Welcome

Welcome Class of 2025 and your parents, guardians, and families! Please read the Letter from our Principal Duszynski below:

 

 

April 22nd, 2025

Dear Families & Students of the Class of 2025,

We’re working hard on graduation and end-of-the-year events for the Class of 2025! We love our Vikings and are very proud of their accomplishments over the past four years. It’s hard for us to see them leave the Viking Ship in many ways, but we all hold high hopes for them on the next part of their journey.  We want our students to be celebrated in the coming weeks, while also finding closure with one another and experiencing a successful conclusion to their senior year.

The Class of 2025 Graduation Ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 29th, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. at Mills High School's Jim Cox Stadium. The ceremony is a cherished and memorable event in which families, faculty, friends, and students honor the achievements of all graduates. Participation in the ceremony is contingent upon the student meeting all of the San Mateo Union High School District graduation requirements and maintaining appropriate behavior for the remainder of the school year.  

The staff at Mills High School is working hard to make the end of the school year as memorable as possible.  Please discuss the importance of good behavior and completing all academic coursework during the remaining weeks of the school year with your student, so they can enjoy the many activities we have planned for them.   

Please read the remainder of this letter, which contains valuable information about upcoming events and the Graduation Ceremony. Be sure to mark your calendars for the rehearsal schedule and other important dates. 

Do not hesitate to call or email our school for more information about upcoming events.    

Congratulations to the Class of 2025 for their accomplishments as Mills High School graduates! We look forward to seeing you at the Graduation Ceremony and celebrating this special day with you and your student.   

Please call or email us if you have any questions or concerns.  

Contact information:

Pamela Duszynski, Principal, pduszynski@smuhsd.org

Jonathan White, Assistant Principal, jwhite@smuhsd.org

Fred Wolfgramm, Assistant Principal, fwolfgramm@smuhsd.org 

Deyango Harris, Assistant Principal dharris@smuhsd.org 

Rita Lehner, Staff Assistant, rlehner@smuhsd.org

IMPORTANT DATES AND INFORMATION:

April 28 Graduation Speech & Audition Submissions due 8:00 a.m. (instructions shared with students)

April 28 Senior survey in Gov/Economics classes, and check-out form given to students

May 2 Spring Music Concert, 7:00 p.m., Auditorium

May 2 First day to submit extra Graduation ticket requests via the school website, 8:00 am

May 5-23 AP Testing

May 14-21 Cap & Gown distribution @ Brunch, FLEX, Lunch, May 14, 16, 21, in Center Court

May 19 Last day to submit extra Graduation ticket requests via the school website, 8:00 am

May 19 Senior Awards and Honors Program, 6:30 p.m., Auditorium

May 20 Athletic Hall of Fame Celebration, 5:30 p.m., West Gym

May 23-29 Finals Schedule – schedule will be located on the school website

May 23 Senior Picnic (after 1st period final), Stadium Field & Grass Baseball Field

May 27 Minimum Day - Finals Schedule; MANDATORY Graduation Rehearsal in the East Gym & Jim Cox Stadium @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm; Check Out Form due to Ms. Lehner by 4:00 pm

May 28 Lockers must be empty, with lock left on locker door, by 1:00 p.m.

May 28 Minimum Day - Finals Schedule; MANDATORY Graduation Rehearsal in the East Gym & Jim Cox Stadium 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm, Ticket Distribution immediately following

May 29 Graduation Ceremony, 5:30 p.m., Mills High School, Jim Cox Stadium. 

Graduates: Gather and line up at 4:00 p.m. in the East Gym.

Guests: Seating on the Stadium Field from 4:30 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. Please bring your own water to the ceremony and wear sunscreen and a hat. No umbrellas, please. The gates close at 5:25 p.m. to allow the processional to take place.

GRADUATION CEREMONY ELIGIBILITY

• A student must pass the necessary coursework to be eligible to graduate
• A student must be in good standing with the school
• A student must pay all book bills and library fines 
• A student must return a completed Senior Check-Out Form to Rita Lehner and/or Alana Tipton

GRADUATION TICKETS

Each graduating senior will receive four paper tickets after the rehearsal on May 28th. Each ticket can be used for one guest and will provide seating for one guest in a chair on the field (for a total of four chairs for guests per student). Seating is not assigned and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, starting at 4:30 pm on May 29th.

Parents/caregivers may request additional tickets for the Graduation Ceremony by completing the ticket request form on the Mills website homepage under Latest News, https://www.smuhsd.org/millshigh, that will be available starting at 8:00 am on Friday, May 2nd, and closing at 8:00 am on Monday, May 19th. We will do our best to accommodate all requests; however, please note that seating is limited on the football field. There will be additional seats available in the bleachers on the home side of the field that do not require a ticket. Bleacher seating is first-come, first-served. We’ve always been able to accommodate all guests. There will be NO seating allowed on the visitor side bleachers.

THE GRADUATION CEREMONY

On Thursday, May 29th, the west gates of Mills High School's Jim Cox Stadium will open at 4:30 pm and close promptly at 5:25 pm for the duration of the Processional. Gates will reopen after the graduation procession. The Graduation Ceremony will begin promptly at 5:30 pm. 

Please allow plenty of time for parking.  The entrance to the Jim Cox Stadium is located through the west gates of the field. Parking is available along Millbrae Avenue, Sequoia Avenue, and Murchison Drive.  Do not park in a red zone or an area marked for illegal parking. 

Please review the following items before the event:

• Appropriate behavior is expected of all students and family members during the Graduation Ceremony. 
• Suppose a student is not able to participate in the Graduation Ceremony. In that case, a parent must notify Principal Duszynski at pduszynski@smuhsd.org in writing as soon as possible, as we need to know by Friday, May 9th, 2025.
• Do not bring noisemakers, balloons, or other distractions to the Graduation Ceremony.  
• Students may not wear sashes that the school does not issue.
• Students who choose to decorate or adorn their caps must follow school guidelines for using appropriate language. Any cap deemed inappropriate by a school official will not be permitted.
• Families wishing to give their students additional leis are encouraged to do so after the Ceremony has ended.
• Please do not prolong your applause, yell, or whistle when the graduates are being recognized so that the next graduate's name can be heard by their family and friends. 
• Videotaping is permitted only from the seats in the audience. You may not approach the stage to take pictures or videos of your graduate.
• A professional photographer will take a photo of each student as they receive their diploma, and you will receive information on how to purchase these photos. Guests are required to remain seated during the ceremony. Do not approach the stage to take a picture while awarding diplomas.
• Bring your water, wear sunscreen, and a hat. While our field is a beautiful setting for graduation, in hot weather, you will need to stay hydrated and comfortable. Umbrellas or other shade structures will not be permitted since they block guests' views.