Learn the details of graduation, Aragon's one act musical and staff awards!

San Mateo Union High School District
A Commitment to Quality Education for a Better Future
650 N. Delaware Street
San Mateo, CA 94401-1732
Phone: 650.558.2299
December 12 Board Meeting Highlights
Empty office chairs with a line of microphones in front of them
SMUHSD's Board of Trustees invites you to its Thursday, December 12, 2019 regular meeting. 

The meeting highlights include presentations on the following topics of community interest:
  • Recognition of Jeffery Chen, Breakthrough Junior Challenge Winner and Alexis MacAvoy, awarded the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Award 
  • Presentation of the Measures M and O General Obligation Bond Performance Audit
  • Presentation and Approval of Positive Certification of the 2019-2020 First Interim Fiscal Report
     
The regular meeting will begin at  7 p.m.  at the
San Mateo Union High School District Office,  650 N. Delaware Street, San Mateo. 

Awards and Achievements
District AVID Students Outperform Students Nationally 

Recently released data from 2018-2019 showcases the success of last year's graduating class of students participating in the District's AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) - a nationally-recognized program that helps students navigate the college application process, and build the academic soft skills needed to succeed in college and the workforce of the future. 

Research shows that applying for financial aid is one of the best predictors of whether a student will enroll in college. Through the AVID program, the District hosts regular FAFSA application nights and provides dedicated in-school time for students to work with teachers and staff to complete their applications, providing them with better insight into the financial resources available to them. 

Learn more about the District's AVID program.

A special shout out to the following teachers of last year's seniors who supported the students in completing their applications and FAFSA forms:
 
Angelica Alvarez, Capuchino High School
Alejandra (Alex) Cheever, Aragon High School
Marni Malone and Janeen Malatesta, San Mateo High School
2019 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists Recognized 



Twenty one of the top scholars in the San Mateo Union High School District's Class of 2020 have been named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists. The monetary awards, to be announced through the spring and summer of next year, are regarded as being among the most prestigious available to U.S. high school seniors. The semifinalists were recognized at the November 14, 2019 SMUHSD Board Meeting.
 
Here are the District's Semifinalists:

Aragon High School
Cindy Chao
Sabine Cismoski
Daniel Duan
Shirleen Fang
Derek Guo
Albert Hao
Samantha Hou
Justin Im
Franklin Lee
Janet Liu
Josephine Tamsil
Kai Xu
Kevin Yang
Burlingame High School
Danielle Jaworski
Kaung Tun
Lavinia van Hamel Platerink

Mills High School
Jeffrey C. Liu

San Mateo High School
Uri Kreindler
Kevin Lo
Rahul Munugala
Pranav Zalpuri
Capuchino Symphonic Band and San Mateo High Jazz Band Take First Place at Band Review

Capuchino_s Symphonic Band Performs

Capuchino High's Symphonic Band took first place at the Fairfield Tournament of Champions on November 16.  Additionally, the Mustang Marching Band placed 4th in the Class 3A category and the Jazz Band placed third in the Class C category.

San Mateo High_s JAzz Band Performs

San Mateo High School's Jazz Band took first place at the tournament. Additionally, senior 
George Aranda Elefante  placed 3rd for drum major mace, and the Symphonic Band placed 3rd! 
San Mateo High School Sophomore Wins Holiday Art Contest

Photo on the left, Alisa Higuchi's winning artwork.  Photo on the right, from left, Carelle Karimimanesh,  Alisa Higuchi, Theresita Gonzalez, Donor Network West and Julie Stock, San Mateo High School. 

San Mateo sophomore Alisa Higuchi won first place in the   Donor Network West High School Holiday Card Art Contest! Her artwork will be featured on the cover of Donor Network West's holiday cards and distributed all around the western region! 

The 2019 Art Contest Theme was  "With Every Yes To The Gift Of Life, The Light Of Hope Shines Brightly."

Theresita Gonzalez, Community Development Liaison at Donor Network West, presented Alisa with her $500 prize. Former Bearcat Carelle Karimimanesh was also on hand to share the story of her daughter Nai, 1997 SMHS grad, who lost her life and was a registered organ donor.

Established in 1987,  Donor Network West is a nonprofit that connect an organ donor's gift to those in need in 45 counties in Northern California and Nevada.
Five District Students Participate in Choral Concert

Picture 1, from left, Kate Mitchell of BHS, Lynn Zeng, Clay Hawkins and Amit Krishnan of SMHS.
Picture 2, from left Uma Labouisse of SMHS and Shawn Reifschneider


The concert was held on Saturday, November 23 and those with the highest qualifying marks will be invited to participate in the CCDA California All State Honor Choir in February 2020 in Fresno.

SMUHSD News and Events 
Reminder: Student Designed Logo Submissions are Due Friday, December 13

The San Mateo Union High School District is looking for innovative student graphic designers to create a new District logo. Students should consider the District's rich history and diverse schools in their design work. 

Any student in the District can submit a logo for consideration. In addition to bragging rights and feeling an overwhelming sense of pride and accomplishment every time they see their logo on a business card or the side of a District vehicle, the student designing the winning logo will receive a $500 stipend for their work. 

The deadline to submit a logo for consideration is December 13 at 4 p.m.

