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San Mateo Union High School District
650 N. Delaware Street, San Mateo, CA 94401
650-558-2299 | www.smuhsd.org
10 Schools | 6 Cities | 1 District
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Thursday, November 21 Board Meeting | |
Students, Community and Education Leaders Meet to Continue Discussion on Academic and Social-Emotional Outcomes | |
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More than 50 community members, including 18 of SMUHSD's student board council members, attended our first Let’s Talk event of the School Year on November 4.
As a reminder, the idea behind Let’s Talk is that adults/leaders in the community should - in their decision making processes - contemplate the experiences our young people have, in order to do all that we can to affect better outcomes. Our District has a specific interest in improving both academic and social-emotional outcomes for our students of color, and we believe that as a community we have the competence, confidence and will to make this impact. We know we have work to do, and believe progress is initiated through the intersections we will experience in convenings like this one.
Thank you to the city, community organization and school leaders, as well as the students, who attended and actively participated in this Let’s Talk.
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Attend an Upcoming Concert or Play! | |
Visit the District website at www.smuhsd.org/vapa for a list of upcoming concerts and plays taking place across the District. These upcoming visual and performing arts events are open to anyone in the community. | |
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Aragon
- November 21-24: Sister Act The Musical
- December 6: Choir/Orchestra Concert
- December 13: Band Concert
- December 20: Jazz Concert
Burlingame
- December 4: Winter Concert
- January 29: BHS Joint Concert with BIS and Crocker
Hillsdale
- November 21: Invitational Band/Orchestra Concert
- December 5-6: H.I.T. Squad Improvapalooza
- December 12: Winter Concert Series #1 (San Mateo Performing Arts Center)
- December 12: Winter Concert Series #2
- December 13: Drama Fall Showcase
- February 6-7: H.I.T. Improv Olympics
- March 20-23: Spring Play - Radium Girls
- April 24-25: The One Acts
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Capuchino
- December 12-13: Winter Concert
- March 27: Pops Concert
- April 11-12: CMEA Festival
- May 1-2: Spring Concert
Mills
San Mateo
- December 10: Instrtrumental Winter Concert
- December 12: Choral Winter Concert
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January 30-February 2: Winter Play - Noises Off
- February 11: Jazz @ Mateo (Jam) Concert with Middle Schools
- February 13: Choir Concert
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Parent Connect Family Support Groups Offered in English and Spanish on Tuesdays Through December 17
Raising teens can be one of the most challenging jobs you may ever have. If your student is not attending school or is exhibiting difficult behaviors, we can help. SMUHSD has developed a Family Support Group with parents and primary caretakers in mind.
The SMUHSD Parent Connect group sessions take place in person on Tuesdays, November 5 - December 17, 6 - 8 p.m. at San Mateo High School.
Sessions are offered in English and Spanish.
Learn more.
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November is National Native American History Month
National Native American Heritage Month, celebrated in November, recognizes the lives and accomplishments of the Indigenous peoples of what is now known as the United States.The 57th Annual Native American Day was celebrated at the California Capitol on September 27, 2024. This year’s theme was Recognizing 100 Years of Citizenship and the Fight for the Right to Vote: 1924-2024.”
Today there are more than 100 federally recognized Indigenous tribes in California, more than any other state in the nation. The United States Bureau of the Census determined in 2020 that there were over 720,000 individuals in the State of California of Native American descent, making it the largest population of Indigenous people in the 50 states.
SMUHSD acknowledges that it is located on the unceded ancestral homeland of the Ramaytush Ohlone peoples, recognizes that, as the original stewards of this land, the Ramaytush Ohlone understood the interconnectedness of all things and maintained harmony with nature for millennia, and honors the Ramaytush Ohlone peoples for their enduring commitment to Mother Earth.
SMUHSD supports the use of curricula at our schools that highlights the experiences and contributions of Native Peoples both historically and in our current times to help students understand the importance and relevance of Native American culture and history.
Read the proclamation, which Student Board Council member Elizabeth Bours helped to write, that was approved at the October 24 SMUHSD Board Meeting.
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November is National Homeless Youth Awareness Month
November is National Homeless Youth Awareness Month. Every year, hundreds of thousands of American families become homeless, including more than 1.7 million children.
According to the California Department of Education, in the 2022-23 year, there were 246,480 homeless students enrolled in California schools. This was a 9% increase in the homeless student population from the previous school year.
Youth.gov, states that homeless high school students are more than three times as likely to have attempted suicide within the last year. Additionally, almost 50% of homeless youth reported participating in self-harming behavior.
