Hillsdale PTSO Website



PTSO 2024-25 Membership Form (No Donation Required)

Happy 2025!! It's now officially the calendar year that our seniors will graduate. This is also your gentle reminder that you need to check our "Class of 2025" portion of this bulletin...scroll down! Senior families--act now and get Grad Night tickets before the price goes up on February 1.

On Monday, although there were no students on campus, PTSO treated our faculty and staff to a Pizza Luncheon catered by Bizza. If you haven't visited Bizza or had it delivered, you are missing out! Click here for menu and more information--Bizza Thanks to our fabulous parent volunteers who helped with set-up, serving, and clean-up! We appreciate you!!

Tonight is our first Basketball Quad! For new families, a Quad game is when JV girls, JV boys, Varsity girls, and Varsity boys play back-to-back-to-back-to-back at home.There is also a fun theme--this week, it's PAJAMA themed. There will be concessions, too!! We are looking for volunteers to help with concessions--see link below in "Volunteer" section.

Congratulations to the Peace Pantry for reaching their fundraising goal! We would like to thank our PTSO members who donated and supported to help. Thank you!!

If you've been thinking of becoming more active in the PTSO, we are looking for volunteers who want to be a part of our board next year. No experience required AND you will have seasoned members supporting you. Email us hhsknightsPTSOpresident@gmail.com for more information.

Don't forget to scroll through this bulletin in its entirety so you don't miss any important information.

Have a wonderful week!

Jen and Holly

HHS PTSO Co-Presidents

Upcoming Events:

• Tuesday, January 14- Wednesday, January 15: Auditions for Radium Girls (HHS Drama Spring Production) 
• Wednesday, January 15 @ 7pm: Music Booster Meeting via Zoom
• Wednesday January 15 @ 6:30-7:30pm: College Financial Aid Virtual Information Presentation. Zoom links posted here this week. *English and Spanish
• Thursday, January 16: HHS Parent Education Knight--Topic: AP Classes what you need to know. (VIRTUAL EVENT)
• Monday, January 20: PTSO Meeting VIRTUAL ONLY
• Saturday, February 1: Quin White 5K (Community event) Register today

This week's Fundraisers:

• Wednesday January 15: Sophomore Class Chick-fil-A fundraiser @ 5-8pm flyer
• Friday, January 17: Freshmen Class Panda Express Fundraiser
• Purchase your yearbook
• Grad Night Tickets--SENIORS ONLY registration & payment (flyer)

This week's Volunteer Opportunities:

• Knight Rider Basketball Concessions
• Junior Mock Interviews - Flyer

HHS Athletic Contest Calendar

Come support our athletes! Go Knights! (Games in BLUE = home games)

Virtual Financial Aid Information Night

The San Mateo Union High School District invites all 12th graders and their families to learn more about financial aid at our Virtual Financial Aid Information Night. Wednesday, January 15 @ 6:30-7:30pm via Zoom. The webinar will be recorded.

Information will be presented in English and Spanish. 

Contact Laura Burtness, Hillsdale's College, Career and Financial Aid Advisor with questions LBurtness@smuhsd.org or 650 558 2613

Music Booster Meeting

Please join us for the first Music Boosters meeting of 2025. All music and choir families welcome! We'll recap December happenings and discuss upcoming events.

Wednesday, January 15 @ 7pm via Zoom.

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82197026612

Meeting ID: 821 9702 6612

Passcode: 530416

Auditions for Spring Play ~ Radium Girls

Spring play auditions for Radium Girls are coming soon January 14-16. Cast and Crew applicants please join us for a Q & A at lunch in the little theater green room Wednesday January 8. Check out Hillsdale drama on Instagram or hillsdaledrama.org for details.

Radium Girls Show Dates: 3/14-3/16, 2025

AUDITIONS: January 14 & 15, CALLBACKS January 16

APPLICATION FORMS DUE Sunday, January 12

hillsdaledrama.org

1st Annual Quin White 5K

Join Us for the 1st Annual Quin White 5K!

🏃‍♂️ Lace up your running shoes and join us for the Quin White 5K on Saturday, February 1st @ 8:00am! This special event will take place at the HHS Rich Mazzoncini Stadium, and we can’t wait to see you there.

🌟 Register today! Don’t forget, registration is a 2-step process, so be sure to complete both steps to secure your spot.

Let’s come together to honor Quin White and enjoy a morning of fitness and community spirit!

Junior Mock Interviews -

Volunteers Needed to Conduct Interviews!

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 19, 20 and 21 (Wed/Th/Fri) and will be both in person and via Google Meets. Friends, family and community members are welcome to participate.

