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San Mateo Union High School District
A Commitment to Qualify Education for a Better Future
650 N. Delaware Street, San Mateo, CA 94401
650-558-2299 | www.smuhsd.org
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Thursday, March 28 Board Meeting | |
Spotlight in Student Learning | |
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March 14 Spotlight: PE/Athletics Study Hall Program Update
Superintendent Randall Booker gave an update to the board about the implementation of the PE/Athletics Study Hall Program for 10th grade students that was approved at the June 27, 2023 Board Meeting.
Tenth grade students who were assigned to a PE class have the option to work independently on homework during their season of sport, under the supervision of either a Student Success Coordinator, Library Media Technician, Athletic Director or certificated substitute. These same 10th grade student-athletes were also provided the opportunity to attend their PE class instead.
During the presentation, feedback from educators involved in either PE or the program was included along with ideas to improve the program’s efficiency and impact.
Read the board memo for a breakdown of how many students per season participated.
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Help Make Our Schools More Equitable for Students - Attend an Equity Advisory Meeting
The Equity Advisory Committee meets monthly during the school year to discuss ways to better support our students and their families through equitable practices. We use this information to help make our Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) a better plan to provide positive outcomes for our students.
Meetings are held at the San Mateo Union High School District Office, located at 650 N. Delaware Street in San Mateo:
Thursday, April 10, 6 - 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 2, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Spanish interpretation will be available at the May 2 meeting.
If you’d like to learn more please email Sonia Gill at sgill@smuhsd.org or visit the website.
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March 26: Help Advise SMUHSD on Services for Multilingual Learners
SMUHSD's District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC) is a district-wide committee that advises the board on programs and services for Multilingual Learners.
- Tuesday, March 26, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
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Location: SMUHSD Office, 650 N. Delaware Street, San Mateo
- Meetings are conducted in English with Spanish interpretation
Questions? Please contact District Family Engagement Coordinator Elsa Pulido at epulido@smuhsd.org or 650-558-2226 or visit www.smuhsd.org/delac
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Learn About Serving on the Black Parents Association's Board!
Parents, students, educators and community members who are interested in serving on the Black Parents Association Board and/or joining the organization AND individuals interested in attending BPA events and assisting with BPA fundraising are encouraged to attend our Monday, April 22 virtual meeting from 6-7 p.m.
View the Zoom login information.
The BPA is a 501(c)(3) volunteer-led association that supports equitable and inclusive learning environments for our students. The group is dedicated to cooperatively promoting quality education for students of African, African American, or multiracial descent while offering the best level of support and information to both students and parents. Through collaboration, participation and support, they help to enrich our students’ high school journey preparing them to reach their fullest potential.
In order to continue to be operational, the group needs a Board of Directors, including a president, treasurer, and secretary. These individuals need to be at least 18 years of age, so the opportunity could be extended to recent high school graduates who have an interest in learning more about non-profit management.
Learn more about the Black Parents Association: www.smuhsd.org/bpa
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Upcoming Student Performances Across the District
Save the dates for these upcoming performances. Learn more at www.smuhsd.org/vapa
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April 11 Districtwide Performing Arts Showcase Hosted by Aragon Literary and Arts Magazine
Aragon’s Literary and Arts Magazine club, Jabberwocky, presents a District-wide spoken word and performing arts showcase on Thursday, April 11, 7 - 9 p.m. in the AHS Theater.
This in-person event will showcase an array of artistic talents from students across the District.
Registrations are now open through March 29 for any student in the District interested in performing/presenting - including writers, musicians, and dancers.
There is no cost to attend but please RSVP.
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March is Arts Education Month!
A high-quality arts education is an essential part of a student's journey. Engaging in art fosters creativity and innovation, promotes critical thinking, enhances communication skills, builds cultural awareness, boosts academic performance, and nurtures students' social and emotional well-being – in essence, arts education helps students achieve personal and academic success.
