Back to School Night - THIS Thursday, September 7th

6:30-8:45 pm

We look forward to hosting our families for our annual Back to School Night this Thursday, September 7th, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. Come out and meet our excellent teachers and counselors and see why Mills High School was ranked #1 in SMUHSD in the U.S. News & World Report Best High Schools released last week! At Back to School Night, you'll have a chance to meet and get involved with outstanding parent groups (PTO, MMAG, Drama Guild, Athletic Boosters), visit each classroom teacher, and buy some of our new spirit gear (sweatshirts, t-shirts and comfy sweatpants will be on sale at our student store).

Counselors' Connection

How to Access School Counselors

Students wishing to meet with their school counselor, our College & Career Advisor or Career Coordinator can now schedule appointments through our School Counseling website! Students may also drop in any time during Flex, brunch or an open period. Parents interested in meeting with a counselor may email their student's counselor. We are here to support!

Dual Enrollment Classes Starting Soon!

Mills High School and Skyline College are pleased to offer Intro to Business starting this Thursday (9/7) evening. Students can earn both high school and college credits for free, as well as earn a GPA Honors point bump on their transcript. Classes start this week… sign up before it's too late! For details, see flyer.

Latino Parent Meetings

Are you interested in getting more involved in your child’s high school? Most school sites have a Latino Parent Group where the entire meeting is conducted in Spanish! Contact your school site’s Family Engagement Coordinator to learn more about how to participate: https://www.smuhsd.org/Page/9642

Reuniones de Padres Latinos

¿Está interesado en involucrarse más en la escuela y la educación de su hijo/a?

Todas nuestras escuelas tienen un Grupo de Padres Latinos que se reúne una vez al mes o cada otro mes. ¡Estas reuniones son totalmente en ESPAÑOL! 

En estas reuniones usted puede conocer a otras familias, al personal de la escuela, lo que pasa en la escuela y también sobre todos los recursos que se ofrecen a los estudiantes y sus familias.

Póngase en contacto con el Coordinador de Participación Familiar de su escuela para involucrarse y participar en este grupo: https://www.smuhsd.org/Page/9642

Free Online Homework Help. Anytime. Anywhere

Public Libraries in the California State Library system provide free online tutoring for California K-12 students.. Through HelpNow, live real-time homework assistance is available 24 hours a day by laptop, tablet, or phone from qualified tutors using state curriculum and standards.

24/7 assistance is available in English and Spanish for Language Arts and Mathematics. Every day between 10a.m. and 10 p.m., assistance is available in core K-12 subjects in the following languages:

• English
• Spanish
• Mandarin
• Cantonese
• Vietnamese
• Tagalog

Learn more.

Parent Connect - Fall 2023 Dates Announced

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. 

Our goal is to provide you with the tools you need to proactively resolve conflicts with your teens, improve their attendance and enhance their well-being.

Sessions are offered in English and also in Spanish. Parents/guardians can join the sessions at any date:

• English: Wednesdays, September 13 -  October 18, 2023
• Spanish: Tuesdays, September 12 - October 17, 2023

Location: District Office, 650 N. Delaware Street, San Mateo (next to San Mateo High School)

Learn more: www.smuhsd.org/parent-connect

Tech Support - Family Portals

SMUHSD Families: Do you need assistance with: 

• Aeries Parent Portal access/account setup
• Canvas Observer access
• Parent Square access/account setup
• Hotspots

From August 7 - October 27, 2023 families can contact Belkis Delgadillo, Family Tech Support Coordinator, at bdelgadillo_sub@smuhsd.org or 650-200-3783 between 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. 

After October 27, 2023, please contact your school site Library Team if you need help with basic account setup and trouble-shooting support.

Family Education Webinars

Balancing Sleep and Screens: Cultivating Teen Well-Being through Healthy Sleep and Media Habits

• Tuesday, September 12, 4 p.m. (Online event)
• Speakers: Denise Pope, Ph.D. and Merve Lapus 
• Free event
• Register
• Presented by Challenge Success and Common Sense Media

This interactive and engaging webinar will present research surrounding sleep and its profound impact on overall well-being for teens. Learn about the far-reaching consequences of sleep deprivation, the impact of media use on sleep and mental health, and concrete strategies to help your teen get the rest they so desperately need.

8 Setbacks That Can Make a Child a Success: What to Do and What to Say to Turn “Failures’ into Character-Building Moments

• Thursday, September 14, 2023, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
• Speaker: Michelle Icard, Author, 8 Setbacks That Can Make a Child a Success
• Simultaneous Spanish interpretation will be provided
• Free event presented by The Parent Venture
• Register
• Presented by The Parent Venture

Michelle Icard’s advice ensures that a child’s mistake or rebellion doesn’t become the headline of their childhood—but instead a launch pad to a better future.

Erasing the Finish Line: The New Blueprint for Success Beyond Grades and

College Admission

• Wednesday, September 20, 2023, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
• Speaker: Ana Homayoun, Author, Erasing the Finish Line
• Free event presented by The Parent Venture
• Register

Erasing the Finish Line highlights the essential skills students need to move beyond a prescribed path and truly thrive in school and life. Reflecting on over two decades of working with students around the world, local academic advisor and early career development expert Ana Homayoun has written the book we desperately need.

Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in Digital World

• Thursday, September 21, 2023, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
• Speaker: Devorah Heitner, PhD, Author, Growing Up in Public, Screenwise 
• Simultaneous Spanish interpretation will be provided
• Free event presented by The Parent Venture
• Register

In her new book, Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World, digital media expert Dr. Devorah Heitner shows parents how to help tweens and teens navigate boundaries, identity, privacy, and reputation in their digital world.

Stanford Teen Mobile Health Van

The Stanford Teen Mobile Health Van is available to all students in the San Mateo Union High School District on various dates and locations throughout the 2023-2024 School Year. 

Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford's Teen Health Van program focuses on students who have limited or no healthcare. When a student can't access basic healthcare, it affects all areas of their lives including involvement in school and activities. The van also gives students quick and confidential access to sensitive healthcare needs meaning they no longer need to miss an entire day of school to address these issues.

See what dates and school sites the van will be at:https://www.smuhsd.org/Page/11772

See the flyer.

Community Corner

Save the Date!! - September 16th 2023

September is Suicide Prevention Month

September is Suicide Prevention Month, and in light of that, this year San Mateo County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services’ Office of Diversity & Equity and San Mateo County Suicide Prevention Committee will lead a variety of virtual and in-person events, advocacy days and communication campaigns. The 2023 Suicide Prevention Month statewide theme is “Share Hope Together.” For the latest updates on free events and resources, please visit smchealth.org/SPM