PTO eNews - March 6th 2023
Mills Minimum Day Schedule
Counselor Connection
8th Grade Parents!

If you have an 8th grade student who will be a freshman this fall, please join us for the Class of 2027 Orientation this Thur. 3/9 from 5:30 - 6:30pm in the Mills Auditorium. Open House (for 8th to 12th grade families) will be held immediately afterwards from 6:30 - 8:00pm, during which counselors will be available in the library to answer individual questions about course selection.

This Thursday!! March 9th - Open House
Class of 2027 Orientation
Save the Date: March 14th - 2023 SMUHSD Career Expo

All SMUHSD students and parents/guardians are invited to attend the third annual SMUHSD Career Expo, formerly called “Stay in the Bay with $100k”
on Tuesday, March 14th from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm!

Over 50 Bay Area Employers and Career Training Programs will be present at the Career Expo to meet with students and parents/guardians in order to inform them about well paying careers in the Bay Area and to offer guidance about how and where to get started on a wide variety of career paths This is a fantastic special event to support SMUHSD families in learning more about the abundance of career opportunities in our area, in making valuable contacts in organizations, and in networking with potential employers. This year there will also be "hands on" activities at the event for students to explore different career skills. This is a "career fair" event and SMUHSD guests are welcome to arrive and depart at any time between 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm. Translation services will be offered and refreshments will be served. There will be an additional reminder sent out (including the list of confirmed attending business and organizations) closer to the event. 

We hope to see you there! 
Mills Sports Complex Ribbon Cutting Ceremony - March 16th
You are invited to join Mills High School in celebrating the completion of construction of its new Sports Complex at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on:

Thursday, March 16 from 4-5 p.m.
400 Murchison Drive, Millbrae

Be among the first to see the school’s new baseball, soccer, softball and multi-purpose fields and new tennis courts. 
The San Mateo Union High School District and Mills High School wish to extend their gratitude to the voters and taxpayers of our District for their support of Measure L - a $385 million general obligation bond to make improvements to facilities across the District including those made to the Mills Sports Complex.
PTO Wellness Series: Be Sensitive Be Brave - March 20th

March 20, 2023 7-9pm 
Note: This event is longer than our regular PTO meetings but the topic requires the two hours for our families to get the most from it.


Be Sensitive Be Brave for Suicide Prevention
A Culturally Responsive Workshop on Suicide Prevention

Workshop Description (2 hrs): 
“Be Sensitive, Be Brave: Suicide Prevention” (2 hrs) infuses culture and diversity throughout a foundational workshop in suicide prevention. The workshop teaches community members to act as eyes and ears for suicidal distress and to help connect individuals with appropriate services. Participants will learn to recognize suicide risk, how to ask individuals if they are thinking about suicide, and connect them with help. This workshop discusses navigating conversations about suicide across diverse populations, with the aim of equipping community members to be culturally responsive within their communities

Workshop Goals
With a cultural and diversity lens:
• Learn how to identify signs of suicide
• Practice sensitively and confidently asking individuals if they are considering suicide
• Learn how to connect individuals at risk of suicide with the appropriate resources & community supports
• Learn to approach suicide prevention in a culturally sensitive manner

If you know someone who is in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, please reach out for 24/7 crisis support: call 988 or text “HOME” to 741741.
Mills Got Talent Mania is Back!!! - March 24th 2023

The long-standing tradition of Mills Mania continues, this year adding in the talent show for the second year! Our carnival-style celebration will include refreshments, games, and lots of Vikings talent.

Save the date! The entire Millbrae community is welcome!
Donate to the Mills Annual Fund Today!

Our goal this year is $140,000 and we are at 40% of the goal. The last two years have been tough from a fundraising perspective ($70,000 raised in 2020 and $44,000 raised in 2021) so we do not have reserves and are in jeopardy of not being able to fund the following items (which are dependent on the Annual Fund):

Exceptional Wellness Counselors: Our wellness counselors support our students socio-emotional well-being. As you know, this support service is essential for our youth.  

Science Equipment: Mills High School has some of the best lab equipment and have excellent course offerings because of the Annual Fund

Student Clubs and Field Trips: Our student clubs and teachers request extra funds for equipment, resources, and funding for trips

Continuing to upgrade our classroom technology equipment: Our teachers upgraded to high-definition flat screens and projectors that allow for greater accessibility and more engaged learning (it helps when learners can see the slide deck). And the requests keep coming for the high-definition set-ups.

We will take donations of every size! However, if you are financially-able, please consider making a donation of at least $500.  

Donate today and please request a corporate match from your employer:

Read the Winter Issue of the Thunderbolt!!

The Thunderbolt’s Winter Issue IS OUT NOW!

Inside this issue: Millbrae Lunar New Year Festival, Student businesses, Chat GPT, and more!

Digital content!
INSTAGRAM: @millsthunderbolt
PAST ISSUES: issuu.com/millsthunderbolt 
Community Corner
Millbrae Recreation is Hiring for Summer Camp Counselors!

Looking for a summer job full of fun activities, enthusiastic campers, and awesome co-workers? We are looking for Recreation Leaders to lead our summer camp for the City of Millbrae Recreation Department. This is a great opportunity to be involved with youth and the Millbrae community! Recreation leaders bring excitement and energy throughout the camp day by leading activities & engaging with campers. Apply online at bit.ly/milrecjobs at click "Summer Camp Counselors" by March 17!
Millbrae Recreation Counselor in Training Program!

Gain rewarding job experience while having a fun summer at the Millbrae Adventure Summer Camp! Apply for our Counselor in Training (CIT) Program to learn hands-on job skills, the ins & outs of summer camp, and prepare for future job opportunities! The Millbrae Recreation Department is seeking enthusiastic, dedicated, and hardworking applicants ages 13-15, who have completed 8th grade to apply to become a CIT. Apply at bit.ly/millbraecit by April 3!
400 Murchison Drive
Millbrae, CA 94030
Phone: 650.558.2599
Fax: 650.558.2552
https://www.millshspto.org/