2425.4 Grizzly Growler 09.6.24
FREE ENGLISH CLASS FOR ADULTS/ CLASE DE INGLES GRATIS PARA ADULTOS
Improve your conversation, listening, writing, and reading skills through the Palomar ESL Program at the San Marcos Public library Conference Room on Monday, September 9th from 10am- 12:30pm. Make sure to register and if you aren't able to attend this course, then keep an eye out for their later dates.
Mejore sus habilidades de conversación, escuchar, escritura y lectura con el programa de ESL del colegio de Palomar en el cuarto de conferencias en la biblioteca publica de San Marcos. Este Lunes, 9 de Septiembre desde las 10am-12:30pm. No se olvide de registrarse y si no puede asistir esta fecha, no se preocupe. Tendran otras fechas para las clases.
LOOKING FOR A COUNSELOR?
Check out this flyer in Spanish and English to see what's available for you.
YELLOW RIBBON WEEK
Mission Hills High School Observes National Suicide Prevention Week with Yellow Ribbon Week 2024
Recognizing National Suicide Prevention Week, Mission Hills High School is proud to announce its participation in Yellow Ribbon Week, a dedicated time to promote awareness, provide resources, and foster a supportive environment for students, faculty, and the community. This year’s theme, “You Matter, We Care,” emphasizes the importance of mental health, the power of connection, and the impact of reaching out to those in need.
Empowering Our Students and Community
Yellow Ribbon Week at Mission Hills High School will take place from September 9-13, 2024, and will feature a series of events and activities designed to educate, inspire, and support our school community.
- Monday Sept. 9th - Affirmations at Lunch
- Tuesday Sept. 10th - Wellness Fair & Wear Yellow
- Wednesday Sept. 11th - Get connected at Club Rush
- Friday Sept. 13th - Therapy Dogs and games at Lunch
Below are free, On-Demand Webinars for Parents/Caregivers
Suicide Prevention 101 Webinar for Parents: Recognizing Signs and What to Do
This free webinar provides information about suicide prevention for parents, including warning signs for suicide, how to have a conversation with their teen, actions to take if their teen is having suicidal thoughts, and resources. The webinar is provided in partnership with the California Department of Education, the California Mental Health Services Authority, the Directing Change Program, and Teen Line. The webinar is offered in English and Spanish.
Módulo 1 – Prevención del Suicidio para Padres: Las Señales y Qué Hacer
Este seminario web gratuito proporcionará información sobre prevención del suicidio para los padres que incluye: reconocer las señales de advertencia de suicidio, cómo tener una conversación con tu hijo sobre tus inquietudes, acciones para tomar si tu hijo tiene pensamientos suicidas, consejos y recursos para apoyar la salud mental y emocional durante COVID-19, e información sobre como criar adolescentes resilientes.
A Commitment to Mental Health
Principal Baker expressed the school's commitment to creating a safe and supportive environment: "At Mission Hills High School, we believe that every student’s life is invaluable. Yellow Ribbon Week is an opportunity for us to stand together as a community, to remind our students that they are not alone, and to ensure they have access to the resources they need. Our goal is to foster a culture where mental health is prioritized, and everyone feels empowered to seek help."
Resources and Support
MHHS Counseling Linktree of Resources
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
See below in our growler for more resources for families.
Check out these flyers in English and Spanish for information about preventing youth suicide.
CLUB RUSH
Grizzlies, did you know we have over 50 clubs on campus? Here at Mission Hills, we have a variety of ways for our grizzlies to get involved and pursue activities they are interested. If you like crafts, community service, robotics, or just want to make new friends, then check out our Club Rush on Wednesday, September 11th in our ASB Plaza during Lunch!
Look through this year's list of clubs. Don't see a club that interests you? Be the change you want to see and start your own! For further instruction on how to start a club, check out our website.
We hope to see you there!
[UPDATED] PSAT/ NMSQT
Grizzlies in 10th and 11th grade, don't forget to register for the PSAT! This year it will be on Saturday, October 26th.The exam costs $50 (Fee waivers are available!) and you can purchase it at the Finance Office or on our Grizzly Webstore. Payment is due September 20th.
Fee waiver forms are due Wednesday, September 11th in Room 750 (Mrs. Kozuchowski) by the end of the day.
Please note that the registration AND the fee must be submitted prior to taking the test. There will also be a mandatory meeting in October. Contact Mrs. Kozuchowski if you have any questions- magda.kozuchowski@smusd.org
**Junior students could qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program and other scholarships**
Join the Google Classroom- code: td35zhc
GET INVOLVED WITH ELAC
ELAC is our English Learner Advisory Committee and is made up of parents, guardians, staff, and administration. They work as a team to support English learner students being successful, reaching reclassification and meeting A-G requirements to prepare them for their future after high school.
