Events
2023-2024
Still have questions about college?
As a follow up to the college prep sessions the Mills Counseling Department has put together for families, the PTO has partnered with them to host an intimate, virtual session with a UC and CSU college rep.
Join us on May 14th, 630pm. Come with your questions!
Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 822 9788 9396
Passcode: 880733
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Helping You and Your Student Through Senioritis
3/26/2024 Tuesday 7:30pm
Dear Mills Families,
The PTO hosted an informative session for families with seniors and upcoming seniors. Our guests (Nancy Yance Chavez and Lisa Windes from our Wellness Counseling Department and Chelsi Cheng, SMUHSD Social Worker) had a candid conversation about what your student is experiencing, how you can help, and how you can manage your own expectations about their life after high school!
Recording of Senioritis, You, and Your Student
Graduation Ceremony and Senior Info
Graduation Ceremony is fast approaching on May 31, 2024! Senior year is packed with planning for the future, so Mills High School has prepared a Senior Info Site with a helpful guide to all activities and events in which seniors participate.
Mills Got Talent!
3/22/2024 Friday
For families whose students are participating in this year's talent show, we hope to see you this Friday, March 22. There will be a FREE photo booth and a few student clubs will be offering food during the pre-party (5:30pm) and intermission (~7:15pm). Auditorium doors open at 6:15pm.
Thank you for supporting all our students at Mills High School in any and every way you can. The PTO and all our parent/guardian groups cannot do what we do without you.
We Need Your Help for Career Day on Wednesday, Feb. 28!
Mills is hosting the first Career Day for our students in years! We are excited to have over 50+ volunteers from several different industries to share their time and expertise with our students.
The PTO will be hosting breakfast for them and we desperately need your help. With limited funding this year, we need to ask our families for food/item donations. And if you can spare a few hours, we could use your help as well.
Sign up instructions below...
Here's how it works in 3 easy steps:
1) Click this link to see our SignUp on SignUp: https://signup.com/go/cNodZBJ
2) Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.
3) Sign up! It's Easy - you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on SignUp.
Note: SignUp does not share your email address with anyone.
Please email Joy Pasamonte Henry with any questions! Email: president@millshspto.org
Plan for Junior Year - Panel Discussion on January 23
1/23/2024 Tuesday 7:30pm
Junior Year is considered to be one of the most challenging for high school students. But it can also be fun and rewarding! Join the Mills PTO and special guests (including students, faculty, and admin) for a panel discussion focused on what to expect Junior Year - college planning, AP classes, sports, and more!
Although the target audience is the Class of 2026 Families and Students, everyone is welcome to attend.
Did you miss the Preparing for 11th Grade Panel Discussion? Watch the Video Recording and read the Meeting Chat Log!
Need a snack break during exam week?
12/18/2023 Monday 3:30-4:30pm
12/19/2023 Tuesday 3:15-4:00pm
We got you!
The Mills PTO will host their annual Cookies & Cram on Monday and Tuesday. We’ll have drinks and snacks to grab on your way to your next study sesh. See you outside the Staffulty Lounge!
Wellness Counseling and WASC Accreditation Info
11/28/2023 Tuesday 7:30pm
The PTO is fortunate to have Nancy Chavez, Lead Wellness Counselor, and Serena Arge, Mills Faculty WASC Coordinator, join us virtually on Tuesday, November 28, at 730pm on two topics that make Mills an exceptional place for learning and growth.
As we get into exam season and wrap up the first half of the school year, Ms. Chavez will introduce her team and how they play a crucial role in the wellbeing of our students, providing them with tools and resources that help them navigate day to day situations (exam stress as an example) and more isolated issues (like a death in the family).
Ms. Arge will provide an update on the WASC accreditation process - why it’s important and how students and families can be a part of this. In a nutshell, the accreditation process allows Mills families and the community a transparent view into how our faculty and staff work to constantly enhance the academic experience of our students.
9th Grade Family Meet and Greet
10/28/2023 Saturday 10am-12pm
Millbrae Central Park (Park Ave and Landsdale Ave)
Meet new friends
Play some lawn games
Bring your lawn chairs or picnic blankets
Enjoy some light refreshments and bring a favorite treat to share
It's optional but feel free to sign up to bring some treats to share with everyone (https://signup.com/go/NuwyXbX)
College Prep Night
10/24/2023 Tuesday 7:30pm
UC college applications are due in November. The PTO is hosting a College Prep Night on Tuesday, October 24 at 7:30pm on Zoom with special guest, Mills Counselor Rachel Mack. She will spend time reviewing the U/CSU app process, in addition to discussing the transfer process from local community colleges.
Watch the video recording and view the following slides:
Senior College Info Night
9/28/2023 Thursday 7pm
Attention parents of seniors! On Thur. 9/28 at 7PM, the Mills Counseling Department will host Senior College Info Night in the Auditorium to help 12th graders & parents learn how to navigate the college application process. All families of seniors applying to 4-year colleges are strongly encouraged to attend. See flyer for details.
