Hillsdale PTSO Website



PTSO 2023-24 Membership Form (No Donation Required)

Happy Friday!

Back by popular demand, we have a matching game for this bulletin. Match the teacher/staff member with their favorite candy. Answers are at the end of the bulletin, so keep reading and scrolling until the end! The candy theme continues with our February Hospitality for the teachers/staff. Click here for ways to support-- Hospitality, every bit of help is appreciated.

Tonight is our final basketball quad of the season! It is also Senior Knight for basketball. If you are thinking of attending, come early to ensure you get good parking! Concessions will be open, but if you are wanting something else to eat---the Junior class is having a fundraiser at Panda Express at Hillsdale Mall TONIGHT! See flyer below for details.

This coming Monday @ 5:30-7:30pm at the Hillsdale Branch Library, there will be a community workshop about the proposed traffic signal for Alameda de las Pulgas and Hillsdale Blvd. If you'd like your voice to be heard or would like to learn more, please attend. All are welcome. More details below. 

We are just starting the spring semester, but it's already time for our Freshmen-Juniors to be thinking about next year's classes. This Wednesday @ 6:30pm, the PTSO will be hosting an AP & Electives Parent Education Night via Zoom. There will be teacher representatives from the science, math, and AP/Electives departments to briefly speak about course offerings and answer questions you may have. Please join us (from the comfort of home) for this informative evening. Zoom link details below. Don't worry about dinner that night, either! Support our Music Boosters by getting dinner from Pizza My Heart. (Details below)

Senior families--did you know that there is a special section of the bulletin dedicated to YOU? Make sure to check weekly for updates, deadlines, plus the latest from the College and Career Center.

We need YOU... together we can make a difference in our HHS community. You can support in a variety of ways, there's something for everyone.

• Donate coats, jackets, HHS Logo wear, and essential items (laundry, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, etc.) to the Community Closet--items can be dropped off in the office -or- at times from the flyer below
• Junior Interviews https://bit.ly/HHSMockInterviews2024 (If you've already offered to work the event, please make sure to sign up via the Sign Up Genius for specific time slots)
• Volunteer to be on our PTSO Hospitality mailing list--we will send you emails asking if you are able to donate items to events (no pressure). Email [email protected] to get added to the list

We thank you for all the ways you continue to make Hillsdale the amazing community that it is!

Jen and Holly

HHS PTSO Co-Presidents

PTSO Parent Ed Online Event ~

AP Classes & Electives

DO NOT MISS!  Please join us on Wednesday January 31, @ 6:30 pm for an overview of the AP Classes & Electives

Join Zoom Meeting (https://smuhsd-org.zoom.us/j/95354647968?pwd=bVI2WlppSk1EYThDY0RVSmFOb3NFZz09)

Meeting ID: 953 5464 7968

Passcode: PTSO

Let’s bring in that final $180,000 and close out our Foundation Fund fundraising!

The numbers are in, and HHSF is thrilled to announce that we’re 70% of the way to our $600,000 goal for this school year.  Thank you to everyone who’s already made their annual gift in support of the staffing, teacher professional development, and teacher stipends that make our Small Learning Communities possible and Hillsdale a fantastic place for our students to learn and grow.

If you haven’t made your tax-deductible gift to the Foundation Fund yet, there’s still time! Just visit our website and make your gift online, or mail a check to:

Hillsdale High School Foundation

63 Bovet Road, Suite 218

San Mateo, CA 94402

Your gift in any amount is deeply appreciated. While we ask that every family at Hillsdale contribute $750 per student this school year, San Mateo County is an expensive place to live and we’ve heard from several families that tech layoffs are impacting their budgets.  Please chip in what you can, because every gift makes a difference!

One quick piece of admin: If you’ve made a gift and / or corporate match through Benevity in the last month, please be aware that there may be a delay in your receiving an acknowledgement email, as we are having difficulty obtaining donor reports through the Benevity website.  We are working to get this issue resolved as soon as possible.

HHS Athletic Contests Calendar

Come Support our teams! GO FIGHTING KNIGHTS!

Home games are in BLUE.

• GoFan Ticket Link (needed for Wrestling and Basketball)

Senior Night - Boys Basketball tonight Friday January 26!

Bell Schedule for Week of January 29

There is No School on January 29 and 30 as they are staff PD days. Students return to school on Wednesday January 31 with a 1-7 day schedule. Please refer to the complete Bell Schedule here.

FAFSA/ CADAA Support

12th grade families: Need support with the FAFSA or CADAA financial aid application? We GOT you! On Wednesday, Jan. 31 @ 6-8 pm in the HHS library, all 12th grade families are welcome to the Financial Aid Application Workshop. Financial aid experts will be on-hand to help you start and submit your financial aid form. Drop in anytime. Lite dinner will be provided. English and Spanish support will be available.

Questions? Contact Laura Burtness, Hillsdale's College, Career and Financial Aid advisor at [email protected] or 650 558 2613

Flyer Link English / Spanish

Attention Seniors!

There is a Senior Section of the bulletin below just for you. Scroll down to see important info on:

• Senior Quotes - due January 31
• Senior Ads - early bird pricing until January 31
• FAFSA/CADAA Support - January 31, 6-8pm
• Senior Day/Knight Paperwork - due March 1

Pizza My Heart ~ Music Booster Fundraiser

Come on downtown for a delicious visit to Pizza My Heart in San Mateo on Wednesday January 31st @ 4-8 pm or order online from the restaurant (coupon code: 31HHS) for pick up (do not use 3rd party for ordering). Be sure to mention the fundraiser if ordering in person or by phone. We thank you for supporting the music programs as 30% of sales come back to our school!

