PTO eNews - 08/31/2020
Calendar of Upcoming Events
  • Friday, September 4th - Minimum Day Dismissal at 1:10PM
  • Monday, September 7th - Labor Day NO SCHOOL
  • Thursday, September 10th - Back to School Night
Message from Superintendent Skelly
Dear SMUHSD Families and Students

Week one of the 2020-21 school year is in the record books. Only 35 more to go!

Our themes for the year are Equity, Flexibility, and Choice. It’s crucial that we continually reflect on our efforts and modify according to the feedback we receive. Toward that end, staff will host the first of our series of Virtual Parent Education Convenings on Tuesday, September 1 at 6 p.m. We look forward to a robust conversation on student success in Distance Learning. We ask parents, guardians and students to tell us what’s on top of your heart and mind using the Thoughtexchange Platform as soon as possible.

This will inform the District on what issues families think are most important and drive the conversation toward providing information families need to help their students be successful. You can learn more by viewing this brief video.

Zoom login information for this meeting can be found in the Latest News section of our website. 

On we go, with a commitment to exchange thoughts!

Sincerely,

Kevin Skelly, Ph.D. 
Superintendent
Counselors' Connection
How to Reach School Counselors
Students can now schedule appointments with their counselor through our School Counseling website! We also offer drop-in office hours for students during Flex Time. Parents with questions can reach out to us via email or phone (contact info is also on our website). We are here for you!
 
District Parent Webinar this Tuesday
Please join SMUHSD for the first of a series of Virtual Parent Education Convenings 
Topic: Student Success in Distance Learning
Tuesday, September 1
6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Need Tech Help?
At Mills, we use technology regularly to communicate and make learning more accessible. On this page, you can find tutorials, answers to frequently asked questions, links, and more.
SMUHSD Tech Support Line:
Phone: 650-558-2480
Text: 650-554-8431
Email: help@smuhsd.org
 
Email the Mills Tech Support Team:
Join the PTO Today!
Welcome to the Mills Family (or welcome back), and thank you to the 51 parents who attended our first 20-21 PTO meeting on Wednesday 8/19!
Let’s work together to ensure that learning and connection take place safely and successfully this year.
Who We Are
We are a dedicated group of parent volunteers, teachers, and staff who work directly with Principal Duszynski & administration to support the needs of our school.
What We Do
Your $50 membership and generous donation of time allow our PTO to:
  • Provide parent volunteers & services to teachers, staff and students of Mills High School.
  • Curate & send parent e-news coverage of important dates, events, activities, and relevant news to Mills. 
  • Educate & inform parents and the community on discussion topics, i.e. colleges, mental health, student activities/events, to better equip and assist the Mills community at Mills High School.
  • Spearhead the Annual Fund campaign to provide much needed supplemental funding which directly benefits our students. More information will be coming your way in September on how the Annual Fund helps to elevate the enriching educational experience for which Mills is known.

How YOU Can Help
Here are ways to support our PTO and keep informed and involved at Mills High School this year:
· Visit and join the MHS PTO online at https://www.smuhsd.org/Page/1838
· Instagram account: millshspto
· Facebook page: Mills High School PTO
· Regular email updates - sign up to receive school updates by going online to http://tinyurl.com/millspto or by texting MILLSPTO to 22828
· Attend our next PTO Meeting on Wednesday, September 16 at 7pm on Zoom regarding Distance Learning Technology (PTO meetings are held the 3rd Wednesday of each month.)
Rapid Relief Fund (RRF) Update
Welcome back Viking Families! Our distanced learning is now underway with a renewed sense of education and commitment to our MHS community. As you may know, last spring, the PTO in partnership with the MHS administration, our MHS community partners and fantastic MHS families, created the Rapid Relief Fund (RRF). The RRF was created specifically to address the emergency needs of our fellow MHS families who have lost jobs, lost housing and/or have fallen ill. More recently, a housing fire also highlighted the need for emergency funds to support our MHS families.

To date, we have supported over 60 MHS families with grocery and pharmacy gift cards to make sure those at Mills who are most vulnerable can still have access to food, medicine and household essentials to weather this pandemic a little easier.

The PTO is excited to announce that the RRF was granted charitable status by PayPal which reduces the transaction fees so that even more of each donation goes directly to those who need it most. If you donate (or donate again), more of every dollar provides a lifeline for a recipient family. https://www.smuhsd.org/Page/894
If you are a MHS family in need of emergency assistance, please apply for support at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfiQphXTbeBkMAnz1Vt6hVbohU2G_TGY7ppLqX3re9hkC1Tnw/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1

Together we are Viking Strong!
Parent Volunteer Opportunity
Are you looking for a way to volunteer and support our teachers and staff during this new era of distance learning? Look no further! Our MHS PTA is forming a volunteer "help desk" to provide technology support to our teachers and staff. We're looking for volunteers from our Viking parent community who are comfortable trouble-shooting and providing technology assistance, especially with Zoom and other video conference and eLearning technology.
If you are able to provide support, please complete the MHS Parent Technology Volunteers form. We appreciate your help in providing a strong start to this uniquely challenging school year!
Community Corner
The City of Millbrae is hosting a Town Hall on September 2, 2020 7pm. 

One of our organizers and Taylor/Mills Parent, Karen Chin, has already invited our Board of Education President and Board Members. 

I am personally inviting you as both a parent, friend, and supporter of the organization. Celeste, whom most of you know, spoke at the last one about her experiences as a multiracial teen. Genevieve, my (now) 7th grader, will speak about her experiences - one she remembers from 4th grade. 

Our Community has many different challenges as it pertains to race - and, unfortunately, microaggressions start young. As a leader of this community, not just of the Foundation, I have every responsibility to keep myself engaged and accountable; one way is to make sure you all are aware of the discussions within our community, especially as it pertains to our students, their education, and the environment they are in during the school day. 

Although everyone is well aware that our school re-opening is of the utmost importance, how our students interact with one another, what the schools do to address grievances, and what students learn/relearn is also very important. 

We hope you can attend the Town Hall, if not to participate, then to listen. 

Thank you for ALL you are doing in our schools. 

The Millbrae parents are here to support the MSD schools and Mills High School. 

Stay safe. I know I'll be in touch with most of you soon. 

9/2 7pm Town Hall (flyer attached)
Join Zoom Meeting

To call in:
Meeting ID: 827 7678 0324
One tap mobile

Will also be shared on MCTV

Joy Pasamonte Henry
President, Millbrae Education Foundation Board

Visit us @:MEF Web Page
Instagram: Millbrae_kids
#millbraekids #learnwithoutlimits #mef 
In the News

How to Reduce the Stress of Homeschooling on Everyone
Despite parents' best efforts, many kids are struggling with meeting "school at home" expectations. Here are three ways to support your child or teen (and manage your own stress) during school closures.



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400 Murchison Drive
Millbrae, CA 94030
Phone: 650.558.2599
Fax: 650.558.2552