California has come a long way to ensure all students have equitable access to the arts with the passage of Proposition 28, which will bring approximately $11.6 million annually to San Mateo County. Thank you to all of our teachers who help bring the arts into our students’ daily lives!
Learn more about arts education in SMUHSD schools.
Burlingame, Capuchino, Mills and San Mateo High Schools Student Art Exhibit: April 15-29
The Society of West-Coast Artists is hosting an exhibit featuring artwork from students at Burlingame, Capuchino, Mills and San Mateo High Schools at their gallery at 527 San Mateo Ave., San Bruno, April 15-29.
The exhibit is open to the public and will feature paintings, drawings, photography and ceramics. The gallery is typically open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
More information about additional days and times so that students, parents, teachers and friends will be able to come see the show will be posted in April on their calendar.
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César Chávez Day Proclamation
César Chávez Day, observed on March 31, is more than just a federal commemorative holiday. It's a Day of Service and Learning dedicated to the tireless work of César Chávez, a champion for farmworkers' rights and social justice.
The César Chávez Day of Service and Learning is a chance to honor his legacy by giving back to your community. Let's celebrate César Chávez Day by embodying the spirit of service and working towards a more just and equitable world.
Thank you to Aragon High School’s Shreeya Gupta, and Hillsdale High’s Hiroki Maruyama for reading the proclamation that was presented at the March 14 Board meeting.
Read the proclamation: English | Spanish
Watch the students read the proclamation.
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San Mateo High EL Soccer Team Recognized at Board Meeting | |
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San Mateo High School ELD Soccer Team with coaches Alfonso Dueñas and Matt Shea were recognized at the March 14 board meeting for their accomplishments this season.
There were a total of 22 players on the Fall 2023 San Mateo High team. All are enrolled in at least one ELD class. This year, the team went 6-1-1 in capturing the the Fall 2023 Andy Hodzic League of Champions. Four players went on to play for the SMHS Varsity Soccer team, four players for JV, and one player for the freshman team during the Winter 23-24 season.
There are currently five schools in the league: San Mateo, Capuchino, Bridge, and Hillsdale, and this season they have expanded to include a team from South San Francisco.
The Andy Hodzic Soccer League was developed as a partnership between SMUHSD and the San Mateo Police Activities league as an opportunity to engage our English Learner students in our ELD programs outside of the classroom.
The majority of our participating students have been in the USA for less than two years, nonetheless they have made tremendous progress in learning English and a new culture.
The goal of this soccer league is to provide students with an opportunity to represent their school doing something they love and building community at the same time. Learn more about the Andy Hodzic League: www.smuhsd.org/eld-soccer
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Hillsdale High's Marina Barcelona Recognized by Language Teachers Association
Congratulations to Hillsdale High Spanish Teacher Marina Barcelona - on March 10, she was awarded the Outstanding Teacher Award from the California Language Teachers Association in recognition of her excellence in the teaching of languages and cultures.
The award was presented at the CLTA’s Annual Conference, where the theme was “Cultivating and Promoting a Sense of Belonging.”
Marina was recognized not only for her passion for teaching and learning, but also for the wide variety of enriching, authentic, and cultural experiences she provides for her students.
Learn more about the CLTA: https://clta.net/
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Aragon Musicians Receive High Ratings at Festival | |
Congratulations to the following Aragon High School students who performed and received high ratings at the CMEA Bay Section Solo and Ensemble Festival at San Jose State on March 9: | |
- Emma Samyoa
- Kate Sato
- Tupu Vaili
- Owen Browne
- Declan Kennedy
- Darshan Ball
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- Chase Rokola
- Ian Volkmuth
- Jonathan Wong
- Lian Cualoping
- Hannah Li
- YongHua Liu
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Two of the groups qualified and were invited to perform at the State Festival in May:
- Senior String Quartet: Jonathan Wong, Lian Qualoping, Hannah Li, and YongHua Liu
- Senior Vocal Duet: Tupu Vaili and Owen Browne
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Mills High School Innovative Dance Class Featured in the County Office of Education Spotlight | |
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The San Mateo County Office of Education recently featured Mills High School and teacher Serena Arge in its Spotlight newsletter:
Mills High School is leveraging the transformative impact of Proposition 28 funding to pioneer an innovative dance program that addresses a need within the school community. Recognizing the vital role of arts education in fostering inclusivity, these new dance classes are strategically integrated into the school day. This initiative enriches the curriculum and expands access to the arts for Mills students.
