Hillsdale PTSO Website



PTSO 2025-26 Membership Form (No Donation Required)

Knights Families,

It's only January, and the district is looking for your input about what is and isn't working and how to best support students next year. The Panorama Survey is used to shape the district AND Hillsdale in many ways. Administration, teachers, and staff look at and discuss the results to help them figure out what is and isn't successful at Hillsdale and how to guide them. If you haven't filled out the survey, click here or scroll for flyer.

Our Juniors are also looking to next year and have already started their 2026-2027 course selections (current sophomores and freshmen will follow)...Wednesday was the Course Selection Fair. Students had the opportunity to get a sneak peek about classes they may be interested in taking next year. Families, this is a great time for you to talk to your student about their options and encourage them to talk to their advisor and/or counselor. PTSO will be hosting an informative AP Parent Informational Night along with our monthly meeting on February 9 @ 6:30pm. If you have general questions you'd like to see addressed during the meeting, you can add them here. AP Meeting Questions Although students are choosing courses now, courses can be changed by you/your student for the next couple of months, so don't worry!

Senior families don't feel left out as the other classes are choosing next year's courses. Here are reminders that you can take advantage of...

• Did you purchase your yearbook? click here
• Did you submit your Senior Day/Knight payment AND paperwork? click here or scroll for link

We would LOVE to get your help so that we can show the staff how much HHS Families LOVE them. Click here to donate items for our February 11th Hospitality breakfast we are co-hosting with Leadership. February Hospitality

If you haven't had the chance to see our Winter Sports in action, take a look at this week's Athletics Schedule below. Our athletes would love to have you cheering them on. 

Have a wonderful week and don't forget--NO SCHOOL for students on Monday and Tuesday, the teachers/staff have Professional Development.

Until next week...

Jen and Holly

HHS PTSO Co-Presidents

Upcoming Events:

• Jan 19 - Feb 6: One Warm Coat Drive (Flyer)
• Jan 26 & 27: Professional Development Day - No School
• Wed Jan 28: 1-7 Schedule
• Wed Jan 28 @ 7-8PM: ETA Informational Meeting
• Mon Feb 2 @ 6:30pm: Athletic Boosters Meeting
• Mon Feb 9 @ 6:30pm: AP Parent Info Night & Monthly PTSO Meeting (Flyer)
• Tues Feb 10: Drama Boosters Meeting
• Thur Feb 12 @ 6PM: ETA Career Networking Social

Current/Upcoming Fundraisers:

• Until Jan 30: See's Spring Candy Fundraiser (Junior Class) (Flyer)
• Wed Feb 4: Maverick Jack's (Drama) (Flyer)
• Sat Feb 28: Winter Formal (Junior Class)

Volunteer Opportunities:

• February Hospitality Breakfast (Sign Up Here)
• Concessions: Basketball Home Games (Sign Up Here)
• Hillsdale High School Foundation (email)
• Peace Pantry: Fridays 7-8am (Sign Up Here)
• Junior Mock Interviews: Feb 24, 25, 26 (Sign Up Here) (Flyer)
• Winter Formal: Fri Feb 27 (set-up) and Sat Feb 28 (Sign up here for more information, no commitment required)

HHS Athletic Contest Calendar

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

Link to game schedule

Bell Schedule for Week of Jan 26

There is No School on Monday January 26 and Tuesday January 27 as they are Staff PD days. Wednesday will be a 1-7 schedule. Please see the complete Bell schedule here.

The Annual Fund Keeps our House Lights On

Hillsdale's House System is unique and special within our school district.

Our Hillsdale specific Small Learning Community model is designed to provide:

• Advisory classes where each student is known and understood by their teachers and peers
• Individual & specialized attention with integrated curriculum across academic disciplines
• Small classes that loop for 2 years ensuring strong academic and social bonds

3 Easy Ways to make your tax deductible gift:

1. Give to the Annual Fund: Help close the funding gap and support our teachers & students! Our annual ask is $750/student. Click here to give.
2. Opt for monthly payments: Spread your gift into monthly payments! Every gift is deeply appreciated. Click here to give monthly in any amount.
3. Make a gift of stock to the Foundation: Click here for easy instructions.

Please reach out to Foundation Executive Director Amy Michael for more information. amymichael@hillsdalehsfoundation.org

One Warm Coat Drive

We are also excited to announce our One Warm Coat Drive, which will collect coats, sweaters, HHS gear, and winter attire to help those in need. The drive will begin Monday January 19 and run through Friday February 6. Donations can be dropped off at the 31st parking lot on Wednesdays from 2:30pm–4:00pm and Fridays from 7:45am–9:00am. Students may also drop donations in Room 211 or the main office. We appreciate everyone who is able to donate and hope you can help support this important cause.