Sign up for a shift(s) at https://bit.ly/HHSMockInterview25.

Questions? Contact Hillsdale teacher Jenny Macho at jmacho@smuhsd.org

Snack Shack for Basketball Quads

We are looking for volunteers to help run the Snack Shack during Basketball Quad events. The snack shack benefits go to the Athletic Boosters which supports all sports. All parents are welcome to help!  Sign Up Here

Chick-fil-A Fundraiser ~ Sophomore Class

January 15th @ 5pm-8pm Use code “HHS27” on the Chick-fil-A app or send “@hillsdale.2027_” a copy of your receipt on Instagram to participate!

HHS Peace Pantry ~ Community Garden ~ Community Closet

January 2025



"The bond of our common humanity is stronger than the divisiveness of our fears and prejudices."

~ Jimmy Carter. . .closing remarks during that same Nobel Peace Prize address.

Dear Hillsdale Community,

Happy New Year! Our HHS Community did it again as we collectively raised $80,000 during our Holiday Giving Campaign to close out 2024. Please enjoy a short holiday video we posted to show our gratitude for our Hillsdale Community.

Thanks to the support of everyone who donated to our 2024 Hillsdale Holiday Giving Campaign we are now able to offer this valuable community resource in 2025 to the students and families who struggle with the weight of the high cost of living in San Mateo and Foster City.

Many of us continue to observe a country that feels more and more divided. These divisions will either lead us to feel helpless and less hopeful in the new year OR we can recognize that the real work to be done in 2025 will be on the ground, TOGETHER and at a local level. Whether you donated money to our HHS Holiday Giving Campaign or volunteered in 2024 at our Peace Pantry, Community Closet, Community Garden or with Empowerment Through Action (ETA) at Hillsdale. . .make no mistake, YOU are proving that our Hillsdale Community is strong, together and resilient.

Read the rest of the letter here...

Hillsdale Stands Together,

Brett Stevenson

Hillsdale ETA Co-Executive Director

ETA Website, ETA Overview Slides. ETA Donation Page

Peace Pantry

If you would like to volunteer at our Peace Pantry in January please sign up here. Our volunteer team meets in the Alameda Parking Lot every Friday morning at 7:00am (shift #1) and/or 7:30am (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. 

Community Garden

If you are interested in joining our Community Garden Team please email bstevenson@smuhsd.org to learn more. The winter months are a slow time of year in our garden but we can add you to our weekly WhatsApp Group Chat outlining how many volunteers we need each week and the specific garden tasks. Our volunteer team meets in the garden Thursdays from 3:30pm-5:00pm. No experience required. *Please follow us on Instagram, @hhs_community_garden, for updates.

*We will need additional support in March and April as we hope to expand our garden and prepare to plant in April.

Community Closet

Our Community Closet Team is working hard on our Community Closet expansion project. In February, students will be able to access a well designed space to shop for clothes and essential items. **January Ask: Our volunteer team is currently in need of jeans, hoodies, coats/jackets, Hillsdale gear/swag, new socks, new undershirts, shampoo/conditioner and essential items. We would also appreciate donations of solid/dark ties and other dress clothing for Winter Formal and prom. We can accept donations every Wednesday from 2:45pm-4:00pm OR Friday mornings from 7:30am-8:30am in the Alameda Parking Lot. *Please follow us on Instagram @hhs_community_closet

Grad Night Tickets

SF Bay Cruise - Thursday, May 29th @ 8 pm - 2 am (Promptly after graduation)

Complete the registration form and pay through Go Fan.

$185 (includes boat cruise, food & drinks, DJ, and tons of special add-ons, plus bus transportation to and from school as well as Go Fan fees) This is our December price so BUY NOW!

Entradas Para La Noche de Grad

Crucero por la bahía de San Francisco - jueves, 29 de mayo @ 8 pm - 2 am (Inmediatamente después de la graduación)

Complete el formulario de registro y pague a través de Go Fan.

$185 (incluye crucero en barco, comida y bebida, DJ y toneladas de complementos especiales, además de transporte en autobús hacia y desde la escuela, así como tarifas de Go Fan). Este es nuestro precio de diciembre, así que ¡COMPRE AHORA!)

College & Career Counseling

Current Workshops, College Rep Visits and Events

Please reach out with any questions:

Ms. Laura Burtness

Hillsdale's College, Career, and Financial Aid Advisor

LBurtness@smuhsd.org

650 558 2613

Maximize College Financial Aid Options

Great news: college financial aid applications are now being accepted! Apply today to maximize your financial aid opportunities and see if you qualify for free money to attend a California college, university, or vocational school – regardless of your documentation status.

