Woodside High School
Weekly Wildcat Notes: December 19 - 23, 2022
December 19 - 22 is Finals Week - Special Schedule
Message from the Principal
Dear Woodside HS Community:
Study Week concluded Friday with many students showing up in their comfy pajamas and enjoying a cup of hot cocoa, and prepared with study guides and confidence going into this week's first semester final exams. Take one day at a time--get your daily rest, and soon, your well-earned break will be here!
Sunday's FIFA World Cup Final was a master class in determination, athleticism, sportsmanship and team effort. I won't reveal the winner or the final score for those who have not yet tuned in, but whether you are a futbol fan or not, it has been a fun ride to see our students and staff make connections, predictions, friendly challenges and learn about world geography, world cultures, and increase our awareness of global politics, economics and human rights. I would not be the only principal to admit that throughout the last few weeks, I heard cheers coming from classrooms and students huddled around an iPhone or laptop on the quad or in the MUR watching one of the games. I hope the games have served as inspiration for many students to work hard, commit to their goals and to not give up even when things are difficult.
In light of the recent resignation of Superintendent Williams announced at the December 14th Board meeting, our staff is experiencing a range of emotions and we are processing the sudden change in district leadership. I want to reassure all our Woodside students, staff and families that Woodside is a strong and beautiful community of educators and learners, and we have the potential to grow even more united and collegial with the recent news from the Board. I have confidence that we will come together and grow stronger because we are committed to creating opportunities to share all our voices.
I stand committed to supporting our Woodside community in the important work around increasing access, equity, diversity and inclusion for all students and staff -- work that started from a grassroots effort here at WHS prior to both Dr. Williams' and my arrival in 2021. There is no doubt that her leadership connected to and inspired many staff, students, and families in our district and that her departure has left some unanswered questions. Woodside HS's leadership team and the school as a whole are deeply committed to creating a space where all students and parents feel seen, where students are connected to something positive, and where each member of our community feels that they belong at Woodside. We will continue to partner with parents and engage students in conversations about their Woodside experience. We will also continue to be open to ways in which we can improve in our efforts to serve all students well.
The SUHSD Board of Trustees will hold a Special Meeting on Monday, December 19, 2022. Here is the link to access the agenda: http://www.boarddocs.com/ca/seq/Board.nsf/Public
5:30 p.m. - Closed Session
6:30 p.m. - Public Session
You can attend in person or via the Zoom webinar link located on the agenda's front page. Please see Section 1.1 of this agenda for additional information regarding the protocols governing public comment during the meeting.
Reminder: January 9th is a Professional Development Day for Staff; no school for students. In addition to PD around the Big 5 Safety Training, WHS staff will also review IEPs and 504 Plan protocols, ICA Literacy Data, Mental Health Supports and for some staff, we will receive Narcan (Fentanyl Poisoning) training as well as CPR training certification.
THANK YOU! Woodside High School reached and surpassed its goal of raising $3,500 for this year’s Food Drive with Second Harvest Food Bank. The need for food for families has no timeline. People can continue to securely donate online with the link below. There are QR code posters in each wing on campus where people can donate. Thank you for helping Woodside High School help our community: Link- https://impact.shfb.org/team/456208
With Gratitude and Happy Hanukkah,
Karen van Putten, Principal
Important Dates and Events
December 19-22 is a Special Final Exam Week Schedule
- Click Here for the Weekly Calendar of Events - All Athletic Events / Meetings are listed on the Website Calendar
- December 19-22: First Semester Final Exams
- December 19: PTSA Hosts Holiday Staff Lunch @ 1:15PM - MUR
- December 21: Wear Your College Gear Day! (Note Staff Photo)
December 22: 3:30PM Girls’ JV Basketball @ South San Francisco; 5:00PM Girls’ Varsity
December 22: 5:30PM Boys’ Frosh Basketball @ Sequoia
December 23: 9:30AM Boys’ Varsity Soccer vs. Scotts Valley (Bradley Field)
December 23: 2:30PM Girls’ JV Basketball @ El Camino
- December 23 - Teacher Work Day - No School
- December 23 - January 9: Winter vacation - NO SCHOOL
- Second Semester Begins on Tuesday, January 10th, 2023
Donating to PTSA Directly Impacts WHS’s Teachers and Staff!
Our teachers and staff are the backbone of the school. They put their heart and soul into our school every day working tirelessly to ensure every student succeeds. The PTSA hosts several events throughout the year to recognize our teachers and staff. Here are three ways you can support these efforts...
