The San Mateo Union High School District Board of Trustees will meet in person on October 27 (members of the public may also continue to attend the meetings via Zoom). 

The Closed Session portion of the board meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. Open Session will begin at 7 p.m.

Read What's Coming Up to see the topics that will be discussed. 

At this meeting, the Board will hear a Spotlight on Student Learning where staff will share information on a unique professional development opportunity - the Learning Forward Conference explicitly centering its focus on anti-racism, equity, culturally sustaining

practices, and embracing transformation in all tiers of the educational system--coaching,

leading, professional learning design, instruction and more. 

View the full agenda, Zoom login information and see how to make a public comment in person or via zoom.



If the Zoom webinar reaches maximum capacity, the meeting may also be viewed on our Board Meeting YouTube channel.

At the October 13 meeting, staff shared a Spotlight on Student Learning on student discipline and attendance data. The report highlighted successes, areas for growth, surprises and plans for looking ahead including the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had in these areas. Staff also shared information on behavioral supports that aid in student success.

Read the full report or watch the presentation. 

SMUHSD 12th Graders: Get Help Filling out FAFSA or CADAA Applications

These applications or an opt-out form are graduation requirements for Class of 2023

A Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) / California Dream Act Application (CADAA) Workshop will be offered to ALL SMUHSD students and families on Tuesday, November 15, 6 - 8 p.m. at Hillsdale High School library. Learn more and sign up.

Don’t leave money on the table for college. All high school seniors should plan to start filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) now. These applications help students know how much money they could get to help them pay for college from grants, work-study, student loans, or scholarships. 

Covid and Flu Vaccine Clinics

SMCOE and San Mateo County Health are offering a free COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic:

• Friday, November 18, 1 - 4 p.m.
• Anne Campbell Center, 65 Tower Road, San Mateo.
• Vaccinations are available for children (3 and older) and adults. 

Did you know you can also use My Turn to help fight the flu by scheduling your flu vaccine today! Visit: https://myturn.ca.gov/flu-clinic.html for more information.

SMUHSD Celebrates Local Partnerships During Disability Employment Awareness Month

The theme for the 2022 National Disability Employment Awareness Month is “Disability: Part of the Equity Equation.” Every October the U.S. Department of Labor recognizes the contribution to the nation’s economy made by workers with disabilities, current and past. This year’s theme highlights inclusive policies that benefit workers, employers, and the greater community.   

The Vocational/Transition team from SMUHSD continually develops partnerships across the district boundaries for subsidized work-based learning opportunities for students with IEP’s. In addition to last year’s partnerships, which are highlighted below, our district has recently added the following businesses that support our students which are new for the 2022 year: Burlingame Community Center, Fluffy Doggy Day Care, B Street Boxing, & Sunshine Daycare.

Our continuing partnerships include: Aldos Pizza, America’s House Restaurant, Maverick Jacks, Mountain Mikes Pizza, New England Lobster Market and Eatery, Old Navy - Hillsdale, One Love Montessori Daycare, Outdoor Supply Hardware, Pacific-Dining, PetCo, San Mateo Medical Center, SMUHSD Nutrition Services, SMUHSD Transportation, San Mateo Zoo Barbershop, Sonrisas Dental Health, TJ Maxx/Marshalls, Walgreens, United States Geological Survey.

The above employers have been outstanding partners and continually help to give our students a foundation to build upon. Please support these local businesses who have supported our SMUHSD students!   

Learn more about National Disability Employment Awareness Month. 

Read the National Disability Employment Awareness Month Proclamation passed by our Board of Trustees on September 29, 2022. 

Burlingame High Students Win Voter Sticker Contest

Generation Voter recently announced the winners of their I Voted Sticker Contest. Burlingame High's Jessica Dotson was the overall winner and Lauren Cheng was the winner in the 12-18 year old category. Both students were recognized at Burlingame's October 17 City Council Meeting. 

Generation Voter (Gen V) is an initiative designed to provide inspirational entry points for young, motivated voters to engage in and learn about the election process, voting mechanics, and government advocacy. Generation V is a project of sisters Ava and Ella Giere. Ava is a senior at Burlingame High and Ella is an upcoming freshman at Washington University in St. Louis. 

Follow Generation Voter in Instagram for more information. 

Capuchino High Band and Color Guard Takes First Place at Competition 

Congratulations to the Capuchino High School Marching Band and Color Guard and their band director Johnathan Hsu - they placed 1st in the 2A Class at the Irish Guard Invitational, held October 8 at Dublin High School.

