2324.30 Grizzly Growler 4.5.24
SOLAR ECLIPSE SAFETY
As you are likely aware, there will be a solar eclipse occurring on Monday, April 8th. The safety of our students during this event is our priority. We want to make you aware of the following precautions we are taking during the school day to ensure the well-being of our school community:
Eclipse Safety Precautions:
- We will be sharing with students and staff the importance of not looking directly at the sun during the eclipse without proper eye protection. Direct viewing of the sun can cause severe eye damage.
- We will be making a morning announcement reminding students about the eclipse and the importance of exercising caution when outdoors.
Please also consider speaking to your student about the importance of eclipse viewing safety. We have the following resources available to help you:
SDCOE: Tips for Eclipse Safety
ABC News: Why April's total solar eclipse will be a historic event in the US
DIVERSITY TOWN HALL
Come and celebrate all the diverse cultures that make up San Marcos! Brought to you by the San Marcos Youth Commission, there will be performances, food tasting, a photo booth, and family activities.
This event will be taking place on Saturday April 13th from 10am-12pm at the San Marcos Community Center.
EMPTY BOWLS COMMUNITY NIGHT
Empty Bowls will be split between two events this year:
- On Tuesday, April 16th from 4-6pm we will host a family/community night where attendees will be able to get first dibs on their favorite bowl. Bowl prices will range between $10-$20 with a limit of one bowl per person. The event will be next to the lunch lines in the 800's courtyard.
- On Wednesday, April 17th we will have an extended lunch where staff and students are invited to purchase a bowl and spaghetti lunch. There will be vegan and meat options available. This will also be in the 800's courtyard for the lunch event.
Food inequality is becoming more prevalent in America, which is why all proceeds will be going to The North County (San Diego) Food Bank. They work hard to serve our community and distribute food to those who need it. Let's feed the hungry, together!
VCC FRESH START SURGICAL GIFTS SCREENING CLINIC
The event will be taking place on Wednesday, April 24th at Vista Community Clinic Vale Terrace Vista. Walk-ins are also welcome!
UCSD'S GIRLS' DAY OUT
UCSD's Empowerment and Development for Girls in Engineering (EDGE)
UCSD EDGE is hosting their largest event of the year, Girls' Day Out! Taking place on April 27th from 9am- 3:15pm on UCSD campus, it is a day-long event led by the Society of Women Engineers and Women in Computing at UCSD. The event is open to any female/non binary students in the San Diego area and will be filled with various workshops, networking opportunities and presentations. Here are the confirmed workshops:
- Into to Python Workshop (JavaScript, CSS), hosted by UCSD ACM
- Cybersecurity Workshop, hosted by UCSD ACM
- Bias in AI/ML Workshop, hosted by Professor Parinaz
- Technical Renewable Energy Workshop, hosted by Professor Shi and Professor Karcher
- Hardware Workshop, hosted by UCSD Project in a Box
- Software Workshop, hosted by Code with Her
If you are attending, make sure to arrive at 8:40am, so that the event can start at 9. Lunch will be provided as well.
Click here to register!
EXPLORING MY PATH- CAREER EXPLORATIONS
STRESS AWARENESS MONTH
April is Stress Awareness Month. Learning about stress and how it affects our bodies, can help us identify the factors that cause it and develop treatment plans. As we come closer to the end of year, student's may become overwhelmed with their academics, sport and other extra circulars. We encourage families to check in with their students and have conversations about their mental health and well being.
Here at MHHS you can connect to your child's school counselor, school social worker, or school psychologist to help address any concerns you may have. Further down this newsletter you can also find information on Mental Health webinars and a family guide to support your child's mental health and well being. We want to make sure that you and your student feel supported throughout their academic journey.
SENIORS // GRADUATION INFORMATION AND CALENDAR
Please click here to view the calendar of events for graduation.
Please click here to view the information for our 2024 graduation ceremony.
SENIORS ORDER CAP AND GOWNS NOW!
Class of 2024 Graduation is just around the corner! If you haven't ordered your cap and gown visit Jostens.com https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1428613/Mission-Hills-High-School/ to order. If you need assistance please contact Mark Boyer at mark.boyer@jostens.com.
SENIORS - GRADUATION REGALIA INFORMATION
Attention Seniors! Graduation is just around the corner. If you have not purchased your caps and gowns visit Jostens.com. If you are eligible to wear approved Graduation Regalia, you can purchase your items online NOW by visiting our new district webstore https://smusd.graystep.com/
All orders must be placed online by March 22nd. Click here to view the approved list of items that can be worn at graduation and their prices.
If you have any questions about creating your webstore account email our ASB Director, Mrs. O’Neil, at jocelyn.oneil@smsud.org. If you have any questions regarding approved graduation regalia email our Program Coordinator, Mr. Hackbarth, at eddie.hackbarth@smusd.org.
LEGACY BRICK FUNDRAISER IS BACK - DUE BY 4/30
The PTO is happy to announce our annual Legacy Brick fundraiser is back. These are a great way to honor your student(s), clubs, sports program, teachers, and staff members!! You can personalize your brick with names, dates, special messages, and Grizzly clip art. See the attached flyer for details, or click on the link: https://polarengraving.com/missionhillspto
ORDERS DUE BY 4/30
GRADUATION YARD SIGNS ON SALE NOW
Celebrate your Grizzlies with a Graduate Senior Yard Sign!
