Woodside High School

• All students will be involved in grade-level focused activities from Bus Trips to Bay area college campuses to Financial Literacy / Resume-building workshops to PSAT and SAT exams to College Essay, UC/CSU and Common Application support, Senior Thesis support and a diverse panel of Career Speakers including recent WHS alumni from Biotech/Medicine, Engineering, Data Science, Technology & Innovation, US Navy, Human Resources & Product Design - not to be missed!
• Students have received and will receive their "Passes" for where to report before the end of school on Tuesday, 10/10. Please ask your 9th grader about permission slips.
• This day requires a staggered arrival time - please see flyer above for Arrive By times. All activities will conclude between 12:45 - 1:00PM for dismissal and pick up arrangements.
• All 10th and 12th Grade students must bring their laptops, charged.
• Students will have complimentary brunch / snacks provided or they can opt to bring their own from home for the bus trips and workshops. Test takers will be provided light snacks--please eat something healthy before leaving home, and bring a reusable water bottle.

Hello Woodside!

The Wildhats went on the run of a lifetime after a rough 3 starting matches at the competition CalGames, confidently winning 7-straight outstanding games to move from 42nd place to finish the qualification matches in 6th place, becoming an alliance captain and fighting through the playoffs bracket all the way to the semi-finals with 3 straight wins and our alliance partners the M-A Bears (Menlo Atherton High School) and Homestead Robotics (Homestead High School).

The crowds were electric at Woodside this past weekend, and we are sincerely grateful for the opportunity to host this prestigious event. Without the support of the fantastic Principal van Putten, the WHS administration, our mentors, WRRF volunteers, families, sponsors, teammates, and the numerous wonderful CalGames participants, this event wouldn’t have been possible.

Additionally, we would like to appreciate our second robot competing at CalGames… our rookie-bot! Team 100B or 9900, or the crowd-favorite laundry basket robot, allowed many freshmen and rookie members of our team to compete at this high-level competition and gain lots of experience on the field; and we couldn’t be more proud of them!

Altogether, the Wildhats had a wonderful time hosting and competing in CalGames, and we can’t wait to see what the next year of competitions holds for us.

Thank you, and until next time!

Ravi Malhotra (11th - Wildhats)

Dear Woodside Students, Families and Staff:

We are thrilled to share a mobile app that will be available to all students and their caregivers this year at no cost. The app is available in English and Spanish and can be used on smartphones or devices.

Scout by Sutter Health offers ways for students to tackle everyday challenges, build resiliency, and better manage their mental health with evidence-based tools, exercises, and resources.

Sutter Health will be on-site during lunch in the quad on Tuesday, October 10th. Students will be able to sign up for the app on Tuesday.

A very short Video Clip - a little over a minute!

video clip

Somewhat related to our kick-off of the Scout app and mental health resources, I wanted to share an article that struck near and dear to me as a parent of a student-athlete who is now in her first year of college at the University of the Pacific, recruited to play Division 1 women's water polo. The title: "These Are the Mistakes I Made That Caused My Daughter to Quit Sports" from Parenting Teens & Tweens can be read and applied to many parent-child relationships and the wishes and desires of our kids vs. our own adult wishes/dreams/desires for their lives. There were moments that I behaved like this writer, and as we all make mistakes, I look back at the signs and the missed opportunities when I did not listen to what my daughter was saying or showing me; instead, at times my encouragement was too earnest in the name of her journey and hopes of playing at the highest level of collegiate sports... and I learned to back off and trust her to take the lead in HER journey, her official visits, her college searches, her phone calls with coaches. And by releasing my grip, she flourished and developed confidence and made decisions based on the campus size, team culture and academic programs -- not because of the brand name of the school but because of the "fit" and "feel" and the total experience that she wanted. I can report that she is thriving, balancing her academics and pre-season strength and conditioning workouts along with finding a new group of people she shares interests with and trusts. I am glad that my own daughter did not give up her sport as it really does provide her with a sense of belonging and joy, while giving her confidence to do other hard things in life. As our seniors figure out where they apply to college or decide on what to do after Woodside HS, I want to remind the adults that these days are precious and it's critical that we listen more and allow ourselves to trust more and together, this journey might include heartbreak and some tears, but hopefully, not broken spirits. Sending a wish for both students and parents to breathe in and breathe out -- you got this!