9th Grade Family Night
9/26/2023 Tuesday 7:30pm
9th Grade Families! Join us on Tuesday, September 26, 2023 to meet other families AND to hear from current Mills staff/teachers and former students on what it's like to be a Mills Freshman, what teachers/students wish parents knew, and other information that will help YOU navigate your student's high school years better.
In Person: Mills High School Faculty Lounge (at the front, to the left of the main entrance)
If you missed the meeting, watch the video recording here.
Back to School Night
9/7/2023 Thursday 7pm
It’s Back to School Night at Mills next Thursday, September 7! It’s your chance to be your student for one night (not really…you just get to meet their awesome teachers). Come by to meet the parent groups who support Mills Families like the @millsboosters, MMAG (music), the Drama Guild, and, last but not least, your PTO!
2022-2023
Last PTO General Meeting of the School Year! Monday, May 15th, 7 pm
Please join us for our final PTO meeting of the 2022-2023 school year on May 15 at 7 pm.
At the meeting, we plan to celebrate our students! Bring pictures from sports, performances, clubs, events, and of projects that your students have produced. You can use them as your background or share videos and pictures in our chat. Let's celebrate our students and all that they have accomplished this year!
We will also hold our PTO Board Elections and provide PTO Updates and Updates from Ms. Duszynski.
Here is a list of open positions and current nominees:
President - Joy Pasamonte Henry
Vice President - OPEN
Secretary - Usha Ranji
Treasurer - Suzan Khorasani
Auditor - Catherine Dalmas
Annual Fund Chair- OPEN
Annual Fund Logistics - Nazneen Ashroff
Technical Administrator - Barry Tsai
Social Media and Newsletter Chair - Rachel Heck
Parliamentarian- Myla Adeva
8th-grade Liaison - OPEN
Freshman class Liaison - OPEN
Soph class Liaison - Karen Cheng
Junior class Liaison - OPEN
Senior class Liaison - Karen Bettucchi
Top 5 Reasons to join the PTO Board
5) They won't tell you, but kids are proud of their involved parents.
4) Socializing with other parents is fun!
3) PTO involvement improves classroom behavior and grades.
2) Hear updates from Principal Duszynski and the Associate Principals.
1) We need you!
Please reach out to president@millshspto.org or board@millshspto.org if you would like to learn more about any of the positions.
Please join our Monday, April 17 PTO Meeting to learn more about WASC
At our Monday, April 17th, PTO General Meeting, Principal Duszynski and teacher Serena Arge will talk about the WASC process for accreditation. Along with other schools in the SMUHSD District, Mills is participating in an in-depth self-study as we prepare for accreditation. As part of the self-study, Mills High School will engage our parents/caregivers and families to learn more about our strengths as a school and ways that we can improve. Monday's meeting will focus on the topic of Curriculum. Staff will hold a 'listening session' to gather parent/caregiver input on the curriculum we offer at Mills High School. Please join us!
PTO General Meeting - Suicide Prevention with Star Vista
Monday, March 20, 7:00 pm
Join us on Monday, March 20, 2023, 7-9 pm, for a workshop on suicide prevention for community members, a presentation by Star Vista. In order to allow participants to feel comfortable asking questions about this sensitive topic, it will NOT be recorded. Please plan on attending virtually.
A Culturally Infused Workshop on Suicide Prevention for
Community Members
“Be Sensitive, Be Brave for Suicide Prevention” infuses culture and diversity throughout a foundational workshop on suicide prevention. This free workshop teaches community members to act as eyes and ears for suicidal distress and to connect individuals to help.
PTO General Meeting with Star Vista
Tuesday, February 21st, 7:00 pm
Watch the meeting recording that occurred on 2/22/2023.
Join us on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, 7-8:30 pm, to talk about mental health - why it is important, how to support your student, and what resources are available for your family. (Presentation by Star Vista.)***
U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy, M.D., M.B.A., issued a rare public health advisory last December, calling on the nation to respond to the growing mental health crisis impacting young people that has worsened with the pandemic.
“Recent national surveys of young people have shown alarming increases in the prevalence of certain mental health challenges—in 2019, 1 in 3 high school students and half of the female students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, an overall increase of 40% from 2009,” wrote Murthy in the advisory.
Suicide rates among youth aged 10 to 24 years increased by 57% between 2007 and 2018, and there were more than 6,600 estimated deaths by suicide in 2020 in this age group.
https://psychnews.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.pn.2022.2.11
PTO Meeting - Wellness Team Talk about Substance Use and Dangers of Fentanyl
January 17, 7pm-8:15pm
The Mills PTO is hosting a series of wellness events for our families this Spring. For our Tuesday, January 17th meeting, the San Mateo Union High School District Wellness Team will talk to us about substance use and the dangers of fentanyl.