1) Holiday Lunch - December 19th
Please click on the link to donate your time or a food item - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040E44ABA62A1-whsstaff.
If you cannot donate time or food, please consider donating funds for the lunch https://woodsideptsa.membershiptoolkit.com/store/product/STAFF.
2) Honeybear Trees - Mention WHS's PTSA when you buy a tree, and Honeybear Trees will donate a portion of their sales to our efforts! https://www.honeybeartrees.net/
1579 El Camino Real - ONLY LOCATION; San Carlos, CA
9 am - 9 pm daily
3) Consider donating to the PTSA’s future events and mini-grants
Each year, the PTSA raises funds to sponsor staff appreciation events and mini-grants. This Fall we hosted a Back to School Grab & Go lunch. The Holiday lunch is December 19th, and in the Spring we plan to host a week of events to say thank you to the teachers and staff. Please consider donating to support these efforts - https://woodsideptsa.membershiptoolkit.com/donate. Thank you!
Green Academy Career Symposium
Career Round Tables - professionals will speak in a small group format about their career, and educational background, give a brief job description and offer the pros & cons of their field. Students will have ~15 minutes with each professional and then rotate to the next. Ideally, professionals from a wide variety of sustainability careers will be represented.
What: Students in the Green Academy will be inspired both in and outside the traditional classroom to become stewards of their environment, leaders in their communities, and innovators in the field of green technology.
When: Thursday, March 9, 2022
Time: 9:50 - 10:50 am.
Where: In-Person at 199 Churchill Avenue, Woodside, CA 94062
How: Sign Up Here for Green Academy!
Why: To inspire students in the Green Academy and to offer insight into the myriad of careers that are available in the environmental/sustainability field.
Remember the WHSF this Holiday Season
Thank you to everyone who has donated to the Woodside High School Foundation Annual Campaign this semester. Together, we raised $835,000 thus far in support of academic excellence at Woodside!
We can still use your support in reaching our goal of $1 million! Your gift will support smaller class sizes, greater elective options, and value-add services for our students by donating here.
Happy Holidays,
The Woodside High School Foundation
News from the Drama Boosters
Save the show dates on your calendars for the Spring Musical Cinderella - Enchanted Edition: March 17–19, 24-26, 2023!
Thank you to those who came to the DB December meeting/holiday party last week.
Have a great holiday and we will see you in January!
What's New With Woodside Athletics?
Help us raise funds for our athletes while shopping! Be sure to designate Woodside Athletic Boosters on Amazon Smile (https://smile.amazon.com/ch/27-0920851) and support our teams!
Mark your calendars!
The annual ABO Crab Feed is back!
Saturday, February 4, 2023
Red Morton Community Activities Building
Go WHS Athletics! Good luck to all our WHS Wildcats!
Happy Holidays!
Woodside High School Robotics is a remarkable program, but also an expensive one. Annually, we need to raise $40,000 or more to cover the cost of entrance fees, materials, tools, equipment, and travel to competitions. All funds are raised through corporate sponsorships and private donations as we do not collect dues from our team members. By supporting the WHS Robotics Boosters program, you are helping to create the next generation of innovators, engineers, and problem solvers who will continue to shape the world.
To donate now, click Donate
We’re focused now on the build season which kicks off January 7th.
Tutorial During the School Day
Students have a chance to start homework and ask for help within the school day
Students can make up work from absences without using brunch/lunch
Access to all of a student’s teachers in one given time period-- all teachers are in their rooms.
Do the things that might normally interrupt class time like surveys, counselor meetings, school-wide activities, etc.
OnSite COVID-19 PCR Testing at Woodside Mondays and Thursdays
Please make an appointment with Worksite Labs keeping in mind that although you must input your health insurance information, we are committed to offering our staff and students no-cost COVID-19 PCR Tests. You may receive an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) with the detailed coverage from your health plan. Insurance plans may cover the entire cost, a percentage, or not cover any amount of the testing. The EOB may show a remaining balance or cost due by the insured. Worksite Labs will NOT bill or pursue additional payments to be made by the insured for the remaining amount due.
In 2015, California passed a law that allows all low-income undocumented children and youth under 19 years old to enroll in full-scope Medi-Cal. As of May 16, 2016, all low-income children, regardless of immigration status, are able to enroll in health coverage and get care. Please visit Medi-Cal for Children.
Woodside High School
Email: kvanputten@seq.org
Website: woodsidehs.org
Location: 199 Churchill Avenue, Woodside, CA, USA
Phone: (650) 367-9750
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Woodside-High-School-584534558341797/