MHHS PTO is excited to partner with Signarama this year to offer our Class of 2024 families an opportunity to order graduation yard signs to celebrate our Seniors! A portion of the proceeds will help support programs such as Sponsor a Grizzly, scholarships, and PTO-sponsored events for the staff and students.
Please take a moment to review ALL the information below BEFORE submitting your order.
- Orders will be open through April 12, 2024.
- Orders will be processed and available for pickup mid-May. An email will be sent to confirm order pick-up details at Mission Hills High School.
- Confirm all information is accurate. (For personalized items, please ensure names are spelled correctly)
- All Sales are Final
- If you would like to order more than one option, please submit a form for each order.
Any questions can be directed to mhhsptocommunications@gmail.com
Link: https://forms.gle/fx5xKbT39D6PZTcF6 (https://forms.gle/fx5xKbT39D6PZTcF6
FREE COLLEGE FAIRS - SPRING 2024
The Western Association for College Admission Counseling (WACAC) is excited to announce seven upcoming college fairs in California tailored specifically for high school students, their families, and college counselors. These spring fairs organized by WACAC are completely FREE to attend and offer FREE parking (with the exception of Sacramento). Don't miss this opportunity to engage with representatives from 100+ colleges worldwide. Explore and discover what each institution has to offer to help you find the perfect fit for your educational journey.
2024 SPRING IN-PERSON COLLEGE FAIRS
Inland Empire (UC Riverside): Saturday, March 16, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
San Diego (Scripps HS): Saturday, March 23, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Los Angeles (Granada Hills Charter): Saturday, April 6, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Central Coast (Templeton HS): Wednesday, April 10, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
South Bay Area (West Valley College): Thursday, May 2, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m
East Bay Area (St. Mary’s College of California): Saturday, May 4, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Sacramento (SAFE Credit Union): Tuesday, May 28, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Before attending a WACAC College Fair, students and parents are encouraged to register for a barcode at www.StriveFair.com. Present your barcode to college representatives for easy scanning, allowing them to provide you with additional details about their school, application procedures, financial aid options, and important deadlines. Within 24 hours of the fair, you will receive a detailed report summarizing your interactions with each college.
CAMP SPERO // FREE SUMMER CAMP FOR GRIEVING YOUTH
ENROLLMENT IS NOW OPEN FOR CAMP SPERO, our free summer camp for youth ages 7 to 17 who are grieving the death of their loved ones. We welcome both first-time campers and returning campers to our program. At camp, children and teens honor their special person, make friends with others who are facing similar challenges, learn coping skills and have lots of fun. Camp Spero 2024 will be held from July 26 through July 28 in Julian, CA. There’s no cost to attend, and transportation from San Diego to the campgrounds is provided. Apply today at www.elizabethhospice.org/camp
PALOMAR PROMISE // VIRTUAL INFORMATION SESSIONS
The Palomar Promise program offers up to two years of free tuition (fall/spring), textbook assistance, and access to specialized academic and career planning with related support services to eligible first-time, full-time college students. Join us for a virtual information session to learn more about the Palomar Promise program, eligibility requirements and benefits.
Thursday February 29, 2024 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday March 21, 2024 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Thursday April 18, 2024 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
See flier for registration links.
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.
'COLLEGE IS FOR ME' CONFERENCE AT CSUSM
The Early Assessment Program (EAP) at CSU San Marcos is happy to announce that they will host their annual, "College Is For Me" Conference on our campus. This conference is scheduled for Saturday, April 20, 2024, from 9 am to 1 pm.
The conference is for middle/high school students and their families. The conference will be held in the USU Ballroom and three breakout sessions will be in nearby classrooms. They will have various breakout sessions. This free conference is an opportunity for students and families who have never considered college to learn how higher education can create a pathway to social mobility. Attached is the flyer for the event, both in English and Spanish. You will also find the agenda attached.
Guests are highly encouraged to register so they have a headcount for breakfast, lunch, and t-shirts. This is a first come, first serve event and space is limited. You can register for the event by visiting: https://collegeisforme2024.bpt.me/.
COLLEGE ACCESS PROGRAMS
For more information and to register:
MENTAL HEALTH WEBINAR SERIES FOR PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS
Mental Health Webinar Series for Parents and Caregivers in partnership with Rady Children's Hospital. The first webinar starts on January 24th, and each are from 5:30pm to 6:30pm, followed by an optional 15-minute Q+A session with presenter. Spanish interpretation will be provided.
Spanish Flier: Click here
SERIES TOPICS
April 24: Cultivating School-Life Balance to Support Academic Success
May 15: When Anxiety Attacks: How You Can Help
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.
SPRING SEMESTER START SMART CLASSES ADDED - 4/17/24
Grizzlies: Please fill out the following form to reserve your seat for the upcoming Start Smart Sessions.
IMPORTANT // SEATING IS LIMITED
Please note that capacity is limited to 180 total individuals per session, and each student must bring a parent/guardian with them. If there are multiple students in a household, please fill out this form again for each additional student.
- Check in is at 5:45 p.m. and the program lasts between 1.5-2 hours.
- Official start time is 6:00 p.m.
- Material is probably not appropriate for students under 12.
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 23-24 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
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.