CHS Music Director Johnathan Hsu had this to day about the competition, "The Capuchino Marching Band and Color Guard made history at Dublin High School performing the first ever field show in Capuchino’s history! Cap has had a long legacy of marching band in general, but most of that history is with parade band exclusively. In addition to successfully transitioning over to the highly competitive field show circuit, I’m also pleased to announce that the band and guard swept their 2A division, landing six 1st place trophies in 2A! The group is currently 4th out of 14 bands in the entire WBA circuit (throughout Oregon, California, Washington, Nevada, and Arizona)!"

SMUHSD Students Attend Gilead Sciences STEM Event

On October 12, more than 100 students from Aragon, San Mateo and Mills High Schools were invited to attend Gilead’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Career Event at their company headquarters in Foster City. 

The event is designed for high school students of all backgrounds interested in exploring science, technology, engineering, and math, or who would like to know more about what it is like to work at a scientific company. Students had the opportunity to interact with STEM industry professionals and leaders at Gilead, explore company laboratories, as well as learn about available career paths and ways to make a difference with their passion for STEM.

Gilead is a research-based biopharmaceutical company that works to address unmet medical needs for people with life-threatening diseases around the world. We work together to discover, develop, and commercialize innovative medicines in therapeutic areas that include HIV/AIDS, liver diseases, cancer, inflammation, and respiratory diseases.

SMUHSD Career Coordinators Nancy Kane (SMHS), Nina Woolsey (MHS) and Queenie Hua (AHS) accompanied the students along with chaperones.

Upcoming Plays and Concerts

Aragon Drama

• Mamma Mia: November 17-20

Aragon Band

• Orchestra and Choir Concert: December 2, 7 p.m.
• Band Concert: December 9, 7 p.m.

Burlingame Drama

• Terry Pratchett's Maskerade: October 27-30
• Disaster!: March 17-18, March 24-26

Capuchino Drama

• Clue: November 17-19
• Spring Musical TBD: March 16-18

Capuchino Music

• Winter Concert: December 8, 7 p.m.
• Winter Concert: December 9, 7 p.m.

Hillsdale Drama

• 9 to 5 the Musical: October 27-30

Hillsdale Music

• Joint Instrumental Concert with Middle Schools: November 17, 7 p.m.
• Winter Concert Series #1 at San Mateo Performing Arts Center, December 8, 7 p.m.
• Winter Concert Series #2 at Hillsdale Auditorium, December 9, 7 p.m.

Mills Drama

• Shakespeare in Love: October 27-29
• Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical: April 21-22 and April 28-29

Mills Music

• Joint Concert with Middle Schools: December 8, 7 p.m.
• Winter Concert: December 9, 7 p.m.

San Mateo Drama

• Something Rotten: February 3-5, and February 9 -11
• The Mousetrap: April 13-16

San Mateo High Music

• Bella Sinfonia Halloween Concert: October 27

Now Hiring: Mental Health Therapists

SMUHSD is in search of Mental Health Therapists to support student mental health/welfare and wellness through capacity building direct services, consultation and outreach.

Therapists provide mental health services including counseling, consultation, mental health evaluations, treatment and case management for individuals and families.

View the notice of vacancy and apply by December 5, 2022 on Edjoin.

Restoring Youth Mental Health: Innovations in Access, Prevention, and Treatment

Join the Stanford Graduate School of Education on Thursday, November 10 at 4 p.m. for an engaging panel discussion featuring three experts in the field of youth mental health and well-being.

Each panelist brings a different perspective from their part of the field and will share a report on their work as well as actionable insights on this critical topic. 

Learn more and register for this free webinar.

This event is free and open to the public, made available through a partnership between the Stanford University Graduate School of Education, Challenge Success, and the U.S. Surgeon General’s Call to Action on Youth Mental Health.

Upcoming Family Education Webinars

Raising a Well-Balanced Student: Avoiding a Culture of Stress

• Wednesday, October 26, 2022, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
• Denise Pope, PhD, Stanford University Graduate School of Education
• Register
• Free admission and simultaneous Spanish interpretation will be available.  

In this workshop, Denise Pope, PhD, will examine the tension that parents, students, and teachers experience over issues such as homework, grades, and the culture of competition, and offer tools for creating healthier home and school climates.

