Hillsdale PTSO Website



PTSO 2023-24 Membership Form (No Donation Required)

Knights Families,

It's September! Can you believe it?? Just in case our Leadership led spirit days and lunch time activities throughout this Week of Welcome weren't enough... to wrap things up, today will be our first rally for the year--it's the best way to kick off a new school year and to see our Knight Spirit in action. 

This Week of Welcome was exciting for our students ...next Thursday, we have excitement for parents/families! Thursday is Back to School Knight--grab dinner from the Junior Class BBQ Fundraiser in the Great Court from 5:00-7:00 (see flyer below for details) and then head off to an evening where you will get to experience a 0-7 period schedule starting at 7:00 and have short bits of time with each of your students' teachers and hear about what this year will entail. SENIOR FAMILIES--there will be a Senior Class Meeting in the Little Theater from 6:15-7:00 where you'll hear and get information about important dates for the year. Translation will be available.

Thanks to all who have signed up for the 2023-2024 PTSO!! We want to reach as much of our HHS community as possible and through PTSO is another way we can do that--we aren't asking for your time or donation (but will gladly accept both)--just sign up on the Google doc (no commitment by signing up) We truly appreciate support in whatever way you are able PTSO Member Info Form Thank you!!

Last week, in this bulletin we unveiled the amazing new logos that the Foundation created for each House to commemorate 20 years of Hillsdale's SLC House system! Be on the lookout for those logos throughout the year. If you are able, and haven't had a second to give to the Foundation--click this link to show your support: https://app.etapestry.com/cart/HillsdaleFoundation/default/index.php. If you are unable to give, maybe your work or know of a business who can! The donations are all tax deductible.

Do you have a craft/product/want to sell some items?? The Senior Class is hosting their annual Marketplace...see flyer below for information.

Do you have some extra time on Friday mornings to make Peace Pantry deliveries to families in our communities? If so, we would love to have your help...please contact Brett Stevenson [email protected] for more information.

Can't wait to see everyone on Thursday! Stop by our PTSO table to say hi and meet us in person.

Holly and Jen 

HHS PTSO Co-Presidents

Happy Birthday, SLCs!

We’re thrilled to celebrate a remarkable milestone - our beloved house system is turning 20 this year! To commemorate, all students will receive a fun token during back-to-school-night in September.

Hillsdale teachers and staff take great pride in nurturing our students through Small Learning Communities. The HHS Foundation was established with the purpose of supporting the Houses by bridging the gap between what the district pays and the resources required by our school.

Thus far, the Foundation has covered millions of dollars of costs, and this year our goal is to raise $600,000. While the suggested contribution is $750 per student, we’re truly grateful for any amount you can contribute. Let’s come together to continue to make a difference in the lives of our students.

Please show your support: https://app.etapestry.com/cart/HillsdaleFoundation/default/index.php

¡Feliz cumpleaños, SLC!

La Fundación de Hillsdale les da la bienvenida al comienzo del Estamos encantados de celebrar un hito extraordinario: ¡nuestro querido sistema de casas cumple 20 años este año! Para conmemorar, todos los estudiantes recibirán un divertido obsequio durante la noche de regreso a clases en septiembre.

Los maestros y el personal de Hillsdale se enorgullecen de educar a nuestros estudiantes a través de Pequeñas Comunidades de Aprendizaje. La Fundación HHS fue establecida con el propósito de apoyar a las Casas cerrando la brecha entre lo que paga el distrito y los recursos que requiere nuestra escuela.

Hasta ahora, la Fundación ha cubierto millones de dólares de costos, y este año nuestro objetivo es recaudar $600,000. Aunque la contribución sugerida es de $750 por estudiante, estamos realmente agradecidos por cualquier cantidad que puedas aportar. Unámonos para seguir haciendo la diferencia en las vidas de nuestros estudiantes.

Para mostrar su apoyo, por favor visite: https://app.etapestry.com/cart/HillsdaleFoundation/default/index.php

HHS Bell Schedule for Week of Sept 4-8

The is No School next Monday September 4th (Labor Day) and Friday September 8th is a minimum day with dismissal at 12:41pm. 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!

Hillsdale HS will be hosting El Camino HS for our first home football contest today Friday, September 1st - our JV game is at 4pm, and our Varsity game is at 7pm. 

GoFan Tickets

We will be using GoFan for our ticket purchasing. You can purchase your GoFan E-ticket(s) ahead of time by clicking here. We will also accept cash at the gate. 

Family Passes will be accepted for this event and can be purchased here. Family Passes will also be available for purchase at the gate.

Concession Volunteers Wanted

Knight Families! We need your help in staffing the Knight Rider, our popular concessions grill and trailer. We just added 2 more dates for our inaugural flag football season. Lots of volunteer opportunities available. Come join us! Volunteers get a free entry into the game and a free meal. Chef PJ's special this week: Chicken Teriyaki Bowls.

https://bit.ly/HHSKnightRider2023

Flyer Link

HHS Drama Presents: Shrek The Musical

Link: https://linktr.ee/hillsdaledrama

Hillsdale Community Peace Pantry,

Closet & Garden - September

August 30, 2023

Hillsdale Community, 

We hope this finds you well and easing into the new school year. 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. The poverty line for a family of four in San Mateo County is $148,000 compared to $95,000 for a family of four in New York and Los Angeles and $48,000 federally. Make no mistake, it is a daily challenge for many of our families to put food on the table or pay rent or pay over $5.00 for a gallon of gas. This affordability dilemma for our Hillsdale community creates a knowing-doing gap. We know a wealth gap exists in our Hillsdale Community but what can we do and how do we respond individually and collectively to address this inequality that exists in our community? 