At the forefront of this endeavor is Serena Arge, Video and Media Arts Teacher and Arts Department Chair, who is a champion for the arts at Mills High School. Since arriving at the school nine years ago, she has been a driving force behind the effort to provide diverse and accessible artistic opportunities for the whole student body. Through Ms. Arge's visionary approach, Mills is expanding its arts offerings and making meaningful strides in creating an environment where every student can engage and thrive. "The arts are a really great opportunity for students to connect with things they're passionate about," shared Ms. Arge. "The visual and performing arts are where students who may not feel confident in other classes have the space to be their full and true selves," she added.
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Capuchino Percussion Places First at Competition
Capuchino High School Percussion came in First Place at the Northern California Percussion Alliance (NCPA) show #3 at James Logan High School on March 16! Congratulations!
Learn more about the NCPA: https://www.nc-pa.org/
Follow @Capuchino.Percussion and @Capuchino.Music on Instagram to stay up-to-date.
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Aragon Student Recognized by Samaritan House
Aragon High’s Ethan Hua and his nonprofit HOPE Uniforms Program was recently honored with a Dr. Cora Clemons Emerging Young Samaritan Award at Samaritan House’s 50th Anniversary Gala on March 15.
HOPE is a social and environmental program that serves the community by reducing contributions to landfill through recycling school uniforms.
Follow @HopeUniformsProgram on Instagram.
Photo, from left: San Mateo-Foster City School District Board Trustee Gene Kim, Ethan Hua, Senator Josh Becker, Representation Matters Founder Priscilla Lau, California State Senate District Director Nicole Fernandez and former State Senator Jerry Hill.
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Students: Do You Want to be a Voice for Youth Mental Health Access?
Do you know of any youth leaders who want to be involved in their community and want to be a voice for youth mental health access?
allcove San Mateo Youth Advisory Group (YAG) will be part of all the decision-making processes for the allcove youth drop-in center, support local development, and create solutions that target youth’s current needs. allcove is completely youth driven and youth advised by our YAG; we want youth voice to be at the forefront of allcove!
Students: Want to become an active community advocate? Pursuing a vision where every youth belongs, chooses the support they need and thrives, allcove is developing an innovative network of integrated youth mental health centers designed with, by and for youth that reduce stigma, embrace mental wellness, increase community connection, and provide access to culturally responsive services.
Take a look at the allcove website to learn more.
Students can learn more and apply for the YAG by May 31.
Download the flyer.
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Friday, April 12: Youth Mental Health Concert
Save the date! The San Mateo Public Library and the County of San Mateo Office of Arts and Culture presents, Youth in Harmony: A Mental Health Concert
This concert will feature a program of musical performances curated by San Mateo County Youth Cultural Ambassadors Mikaela George and Keiya Wada (both students at Aragon High School).
Details
- Friday, April 12, 6-7 p.m.
- Doors open at 5:45 p.m.
- San Mateo Public Library, Oak Room, 55 W. Third Avenue, San Mateo
- Light refreshments will be served.
- Free and open to the public.
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Mental Health Matters 5K Run/Walk is May 18
Save the Date! The Mental Health Matters 5K Run/Walk is Saturday, May 18 at Ryder Park in San Mateo.
This annual event is hosted by Star Vista and the San Mateo Police Activities League in partnership with Strides for Awareness.
Learn more about volunteer opportunities and registering.
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Family Education Webinars | |
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Free Webinars for Parents and Guardians
Neurodiversity Speaker Series Event
Changing Perspectives: Understanding Inclusion, Ableism, and Neurodiversity
- Tuesday, March 26, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
- Sam Drazin, Executive Director, Changing Perspectives
- Register
Students who feel safe and supported by adults at home and school are better able to learn, and building positive relationships with students is critical to creating a healthy learning environment.
