PTO eNews - 4/25/2022
Calendar of Upcoming Events
  • April 26, Unity in the Community Town Hall 6:30-8:30 PM
  • April 29, Mills Film Festival 7:00-8:45 PM
Counselors Connection
Junior Parents - Did you miss College Planning Night?
In case you missed it on April 19th, you can check out the MHS school counselors' College Info Night webinar along with the slide deck in English or Chinese. The last portion of the video features a Q&A session with UC Davis and San Jose State Admissions reps! If you attended and we didn't get around to your questions, feel free to reach out to Ms. Murtagh or your school counselor. 
Community College Registration Steps!
ATTENTION SENIORS!
If you're attending community college this fall, please make sure you've completed ALL THE STEPS to register! In addition to enrolling, students need to complete the mandatory online orientation and meet with a community college counselor before registering for fall classes. 
If you haven't already, please complete the steps on this document ASAP:
Need help? Schedule an appointment with your counselor or Ms. Murtagh in the Career Center. 
~Your MHS School Counselors
Survey from Mills--We Really Want to Hear from YOU about Family Communication--Students Can Win Amazon Gift Cards!
Dear Vikings,

We are delighted that Mills High School has an opportunity to support Project SHINE for Families (Support, Help, Inspiration, Nurturance, Encouragement), a research study conducted and funded by the Stanford University School of Medicine and the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital (LPCH). The goal of the study is to examine what relational and cultural factors may contribute to or are protective against teen distress and difficulties with emotional coping. This study offers an opportunity to learn about how to strengthen family communication and relationships to support the well-being and mental health of teens and their families, especially in these challenging times.

The study is recruiting students at Mills High School and parents/primary caretakers of students to complete confidential surveys that ask about these topics, including family communication styles, mental health, and help-seeking. Results of this study will help Mills directly so we can better understand these processes and design workshops, programs and services that can support families and bridge communication difficulties. We are asking parents/caregivers to take a 15-20 minute confidential survey and students to complete a 30-minute survey. There will also be an opportunity to participate in focus groups later in April (stay tuned for more info).

Once you’ve signed consent for you and your student, a survey will be sent to you. Thank you for your participation!

Videos to learn more about Project SHINE:

Sincerely,
Pamela Duszynski
Principal
GATE Parents Group News
Register for Summer College Essay Strategies!
Virtual Space is limited.
To Register: Go to www.gateparents.com 

The change in testing requirements alters the balance of how colleges review application information. Given the change, Essays will play a vital role in the college admission process. This GATE Parents Group-sponsored class is tailored to support students addressing UC and Common Application Essay prompts and the development of quality drafts for essay/personal statements. Priority enrollment will be given to seniors.  All sessions for this course are held virtually. 
 
Orientation and small group sessions - Virtual
Orientation: Thursday, 6/2/2022, 6-8 pm
Two Small Group Sessions: Tuesday, 6/7/2022 and Thursday, 6/9/2022, choice of 6-7 pm or 7-8 pm. See the website for current availability.
 
Two private one-on-one follow-up sessions with the instructor - Virtual
45 minutes each (from 6/13/2022 to 7/31/2022, a variety of times to choose from)
 
Course Fee: $385

Registration dates:
May 1-11: GATE Students
May 12-27: All Students (in or out of district)
 
Scholarships are available: Complete the Scholarship application
To Register and for More Information: Go to www.gateparents.com
Questions? Email the instructor Kevin Nelson at knelson@smuhsd.org or the administrator at essay@gateparents.com
Athletic Boosters 2021-2022
  • April 26, JV Baseball vs. Terra Nova 4:00-6:00 PM
  • April 27, JV Baseball vs. Half Moon Bay 4:00-6:00 PM
  • April 28, Varsity Baseball vs. Harker4:00-6:00 PM
  • April 29, Boys Varsity Volleyball vs. Sequoia 5:00-6:30 PM
Black Parents Association Unity in the Community Virtual Town Hall
Unity in the Community Town Hall
The Black Parents Association of SMUHSD is hosting the final Unity in the Community Town Hall of the School Year on Tuesday, April 26 at 6:30 p.m.
 
Join this virtual event to hear from past students and learn more about the diverse work impacting the community.
 
The BPA Student Leader Co-Host is Teri Wong, currently attending ​UC Davis. 
 
Presenters and topics include:
 
  • Leroy Wilberforce, a former Burlingame Student and now Engineering Project Manager, speaking on life after college and his pathway to success

  • Samia Shoman, SMUHSD Manager of English Learner & Academic Support Programs, will discuss Ethnic Studies

  • Aragon Teacher Lindsay Bussey will review SMUHSD's Bulletin on Bullying, Hazing, Discrimination and Hate Motivated Behaviors
Zoom Link: 
 
Meeting ID: 826 5453 8393

Passcode: 831837
Please share your thoughts on supporting SMUHSD students by taking our Thoughtexchange
Dear Parents, Guardians, and Students:

Like all school districts in California, the San Mateo Union High School District is required to provide a yearly update on our Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) - a three-year plan intended to articulate strategic goals and actions intended to achieve the District’s Equity Vision and Mission. As part of the review process, we seek community and family input on how SMUHSD is doing. The LCAP identifies four priority areas which include; authentic relationships, safe and connected communities, engaging, rigorous and relevant learning for every student and supporting and empowering staff. As part of our stakeholder engagement, we invite you to participate in our Thoughtexchange to share your thoughts on:

What are the most important things our District needs to think about in order to support all students?

Participating in the Thoughtexchange takes just a few minutes and allows you to offer candid, confidential feedback as well as rate the thoughts others have shared. Please complete the Thoughtexchange by Friday, April 29.

Additionally, members of the public may comment at our June 9 Board meeting when staff provides an update about the LCAP to the Board. The revised 2022-24 LCAP and budget will be presented to the Board for approval at their June 23 meeting. Full agendas and zoom login information for these meetings will be posted on our website

Thank you for your interest in supporting student success.

Sincerely,
Julia Kempkey, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction

Brian Simmons
Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Community Corner
Mentoring Opportunity Created by Stanford Students
We are students at the Stanford Graduate School of Education, and we’re reaching out to share something we’re working on that we hope might be beneficial for the students of Mills High School. We are creating Pioneer to connect students with industry professionals for skills-based mentorship.

Learning from industry professionals is unique because they have domain expertise and insider knowledge on the steps to success in their fields - and they’re excited to share their experience! Through mentorship, students work with an inspiring role model and get hands-on learning opportunities to level up real-world skills, create projects, and explore possibilities for their future beyond high school. We believe that the right mentor can be life-changing.

Learn more and reserve a spot here: https://gopioneer.co
400 Murchison Drive
Millbrae, CA 94030
Phone: 650.558.2599
Fax: 650.558.2552
https://www.millshspto.org/