In college, I had an amazing professor (Gerald Henig) who used to say that “history is about ordinary people who do extraordinary things.” Hillsdale is full of ordinary people who do extraordinary things in our Hillsdale community. Last Friday morning, I was surrounded by Hillsdale Heroes. ELD teacher Lane Mullin was helping at our Peace Pantry. Teachers Rachel Lauderdale and Pam Seligman were rushing to load boxes of food into their cars to deliver groceries to the homes of families who do not have a car. Family Engagement Coordinator Leti Cottrell greets families with warmth and kindness as they enter our Emergency Food Drive Thru. Hillsdale parents Matt Kay, Marc Schellenberg, Cormac Kissane and Christy Knott form a core group that keep our Peace Pantry open all year. Retired teacher Jim Kelly shows up every Friday at our Peace Pantry to unload boxes of food. Hillsdale Parents are heroes as well. PTSO President and parent Holly Yates, along with a dedicated team of volunteer drivers, were picking up groceries to also deliver to homes. Parents Alyssa Morimoto and Lynne Matsumoto were welcoming 25 families as they picked up Back to School clothes at our HHS Community Closet. Parent Scott Gilbert stepped away from his Peace Pantry shift to drop off five brand new backpacks fully loaded with school supplies to our community closet. On Thursday afternoon campus security specialists Oscar Gonzalez works with an incredible parent volunteer team led by Daniel Wolfshon, Yvonne Hsiung, Shin Hsieh, Nicola Osborne, Jennifer Takeda, Pete Vanos and retired teacher Steve Maskel to Harvest over 100 pounds of organic vegetables from our Community Garden. 

It would take me a full year to write about all of the heroic work so many of our teachers, classified staff and coaches do on a daily basis in their classrooms and athletic fields. It would also take an equal amount of time to highlight all of the parents and neighbors who step up on behalf of Hillsdale families. We offer our sincere gratitude to every staff member, parent and neighbor who has given their time or their financial support this year to support our HHS Peace Pantry, Community Garden and Community Closet. However, with the 2023-24 school year starting, NOW is the time to get involved in the community work that is needed to sustain these efforts. 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. 

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 [email protected].

PSAT Registration

For any 10th or 11th grade student wishing to take the PSAT, registration form MUST be submitted by September 8, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. The PSAT will be administered on Saturday, October 14, 2023, at schools around the District. To register, please complete the form sent in an email from SMUHSD via Aeries.

California Scholarship Federation (CSF)

SPRING 2023 Submission

*** Only smuhsd.org emails will have access to these documents ***

Spring 2023 semester grades are in! In order to update your CSF membership and attain Lifetime Membership (Seniors), please submit an eligible CSF form for Spring 2023. According to CSF bylaws, students must submit eligible forms from the previous semester prior to four weeks of the current semester. New students are welcome and should follow the steps to submit eligible forms below. 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. 

Seniors - Sign-Up for Grad Knight 2024

Seniors! Sign-ups for Grad Knight 2024 is now open! For the 4th year in a row, Grad Knight will be held at the Boardwalk on Thursday, May 30th, following the graduation ceremony. Early bird pricing of $175/student will be available on or before Friday, 10/13. Price includes a ticket to an exclusive area of the Boardwalk just for Hillsdale's Class of 2024 and transportation to and from the event. This is a parent-organized and chaperoned event and not sponsored by Hillsdale High School.

Scan the QR code or visit: https://bit.ly/GradKnight2024 for more info and to sign up!

Flyer Link

HHS Drama

The Hillsdale High School Drama Department, led by Ms. Margaret Marshall, provides students with a variety of opportunities to learn and participate in numerous theater programs. Course offerings include both Beginning and Advanced Drama electives.

This fall, Hillsdale High School proudly presents Shrek the Musical! Try-outs for cast members will take place September 5-6. Crew member applications are due September 4. Performance dates are November 10-12.

In the spring, Hillsdale puts on a play in the Little Theater. More information to come later this year. Students may also choose to join the Drama club or try out for the HIT Squad (Hillsdale's improvisation group).

For more information, contact [email protected] or go to hillsdaledrama.org.

Rock The Street, Wall Street

Hillsdale is again offering an exciting program aimed at inspiring students who identify as female. Rock The Street, Wall Street is a financial and investment literacy program designed to spark the interest of a diverse population of high school girls into career of finance. The year long program is facilitated 100% by local female financial professionals from Franklin Templeton. There are 4 components: financial and investment literacy workshops, a field trip to Franklin Templeton, mentoring and a new scholarship, internship and job board. Students will also learn how to create resumes and build a LinkedIn profile. If you want to learn more about this program contact Deb Stucke in room 142 or visit the website www.rockthestreetwallstreet.com.

HHS: The Marketplace

Come support the Class of 2024 at The Marketplace, Sunday, September 24th @ 11am in the HHS 31st parking lot.

Know a small business that might be interested in renting a booth? Scan the QR or contact Andrea Celentano Savage ([email protected]) or Rosemarie Pozzobon ([email protected]) for additional details.

Flyer Link

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

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. 

HHS College and Career Center

The HHS College & Career Center supports all students with their post-high school plans, whether they be career, college, military or other destinations.  We also support students and families learn about the cost of those choices.

But we do more than that…. Work permits, job placement, resume support, college application support, summer programs, volunteer opportunities, and more!

Subscribe to our Instagram to learn more about what we offer.  (This social media is appropriate for all grade levels, both students and their grown ups.) @hhscollegeandcareercenter