California Scholarship Federation (CSF) ~ Applications Due for Fall 2023

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

Fall 2023 semester grades are in! In order to update your CSF membership and attain Lifetime Membership (Seniors), please submit an eligible CSF form for Fall 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. 9th Graders - while your application does not go toward lifetime membership, it's great to start getting into the habit of completing CSF Applications.

Please submit your Fall 2023 CSF forms by February 11th, 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 February 11th using your Fall 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. 

Committee Volunteers Needed for the Annual HHS Golf Tournament

We are looking to form a committee to plan the Annual HHS Golf Tournament.

Date: Friday, May 10

Time: 1:00 PM

Place: 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

HHS Winter Formal Ticket Information

Hillsdale High School's Winter Formal will take place Saturday, February 24th @ 8:00pm - 11:00pm in the HHS gym! 

Tickets

Tickets sales will take place February 13-22 in both the Dance Room and the Leadership Room (428). Tickets cost $25.00 and can be paid for with check or cash. Checks should be made to "Hillsdale High School." All ticket sales are final. The ticket sale schedule will be sent out in the coming weeks. 

Financial Assistance

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

Eligibility to Attend

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. 

Non-HHS Guests

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. 

Have fun!

City of San Mateo ~ Hillsdale Boulevard & Alameda de las Pulgas Traffic Signal Project

at the Hillsdale Boulevard and Alameda de las Pulgas Intersection

Ways to Get Involved

• Attend the Community Workshop on Monday January 29, 2024 at the Hillsdale Branch Library (205 W Hillsdale Blvd, San Mateo, CA 94403) from 5:30PM – 7:30PM

At the Community Workshop, the project team will share information about the project, including existing conditions findings and the proposed traffic signal design at the intersection of Hillsdale Boulevard and Alameda de las Pulgas. We will look to collect community feedback for the design at the workshop and welcome your input.

• Review and comment on the proposed concept design. The proposed design will be posted when available.

Please visit http://www.cityofsanmateo.org/hillsdalesignal for more information.

Junior Mock Interviews - Volunteers STILL NEEDED

During 11th grade advisory, every student will write a professional resume and participate in a 30-minute mock interview. This long-standing project is a great way to support students as they prepare for the world after high school. We need your help to make the experience authentic!

Interviews will be on February 27, 28 and 29 (Tues/Wed/Th) and will be both in person and via Zoom. Friends, family and community members are welcome to participate.

Sign up for a shift(s) at https://bit.ly/HHSMockInterviews2024.

Questions? Contact Hillsdale teacher Rachel Mariucci at [email protected]

Peace Panty/Community Garden/Community Closet

*** We really need some help Friday mornings at the Peace Pantry - please see below for details. ***

How Can You Get Involved in 2024 at Hillsdale:

The greatest gift we can give to someone else (outside of our immediate family) is our time. Our mantra in this work and in terms of volunteer time is “no shame in the game” with the amount of time we can offer Collectively, if WE can all chip in a little bit of time or heart work, WE can make a major impact in the Hillsdale Community. To learn more about volunteer opportunities, check out our website or follow us on Instagram: 

• Hillsdale Community Closet: If you would like to volunteer at our Community Closet (Alameda Parking Lot) in January please email [email protected] for information. *Please follow us on Instagram @hhs_community_closet
• Hillsdale Community Peace Pantry: We need January 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 January, 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].

We are making January all 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 Thursdays 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 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

12th grade families: Need support with the FAFSA or CADAA financial aid application? We GOT you! On Wednesday, Jan. 31 @ 6-8 pm in the HHS library, all 12th grade families are welcome to the Financial Aid Application Workshop. Financial aid experts will be on-hand to help you start and submit your financial aid form. Drop in anytime. Lite dinner will be provided. English and Spanish support will be available.

Questions? Contact Laura Burtness, Hillsdale's College, Career and Financial Aid advisor at [email protected] or 650 558 2613

Flyer Link English / Spanish

Senior Quote for Yearbook - Due Date Extended

SENIORS! It is time to submit your Senior Quote that will be printed under your portrait photo in The Shield 2024 Yearbook.

Fill out this form to share what you want people to remember about you. Due January 31, 2024.

All quotes are checked before they are printed, and any quotes that include or imply harmful language or intent will be deleted.

Senior Yearbook Ads

Looking for a special way to recognize your Senior for all of their hard work?

Buy a Senior ad today!

Prices will go up after January 31st.

Senior Ad 1/4 Page: $125

Senior Ad 1/2 Page: $200

Senior Ad Full Page: $400

Use this link to purchase: https://ybstore.friesens.com/768274

*After you purchase a senior ad, please complete this google form (https://bit.ly/HHS_SeniorAds) to enter a message and photos you want in the ad.

-The Shield Staff

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

January College & Career Newsletter

Greetings, 12th grader families, and happy 2024! I hope you and your family had a rejuvenating break.

Here is the latest newsletter, in English and Spanish. 

Highlights of this Senior Newsletter:

Highlights:

• Community college, CSU and UC updates
• 20+ new scholarships, including HHS-only ones!
• New jobs, summer internships and fabulous opportunities!
• Does your student want to become a radiology technician? Read on!
• Financial Aid workshops + Money Mondays!

On Wednesday, Jan 10, SMUHSD had a Financial Aid Webinar. Please find the recording here: https://youtu.be/HV3zlfxzxms (Only the English language event was recorded, not the Spanish language event.)

As always, please contact me if I can be of support or assistance.

Best--

Laura Burtness, [email protected]

Hillsdale's College, Career, and Financial Aid Advisor

650 558 2613