In addition, all children need equitable and inclusive learning environments to be successful. Home and school environments that promote inclusion, ableism, and neurodiversity help students develop into confident, productive, and empathetic individuals.
In this workshop, nationally-recognized educator Sam Drazin will offer strategies to help parents/caregivers and educators create more equitable, empathetic, and inclusive communities.
The Neurodiversity Speaker Series is presented by a consortium of Silicon Valley-based nonprofits including The Parent Venture, Children's Health Council, Compass High School, REEL2e, and The RILEY Project, with major funding from the Educating All Learners Alliance (EALA).
Safety First and Mental Health: Empowering Teens to Prevent and Reduce Drug Use
- Wednesday, March 27, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
- Bonnie Halpern-Felsher, PhD, Halpern-Felsher REACH Lab, Stanford Medicine
- Register
In this webinar, Dr. Halpern-Felsher will help parents understand the signs and symptoms of substance use, misuse, and abuse, along with the risk and protective factors that contribute to drug use in adolescents. In addition, she will address the relationship between mental health and substance use, and suggest effective communication tactics for talking about cannabis, fentanyl/opioids, nicotine/vaping, and other substances often used/abused by teens.
This presentation is sponsored by Peninsula Health Care District and SMUHSD, in partnership with The Parent Venture.
The College Solution: Winning Strategies for Finding the Right School at the Right Price
- Thursday, March 28, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
- Lynn O'Shaughnessy, College Financial Expert
- Register
Lynn O'Shaughnessy is a nationally-recognized college expert, higher-education journalist, speaker, and educator. She specializes in helping families take the stress out of affording a college education, whether public or private.
Come hear expert information on these topics:
- Does it matter where you go to college?
- What you need to know about college pricing.
- How to find out what you'll pay at each school on your child’s list before applying.
- The best strategies for reducing college costs for low-, middle-, upper-middle and high-income families.
- What types of colleges give lots of scholarships to higher income students, and what types of schools give the best need-based aid.
- Why it's more important than ever to appeal need-based and merit-based aid.
This free presentation is sponsored by Sequoia High School Education Foundation, Menlo-Atherton High School PTA, Sequoia Union High School District, Sequoia Healthcare District, Peninsula Health Care District, and The Parent Venture.
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March 26 Documentary Screening: "Fentanyl High"
El Camino Health and Aspire invite students and families to attend a screening of the “Fentanyl High” documentary on Tuesday, March 26, 5:30 - 7p.m. at Fremont High School in Sunnyvale.
"Fentanyl High" delves into the impact of fentanyl on adolescents and communities, shedding light on the challenges we face.
Fremont High School Theatre is located at 575 W. Fremont Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94087
Pre-registration for the event is required.
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Sustainable San Mateo County 25th Annual Awards Celebration is April 10
Tickets are now on sale for Sustainable San Mateo County’s 25th Annual Awards Celebration, which will honor five local sustainability champions and two green building projects with a hosted reception, dinner, live auction and awards program filled with inspiring stories about local sustainability heroes. It will take place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 10, at the Embassy Suites in Burlingame.
Tickets are available at https://bit.ly/SSMCAwards2024.
There is no charge to register for Sustainable San Mateo County’s (SSMC’s) 5th Annual Virtual Auction, which will kick off on April 3 and conclude on April 14 at 5 p.m. All online bids will be silent. Registration: https://bit.ly/SSMCAwards2024.
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Youth Commission Hosts Civic Leadership Summit on April 13
The San Mateo County Youth Commission presents its Civic Leadership Summit on Saturday, April 13 from 2-4 p.m. at the Redwood City Downtown Library.
This free event is for high school students interested in government, public service, social good and more.
- Hear from leaders at nonprofits and local government
- Learn about programs (climate, mental health and more) at an opportunity fair
- Network with other student leaders
- Light refreshments will be provided.