According to the SMUHSD annual census, 43 of our current students are experiencing homelessness in SMUHSD.
Through our District and School Site Homeless Student liaisons, we are committed to improving student equity and access to high-quality education and resources, included, but not limited to, school supplies, food, clothing, bus passes, free admission to dances, yearbooks and school apparel for youth experiencing homelessness and who are in foster care.
Read the proclamation, which Student Board Council members Emily Ma and Elizabeth Bours helped to write, that was approved at the October 24 SMUHSD Board Meeting.
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Washington State University Instant Decision Day is December 4
Registration closes November 27
Join Washington State University on Wednesday, December 4 for Instant Decision Day! This event will be held at Capuchino High School in their College and Career Center and it is open to ALL 12th graders in the District.
This event is for 12th graders with an unweighted 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher. If you're not sure of your GPA, check with your college and career office. 12th graders may apply on-site and receive an admission decision on the spot!
Students must register prior to the event to be eligible for an instant decision.
Registration closes November 27 at noon.
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Save the Dates: Financial Aid Workshops in January and February Across the District
SMUHSD will be hosting financial aid workshops at multiple school sites in January and February for 12th graders and their families to get hands-on assistance with completing the FAFSA and California Dream Act applications.
Workshop Dates
- Wednesday, January 22, 6 - 8 p.m.: San Mateo High School
- Thursday, January 30, 6 - 8 p.m.: Aragon High School
- Wednesday, February 5, 6 - 8 p.m.: Burlingame High School
- Saturday, February 15, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Mills High School
- Saturday, February 22, Time 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Capuchino High School
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Monday, February 24, 6 - 8 p.m.: Mills High School
RSVP for any of the above workshops. More information will be posted on the SMUHSD website.
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CCS Announces 2024-2025 Fall Scholastic Championship Teams
The Central Coast Section of the California Interscholastic Federation (CCS-CIF) recently announced the recipients of the 2024-25 Fall Season Scholastic Championship Team Awards. These awards, instituted by the CCS Board of Managers in 1985, recognize the top five Varsity teams, from each Central Coast Section sport, with the highest collective Grade Point Average of all teams competing in that sport during that season of competition.
The student-athletes involved have achieved distinction in the classroom, and at the same time, have committed themselves to participation in interscholastic athletics. Their academic performance is yet another indication that such athletic participation enhances classroom activities. A team certificate and individual certificates of commendation will be presented to each school of each individual sport.
Congratulations to the following SMUHSD high school teams for placing in the top five:
- Hillsdale High School: Boys Cross Country
- Mills High School: Boys Water Polo
- Burlingame High School: Girls Water Polo
Read the press release.
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San Mateo High ELD Soccer Team Wins Andy Hodzic League of Champions Title | |
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Congratulations y felicidades to the San Mateo High School ELD Soccer Team - they won the Fall 2024 Andy Hodzic League of Champions title! With the championship win, the program has earned its fourth title in nine seasons, with two being in the last three. The Bearcats won 1-0 against an undefeated Hillsdale on Friday evening at South San Francisco High, with Edy Perez Mayen scoring from a free kick with ten minutes remaining in the match. A huge congratulations and thank you to Coaches Matt Shea, Alfonso Dueñas, and Neil Urquidez for leading the team to victory!
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 Multilingual 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 the league is provide students with an opportunity to represent their school doing something they love and building community at the same time. Andy Hodzic was a former Hillsdale High soccer coach – and an immigrant himself - and a fierce advocate for the involvement of all students in athletics – regardless of country of origin or skill level.
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Capuchino Singers Perform at Veterans Day Event | |
Capuchino High School Chamber Singers showed up in the rain to honor our nation's veterans at the Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno for Veterans Day. The students gave a beautiful performance of our National Anthem and America, the Beautiful led by CHS Music Director Johnathan Hsu. | |
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2024-25 Youth Commission Announced
The San Mateo County Youth Commission recently announced its leadership for the 2024-2025 school year and San Mateo High School 12th Grader Noor Chowdhary has been named Chair. She serves with more than 20 students from San Mateo County, including the following SMUHSD students who serve as Youth Commission members:
- Matthew Lau, Aragon High School, 12th Grade
- Adele Ryono, Aragon High School, 10th Grade
- Mira Youssef, Mills High School, 9th Grade
- Joy Zou, San Mateo High School, 12th Grade
The San Mateo County Youth Commission is an advisory commission to the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, established in 1993 to address youth needs in the county and provide youth voice in local government. The Commission consists of up to 25 members, between the ages of 13-21, who reside in San Mateo County. Funded by the County Executive's Office, reporting to the Board of Supervisors, and housed under the Budget, Policy, and Performance Office, the Commission is a collaborative effort of all three San Mateo County serving entities.