Students have through March 2 to submit their applications. Even if you think you don’t qualify, many college scholarships require you to apply for financial aid. Learn more at www.smcoe.org/financialaid.

Virtual Informational Presentation:

Wednesday, January 15, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. 

Zoom links to English and Spanish presentations will be posted at smuhsd.org/financial-aid this week. 

In-Person Workshop Dates:

Wednesday, January 22, 6 - 8 pm: San Mateo High School

Thursday, January 30, 6 - 8 pm: Aragon High School

Wednesday, February 5, 6 - 8 pm.: Burlingame High School

Saturday, February 15, 10am - 12pm: Mills High School

Saturday, February 22, Time 10am - 12pm: Capuchino High School

Monday, February 24, 6 - 8pm: Hillsdale High School

RSVP for any of the above workshops. More information will be posted on the SMUHSD website.

Talleres sobre Ayuda Financiera

¡Buenas noticias! Ya se están aceptando solicitudes de ayuda financiera. Solicite hoy mismo para aumentar sus oportunidades de ayuda financiera y ver si califica para recibir dinero gratis para asistir a un colegio comunitario, universidad o escuela vocacional de California -independientemente de su estatus de documentación.

Los estudiantes tienen hasta el 2 de marzo para enviar sus solicitudes. Incluso si piensa que no califica, muchas becas universitarias requieren que solicite ayuda financiera. Obtenga más información en www.smcoe.org/financialaid.

No lo olvide: SMUHSD estará ofreciendo talleres de ayuda financiera en varias escuelas en enero y febrero para que los estudiantes del grado 12 y sus familias obtengan ayuda práctica para completar las solicitudes de FAFSA y California Dream Act.

Presentación Informativa Virtual: 

Reserve la fecha: miércoles 15 de enero de 6:30 a 7:30 p.m.

Los enlaces de Zoom para estas presentaciones en ingles y espanol se publicarán esta semana en smuhsd.org/financial-aid

2025 Talleres:

miércoles, 22 de enero, 6 - 8 pm: San Mateo High School

jueves, 30 de enero, 6 - 8 pm: Aragon High School

miércoles, 5 de febrero, 6 - 8 pm: Burlingame High School

sábado, 15 de febrero, 10 am - 12 pm: Mills High School

sábado, 22 de febrero, 10 am - 12 pm: Capuchino High School

lunes, 24 de febrero, 6 - 8 pm: Hillsdale High School

Para confirmar su asistencia visite: www.smuhsd.org/financial-aid-workshops

¿Preguntas? Comuníquese con el Asesor de Ayuda Financiera de su escuela.

Step Into the Light Art Contest

Call all Bay Area High School Artists! Participate in a Creative Competition that Honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy

Submissions are now being accepted for the Step Into the Light Art Competition!

Submissions can include Essays, Poetry, Video, Fine Art, Photography, Painting, Sculpture and Mixed Media!

Entry forms must be submitted by January 24, 2025 at 6 p.m.

Learn more.

Parent Venture Family Education Webinars

All webinars are free and offer simultaneous Spanish interpretation.

Happy, Confident & Strong: Helping Your Child Develop a Healthy Body

Wednesday, January 22, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Andrea Archibald, PhD, psychologist

Learn more and register.

On Beautiful Conversations: How to Stay Connected to Your Adolescent Child

Thursday, January 23, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Chris Balme, Educator, author, and school founder

Learn more and register.

Free Money for College? Facts and Myths About Scholarships and Grants

Tuesday, January 28, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Mario Alberto De Anda, Director of Scholarships, Silicon Valley Community Foundation and Alice Kleeman, retired College Advisor, Menlo-Atherton High School

Learn more and register.

Understanding Eating Disorders: What Parents/Caregivers Need to Know

Friday, January 31, 12 - 1 p.m. 

Kelly Bhatnagar, PhD, FAED, eating disorders expert and Immediate Past President of the Academy for Eating Disorders (AED)

Learn more and register.

How to Give Advice Your Child (Might) Listen To

Friday, February 7, 12 - 1 p.m.

Dr. Eran Magen, population health psychologist and founder of Parenting for Humans, a organization that supports a relationship-first, judgment-free approach to parenting

Learn more and register.

You Can Do Anything: Surprising Power of a "Useless" Liberal Arts Education

Tuesday, February 25, 2025, 6 - 7 p.m.

George Anders, NY Times bestselling author, journalist and public speaker

Learn more and register.