With gratitude,

Karen van Putten, Principal

Hey Woodside,

Are you interested in helping the environment? Do you want to see more sustainable practices at school and make greater change outside of school clubs? If so, the SUHSD Sustainability Committee is the place for you!

We’re a student-led committee formed in 2021 when students declared a climate emergency to the school board. Since then, we’ve garnered support from teachers and administrators across the district and have successfully implemented more sustainable practices at schools.

One such project was the environmental literacy survey that students took in 2021-22, which we used to assess your thoughts on sustainability. The survey showed that an overwhelming majority of students wanted to see more use of environmental literacy in their curriculums. Joining the SSC is one of the best ways to not only implement that change but to also leave a lasting impact on your community!

To join our committee through Google Groups, click this link. This year’s meetings will be scheduled according to this link and you can find the recordings from our previous meeting there as well. Our next meeting will be on October 17th, 5:30-6:30 PM via Zoom. Hope to see you there :)

If you have any questions, please feel free to let us know! The leadership team emails are: Misha (809599@seq.org), Kara (811693@seq.org), Jace (808750@seq.org), and Iris (816766@seq.org) .

Take care,

The SSC Leadership Team

October 10 - 13 is a "B - Special College Day - A - B" week

• Click Here for the Weekly Calendar of Events
• October 10: Swansea College in B17 (Brunch); Gonzaga University in C5 (Tutorial); University of Pennsylvania in C5 (after school)
• October 11: College and Career Day! Every Wednesday is Wear Your College Gear Day!
• October 12: Final ID Photo Make Up Day; Woodside vs. Fremont HS @ Bradley Field - THURSDAY HOME Game - Pink Out Cancer Awareness Game
• October 13: End of First Quarter; Connecticut College in C5 (Brunch); Oberlin College in C6 (Tutorial)
• October 16 - 20: Homecoming Week - Spirit Activities Begin (see below for Spirit Days)
• October 21: Homecoming Dance @ Bradley Field

Homecoming 2023 Off The Coast will be taking place the week of October 16-20. The dance, Welcome to Atlantis, will be on Saturday, October 21 from 7:00-10:00 pm on the Football Field. Ticket sales will start on October 4th out of D7. Further information about Homecoming Week and the Homecoming Dance, follow the links.

Tickets for the dance will be on sale starting October 4 out of D7 during brunch, lunch, and after-school for up to 20 minutes.

Oct.4-6 $20 WHS Students, $25 non-WHS students

October 9-13 $25 WHS Students, $30 non-WHS students

October 16-20 $30 WHS Students, $35 non-WHS students

Student Activities accepts cash and credit cards (with a $1 processing fee). NO CHECKS!

Tickets are NOT sold at the door. Students must be off the no-privileges list (no fines and no detentions) and show a current WHS student ID card to purchase tickets.

Woodside students are allowed to bring one non-Woodside guest provided a Guest Pass is properly obtained and processed by October 17. Guests must be in high school. Guest Request Forms, also known as Guest Passes, require the signature of the Woodside student's parents and the Vice Principal of the guest's school. When the Guest Request Form is complete, the students are to turn it into their appropriate AVP office for approval from the WHS administration. The Woodside student will be given a slip that is to be brought to D7 to purchase a ticket.

Our Confidential Counseling and Wellness Center is located in F-14 and is fully staffed and open for drop-ins from 9AM - 4PM.

We continue our partnership with ACS (Adolescent Counseling Services) and I am excited to share that Elizabeth Harris will be working very closely with Kathleen Homes, our Mental Health Specialist. Ms. Harris will serve as the ACS site director, overseeing the interns, who work directly with our students. Ms. Harris comes to us having recently worked with the Las Lomitas School District and as a provider of clinical therapy services via the Community Counseling Program.