Dear ETA Community and Supporters,

The greatest gift we can give others in our community is our time. . .If you are a volunteer at our Peace Pantry or Community Garden and looking for new ways to get involved and make a difference in our Hillsdale Community in 2026, please consider joining our ETA Career Exploration Committee. Supporting a student with landing their first summer job at the age of 16 is an empowering action. Supporting a rising senior with a summer internship in another empowering action. As supportive members of our ETA students at Hillsdale, we want to invite you to some opportunities to help students with their career exploration needs. 

ETA is excited to announce that in 2026, we are ready to launch the workforce development arm of the ETA Career Exploration Committee. Empowerment Through Action is looking for dedicated volunteers interested in joining this important ETA committee work. If you would like to learn more about this program, please join us for an informational meeting on January 28th from 7:00-8:00pm in our Community Resource Center. 

Last March, we had our first ETA Career Networking Social which was a huge success. Our ETA juniors were able to practice their interview skills and prepare for real job and internship interviews. This year, our committee has planned a sequence of events to expose them to different career speakers, teach practical interview skills on professionalism and communication during lunch time sessions called “You’ve Got This!”, and plan to mentor students with applications for jobs and careers. If you are interested in leading a "You Got This!" session on professionalism and communication skills, please let us know using the survey link. 

Our committee plans on using this year's ETA Career Networking Social on Thursday, February 12th as a culminating event for our ETA juniors to apply the lessons learned from their advisories and our “You’ve Got This!” sessions to better prepare them for their summer job and internship opportunities which open in March. 

This year's ETA Career Networking Social on Thursday, February 12th at 6PM in the HHS library is a culminating event for ETA juniors to apply the lessons learned from their advisories and “You’ve Got This!” sessions. We aim to better prepare them for their summer job and internship opportunities. Many of our students do not have a professional network nor have a space to get advice about their career path. Please complete this FORM to be part of the community to help our first-generation ETA students. Whether you are interested in short commitments such as the Networking Social and "You Got This!” sessions, or on-going commitments to encourage and support ETA students to become internship/job/career ready, please let us know via the FORM. Please reach out with any questions.

• Wed, Jan 28 from 7-8PM - Informational Meeting
• Thurs, Feb 12 from 6PM - Career Networking Social

Feel free to share this message and form with anyone interested in hearing more about how they can get involved. Thank you again for supporting our students!

The ETA Career Exploration Committee

--

Brett Stevenson

Dean of Students

Fundraising and Sales

Maverick Jack's ~ HHS Drama Fundraiser

Hillsdale drama dine and donate at Maverick Jack’s San Mateo, on Wednesday February 4th @ 11am-8pm dine in or take out, be sure to mention Hillsdale drama!

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!

Seniors Corner

Welcome Class of 2026!

Senior Fall Events

Please join our Instagram site @hhs2026parents for more information about senior activities!

Graduation information

Senior Family Packet

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.

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. 

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 **

Empowerment Through Action at Hillsdale

Peace Pantry ~ Community Garden ~ Community Closet

January 2026

“The fundamental law of human beings is interdependence. A person is a person through other persons.” 

~ Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Read the January 2026 Newsletter here.

Ways to Get Involved:

*Please follow us on Instagram, @etatogether, for updates.

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 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.

Community Garden

If you are interested in joining our Community Garden Team for basic winter projects, please email bstevenson@smuhsd.org to be added to our What’sApp Garden Group to join special projects. No experience required.

Community Closet

For the month of January, 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.

College & Career Counseling

Current Workshops, College Rep Visits and Events

Junior & Senior Newsletters:

12th Grade Newsletters

11th Grade Newsletters

Please reach out with any questions:

Ms. Laura Burtness

Hillsdale's College, Career, and Financial Aid Advisor

LBurtness@smuhsd.org

650 558 2613

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

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.

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. 

Parent Venture Webinars

The following webinars are free to attend and offer simultaneous Spanish interpretation unless otherwise noted.

Visit the Parent Venture free Video Library for access to 400+ video recordings, including 60+ webinars in Spanish.

Wednesday, February 4, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. (In Spanish)

Navegando la neurodiversidad y las diferencias de aprendizaje en la escuela

Register Here

Friday, February 6, 12 - 1 p.m.:

Parent Forum #45 - How to Give Advice Your Child (Might) Listen To

Register Here

Wednesday, February 11, 6 p.m.

Discovering AI - A Parent's Guide to Navigating the Future of Education

Register Here

Wednesday, February 18, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. (In Spanish)

Los nueve duelos de los migrantes

Register Here

January and February: In-Person Financial Aid Workshops, Drop in and Virtual Financial Aid Support

Students and their parents/guardians who need assistance with their financial aid applications, can join us at in-person workshops in February: 

Tuesday February 3, 6 - 8 p.m. at the District Office 

Saturday, February 21, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Mills High School 

In addition to these above workshops, school sites are offering the below drop-in and virtual opportunities for more assistance. All families, regardless of home school, are welcome to attend any support opportunity: 

In-Person Support (English / Spanish Assistance)

Thursday, January 28, 2 - 4 p.m.

Burlingame High School Alumni Room

1 Mangini Way, Burlingame

Monday, February 2, 2 - 4 p.m.

