2425.27 Grizzly Growler 03.16
ELAC Workshop: Know Your Rights!
ELAC Workshop: Know Your Rights!
Date: Thursday, March 20th
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Virtual on Google Meet. meet.google.com/qrz-oqog-ynj
Immigration attorney Amie Scully will teach you what to do during interactions with law enforcement. The presentation will be in English and Spanish, followed by the ELAC meeting.
Progressive Steps Dance Show!
Progressive Steps dance show is a joint performance with Mission Hills dance students and professional dance companies. MHHS dancers learn from guest artists that are professionals in the community, then share an evening of dance with the professional company.
When: Friday, March 21
Time: 7:00PM
Where: Redwood Hall
Link for tickets:
Money Matters Part 2
Managing Debt
Curious about adulting and managing money? Join Project Next in our Future Center during lunch (Food will be provided) to learn tips and tricks on handling credit card, car loans, and student loan debt. Discover strategies to tackle your debts and pave the way to financial independence.
Earn College Credit at MHHS from CSUSM!
Thinking about your future? Take one of three courses below next year at MHHS and earn dual credit at CSUSM! That’s 3-6 units of FREE college credit while still in high school! Don’t miss this chance to get ahead — sign up now with your counselor! Even if you've completed course selection, you can email your counselor to request to be added to one or more of these classes.
Ethnic Studies (11-12 grade)
Cybersecurity (9-12 Grade)
English 9 in the Context of Mental health (9 Grade)
On Campus * During the School Day * 3-6 CSUSM Credits * Free!
No summer school for credit recovery this year
We are in the midst of Course Selection Season and students and families have been asking about whether or not summer school would be an option for students this year. Unfortunately, there will be no summer school for credit recovery this year. Instead, students who need to remediate any necessary credits should work directly with their counselor to explore options through Credit Recovery or our FLEX Academy. If you have any questions, please contact your administrator or the counseling office for more information.
Thank you!
Interested in joining MHHS Associated Student Body?
Adding your name to this interest list will keep you informed on deadlines and the application process. Being a part of ASB is a rewarding experience, that requires time, effort, and responsibility. As a member of ASB you will have a unique opportunity to be involved in various aspects of student life and develop your leadership skills.
Interested in joining the MHHS Dance Team?
Please fill out this form>>Interest Form if you are interested in trying out for the, Mission Hills Dance Team. Be on the lookout for more information regarding tryouts and the 2025-2026 season. We look forward to hearing from you!
Reminder: Student Parking Permit Requirement
- 1st Violation: Warning
- 2nd Violation: May result in a $20 citation fee
- 3rd Violation: May result in towing
Additionally, first-time permit applicants are required to complete a Start Smart course with a parent/guardian. Information about Start Smart courses can also be found at the link above.
We appreciate your cooperation in ensuring our parking policies are followed.
Class of 2025 - Submit your Financial Aid Application!
The priority deadline to submit your Financial Aid Application (FAFSA or CADAA) is coming up soon. Submit your application by April 2, 2025 in order to receive as much financial aid as possible!
Did you already submit your FAFSA or CADAA?
- Now, make sure to create a WebGrants 4 Students account so you can track your Cal Grant status and other financial aid updates
Do you have questions or need help with your application?
- Visit the Future Center (open from 7:30am-4pm every school day)
- Reach out to your school counselor
Project Next
Project Next's Interview Skills Day yesterday was a huge success! We had 81 students participate, gaining real-world experience and confidence as they practiced their interview skills with 20 incredible professionals from companies such as General Atomics, Baker Electric, Employbridge, Hunter Industries, The City of San Marcos, and more! It was inspiring to see students step outside their comfort zones, refine their communication skills, and make meaningful connections with industry professionals.
After each session, we asked students to complete a post-event survey so we could gather their feedback. I wanted to share the top three highlights from their responses along with specific quotes from today:
Boosted Confidence – Many students shared that they now feel more prepared and less nervous about interviews, thanks to the encouragement and practical advice you provided.
Valuable Personal Interactions – Students deeply valued the one-on-one and small group discussions, which allowed for meaningful connections and tailored guidance.
A Desire for More – Several students expressed interest in spending even more time in mock interviews and diving deeper into interview strategies, showing just how much they appreciated your insights.
"Because of Project Next and this event, I will be able to confidently walk into my next interview knowing what to expect and how to prepare myself."
"I loved how confident our instructor was and how relaxed the environment felt. I now know how to properly introduce my weaknesses without using words like 'anger' and can thrive in future job interviews."
"The advice and real-world examples helped me see interviews from both the interviewer and interviewee’s perspectives, making me feel more prepared and less robotic."
Raices Program!
8 students from the Raices program were on the Student Panel at Impact Day Conference at Paradise Point in San Diego this past Friday!
Mrs. Martinez says, "They were AMAZING!!! They were confident and spoke from the heart.They shared their stories and how educators can support their students at their school sites. People in the audience were crying and I heard many of them taking deep breaths.