RSVP: bit.ly/ycls
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Hillsborough Youth Commission Hosts Fentanyl Awareness Event
The Hillsborough Youth Commission is hosting a Fentanyl Awareness Day event on Saturday, April 27, 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at Crocker Middle School. The event is aimed at raising awareness around opioid usage and preventing overdoses. Come for opportunities to connect with professionals in government and healthcare, learn about opioid abuse and epidemiology, and participate in a raffle with chances to win free tickets to art museums and ballets.
Follow the Hillsborough Youth Commission on Instagram to stay up-to-date: @hillsboroughyouthcommission/
Learn more about the Hillsborough Youth Commission, made up of youth, including students from Aragon, Burlingame, Hillsdale and San Mateo High Schools.
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Dear Poet 2024 Submissions Due April 22
This year, the Academy of American Poets presents Dear Poet 2024 in collaboration with 826 National, the largest youth writing network in the country. Every April, Dear Poet, a multimedia education project, invites young people in grades five through twelve to write letters in response to poems written and read by award-winning poets.
The submission period for Dear Poet 2024 is open until April 22, 2024.
Every letter is read by a team of volunteers, and all students can expect a general response from the poet to whom they wrote, as well as a certificate honoring their work. Five letters written to each of our nine participating poets will be selected at the end of National Poetry Month, and the poets will write a personalized response to the selected student letters. The letters will be published in a shareable PDF booklet at the end of May.
Learn more.
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Crop Report Art Contest
Submissions due April 26
Students are invited to participate in an art contest highlighting San Mateo County agriculture. Entries should feature one or more crops from the following list on your cover art: pumpkins, brussels sprouts, cut flowers, and/or potted plants.
The top three winners will receive a monetary prize ($500, $300, or $200), and the first place winner will have their artwork featured on our annual crop report.
Deadline to submit artwork is April 26.
Learn more.
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Safe Routes to Schools Survey for Parents/Guardians
Survey closes April 30
Take the San Mateo County Office of Education's (SMCOE) Safe Routes to School Survey today! Your feedback allows SMCOE to adjust Safe Routes to School (SRTS) education and encouragement program features to best meet the needs of each individual school. Your feedback will also be shared with decision makers who can address infrastructure issues regarding safe walking and biking.
The survey will take no more than five minutes to complete:
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We are Hiring
Check out the following notices of vacancies at our school sites, District Office and Transportation Department. Applicants need to register for an EdJoin account and apply online. View all current openings: www.smuhsd.org/careers
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Instructional Assistant I-ELD
School Bus Driver Instructor / Transportation Coordinator
- Full-time, 37.5 hours per week
- Location: District Office-Transportation
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Apply by April 1
College, Career and Financial Aid Advisor
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Carpenter
- Full-time, 37.5 hours per week
- Location: Districtwide-Hinckley Office
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Apply by April 3
Athletic Trainer
- Full-time, 37.5 hours per week
- Location: Burlingame High School
- Apply by April 3
Campus Safety Specialist
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Student Nutrition Jobs
Contact Denis Vorrises at 650-558-2479 or dvorisses@smuhsd.org if you are interested in applying or want more information or apply on EdJoin today.
Highlights
- Work five hours a day, Monday-Friday
- Summers off and paid holidays
- Health benefit opportunities
- Starting pay is $24.17
- Employees with minimal experience in food services may be trained on all duties to be assigned.
Need more flexibility? We also have substitute student cafeteria opportunities.
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Transportation Jobs
Please also check out the following openings in our Transportation Department:
School Bus Driver
Special Education Van Driver
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Substitute Positions
Visit www.smuhsd.org/substitute for more information about substitute teaching.
Substitute Classified (Non Teaching) Positions
Need a Flexible Work Arrangement? Try Substituting with Us!
Learn more about the following substitute opportunities and apply online on Edjoin today!
To see a complete list of current vacancies - permanent and substitute, visit www.smuhsd.org/careers.
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