Movie Night in the MUR at 6pm.
Hillsdale is currently investigating attentional health with an emphasis on the impact of technology and cell phones on student learning. Want to share your feedback and be part of the conversation? We'd love to have you. Our work will lead to the creation of a cell phone policy for HHS beginning 2026-27 (consistent with SMUHSD Board Policy). Come join Asst. Principal Boise at the December PTSO meeting THIS MONDAY, December 8 in person or virtually (Flyer)
During finals, not only do our students work hard, but our teachers do, too. PTSO and Leadership are looking for donations for the December Hospitality so we can give our teachers and staff breakfast treats, as well as stress buster bags to use through finals week! Interested in giving? We've made it simple to donate, click the link here for specifics.
This coming week is an opportunity and see the arts at HHS---Wednesday is Dance's Winter Extravaganza, Thursday and Friday are Winter Concerts, and Friday is Drama's Winter Showcase. Come and support Hillsdale's Visual and Performing Arts Programs!
Have a wonderful week and we look forward to seeing everyone on Monday evening for the PTSO meeting!
Jen and Holly
HHS PTSO Co-Presidents
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Upcoming Events:
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Fri Dec 5: Environmental Club Movie Night @MUR 6:00pm
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Mon Dec 8: PTSO Monthly Meeting @Room 428 and. Zoom 6:30pm (Flyer)
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Wed Dec 10: Dance- Winter Showcase @Little Theater 7:00pm (Flyer)
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Dec 11-12: CSF Forms Due
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Thurs Dec 11: Winter Concert Series #1 @Auditorium 7:00pm (Flyer)
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Fri Dec 12: Drama Fall Showcase @Little Theater 6:00pm
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Fri Dec 12: Winter Concert Series #2 @Auditorium 7:00pm (Flyer)
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Dec 16-19: Finals Week (Schedule)
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Thurs Dec 18 & Fri Dec 19: Improvalooza @Little Theater 7:00pm
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Dec 22-Jan 5: No School - Winter Break
Current/Upcoming Fundraisers:
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LAST DAY Dec 5: See's Candy (Dance Ensemble) (Link)
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LAST DAY Dec 5: Warriors Tickets (Abbot Middle School) (Flyer)
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Until Dec 31: Holiday Giving Campaign (Donate)
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Thur Jan 1: Senior Ads Early Bird Pricing Ends (Link)
Volunteer Opportunities:
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2025 Hillsdale Holiday Giving Campaign
The month of December also kicks off our 6th Annual Hillsdale Holiday Giving Campaign. Our goal will be to continue to maintain current levels of support and increased demand for Hillsdale families in 2026. Please consider making a donation in December to our 2025 Holiday Giving Campaign to help us reach our goal of raising $80,000 by December 31st.
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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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California Scholarship Federation
Fall Membership Drive
On Wednesday December 10 and Thursday December 11, we'll have our Fall membership drive. Come to room 248 during lunch or after school. Turn in your community service form (5 hours) plus a $5 donation*.
Please do NOT come early. Please do NOT email your form to Mrs. Mariucci. Mrs. Mariucci will not be accepting community service forms & money. You can *only* turn in your forms/money during the membership drive.
* No one will be turned away due to a lack of an ability to pay.
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Warriors Tickets - Abbott Middle School fundraiser!
We have 37 Warriors tickets left to sell!
Special offer to HHS families - deadline to buy tickets is TODAY Friday December 5.
Pick your preferred seats! Abbott raises funds! Win Win! Great holiday gift idea.
Link to buy Warriors Tickets
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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!
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Welcome Class of 2026!
Senior Fall Events
Please join our Instagram site @hhs2026parents for more information about senior activities!
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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.
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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 **
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Empowerment Through Action at Hillsdale
Peace Pantry ~ Community Garden ~ Community Closet
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December 2025
“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members, a heart of grace and a soul generated by love.”
~Coretta Scott King
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Hillsdale Community,
December is here. . .the final month of 2025. Many of us in the coming days will take a moment to look back and take stock of the last year. Each day, we are appreciative and inspired by the collective efforts of people in our community who demonstrate care and compassion for students and families burdened by food insecurity and the high cost of living in San Mateo and Foster City. In Empowerment Through Action at Hillsdale, gratitude is our theme for the final days of 2025 and we want to thank the following adult volunteer teams:
Peace Pantry Gratitude: We are thankful for the countless volunteers at our Peace Pantry who arrive in the early mornings on Friday to unload boxes of food and set up our Farmer’s Market. We are grateful for the Hillsdale students, parents, staff, alumni parents and community members who show up week after week with kindness and a warm smile to distribute food and essential items. We are thankful for our volunteers who load food into their cars and deliver weekly groceries to families who do not have transportation. In the last month, we are thankful for our volunteers who now show up at our Sunday Night Community dinners. We also could not do this work without our partners at Second Harvest Food Bank and Mi Rancho Market. We cannot emphasize the amazing adult leadership at our Peace Pantry provided by Christy Knott and Jackie Garcia.
Community Garden Gratitude: We are thankful for our Community Garden Volunteer Team whose work was nothing short of inspiring. This team consists of Hillsdale parents, staff, students and community members. Together, they added the third and final phase of our garden in the spring and raised 3,000 pounds of organic fruits and vegetables which are distributed to Hillsdale and Bridge families at our Peace Pantry. A special thank you to our garden leadership team for their wisdom, patience and determination: Shin Hsieh, Yvonne Hsiung, Lauren Mansfield, Kathy Steul, Charlotte Lum-Ku and Oscar Gonzalez.
Community Closet Gratitude: We are thankful for our Community Closet Team for their work to ensure that Hillsdale students have access to seasonal clothing and essential items. This Closet volunteer team shows up every Wednesday to receive, sort and organize clothing and essential items at our two closets. A special thank you to Jackie Garcia and Alyssa Morimoto for their tireless effort and leadership at our Community Closet.
ETA Committee Leads/ETA Board Gratitude: We would also like to thank all of our Empowerment Through Action volunteers who provide time, expertise and leadership on our ETA Board, ETA Career Internships and Workforce Development Team, ETA Development/Donor Fund Committee, ETA Governance Committee and ETA Finance Committee. Big hugs, high five’s and thank you’s to Patty Siguenza, Jeff Gilbert, Nolene Fabre, Pete Monchek, Yvonne Ryzak, Jenn Holthaus, Alyssa Morimoto, Joanne Curley, Cormac Kissane, Katy Korsmeyer, Kim Overton, Sonie Lau, Tony Chang and Larry Marcone.
In closing, we hope each of you who have contributed your time and financial support to the students and families we serve in our Hillsdale Community in 2025. . .THANK YOU. Wishing you and your family a Happy Holidays and we look forward to continuing our important work together in 2026.
Read the complete December 2025 Newsletter here.
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Ways to Get Involved:
Peace Pantry
If you would like to volunteer at our Peace Pantry in December 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. We will be closed December 26 and January 2. *Please follow us on Instagram, @etatogether, for updates.
Community Garden
Our Community Garden is closed for the remainder of 2025 except for special projects 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 to join special projects. No experience required. *Please follow us on Instagram, @etatogether, for updates.
Community Closet
For the month of December, the Community Closet is in need of HHS Swag, Jeans, hoodies, new socks, warm coats and the following essential items: shampoo, conditioner, lotion, shaving cream, toothpaste/tooth brushes, deodorant and laundry soap.*Please follow us on Instagram @etatogether
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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 | | | | |
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
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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
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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 | | | | |