Crop Report Art Contest 

Submission deadline is March 20, 2025

San Mateo County students grades 6-12 are invited to participate in this year’s Crop Report Art Contest, highlighting SMC agriculture. 

Last year’s 1st place winner was a student from San Mateo High School! 

Entries must feature one or more crops from the following list on your cover art: pumpkins, brussels sprouts, cut flowers, and/or potted plants.

Additional commodities can also be included in the artwork if they are produced in San Mateo County, including: fruits and vegetables, livestock, Christmas trees, and field crops. 

Please see the 2023 San Mateo County Crop Report for a more comprehensive list. Farmworkers may also be included.

Learn more and apply.

Concurso de Arte Informe de Cultivo (Crop Report)

Fecha límite de presentación es el 20 de marzo de 2025

Los estudiantes del Condado de San Mateo de los grados 6 al 12 están invitados a participar en el Concurso de Arte Informe de Cultivo (Crop Report) de este año, destacando la agricultura del Condado de San Mateo.

¡El ganador del primer lugar del año pasado fue un estudiante de San Mateo High School!

Las participaciones deben incluir uno o más cultivos de la siguiente lista en su portada: calabazas, coles de Bruselas, flores cortadas y/o plantas en macetas.

También se pueden incluir productos adicionales en la obra de arte si se producen en el Condado de San Mateo, incluidos: frutas y verduras, ganado, árboles de navidad y cultivos extensivos.

Consulte el Informe de cultivos del Condado de San Mateo de 2023 para obtener una lista más completa. También se pueden incluir a los trabajadores agrícolas.

Obtenga más información y presente su solicitud

Calling All Young Filmmakers and Movie Enthusiasts!

The 8th Annual CEC Student Film Fest—a one-of-a-kind event celebrating environmental creativity and storytelling is April 22, 2025!

This festival is open to students in grades 4 to 12 who live or

attend school in San Mateo County.

Whether you’re an aspiring director or a nature lover eager to share your passion, this event is for YOU! Winning entries will be screened at Burlingame High School on April 22, and you could win up to $500! Submissions are due March 23.

Younger students (grades 4-8) are invited to a FREE conference to learn filmmaking skills and get inspiration. This will be held on Saturday, February 1, 1 - 3:30 p.m. at The Nueva School’s San Mateo

campus.

For more information about the CEC Student Film Fest visit, burlingamefilmfest.com.

¡Llamando a todos los jóvenes cineastas y entusiastas del cine!

El 8º Festival Anual de Cine Estudiantil de la CEC, es un evento único que celebra la creatividad y la narración ambiental, se llevará a cabo el 22 de abril de 2025.

Este festival está abierto a estudiantes del 4º al 12º grado que vivan o asistan a escuelas en el condado de San Mateo.

Si eres un aspirante a director o un amante de la naturaleza deseoso de compartir tu pasión, ¡este evento es para ti! Los trabajos ganadores se proyectarán en Burlingame High School el 22 de abril y podrías ganar hasta $500. El último día para presentar su proyecto es el 23 de marzo.

Los estudiantes de los grados 4 al 8 están invitados a una conferencia GRATUITA para aprender habilidades cinematográficas y obtener inspiración. Esta conferencia se llevará a cabo el sábado 1 de febrero de 1 a 3:30 p.m. The Nueva School en el campus de San Mateo.

Para obtener más información sobre el Festival visite la página burlingamefilmfest.com.

In-Person Program Teaching Youth to Manage Emotions Starts in January

NAMI San Mateo County invites youth (ages 11-18) to a six week program that focuses on teaching teens/pre-teens how to manage emotions and learn coping skills that can be applied to their everyday life.

This group meets in person in San Mateo starting on Monday, January 27 and will meet every Monday for six weeks from 6-7 p.m.

Parents/students: Learn more and register.

Programa en persona que enseña a los jóvenes a manejar las emociones - Este programa empieza en enero

La organización NAMI del Condado de San Mateo invita a jóvenes (de 11 a 18 años) a un programa de seis semanas que se enfoca en enseñar a adolescentes y pre adolescentes cómo manejar las emociones y aprender habilidades de afrontamiento que pueden aplicarse a su vida diaria.

Este grupo se reúne en persona en San Mateo a partir del lunes 27 de enero y se reunirá todos los lunes durante seis semanas de 6 a 7 p.m.

Padres y estudiantes: Obtenga más información y registrese aquí

Become a Basementeer! 

Register as a Basementeer. Basementeers' receive a 10% discount and Sports Basement gives back 10% of the profit to HHS. Just select Hillsdale High School as your beneficiary!