As the students walked out of the conference, they were full of smiles. They felt empowered, heard, and that they had a voice."
Thank you to Salomon Almazo, Liliana Avila, Edgar Huaracha, Jason Juarez, Rodrigo Pozos, Ivrvyn Vasquez, Emilio Ramirez and Carlos Canseco for being brave individuals.
Congratulations to Chris Coughlin
Chris Coughlin earned Certificated Employee of the Year! Chris has led the music program planning concert bands, jazz band, choir and marching band of over 200 students. Chris leads with passions, builds opportunities for his students and works to make Mission Hills better everyday.
LCAP survey!
SMUSD would like you to share your thoughts on the district's performance. SMUSD will use the feedback received to ensure that district offerings meet the needs of students, parents, and staff, consistent with the district’s LCAP.
This study is for research purposes only; all information you provide will be maintained on a confidential basis by Hanover Research and will only be reported to SMUSD in an anonymized form (i.e., your name and identifying information such as race and gender will not be shared with the district or tied to your responses), so please be candid in your responses.
Please note that you should not use your name or other identifying items in your open-ended responses.
Thank you for your participation!
8th Grade Course Selection
Hello 8th Graders and Parents/Caregivers!
As you prepare for the exciting transition to Mission Hills High School, we know that choosing the right courses is an important step. Your MHHS Counselors are here to guide you through the process and make it as smooth as possible.
Here’s how it works:
Part 1: MHHS Counselors' Presentation to 8th Graders
To get you started, MHHS Counselors will visit Woodland Park on March 13th, and we will visit Double Peak and San Marcos Middle on March 24th.
For La Mirada and San Elijo Middle School, we will meet with you at MHHS when you visit us on March 13th.
We'll walk through the different types of courses available, explain graduation requirements, and answer any general questions. This is a great opportunity to learn about the many exciting options you’ll have in high school!
Part 2: One-on-One Meetings with Students
After the presentation, MHHS Counselors will return to your school* to meet with each 8th grader individually. During these meetings, we’ll review your course options, help you pick the classes that best fit your interests and academic goals, and answer any specific questions you have. This is your time to get personalized advice and ensure you’re on the right path for a successful high school experience.
(*for LMA and SEMS, Part 2 will be a google form the students complete)
We’re excited to help you make choices that will set you up for a successful and enjoyable transition to Mission Hills High School.
Go Grizzlies!
Peer Counseling Applications NOW OPEN!
Peer Counseling 1 applications are open for the 2025-2026 school year! We are looking to build a team of students that will become Peer Counselors. Peer-To-Peer is a student-led peer counseling program aimed to train peer counselors to provide support to their fellow students in the Wellness Center. We are looking for students who display empathy and strong communication skills, are passionate about mental health and wellness and/or hoping to pursue a career in the mental/behavioral health or related fields.
If students are interested in applying, the application is due Friday, March 21st. If you have any questions or would like to refer a student, please reach out to Charlie Grenier (charlie.grenier@smusd.org) or Lisa Filice (lisa.filice@smusd.org).
2025-2026 MHHS Cheer Tryouts
Interested in becoming a Grizzly Cheerleader? Tryouts for the 2025-2026 season are right around the corner! Please complete the interest form below to be included in our upcoming pre-tryout parent/athlete meeting. Follow us on social media for all the latest dates and schedules.
Please email Coach Sarah at sarah.malo@smusd.org, with any questions! We look forward to seeing you all soon! GO GRIZZLIES!
Instagram : @mhhscheerleading
Grandparents Symposium
When: Saturday, March 29, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Where: North Inland Live Well Center 649 W Mission Ave, Escondido, CA 92025
Fill Out Interest Form by March 14, 2025
Looking for a Counselor?
We know all families have different circumstances. There is an option for everyone see below to find something that may fit your family's needs.
The Princess Project San Diego
2025 dress giveaway flyer in English and Spanish
Please note the following additional information:
- Each teen will be able to select one free prom dress and one accessory
- Teens must reserve their appointment online to come get a dress. Our appointment booking system has changed; registration is a two-step process; teens will complete their waiver first and then be sent to our reservation booking page.
- In addition to our Central Giveaway Location at Mission Valley Mall, we also offer "Pop-Up" Prom Shops at local partner libraries in San Diego County! When registering, teens should double check that they choose the correct giveaway location where they want to come get a dress with us!
- Teens must bring a valid ID and proof of enrollment in High School.
- Please Note: Our Main Princess Project Dress Giveaway Location at Mission Valley Mall is located next to DXL, and across from Lenscrafters, Phenix Salon and the US Postal Office. Park in underground parking level "D" and head up the ramp; our store will be on your left!
Virtual Parent Academy
Presented by Courtney Kowalchuck, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Sessions will be offered in English on Zoom, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.