Visit  www.smuhsd.org/logo-contest  to learn more.     
Explore Career Interests and Earn College Credit for Free! 
Enroll in Concurrent Enrollment classes at Mills High School through Skyline College. 
  • Three squares with a path_ the sun and a grad cap with text that reads Skyline College EMC Medical Responder (EMC 400) - Monday evenings 6 - 9 p.m.
  • Gateway to Health Careers ( HSCI 180) - Wednesday evenings 6 - 9 p.m.
  • Creativity/Innovation in Entrepreneurship (Bus161) - Thursday evenings 6 - 9 p.m.
The start date of the courses will be the week of January 27. Interested students should see their school counselors.
Tell Me Something Good
Career Technical Education Class Visits Zero Motorcycles

Aragon students pose with teachers in front of the Zero Motorcycles building
In early November,  Aragon teachers Mr. Apperson, Ms. Halaufia and Counselor Helen O'Brien escorted 27 students to Zero Motorcycles in Scott's Valley.  Students toured manufacturing floor and saw electric motorcycles being built. 

The students learned about the production lines, where parts are sourced from, quality control and so much more.  They also heard from engineers, one of whom converted his Porsche 911 into an electric car and raced it at Pike's Peak in Colorado.  
Did You Know SMUHSD Offers Facility and Field Rentals? 
Nonprofit rates are available

Indoor basketball court
The SMUHSD Facilities Department schedules community rental and use of campus theaters, classrooms and athletic facilities when those facilities are not in use. The Facilities team manages the permit process and handles permit events, providing facilities usage for everything from community fundraisers to cultural events and youth sports organizations. 
 
Check out photos of our facilities and learn more.

Rates for the 2019-2020 School Year are on the website. 
Community Events/News
GATE Parent Group SAT Class Registration Now Open
Class is Targeting the March 14, 2020 Test

Location: San Mateo High School
Saturdays: 1/25, 2/8, 2/22, 2/29 & 3/7 (skipping 2/1 & 2/15)
Register for Morning Sessions (8:30 a.m. - noon) OR
Afternoon Sessions (1 - 4:30 p.m.)
Early registration discounted rate: GATE student 12/9-12/15; all students 12/16-12/22
Regular registration: 12/23-1/20.  First day of class 1/25/2020.

For more information and registration, visit www.gateparents.com or email  SAT@gateparents.com

A limited number of scholarships are available for SMUHSD students on a first come first serve basis for households with demonstrated financial need.

Important: Students must register to take the actual tests.



Returning College Student Panel - December 28, 2019

The GATE Parent Group's annual Returning College Students Panel is scheduled for December 28, 2019.  Hear from recent SMUHSD graduates about their first experiences at college as well as how they managed the application process and the transition to college. Open to all SMUHSD students and families and no registration is required.

Saturday, December 28 2019, 2 - 4 p.m.
San Mateo Library Oak Room, 55 W. 3rd Ave, San Mateo
Take the "Reimagine Samtrans" Survey 
Samtrans logo plus text next to it that reads Reimagine Samtrans
We know that many families in our District use SamTrans as a means of getting children to school. SamTrans has offered a " Reimagine SamTrans" survey to the general public. 

Learn more about the survey and their plans. 

The survey closes on December 31, 2019.
No Such Thing as a Bad Kid - Upcoming Parent Education Events

Book cover for No Such Thing as a Bad  Kid Award winning author and youth specialist Charlie Applestein, MSW, will be sharing his humor and practical strategies to create learning environments that are focused on strength-building rather than flaw-fixing. These exceptionally positive and inspiring strategies focus on guiding all students (and especially those with emotional or behavioral challenges) with an understanding of how trauma and positive emotions affect the brain; how to help cognitively- inflexible students;  why, how, and when to use incentive plans; the importance of controlling personal emotions (i.e. managing number one first); and respectful, and relationship-based limit setting. You're guaranteed to come away with a smile on your face, fresh ideas in your pocket, and a new hope in your heart for dealing with your most challenging students and families.

Upcoming Dates:

Tomorrow Night - Tuesday, December 10, 6:30 - 8 .p.m. |  Register
Allen Elementary School, 875 Angus Ave W, San Bruno
Presented by the Peninsula Health Care District

Wednesday, December 11, 6:30 - 8 p.m. |   Register
San Carlos School District, District Office, 1200 Industrial Rd, San Carlos
Presented by the San Carlos PTA Coordinating Council

Thursday, December 12,  6 - 7:30 p.m. |   Register
Millbrae School District, Taylor Middle School, 850 Taylor Blvd, Millbrae
(Dinner: 5:30-6:30 p.m.; Childcare available)
Presented by the Peninsula Health Care District
Teen Short Story Contest - Submission Deadline is December 20

The Millbrae Library presents its  Teen Short Story Contest and Young Adult Novelist Convention (YANovCon) on January 25, 2020.  

Short Story Guidelines:
  • Contest is open to 6-12th graders who reside in San Mateo County
  • Submit your own original work of 500 words or less in any genre or style
  • All submissions are due by December 20, 2019

Winners will be contacted on by January 11, 2020 and will be offered the opportunity to read their stories publicly at YANovCon.

Learn more about the convention.

Blue circle with a syrninge in the middle with text that reads_ Get Your Flu Shot
2019-20 Free Flu Vaccine Clinics

Protect yourself and the community: get a free flu vaccine.  

No appointment,  identification, or health insurance is needed. For more information,  visit smchealth.org/flu or call (650) 573-3927.
SMUHSD Careers
Work with Us! 

The District posts all open positions on EDJOIN and  applications are accepted electronically at  www.edjoin.org

Register to create your profile and submit your online application today!

View a  current list of all certificated and classified career opportunities.

Learn more about Substitute Teaching opportunities
Visit our website.