|
Hillsdale Knights' Bulletin ~
December 12, 2025
Some email applications may automatically clip messages - to see the entire bulletin, please click 'View entire message' at the end or click VIEW AS WEBPAGE.
| | What's Happening at Hillsdale | | |
Knights Families,
We are wrapping up the week before finals and winter is definitely here with the cold weather.
Monday, we had our monthly PTSO meeting with Assistant Principal Boise speaking about the steps that are being taken as we move toward adopting a Cell Phone policy for the 2026-2027 school year. While nothing has been decided yet, there have been conversations with major stakeholders (district and HHS faculty/staff, students). Thank you Mr. Boise for sharing information, listening, and answering questions. Discussions will continue to happen, so make sure to read this bulletin and the Sunday Administration Memo for up-to-date information and opportunities to share your thoughts.
We've had music and dance performances this week and are wrapping up with Drama's Fall Showcase and the Winter Concert Series #2 tonight in the Little Theater and Auditorium. If the concerts that we've seen have shown us anything, it's that we've got some fantastic performers at Hillsdale. If you are able to make it tonight, you won't be disappointed!!
It's not just about our VAPA programs, our Winter Sports have started and there are soccer, wrestling, and basketball games/matches tonight, tomorrow, and next week. Oh and there's more VAPA next Thursday, December 17 and Friday, December 18 with HIT Performances in the Little Theater.
Next week, students have finals and so there will be changes to the usual schedule. Click here for the bell schedule--refer to page 2 for the day to day periods and page 1 for timing.
To kick off Finals Week for our teachers and staff, PTSO and Leadership will be hosting a breakfast along with "grab and go" snacks and relaxing treats. There's still time--If you are interested in giving to this month's hospitality, click here. Thanks to those who have already given.
Hillsdale's Peace Pantry is midway through their Annual Holiday Giving Campaign. Their goal is to raise $80,000 by December 31st. This goal has been set so that they can continue to maintain current levels of support and increased demand for Hillsdale families in 2026. If you are able, please consider giving if you haven't done so already. Your personal or business donations are tax-deductable. Thank you for your support!
Have a wonderful week and good luck to everyone on finals!!
Jen and Holly
HHS PTSO Co-Presidents
| | |
Upcoming Events:
-
Fri Dec 12: Drama Fall Showcase @Little Theater 6:00pm
-
Fri Dec 12: Winter Concert Series #2 @Auditorium 7:00pm (Flyer)
-
Dec 16-19: Finals Week (Schedule)
-
Thurs Dec 18 & Fri Dec 19: Improvalooza @Little Theater 7:00pm
-
Dec 22-Jan 5: No School - Winter Break
Current/Upcoming Fundraisers:
-
Until Dec 31: Holiday Giving Campaign (Donate)
-
Until Jan 1: Senior Ads Early Bird Pricing (Link)
Volunteer Opportunities:
| |
Hillsdale Peace Pantry Holiday Giving Campaign
Goal: $80,000 (We have raised $31,125 as of December 11th) To Keep Our Peace Pantry, Closet & Garden Open in 2026
| | |
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.
-
For $50 a month you can support a Hillsdale family with groceries and essential items from Mi Rancho Market every other week.
-
A pledge of $600 will support a family for the next twelve months.
-
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
| |
HHS Athletic Contest Calendar
Come support our athletes! Go Knights! (Games in BLUE = home games)
Link to game schedule
| | Thank You from your Hillsdale Foundation Board | | |
We are a collection of educators and parents committed to supporting our school’s special Small Learning Communities. Our House System is central to HIllsdale’s success and we couldn’t do this work without your support. Thank you!
Come Join Us! We welcome your voice. We have opportunities at every commitment level. Come see what we do and how you can help uplift our students.
Please reach out to Foundation Executive Director Amy Michael for more information.
amymichael@hillsdalehsfoundation.org
| |
Warriors Tickets ~ Abbott School Fundraiser
Opportunity extended until TODAY - FRIDAY December 12- Please consider purchasing Warriors tickets for the January 13th game as part of our Abbott Fundraiser!! Win Win! Great holiday gift idea!
| |
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.
| | | |
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!
| | | |
Welcome Class of 2026!
Senior Fall Events
Please join our Instagram site @hhs2026parents for more information about senior activities!
| | | |
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.
| | | |
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.
| |
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
| |
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
| | |
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
| |
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.
| | |
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.
| | | | |
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
| | | | |
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
| | Other Ways to Support Hillsdale | | | | |