During the meetings, you'll get a chance to:
Learn the importance of school attendance.
Review and discuss the school plan with the principal.
Create and distribute a Needs Assessment.
Elect a DELAC Representative to attend monthly district meetings.
Fall Meeting Dates will all be in our MHHS Library @6pm:
September 19th
October 17th
November 21st
Check out the Spanish/ English ELAC flyer for more information.
[UPDATED] UPCOMING COLLEGE FAIRS 2024
There are virtual and in-person college fairs coming up!
There will be 2 here in our very own ASB Plaza:
Mini-in-State College Fair at lunch on Friday, October 4th.
RACC Out-of-State College Fair at lunch on Wednesday, October 23rd.
Check the flyer and see the Future Center for more information.
COLLEGE SHOWCASE
Interested in going to college?
Explore Solutions is hosting their annual College Showcase on Monday, September 16th from 6-8 pm at Scripps Ranch High School. Check out the flier to see the 80 outstanding colleges that will be attending. The free event is open to all.
EDGE
Calling all female high school students interested in engineering and stem-related fields! UCSD's Society of Women Engineers and Women in Computing have opened up application for their Empowerment & Development for Girls in Engineering 2024-2025 mentorship program!
This is a great opportunity for students to participate in engineering workshops, get exposure to academic and professional development opportunities, project teams, and mentorship from undergraduate and graduate students at UC San Diego.
Students can apply at: https://forms.gle/1bXXiGYCuBKc6DGu8
There will also be 2 informational sessions you can attend:
09/10 & 09/18 @7pm.
Applications are due Sunday September 29, 2024, at 11:59 pm.
For more information, you can email edge.ucsd@gmail.com or visit their website https://edgeucsd.wixsite.com/edge.
FALL DINE OUT
Good afternoon Grizzlies,
Come support our band program and enjoy some boba at Ding Tea! As part of the Fall Dine Out fundraiser events, our band program is teaming up with Ding Tea (6 Creekside Drive) on Monday, September 9th from 3pm-9pm.
Don't forget to use the code "BAND" if you are ordering online or in person!
To find out how else you can support our band program, check out their website.
LOVE ON A LEASH
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We are pleased to inform you that our high school will be hosting visits from certified therapy pets on our school plaza in an open-air setting. These visits are designed to provide students with an opportunity to voluntarily interact with therapy animals, offering them a chance to experience the well-documented benefits of pet therapy, including reduced stress, improved mood, and enhanced overall well-being.
Please be assured that Love on a Leash is a national pet therapy organization that has been operating since the 1980’s. All teams must pass a stringent control evaluation and are also covered by general liability insurance on all visits.
Participation in these interactions is entirely voluntary and will take place during designated times to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all students.
All dates are Fridays during lunch on the plaza:
September 13
October 25
November 15
December 6
February 7
March 7
April 11
May 2
May 30
If you have any concerns or questions regarding this program, please do not hesitate to contact the school administration.
CLASS OF 2025 SENIOR PORTRAITS
Dear Class of 2025,
Congratulations! You are now entering your senior year! We wanted to let you know that it is time to book your appointment for senior portraits. Please book your session early to ensure you have enough time to choose the photo you want included in the yearbook. Check out the KEANE Senior Session Guide or their website for more information and to book your appointment! There are limited spots available, so make sure to book your appointment as soon as possible.
Attached is a coupon valid until August 31st.
Yearbook headshot sessions are $29 and will take place on campus on September 10th! The complimentary yearbook portraits will be on campus on December 10th and December 11th! Students will NOT have the ability to choose their yearbook portrait for the complimentary session. Make sure to book your appointment online!
To login: Use your STUDENT ID as the username and your LAST NAME as the password.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mrs. Kniseley at heidi.kniseley@smusd.org.
YEARBOOK SENIOR ADS
Attention seniors parents!
Celebrate your student and express your love with a lovely senior ad. There is a back to school sale going on right now and it ends on September 30th! Prices will increase after, so don't miss out on this opportunity.
The current pricing is:
Full page- $380
Half Page- $180
Quarter Page- $ 110
Eighth Page- $60
Go to Yearbookordercenter.com and use our school code: 8120
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mrs. Kniseley at heidi.kniseley@smusd.org. If you need help with your online order, call (866) 287-3096 toll free.
PTO MEMBER RECRUITMENT
The 2024/2025 school year is around the corner and Mission Hills PTO is creating an Interest List for people interested in being the part of our Grizzly PTO Team. Responding is not a commitment, but the start of a conversation. We hope to hear from you if you're interested in learning more about what it means to be a part of the team!
