Counselors' Connection

MHS Counseling November Newsletter

In case you missed it, check out our Counseling Department's November newsletter!

College Application Workshops

Does your senior need help with college applications? If so, encourage them to come to the Career Center on Wednesdays during Flex, where they can receive help from Ms. Murtagh and the school counselors on their CSU, UC, or private college applications.

(Note: The Wed. 11/15 workshop has been moved to Fri. 11/17). 

Check out the Newest Thunderbolt Issue

The Mills newspaper of student voice since 1958!

The Thunderbolt’s October issue IS OUT NOW! Read it here ↓

Volume 64, Issue #2 

Inside this issue: Updates on hand foot and mouth disease, the opening of the Brothers Cafe, addressing student’s feelings during global events, Laufey’s rise to fame, and more!

Digital content!

WEBSITE: millsthunderbolt.com

INSTAGRAM: @millsthunderbolt

PAST ISSUES: issuu.com/millsthunderbolt

Have an idea you would like us to cover? Let us know here!:https://tinyurl.com/thunderboltarticleideas 

Subscribe to our paper! You will receive 4-5 issues of The Thunderbolt mailed directly to your door: https://tinyurl.com/thunderboltsubscriptions

Past PTO Events

College Planning Night 10/24 7pm

The Mills PTO held College Planning Night with special guest, Mrs. Rachel Mack, from our Counseling Department. We had over 50 participants to an up close and personal presentation on the UC and CSU application process, changes to FAFSA, and the benefits of transferring from a community college to a UC or CSU.

Please see the PTO website for the recording and other college planning resources: 

https://www.millshspto.org

Staffulty Lunch

Thanks to your generosity and support of the PTO, we were able to treat the Vikings Staff and Faculty to a wonderful lunch catered by Taqueria Angelica’s. 

Photo: Principal Duszynski with PTO Board members Minfang, Catherine, Shan, and Myla

9th Grade Meet and Greet at the Park

Our PTO 9th grade family liaison, Shan Hou, planned a meet and greet at Millbrae Central Park on Saturday, October 28. It was a small but fun turnout - always good to get Mills families together!

Mills Annual Fund Drive

All students should have received their Annual Fund Science Letter this past week! Thank you to Mrs. Rustia and the Science Department for putting the letter together and articulating why the Annual Fund is important and what it can fund.

Please give to the Annual Fund by December 31st - your students’ classroom could win a pizza party or an ice cream party! If your company has a corporate match, please turn in your match request asap (nonprofit name is “Vikings-Parent Group, Tax ID #94-2353182).  

Scan the QR code or go out website 

https://www.millshspto.org

Parent Panorama Survey

Take the Panorama Survey today to share your thoughts and opinions about your school!

The Panorama Survey is a survey issued to parents and guardians, students and staff of the San Mateo Union High School District. Each of these groups is given a survey unique to their group. The District is issuing this survey, because we want to know what each of these groups think about their experience in our schools. We want to know your thoughts and opinions on :

School culture and climate

Communications from the District/school to you

Opportunities for engagement with your school community

It is important that we hear from a variety of diverse individuals. Your responses help to guide our planning for future academic and enrichment programs and help us to address areas where our programs need improvement. The results also help us to support successful initiatives and evaluate and improve those that are not as successful.

www.smuhsd.org/panorama

Parenting Support Groups

Parenting Support Groups in English and Spanish Start This Week

Parents/guardians can join at any time

The San Mateo Union High School District has developed a family support group with parents and primary caretakers in mind. We offer a support group in English and one in Spanish and each group includes six sessions. You do not need to attend all six sessions.

Learn about:

Parent-child communication

Positive behavior management

Interpersonal relationships

Healthy boundaries

Strategies that promote school success

Self-care strategies and coping skills to manage stress

Tobacco, Vapes, Cannabis, and other drugs

The goal of Parent Connect is to provide families with the tools needed to proactively resolve conflicts, improve attendance and enhance the well-being of their teenagers.

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

Community Corner

Wellness Grief Resources

We wanted to share an excellent resource that Nancy and the Wellness Team at Mills put together for our community. The resource contains information and guidance about grief and loss.

Please click on the following link to access a list of grief resources:  bit.ly/smuhsdgrief

Join the SMUSHD Student Nutrition Services Team

Looking for a part-time or on-call job? Join our team in a School Cafeteria. Please call 650-558-2479 for more information or visit the current openings page on our website - look under Classified for open Nutrition Services positions! Watch the video to see what it's like woprking here: https://youtu.be/XiDbt1qz7Wc?si=n8DG4alcYmrqZOLq&t=58