How to They/Them: A Guide to Nonbinary Pronouns and Gender Fluidity 

• Tuesday, October 25, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
• Stuart Getty, the genderqueer author of How to They/Them: A Visual Guide to Nonbinary Pronouns and the World of Gender Fluidity
• Learn more English | Spanish

What does nonbinary really mean? What is gender nonconforming? And isn’t “they” a plural pronoun? Join Stuart Getty, the genderqueer author of How to They/Them: A Visual Guide to Nonbinary Pronouns and the World of Gender Fluidity, to unpack your burning questions about gender expression and identity. 

Virtual Series - Impact of Cannabis on Youth: What Should You Know? 

Join SMCOE’s Tobacco Use and Prevention Program (TUPE) team and community partners for a series of virtual training sessions covering the impacts of cannabis on young people, including health, legalities, brain development, and more.

Health Impacts of Cannabis Use 

• Tuesday, November 1, 3:30-5 p.m. 
• Eric Voth, MD, FACP

Marijuana use during adolescence may have a wide range of health effects on the developing body. There are short- and long-term mental and physical health effects that can be harmful, including conditions such as Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome.

Legalities of Cannabis Use in California

• November 17, 3:30-5 p.m.
• Lynn Silver, MD, MPH, FAAP; Jessamy Cadigan, Psy.D; Amelia Nash, AMFT

This session will focus on marijuana regulatory policy, efforts to reduce harmful use of tobacco and cannabis products, and adoption of potential best practices in a school setting. 

Learn more.

Last Day to Register to Vote in November 8 Election is TODAY, Monday, October 24

The last day to register to vote for the November 8, 2022, General Election is Monday, October 24, 2022.

All California active registered voters will receive a vote-by-mail ballot for the November 8, General Election.

Your county elections office will begin mailing ballots by October 10, 2022.

Learn more about registering and pre-registering to vote at https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections.

Attention High School Students:

Check out this recent column by BHS student Elise Spenner: You can’t vote, so start volunteering.

Student Poll Workers

Did you know you can be a poll worker starting at age 16? Get a firsthand look at our democracy by supporting your community - and maybe make a little money on the side! Learn more.

Pre-Registering to Vote

Online pre-registration is available for eligible 16 and 17 year-olds by visiting registertovote.ca.gov. California youth who pre-register to vote will have their registration become active once they turn 18 years old.

San Mateo County Offers Assistance to Immigrants

Did you know that San Mateo County has resources and information for immigrants looking for assistance?

Visit https://www.smcgov.org/ceo/immigrant-services to view information about:

• Legal services
• DACA
• Citizenship fee waivers
• Public Benefits Programs
• And more

Careers at SMUHSD

We are Hiring

Check out the following notices of vacancies at our school sites, District Office and Transportation Department. Applicants need to register for an EdJoin account and apply online.

Executive Coordinator to the Chief Business Officer

• Full-time, 37.5 hrs/week
• District Office (San Mateo)
• Application open until filled

Auditorium Manager

• Full-time, 37.5 hrs/week
• District Office (San Mateo)
• Apply by October 26

Facility Manager

• Full-time, 37.5 hrs/week
• Burlingame High School
• Apply by October 31

Mental Health Therapist

• Part-time, 15 hrs/week position
• Peninsula High School
• Apply by October 26

Nutrition Services Lead

• Full-time, 37.5 hrs/week position
• Apply by October 26

Adult Tutor-AVID Program

• Hourly position
• Hillsdale High School
• Apply

District Athletic Coordinator/Human Resources Technician

• Full-time, 37.5 hrs/week
• District Office (San Mateo)
• Apply by October 26

View all current openings: www.smuhsd.org/careers

Transportation Jobs

Please also check out the following openings in our Transportation Department:

• School Bus Driver
• Special Education Van Driver

Adult School Opportunities

Visit the Ed Join website to see open positions at San Mateo Adult and Career Education (San Mateo Adult School).

Substitute Teaching Positions

Visit www.smuhsd.org/substitute for more information about substitute teaching.

Substitute Classified (Non Teaching) Positions



Need a Flexible Work Arrangement? Try Substituting with Us!

Learn more about the following substitute opportunities and apply online on Edjoin today!



• Substitute Utility Worker
• Substitute School Plant Operations Employee
• Substitute Office Assistant II
• Substitute Instructional Assistant I, Special Education

To see a complete list of current vacancies - permanent and substitute, visit www.smuhsd.org/careers.