Fill out the interest list here.
For more information about Mission Hills PTO, click here.
PRONTO REDUCED FARE
Grizzlies! Don't forget to complete MTS's mandatory verification to continue to get discounted or free transit cards.
Please note that this discount applies to youth, seniors, AND others who qualify, like Medi-Cal enrollees.
Check out the step-by-step verification instructions in English and Spanish.
STUDENTSQUARE
SMUSD presents StudentSquare! It is new this year and is designed for students to get real time emergency alerts and important notifications directly on their devices.
StudentSquare offers:
- Instant Alerts: Students will get real-time notifications about emergencies like severe weather or lockdowns, so they’re always in the loop.
- Custom Notifications: They can set their preferences to receive alerts in the way that works best for them.
- Easy to Use App: The interface is super user-friendly, making it easy for students to find and read important info quickly.
- Better Communication: Besides emergency alerts, we can also send school updates, event reminders, and other important info to keep everyone connected.
Students will be using their SMUSD google account to "Sign in with Google". You can also sign in using the website: https://www.mystudentsquare.com/signin
Check out the StudentSquare- Getting Started Guide
SOLUNA
There is absolutely no cost to the services they offer and it is all anonymous and confidential. They have a directory of local services to support and guide your healing journey as well.
Check out their website for more information.
SD SHERIFF COFFEE AND ICE CREAM
Come and join the San Marcos Sheriff's Station for some coffee and ice cream on Wednesday, September 11th at 1256 San Elijio Rd North from 2pm-3pm. You'll be able to learn about the new storefront in the San Elijio community and meet the deputies who patrol your neighborhood.
Check out the flyer for more information.
CYBER SAFETY WORKSHOP
Come and join Cyber Education Consulting for a virtual presentation for parents on communication with their child speaking about technology and how to establish clear boundaries in the digital world. The presentation will take place on September 17th at 6pm.
Check out the flyer to register for either the Spanish or English presentation.
AP TESTING
It is that time again folks, AP Testing! For our Grizzlies taking AP courses, don't forget to register for the exams. This year the exams are $99 and the AP Seminar& Research Exams are $147. There is a fee waiver available for those who qualify! You can pay in person at the finance office (cash or check) or pay on our webstore.
Payment for exams is due October 18th!
Fill out the fee waiver application and bring it to Mr. Butler in room 460 by Friday, October 11th. You will still need to pay the reduced fee at the finance office by October 18th. Paper copies are also available in room 460.
You can also find more information on our website.
CAREER EXPEDITION
Project Next invites you to take part in this years Career Expedition to Viasat! Students will be heading over on Thursday, September 12th @10am-12pm. They'll get the opportunity to explore various jobs and career within the company like Cyber Security, Government Relations, Program Management and much more.
Please note that space is limited and students MUST submit a permission slip to secure their spot. You can visit the Future Center for more information and pick up your permission slip. Transportation and lunch will be provided!
NEW VOLUNTEER CLEARANCE PROCESS
We take the safety of our students and staff seriously, and a part of this is ensuring everyone who is on a school campus is cleared and approved to be present. As a result, there is a new volunteer clearance process with different requirements for different types of school or classroom volunteer commitments.
We have outlined each of these volunteer levels with their requirements, please click here for more information or see the flyer here.
UPDATE ON SCHOOL ATTIRE
As we eagerly prepare for the new school year, we want to share some updates about our school attire guidelines. We ask that you be mindful of these when preparing for back-to-school shopping. These guidelines are designed to create a safe, positive, and inclusive environment for all our students across K-8, middle, and high schools.
What's New?
To promote a focused and supportive atmosphere, we have updated our list of prohibited attire items. After thoughtful collaboration with the San Marcos Sheriff's Department, here are the items that will no longer be allowed for students to wear to school:
Professional sports teams' jerseys and logos on clothing, hats, and accessories
Gang-related writing, symbols, graffiti, or tagging on any property
Monogrammed or lettered belt buckles (e.g., S, N, M, R, B, X, 13, 14)
Bandanas
Hair nets
These changes reflect our commitment to ensuring that every student feels safe and supported at school.
If a student is found wearing a prohibited item, they will be asked to change into appropriate clothing, and the item will be held securely at the front office. Parents/guardians are welcome to pick it up after school
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. Together, we can make this school year our best one yet!
VOLUNTARY STUDENT ACCIDENT INSURANCE
Did you know the average cost of an ambulance ride in CA is $549? This is why SMUSD has partnered with a third-party to provide optional student accident insurance, for as little as $14 for the year. Voluntary student accident insurance is highly-beneficial if an accident was to occur while attending or participating in school-sponsored activities.