Youth Commission meetings are open to the public and occur on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. Meeting agendas and additional information are available on the Youth Commission website.
Follow the Youth Commission on Instagram to stay up-to-date.
Learn more about the Commission.
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SMHS Music Places First and Second at Santa Cruz Band Review
Congratulations to the San Mateo High School Marching Band and Color Guard for placing 1st and Drumline for placing second at the October 19 Santa Cruz Band Review!
And a huge shout out to SMHS Band Director Bobby Rathbone - this is his first year at SMHS.
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Aragon Student Ethan Chu Wins Singing Competition
Congratulations to current AHS students, 12th Grader Ethan Chu and 10th Grader Saurab Gulati as well as recent alums Mia Weinberger and Tupu Vaili - on Saturday they competed at the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) competition alongside other high caliber singers from conservatories and music schools.
Ethan, Saurab, Mia and Tupu each placed in their respective divisions. Big shout outs to Ethan, who placed 1st in Upper High School and Saurab who placed 1st in Lower High School. Both Ethan and Saurab advanced to compete at Finals that evening with Ethan winning Finals!
This is the second year in a row where an Aragon Student won at Finals.
Photo, from left: Mia Weinberger, Saurab Gulati, Tupu Vaili and Ethan Chu.
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San Mateo High Art Teacher Honored by Art Guild of Pacifica
San Mateo High School Art Teacher Julie Stock was recently recognized with an Art Guild of Pacifica Award of Excellence Exhibition Award for her mixed media submission, “Night Forest” - which was made with ceramic, lint and acrylic on canvas. The award is given for the opportunity to participate in a gallery exhibit in Fall 2025.
The 66th Annual Members Show + 65th Annual Awards Exhibition is on display until November 24 on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, from 1 - 5 p.m. at the Sanchez Art Center.
Julie has been a member of the Art Guild of Pacifica since about 2015.
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The San Mateo County Office of Arts and Culture Launches Youth Arts Fellowship Program
The Office of Arts and Culture is pleased to announce the five high school students who will serve a one-year term as Youth Arts Fellows. The program provides a platform for youth to highlight their art practice, become a part of a small cohort of young artists in the County, and give them leadership opportunities to work directly with communities through the arts. One fellow for each district was selected to represent the County.
Two SMUHSD students were selected to serve as Fellows:
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Jaslene Lai is a 16-year-old classical pianist and a junior at Burlingame High School. Jaslene plans to use her music to present a mental and brain health workshop targeting a particularly vulnerable segment of San Mateo County's population—the low-income elderly, who are at higher risk of developing health problems, including dementia.
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Aconitum (Acy) Mowles is a 15-year-old visual and digital artist and a sophomore from San Mateo High School. Acy would like to use their art to develop an event focusing on the beauty of trans body believing it would be significant in helping people feel a sense of hope or belonging.
Learn more about the Youth Arts Fellowship Program.
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Firm That Designed SMUHSD Logo Wins Davey Award
Voler Strategic Advisors - the company that SMUHSD collaborated with on the concept and design of the new logo - recently announced they are recipient of the 2024 Silver Award in the Corporate - Logos category of the Davey Awards.
We are incredibly proud of the work and collaboration that went into the 10-6-1 concept of our new logo - we truly believe our 10 schools, 6 cities and 1 District - highlighted in the new logo - help us achieve our collective goal of “Every Student Graduates” and “Every Student Thrives.”
Watch the short video to learn more about our new logo and the thought process behind it.
| Hillsdale High Hosts First Unified Olympics Event of the2024-25 School Year |  | |
On Friday, October 25, more than 70 students in Hillsdale and Burlingame High’s Bay Academy Programs; their peer buddies from Unified Physical Education (PE) class; AND leadership students came together for a morning of community building through soccer!
The event, overseen by Adapted PE Specialists Jeff Torres and Tara Ciardella, was mostly run by leadership students and the peer buddies in the Unified PE class. Together they organized various soccer drill stations, a craft table and a stretching station.
The SMUHSD Unified PE Program, established this 2024-25 School Year, is designed to promote inclusivity and provide opportunities for general and special education students to engage in physical education activities together. Unified Physical Education includes students with all ability levels and serves to develop awareness, empathy, wellness, and relationships to promote success and self-confidence in the PE setting. All students participate in activities that follow the state standards for various team and individual activities, weight training, outdoor and adventure activities, dance, yoga, and aquatics.