• Become a member (no volunteering required)
• Subscribe to the PTSA Newsletter - Every other week, we will take turns publishing a newsletter with Principal van Putten's Wildcat Notes
• Donate money
• PTSA Website

The Woodside PTSA is an all-volunteer organization that supports the school community through monthly meetings and various activities and programs which include:

• Meet the Principal, Karen Van Putten

• Hear from the student leadership committee

• Support teachers with Mini-Grants for Classroom Needs

• PTSA Student Scholarships

• Senior Grad Night

• Concession food sales benefitting the Student Body & Senior Class funds

• Staff Appreciation

The Foundation helps make our school great by putting money towards things like smaller class sizes, increased elective choices, and more college and career services. Watch our video here.

Our campaign is in full swing now and we need your help! Our goal is to raise $1,500/student. We know that this is a stretch for some families, and also know that some families can do more. Every gift makes a difference–to make a gift now, visit our website.

• In 2023-24, the ABO board of parent volunteers will raise more than $120,000 to pay for team uniforms, sports equipment, competition fees, our strength and conditioning program, weight room upgrades, and much more.

• We seek parent volunteers from Portola Valley, Menlo Park, Woodside, Atherton, and Redwood City to join our team starting in October. Volunteers give 1-2 hours each month to help sell spirit wear, put up sponsorship signs, or serve as sports team liaisons to the ABO. Help out with one of our awesome 2024 events including the annual Crab Feed or a new spring Fun Run. Contact Chris Campaña at woodsideabo@gmail.com

• A fresh order of Wildcats spirit wear is about to arrive in mid-October! Due to popular demand, we are restocking our shelves and will be selling previously sold out hoodies, flannel pajama pants, hats, and shirts at the Homecoming game on Friday, October 20 at WHS. Come and get it!

• Show your spirit: participate in fundraisers, donate to the ABO, attend a sporting event or join us at our next ABO board meeting on Wednesday, October 18 at 7 pm at WHS. Can't make a meeting, but still want to get involved? Click here to learn all the ways to be involved in supporting our WHS student athletes.

Curious about what goes on behind the scenes of Woodside High's dramatic productions? Learn how to run a show from backstage and gain experience in lighting, props, and/or sound. No experience necessary, just enthusiasm. We meet in the drama rooms during lunch every Friday and could use your help. Bring a friend. Seussical the Musical Come see Woodside Theatre's production of this classic at the PAC, starting October 13th. Check out the attached flyer for ticket discounts and more details.

The WHS Marching Band earned 4th Place in the Class A (small ensemble) category at last weekend's Feste Del Mar Band Review in San Jose. Next weekend: The Liberty HS competition is in Brentwood. Good Luck!

We are off to an exciting start to WHS Music programs with over 70 students enrolled! The Marching Band is busy with football games, and Jazz Band, Orchestra and Choir are getting ready for performances later this semester.

The next meeting for all WHS music program parents will be Tuesday October 17th at 7:30 p.m. on Zoom – topics include plans for the Winter Concert and fall semester performances. (Zoom Meeting ID: 831 9640 2119, Passcode: 973251)

If you’re not able to attend meetings or volunteer, please support WHS Music by donating. The WHS music program is growing and funding is needed for everything from new instruments, to music and supplies, event fees, and transportation. WHS Music Boosters is a 501(c)3 which means your donation is tax deductible and eligible for employers’ matching funds.

Upcoming WHS Music events:

• Thursday, October 12 Marching Band Football Game @ home
• Saturday, October 14 Marching Band Competition @ Liberty High School (far East Bay)

For more information & to volunteer to bring students food and/or chaperone, please see our website.

• 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.

• Click Here for the Overview-Slide Deck

Welcome to Woodside High School where ALL students can and will learn!

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/