2425.3 Grizzly Growler 08.15.24
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.
UPCOMING COLLEGE FAIRS 2024
There are virtual and in-person college fairs coming up! Including one here in our ASB Plaza on Wednesday, October 23rd.
Check the flyer and see the Future Center 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.
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.
SCHEDULE CHANGE DEADLINE
**Please note that the google form can only be accessed by students through their SMUSD login**
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
MHHS BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Attention Grizzlies!
There will be a meeting for girls interested in playing Beach Volleyball in Spring 2025! The meeting will be on Wednesday (9/4) at lunch in room 560. Stay posted and follow @mhhs_girlsbeachvb on Instagram or contact Ms. Dayna Drewniak (coach) for details (dayna.drewniak@smusd.org)
PARKING PERMIT REMINDER
Good afternoon Grizzlies,
We want to remind you that starting September 3rd, students will be cited if they are parked without a valid parking permit. To obtain a parking permit students must submit all required paperwork, including permit application, proof of driver license, valid car registration and insurance.
Please note that parking permits must be renewed every year. For our first time applicants, they are required to complete a Start Smart course with a parent or guardian. Our next Start Smart course will be on September 10th @6pm in our library.
Check out our Parking Policy in Spanish and English for more information. You can register for a Start Smart course on our website.
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.
Check out the flyer to register for either the Spanish or English presentation.
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!
CITY HIKE
Join fellow hikers on a 5.3-mile hike through some of the oldest neighborhoods in San Marcos on Saturday, August 7th from 8am- 11am.
There will be a blend of sidewalks, maintained trails, and signature parks. Hikers will meet at Hollandia Park, 12 Mission Hills Court, San Marcos 92069 (meet near the dog park) and head on out together. Sign in begins at 7:30am! There will be more City Hikes throughout the year, so make sure to keep an eye out.
Check out the City of San Marcos's website for more information.
FREE MOVIES IN THE PARK
Join the city of San Marcos for a fun-filled, family oriented, summer night! This week on Friday September 6th they'll be playing the Puss and Boots- The Last Wish (PG) in Richmar Park (110 Richmar Avenue). Preshow activities start at 6:30pm.
There will be food truck options AND popcorn is provided as well. Remember to bring your lawn chairs or blankets for sitting.
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.
FOOTBALL GAME TICKETS
FOOTBALL SEASON is here! The ticket booth is cashless, so make sure to buy your tickets on gofan.co!
You can also use card or mobile pay at the ticket booth or students can show us your ASB sticker (check your school email until ID cards arrive).
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 from 7:45am-12pm. The exam costs $50 (Fee waivers are available!) and you can purchase it at the Finance Office or on our Grizzly Webstore.
Fee waiver forms are due Wednesday, September 11th in Room 750 (Mrs. Kozuchowski).
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
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.
SENIOR JUMPSTART CLASS OF 2025
CALSOAP San Diego and Imperial Counties Consortium is announcing their Senior Year Jumpstart for class of 2025.
This FREE event is for high school seniors and their families to find out about careers paths, the college application process (UCs, CSUs, Community Colleges, Privates), scholarships/financial aid, and more. Open to any 12th graders from any school.
This year it'll take place at Oceanside High School on September 7th from 8am to 12pm. Save the date!
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.