The class includes involvement in Special Olympics and other related activities/field trips. Students work towards achieving lifelong personal wellness habits through fitness training and learning positive health skills as a part of this course. Additionally, the class supports the development of leadership skills for all students, and the empowerment of ALL students (coaches and athletes) to foster an inclusive class and school-wide environment. Learn more about Unified PE within the San Mateo Union High School District.
Special thanks to San Mateo Police Officers Carlos Basurto and Alison Adle along with Rookie the Therapy Dog, as well as San Mateo County Sheriff Deputies David Dominguez and Joaquin Moreno, who were all on hand to engage with the students and participate in the drills.
The District partners with Special Olympics of Northern California on various events throughout the year. The mission of Special Olympics Northern California is to create an inclusive community where people with and without intellectual disabilities can make connections, develop healthy lifestyles, achieve success, and experience the joy of sports.
Watch a brief video recapping the event.
For more information about Special Olympics events within the San Mateo Union High School District, contact Jeff Torres (jatorres@smuhsd.org) or Tara Ciardella (tciardella@smuhsd.org).
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Family Education Webinars | |
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The below Parent Venture webinars are free to attend and offer simultaneous Spanish interpretation unless otherwise noted.
Thinking Differently about “Social” Uses of Media for Neurodivergent Youth
- Wednesday, November 20, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
- Speaker: Dr. Meryl Alper, Associate Professor of Communication Studies, Northeastern University and Award-Winning Author of Kids Across the Spectrums: Growing Up Autistic in the Digital Age
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Register
In this talk, Dr. Meryl Alper will discuss the “social” aspects of media for neurodivergent youth, and her on-going research on gaming and social media use among neurodivergent children, adolescents, and young adults. She will speak about specific media that has a social dimension (e.g., messaging apps, TV), different kinds of social partners (e.g., peers, parents, online connections), and use examples across the age ranges (i.e., preschoolers through young adults).
BoyMom: Reimagining Boyhood in the Age of Impossible Masculinity
- Thursday, November 21, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
- Speaker: Ruth Whippman, British journalist, speaker, and author of "BoyMom: Reimagining Boyhood in the Age of Impossible Masculinity."
- Register
With young men in the grip of a loneliness epidemic, British journalist and author Ruth Whippman asks: How do we raise our sons to have a healthy sense of self? How can we find a feminism that holds boys to a higher standard but still treats them with empathy? With wit, honesty, and a refusal to settle for easy answers, BoyMom charts a new path to give boys a healthier, more expansive, and more fulfilling story about their own lives.
Understanding Addiction: A Community Conversation for Parents and Educators
- Wednesday, December 4, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
- Speaker: Eduardo Torres, Founder, Pathways for Prevention
- Learn more and register.
Understanding how to harness parental and community strengths is key to protecting our children and fostering healthier families. For Latino parents, cultural values such as family unity, respect, and community connections can play a powerful role in prevention.
Eduardo Torres strives to foster critical thinking skills in young people, empowering them to make informed decisions around substance abuse. In this thoughtful and informative discussion, Eduardo will address:
- What is addiction?
- What happens when someone becomes addicted? (whether to drugs, alcohol, vaping, video games, etc.)
- Can addiction be prevented?
- What practical steps can you, as a parent or caregiver, take to reduce the risks for your child?
- Thursday, December 5, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
- Speaker: Ellen Galinsky, President, Families and Work Institute and Author, The Breakthrough Years
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Learn more and register.
Ellen Galinsky, renowned researcher and author of The Breakthrough Years and Mind in the Making, will discuss the latest in adolescent development and brain research while offering concrete solutions to address the challenges of growing up today for teens.
Learn more: www.smuhsd.org/family-ed
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Community News and Opportunities | |
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Starvista’s Health Ambassador Program for Youth (HAP-Y) Now Accepting Applications
StarVista is now accepting applications for its HAP-Y Winter 2025 Cohort! This cohort will follow a hybrid model of 12 weeks virtual and the last two weeks in-person at an East Palo Alto or Redwood City location (actual location TBD). Meetings will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 - 7 p.m.
StarVista’s HAP-Y program trains youth ages 16-24 to become Health Ambassadors. The trainings cover common challenges in mental wellness, signs and risks of suicide, suicide prevention, and how to access mental health services. Trained Health Ambassadors become community agents who help raise awareness and help increase access to behavioral health services through information sharing and/or providing referrals when appropriate. In addition, Health Ambassadors have the opportunity to represent HAP-Y in community events such as presentations, outreach events, and trainings.