For details and more information, see the flyer here or visit www.studentinsuranceusa.com.
START SMART FALL DATES
Attention grizzlies! To park in the student parking lot, students are required to have a valid parking permit. To obtain a parking permit students are required to complete a Start Smart course and submit all required paperwork, including proof of driver license, valid registration and car insurance to the Finance Office.
The Start Smart dates for this 2024 Fall semester are:
Monday, August 19th @10am- 12pm Redwood Theater
Tuesday, September 10th @6pm-8pm in the library
Wednesday, November 6th @6pm-8pm in the library
Check out our website to register for a Start Smart course.
ADOLESCENT FAMILY LIFE PROGRAM
Eligibility Requirements:
-expecting or current parents 21 years of age or younger
-one or both parents may participate
-Not enrolled in CalLearn
-Living in San Diego County
Click here for more information on their website.
HVAC DUAL ENROLLMENT
The San Marcos Unified School District and Palomar College bring you the "Be Ready to Work Program"! The program includes classes from Palomar's Air conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Program. Upon the completion of these classes, students will get a certificate to begin working in the HVAC field while earning credits toward an Associates degree.
"Be Ready to Work" is open to all SMUSD high school students and allows them to earn a certificate and college credit while in high school during the school day!
For more information, reach out to your student's counselor.
School Counselors
A-Ca | Mrs. Baker: cherryl.baker@smusd.org
Ce-Gab | Mrs. Segal: angela.segal@smusd.org
Gal-Ja | Mr. Cruz: eric.cruz@smusd.org
Je-Men | Ms. Jercinovich: carolyn.jercinovich@smusd.org
Mer-Pg | Mrs. Goldstein: kathleen.goldstein@smusd.org
Ph-Sh | Mrs. Martinez Alejandre: susan.martinezalejandre@smusd.org
Si-Z | Mrs. Rios: adriana.rios@smusd.org
HOW TO CREATE A WEBSTORE ACCOUNT
SMUSD has a new webstore for online purchases. All Mission Hills students and families will need to create an account to purchase items online. Students are able to create their own account with their SMUSD email. If families have multiple students at different schools within SMUSD or even multiple Grizzlies, you can now create one account for all the students in your family! Refer to the how to guides below to create your accounts.
If you have any questions about creating your webstore account email our ASB Director, Mrs. O’Neil, at jocelyn.oneil@smsud.org.
FAMILY GUIDE TO SUPPORTING YOUNG PEOPLE'S MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
Project Cal-Well, a cross-agency mental health initiative led by the California Department of Education, produced this easy-to-use guide with input from families, educators, mental health professionals, and youth. The guide helps parents and other adult family members and caregivers navigate supporting the overall well-being and mental health of school-aged children, including tips for what can be difficult conversations. It offers information about the social and emotional development of young people and explains warning signs that may signal mental health challenges. It equips caregivers with targeted strategies, tools, and resources that help them advocate for their family, address each child’s specific needs, and access professional help.
Key topics and tips include:
- example conversation starters to help open lines of communication with children and teens;
- enjoyable ways to connect, develop wellness routines, and create well-being practices as a family;
- information addressing mental health myths, including the specific needs and increased challenges facing young people who identify as LGBTQ+;
- information on how to recognize signs that a child is bullying or being bullied;
- tools to create a family media plan that sets boundaries around technology and gives children the skills to be online safely using age-appropriate platforms; and
- tips for partnering with schools to access mental health and family wellness resources and supports.
CARE SOLACE
24/7/365 Mental Health Care Coordination Service for San Marcos Unified School District Students, Staff, and their Families: https://www.caresolace.com/site/sanmarcos
COUNSELING
>> View MHHS Counseling Linktree of Resources
>> View Counseling website
MHHS LIBRARY
Library Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (M-F)
>> View The Check-in! Library Newsletter for Students
>> Visit Library Page
MHHS ASB
VIEW ALL 24-25 GROWLERS
Click here to view all Growlers.
These are posted to the ParentSquare App each week. If you're not receiving them, please check your settings on ParentSquare, and verify that your contact information is accurate in ParentVUE.If you have anything you'd like to see added, please reach out to Jillian Ryan.
AP/HONORS TUTORING
>> Visit AP/H Website
>> View AP/HONORS TUTORING CALENDAR
ENGLISH
>> View WRITING DEN FLIER
MATH
>> View MATH TUTORING FLIER
SCIENCE
>> View BIO AND CHEM TUTORING FLIER
BRAINFUSE
TUTORING RESOURCES
In addition to asking your teacher for help, attached is some information about AP/Honors Tutoring and Math Tutoring. Also, all California students have access to BrainFuse free through the public library website linked. They offer online tutoring, writing assistance, and more.