Zoom meeting ID: 895 2244 0081
https://smusd-org.zoom.us/j/89522440081
Virtual Parent Academy 2025 Schedule:
Wednesday, March 5: Anxiety/Worry in Kids
Wednesday, March 19: Depression in Kids
Wednesday, April 9: Boundaries & Communication
Wednesday, April 16: Divorce and Co-Parenting
Wednesday, April 30: Adolescent and Child Sleep
Wednesday, May 14: Technology and Social Media
Details on each topic will be available closer to the session date.
We are looking forward to this year's topics and hope you can join us!
For more information, please contact SMUSD Parent Liaison, Ani Diaz-Chavez, at 760-290-2597.
Comienza Con Un Sueño 2025
Saturday March 15th @ 9am In-Person at UC San Diego Liontree Arena
UC San Diego's FREE annual Comienza con un Sueño 2025 conference brings together 6th-11th grade students, families & educators for a day of culture, community and knowledge. Offering bilingual workshops on college systems, admissions & financial aid, bringing together college & community resources & providing a one of a kind STEM fair!
Comienza con un Sueño 2025 reuine a estudiantes de 6ᐤ a 11ᐤ, familias y educadores en UC San Diego para un evento GRATUITO que celebra cultura, comunidad y conocimiento. ¡Ofrecemos sesiones bilingües sobre los sistemas universitarios, requisitos de admisión y ayuda financiera. La confrerencia reúne recursos universitarios y comunitarios y presenta una feria de STEM exclusiva!
Email comienza@ucsd.edu if you have any questions about this event.
Dia del Niño Resource Fair
What: Dia del Niño Resource Fair
When: Saturday, April 26th, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Where: San Marcos Elementary
Who: Open to the public
What to Expect:
- Free Event: Enjoy a day of fun and valuable resources at no cost.
- SMUSD Resources: Get support with TK/Kinder enrollment, transportation applications, and information about Extended School Services (ESS) after-school programs.
- Health Services: Access health physicals, dental screenings, and vision screenings.
- Community Partners: Connect with the San Diego County Library (and get a library card!), and discover many more community resources.
- Entertainment: Enjoy performances by San Marcos Elementary and La Mirada Academy Ballet Folklorico and Boys & Girls Club Dance Club.
- Vaccine Pre-registration: Incoming TK/Kinder and 7th graders needing vaccines can pre-register HERE.
If you have any questions, please contact either Ani Diaz-Chavez, District Parent Liaison, at anileydi.diaz-chavez@smusd.org or 760-290-2597 or Adelita Gonzales, Coordinator of Community Schools, at adelita.gonzales@smusd.org or 760-290-2448
YEARBOOKS ON SALE NOW
BUY NOW $90
Visit MHHS Webstore to pre-order your child's yearbook. The price of the yearbook are now $90. The yearbooks sell out every year so be sure to reserve your book now before they sell out.
Go to Yearbookordercenter.com and use our school code: 8120
We are so sorry but we are currently SOLD OUT of our Senior Ad spaces. If you would like to be put on the wait list to purchase a Senior Ad please fill out the signup form and we will contact you in order of your sign up.
We are currently trying to secure more pages but as of now we DO NOT have space for any more Ads. Use this form to sign up to be on the wait list: Google Form Link
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.
PARENTSQUARE
ParentSquare is the primary communication platform for all school communication throughout SMUSD, utilizing email, text, and app notifications. We encourage parents to download the free mobile app and view their Notifications settings on when and how they are notified.
For a quick Parent 101 ParentSquare video overview, please click here.
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
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.
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. If you have any questions about creating your webstore account email our ASB Director, Mrs. O’Neil, at jocelyn.oneil@smsud.org.
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
MHHS LIBRARY
Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (M-F)
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.
GRIZZLIES STEPPING UP
Grizzlies Stepping Up (GSU) is a tutoring program for multilingual students. In GSU you can work on homework, projects, presentations, prepare for quizzes and tests. Reading for pleasure also takes place during GSU to increase Lexile level and reach reclassification. Student tutors are available to help.
Questions: Mrs. Bustos juliana.bustos@smusd.org Room 401
Click flyer link for more info
AP/HONORS
The calendar link outlines the regular schedule for AP/Honors tutoring. However, students are welcome to meet for other classes not listed. The calendar simply serves to provide reliable, consistent tutoring to students at MHHS.
ELA TUTORING- GRIZZLY WRITING DEN **ON PAUSE**
**SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE ELA TUTORING IS ON PAUSE**
ELA tutoring can help you with essay feedback + revisions, reading comprehension, homework, make up work and MUCH more...
Questions: Email corynn.mcdougall@smusd.org
MATH TUTORING **ON PAUSE**
**SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE MATH TUTORING IS ON PAUSE**
Struggling with math? Don't let it hold you back! Math tutoring can help you build a strong foundation, boost your confidence, and improve your grades. With personalized attention and expert guidance, you'll gain a deeper understanding of complex concepts and develop essential problem-solving skills. Invest in your future and unlock your full potential with math tutoring.
Math tutoring @MHHS
Please click flyer link for more info