Participants can receive community service hours or internship hours in collaboration with their academic institutions.Youth who successfully complete the program earn a completion bonus of $700.
Deadline to submit an application is December 6.
Download the flyer.
Learn more and apply.
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Upcoming Allcove Events and Workshops
Allcove San Mateo's events are held at their drop in center, located at 2600 S. El Camino, Suite 300, San Mateo
College Application Drop-In Advising Tuesday, November 19, 4:30 - 6 p.m.
Need support on college applications? Want to have your personal statements reviewed? These drop-in advising sessions are a great opportunity to receive expert advice on writing compelling personal statements, organizing your extracurricular activities, and tailoring your applications to different schools.
Game Night
Friday, November 22, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Join for a night of fun and friendly competition at our game night.
Mindfulness Workshop Monday, November 25, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Embark on a journey of serenity and self-discovery in this mindfulness workshop. Join for a moment of peace where you can unwind and center yourself for a chance to be present, letting mindfulness be your guide.
See all of allcove San Mateo’s upcoming events.
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Two Student Volunteer Opportunities
The following volunteer opportunities are open to all SMUHSD students.
Decorate & Pack Gift Bags for Seniors and Families in Need
Sunday, December 8, 3:30 – 5 p.m. (San Mateo)
Do you want to be part of giving someone the gift of celebrating their holiday with dignity and joy? Help pack gift bags decorated and packed by you, that will be delivered to Jewish Family and Children's Services Food Bank clients and the JFCS Seniors At Home community. Make a meaningful impact and be a light in someone's life—we hope to see you there! Register today. Questions? Email meravb@jfcs.org.
Peer Mental Health Advocates
Join other teens who share a passion for improving the mental health for their friends and peers. The YouthFirst Peer Mental Health Advocates program with JFCS will provide you with real life opportunities to support and care for each other.
Some of the opportunities that advocates gain:
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National certification in Teen Mental Health First Aid
- Information and education from top mental health experts through speaking events
- Create social media content to share with peers educating about mental health
- Work with JFCS Public Policy department to learn how to prepare a petition and other advocacy tools
- An opportunity to advocate and lobby for a mental health-related bill in our State Legislature in Sacramento.
The Peer Mental Health application early bird deadline is November 22, and the final deadline is December 4. To get more information, please contact Deborah Schneider, deborahs@jfcs.org or register by filling out the 2024-25 Peer Mental Health Advocate form.
Childcare Crew
If you enjoy working with kids, want to do something meaningful in your community while gaining valuable work experience, and need volunteer hours, Childcare Crew is for you! JFCS YouthFirst (YF), in partnership with the Jewish Baby Network (JBN), is building the next cohort of Childcare Crew members – a group of young folks who engage with children that come with their families to JBN’s monthly events. Childcare Crew Members lead activities and take care of the children to give parents time to connect with one another. Registration is ongoing.
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Dr. Cora Clemons Emerging Young Samaritan Award
Inspired by the devotion to community service demonstrated by our founder, Dr. Cora Clemons, Samaritan House is proud to announce the establishment of the Dr. Cora Clemons Emerging Young Samaritan award. This annual $2,000 award recognizes a young San Mateo County changemaker whose work exemplifies the selfless spirit and energy
of Dr. Clemons.
Applicants/nominees must be San Mateo County residents, 16-22 years old on January 1, 2025, and pursuing their service work in the County.
Applications open October 1, 2024, and the submission deadline is January 24, 2025.
To learn more and apply, visit www.samaritanhousesanmateo.org/dr-clemons-award/
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We are Hiring
Check out notices of vacancies at our school sites, District Office and Transportation Department: www.smuhsd.org/careers.
Applicants need to register for an EdJoin account and apply online.
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Student Nutrition Operations Specialist
Facilities Use Manager
District Receptionist/Human Resources Technician
Beginning English as a Second Language (ESL) Teacher
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Substitute Teacher for Adult School
Adult School English as a Second Language (ESL) Teacher
Instructional Assistant I, Special Education
Senior Accountant
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We have an Immediate Need for Substitute School Plant Operations Employees and Substitute Utility Workers!
SMUHSD has an immediate need for substitute School Plant Operations Employees and substitute Utility Workers! Subbing with SMUHSD is a great way to get your foot in the door and find out about full-time positions!
Substitute School Plant Operations Employees (SPOE) earn $30.76 per hour and average about 80 hours a month. Apply now.
Substitute Utility Workers earn $30.76 per hour and average about 20-30 hours a month. Apply now.
Learn more.
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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.
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 cafeteria opportunities.
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Additional 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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San Mateo Union High School District | |
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