According to the CDC, over 150 people die every day from overdoses related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
PTO General Meeting - College Applications and the Now-Required FAFSA
Monday 7pm, November 28, 2022
This PTO General Meeting featured a presentation and question and answer session regarding college applications and submitting the now-required FAFSA by our very own school counselors Mr. Fong, Ms. Tijero, and Principal Duszynski. If you didn't know, all seniors are now required by law to complete the FAFSA. December 9th is the deadline!
Watch the recording!
PTO General Meeting
Monday, October 17 at 7pm
Do you wish you knew what life AFTER high school could look like for your student?
The Mills PTO hosted its annual Conversations with Former High School Students on Monday, October 17 at 7pm where you can get a glimpse of life after Mills!
We had some guest speakers (most are former Mills High School students) who answered some pre-submitted questions.
Watch the recording!
Join us for our first PTO meeting of the school year!
9/19/2022 Monday 7pm
This is the first school year of “normalcy” for many of our students in the last two years since we all went into lock down in March 2020. Many students may be feeling really difficult emotions right now and you may not not how to help them.
Our special guest, Staysha Veal, from our Wellness Counseling Department, will join us to let us know what resources are available for students who are feeling anxiety, stress, or depression.
We hope this will be an introduction to a social emotional series we’d like to host throughout the school year.
2021-2022
Final PTO General Meeting, Election, & Senior Student Panel
Monday 5/16/22 at 7pm
Please join us for our final PTO meeting of the 2021-2022 school year on May 16 at 7 pm. We will be hearing from a class of 22 student panel regarding their Mills experiences, and we will be voting for our 2022-23 PTO board. Here is a list of open positions and current nominees:
President - Karen Bettucchi
Vice President - Joy Henry
Secretary - Usha Ranji
Treasurer - Suzan Zadeh Khorasani
Auditor - Catherine Dalmas
Fundraising co-chairs- Nazneen Ashroff & OPEN Co-Chair
Technical Administrator - Barry Tsai
Social Media and Newsletter Chair - OPEN
Parliamentarian- Myla Adeva
8th-grade Liaison - Karen Cheng
Freshman class Liaison - Monica Ocon
Soph class Liaison - Vivian Chu
Junior class Liaison - Panteha Mahmoodian
Senior class Liaison - Ming Yu Fang
Top 5 Reasons to join the PTO Board
5) They won't tell you, but kids are proud of their involved parents.
4) Socializing with other parents is fun!
3) PTO involvement improves classroom behavior and grades.
2) Hear updates from Principal Duszynski and the Associate Principals.
1) We need you!
Please reach out to president@millshspto.org or board@millshspto.org if you would like to learn more about any of the positions.
MHS PTO General Meeting on Monday, April 18 at 7pm
Please join us for our MHS PTO General Meeting on Monday, April 18 at 7pm. We will have the opportunity to meet with Dr. Joshi from Stanford and learn more about participating in Project SHINE.
Participation in Project SHINE will provide parents with the opportunity to learn more about family conflict resolution patterns, how communication and connectedness between parents/caregivers and teens can improve, and the use of coping techniques and help-seeking strategies.
More information is included in the attached flier, and will be provided Monday night (April 18th) during the coming PTO meeting.
Meeting Agenda
Call meeting to order @ 7 pm
PTO Welcome & Update
Update & QnA with MHS Administration
Project SHINE, Dr. Joshi
Meeting adjourned @ 8:15pm
PTO General Meeting
Please join us for our MHS PTO General Meeting on Monday, March 21 at 7pm. We will have the opportunity to meet with Superintendent Skelly, ask him questions, and wish him well as he prepares to retire.
You can submit your questions ahead of time to president@millshspto.org by Monday, March 21 at 5 pm.
Meeting Agenda:
Call meeting to order @ 7 pm
PTO Welcome & Update
Update & QnA with MHS Administration
Fireside chat with Superintendent Skelly
Breakout rooms
Meeting adjourned @ 8:15pm
PTO General Meeting
Our previous MHS PTO General Meeting occurred on Tuesday, February 22 at 7pm.
In case you missed it, see below for the slides and zoom recording:
Learn about Stanford's Project Shine and enjoy a Spotlight presentation on our very own Mills Math Department.
Meeting Agenda:
Call meeting to order @ 7 pm
PTO Welcome & Update
Update & QnA with MHS Administration
Project Shine Presentation
Spotlight on Mills Math Department
Meeting adjourned @ 8:15pm
PTO General Meeting
Monday, November 15 at 7pm
Please join us for our Mills HS PTO General Meeting on Monday, November 15 at 7pm. Past PTO President and Millbrae Anti-racist Coalition Co-founder, Joy Henry, will present to us about Building Belonging Teen Workshops.
You can submit your questions ahead of time to president@millshspto.org by Sunday, November 14 at 5 pm.
Meeting Agenda
Call meeting to order @ 7 pm
PTO Welcome & Update
Update & QnA with MHS Administration
Building Belonging, Joy Henry
General QnA
Meeting adjourned @ 8:15pm