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Hillsdale Knights' Bulletin ~
December 19, 2025
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| | What's Happening at Hillsdale | | |
Knights Families,
Here we are, the last PTSO Bulletin of 2025...as the year wraps up, so do finals. Today is the last day of finals and the last day of school until January. School starts again on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.
If you caught last night's Improvapalooza, you were surely entertained by the talents of our HIT squad. If you missed it, there's another performance tonight--what a fun way to kick off Winter Break! Winter Break also includes lots of basketball and wrestling. Click here or scroll down for the schedules
However you will be spending the holidays and winter break, we want to wish you a restful time away from school and look forward to seeing everyone in 2026.
Jen and Holly
HHS PTSO Co-Presidents
PS--Senior families, don't forget to take advantage of "New Year's" sales on 2026 decor...you can use it for your graduation festivities!! The countdown will be starting in a blink!
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Upcoming Events:
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Fri Dec 19: Improvalooza @Little Theater 7:00pm
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Dec 22-Jan 5: No School - Winter Break
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Tue Jan 6: First Day back at School (Odd day)
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Tue Jan 6: Athletics Booster Meeting
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Mon Jan 12: PTSO Monthly Meeting
Current/Upcoming Fundraisers:
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Until Dec 31: Holiday Giving Campaign (Donate)
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Until Jan 1: Senior Ads Early Bird Pricing (Link)
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Until Jan 2: Mini Moves Dance Workshop (1st-8th grades) (Flyer)
Volunteer Opportunities:
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Hillsdale Peace Pantry Holiday Giving Campaign
Goal: $80,000 (We have raised $39,000 as of December 15th) To Keep Our Peace Pantry, Closet & Garden Open in 2026
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Please consider making a tax-deductible donation today to help us continue to serve families in need through our Peace Pantry, Community Closet and Community Garden!
Can you help us make a bigger impact in 2026?
Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to our Holiday Giving Campaign (runs December 3rd-31st) so we can continue to offer support through our Hillsdale Peace Pantry, Community Closet and Community Garden.
Tax-deductible donations can be made through Empowerment Through Action, a 501(c)3. If your employer does matching gifts, you can double your impact.
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For $50 a month you can support a Hillsdale family with groceries and essential items from Mi Rancho Market every other week.
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A pledge of $600 will support a family for the next twelve months.
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A donation of any amount will directly support a Hillsdale family experiencing food insecurity.
“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
Check out our Hillsdale ETA Holiday Giving Campaign 2025-26 Video to learn more.
Thank you,
Jeff Gilbert, Principal
Brett Stevenson, Dean of Students & Co-Executive Director of Empowerment Through Action
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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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Bell Schedule for Winter Break
There is No School from December 22nd - January 5th as it is Winter Break. The first day back at school is Tuesday January 6th, 2026 and the week will follow the regular schedule of odd/even days. Have a fantastic break and see you in the new year!
Please see the complete Bell Schedule here.
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Join the Hillsdale Foundation Board:
We are a collection of parents & educators
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We welcome your voice.
- We meet 6 times a year.
- We hear an update from Lead Principal Jeff Gilbert at each board meeting.
- We have opportunities at every commitment level.
Board roles are intentionally flexible to align with your interests and time available.
Please reach out to Foundation Executive Director Amy Michael for more information. amymichael@hillsdalehsfoundation.org
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Senior Yearbook Ads prices increase January 1!
Celebrate your graduating Senior with an ad in The Shield 2026 with photos and a message from family and friends. You can create your own design or have a professional designer from Friesens.com create it using your uploaded photos and message. Go to: https://ybstore.friesens.com/768274 to order an ad and a yearbook.
Proceeds go towards paying for students to attend high school journalism conferences.
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The First Annual Mini Moves Dance Workshop is here!
Hosted by the Hillsdale Dance Ensemble, Mini Moves is a fun and engaging dance workshop for children in first through eighth grade. The Mini Moves Dance Workshop is a welcoming and fun experience for both experienced dancers and those interested in exploring dance for the first time.
The event will be held at Hillsdale High School on January 11, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The cost is $60 per dancer (includes Mini Moves T-shirt and light snack).