Hillsdale High School College and Career Center, 3115 Del Monte Street, San Mateo

Tuesday, February 24, 2 - 4 p.m.

San Mateo High School College and Career Center, 506 N. Delaware Street, San Mateo

Thursday, March 5, 2 - 4 p.m.

Capuchino High School College and Career Center, 1501 Magnolia Avenue, San Bruno

For all of the above opportunities, please sign in at the School’s Main Office.

Virtual Support (English Only) 

Fridays, February 6, 13, 20 and 27, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Google Meet Link

Or dial: ‪(US) +1 443-507-8043‬ PIN: ‪874 390 048‬#

Learn more, including what paperwork you need to bring, registration and more: www.smuhsd.org/financial-aid

¡Se han agregado más talleres en persona sobre ayuda financiera al calendario!

Acompáñenos:

martes 3 de febrero de 6-8:00 p.m. en la oficina del distrito (650 N. Delaware St. San Mateo)

el sábado 21 de febrero de 10:00 a.m. a 12:00 p.m. en Mills High School (400 Murchison Drive, Millbrae).

                                                                             ¿No puede asistir a nuestros talleres sobre ayuda financiera el 3 de febrero o el 21 de febrero?

Varias de nuestras escuelas también ofrecerán las siguientes opciones para que los estudiantes puedan hacer preguntas y obtener ayuda adicional.

Obtenga ayuda en persona los siguientes días:

Jueves 28 de enero, 2:00-4:00 p.m. en el “Alumni Room” de Burlingame High School - 1 Mangini Way, Burlingame

Lunes 2 de febrero, 2:00-4:00 p.m. en el College and Career Center de Hillsdale High School - 3115 Del Monte Street, San Mateo

Martes 24 de febrero, 2:00-4:00 p.m. en el College and Career Center de San Mateo High School - 506 N. Delaware Street, San Mateo

Jueves 5 de marzo, 2:00-4:00 p.m. en el College and Career Center de Capuchino High School - 1501 Magnolia Avenue, San Bruno

Obtenga ayuda virtualmente los siguientes días:

Viernes 6,13,20 y 27 de febrero, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Use este enlace de Google Meet para conectarse

O marque: ‪(US) +1 443-507-8043‬ PIN: ‪874 390 048‬#

Detalles:

La ayuda en persona estará disponible en inglés y español 

La ayuda virtual solo estará disponible en inglés

Para la ayuda en persona, por favor registre su entrada en la oficina principal de la escuela 

Todas las familias, independientemente de la escuela a la que asistan sus hijos, son bienvenidos a participar en cualquiera de estas actividades de apoyo.

Visite la sección de Ayuda Financiera del sitio web del distrito para obtener más información: www.smuhsd.org/financial-aid

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

Saturday, January 31: SMC Youth Commission Hosts Event on How to Get Involved in Local Government

Are you a young person who wants to make a difference?

Do you want to make change using your local government - but you’re not sure how?

If so, join the San Mateo County Youth Commission in Redwood City on Saturday, January 31, 2026 for the Civic Cafe event!

The Civic Cafe provides tools for youth to participate in local government.

Attend the Civic Cafe to participate in workshops, discuss with fellow youth, hear an inspirational yet short keynote with Q&A, network, and more.

Details

Date: Saturday, January 31, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Location: Regional Operations Center, 501 Winslow Street, Redwood City

Keynote Speaker: Assemblymember Marc Berman

Workshop topics include:

• Legislation Pathways
• Getting involved in Government
• And more

Refreshments and snacks provided.

Space is limited, sign up now

Black Youth Advisory Board Hosts First-Ever Black Student Leadership Conference on Saturday, March 7

The Black Youth Advisory Board of the Bay Area Community Health Advisory Council (BACHAC) is proud to host the first-ever Black Student Leadership Conference (BSLC) for San Mateo County on Saturday, March 7 at 10 a.m., centered on the powerful theme: “The Power of Our Voice: If Not Me, Then Who?”

This inaugural conference is designed to foster community, connection, and belonging among Black students who often find themselves in the minority within their school communities. Students will engage in inspiring and interactive sessions focused on leadership development, identity, financial literacy, academic success and time management, and college preparation. The day will also include a keynote speaker, dynamic breakout workshops, a Resource Village, and entertainment.

What to Expect: 

• Interactive workshops tailored by age group
• Inspiring keynote speaker to spark action and confidence
• Engaging conversations on leadership, identity, and advocacy
• Resource Village with colleges, community organizations, and youth-serving programs
• Free meals, fun activities, prizes, and giveaways throughout the day

Parents and caregivers are warmly invited to attend as well. The Resource Village will feature community-based organizations and college representatives, along with parent-focused breakout sessions, including:

The Black Minds Matter Report presented by The EdTrust - West with Niambi Clay

A college preparation workshop led by Cañada College

Details

Saturday, March 7, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Register by February 14: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/black-student-leadership-conference-san-mateo-county

This event is free to attend.

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!