Mini dancers will spend the day learning exciting dance skills, working on choreographed dance routines, and connecting closely with members of the 2025–2026 Hillsdale Dance Ensemble. Participants will enjoy hour-long clinics with dancers their age. They will not want to miss this day of dancing, learning, and making friends in a truly supportive and inspiring environment.
Space is limited- reserve your spot by Jan 2nd!
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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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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 | | |
We Want Your Opinion: Take the Panorama Survey
SMUHSD Parents/Guardians: Take the SMUHSD Panorama Survey today!
We want to know your thoughts and opinions on:
- School culture and climate
- Communications from the District/school to you
- Opportunities for engagement with your school community
Take the survey:
English: https://surveys.panoramaed.com/sanmateo/familysurvey/surveys
Spanish: https://surveys.panoramaed.com/sanmateo/encuestafamiliar/surveys
Your thoughts improve the future of our District and Schools for our entire school community. The deadline to complete the survey is February 6, 2026.
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Padres/Tutores de SMUHSD: ¡Complete la encuesta Panorama de SMUHSD hoy!
Queremos conocer sus pensamientos y opiniones sobre:
- Cultura y clima escolar
- Las comunicaciones del Distrito/escuela hacia usted
- Oportunidades de participación con su comunidad escolar
Visite el enlace: https://surveys.panoramaed.com/sanmateo/encuestafamiliar/surveys
Gracias por tomarse el tiempo para participar. Sus pensamientos pueden mejorar el futuro de su estudiante y de los demás. La encuesta para padres / tutores se cierra el viernes 6 de febrero.
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Parent Venture Webinars
The following webinars are free to attend and offer simultaneous Spanish interpretation unless otherwise noted.
10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People (Parents Under Pressure Series)
Wednesday, January 14, 5:30 p.m.
Learn more and register
Creating Inclusive Environments for Neurodivergent Youth (Neurodiversity Education Series)
Thursday, January 22, 5:30 p.m.
Learn more and register
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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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High School Students: Apply now for the California Youth Environmental Data Leadership Program
Apply by January 4, 2026
Ten Strands is thrilled to announce the launch of the California Youth Environmental Data Leadership Program (C-YED)—a six-month knowledge-to-action initiative that empowers California high school students (grades 9–12) to become community scientists and environmental data leaders.
Participants will develop data literacy, systems thinking, and communication and leadership skills while contributing to statewide efforts to advance environmental and climate action in TK–12 schools.
Upon completion, participants receive a Certificate of Completion, community science or service-learning hours, and may be eligible for the CA State Seal of Civic Engagement (district-dependent).
Recruitment is open now through January 4, 2026: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfF6WEl7uskWqU7PElX6_bee-PDyey1_wH7vxGxJosOZnzUfg/viewform
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Digital Student Arts Music Showcase Submissions Open on December 16
The San Mateo County Office of Education presents a series of digital arts showcases that serve to highlight the incredible talent and creativity of students in TK-12th grade across the county.
These showcases will feature student work in all five art forms: dance, theater, music, visual arts, and media arts.
This project celebrates and uplifts student voices, fosters artistic expression, and provides a platform where students can share their work with the broader community. Through these showcases, we aim to inspire future artists and ensure that the arts remain a vital part of every student's educational experience.
Explore each of the five categories, which include submission requirements, judging criteria, important dates, and other information for each showcase.
Submissions open on the following dates
Music: December 15
Art: January 12
Dance: February 9
Theater: March 16
Film: April 13
Learn more: https://creates.smcoe.org/digitalshowcases
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2026 "Step Into the Light" Creative Contest
Submissions deadline is January 23
Celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., by participating in the Step Into the Light creative contest. Entries should be respectful to all cultures, races, religions, and orientations, and be uplifting and inspiring. Students will submit work to the Cow Palace where it will be displayed in an exhibit and free reception open to the public on Wednesday, February 11, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Students, their families, teachers, and friends are invited to attend.
Learn more: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tMjGFVl68pOCyBB5n0GoDiYYaizl-9pJ/view
Submissions are due January 23 by 6 p.m.
Online entry form
| | Other Ways to Support Hillsdale | | | | |
