We wanted to provide some details on our process and plan for in-person services which will be rolled out gradually over the coming weeks. Having taken into account student needs, health regulations, and availability of Wellness staff given already existing services being provided in the distance model, we will be offering targeted one-on-ones and groups to be delivered outdoors, masked, and physically distanced. We are targeting the highest needs students (including but not limited to self-harm/suicidal ideation/prior hospitalization, severely depressed, limited or no outside support, students in danger of failing, and others deemed necessary on a case-by-case basis). As with all Wellness services, we emphasize student self-determination, and we will neither require nor pressure students to meet with us in-person. Invitations to groups and clubs that support the broader student community (like BC2M and leadership) which have established relationships with Wellness will be offered group opportunities. Logistics will be developed based on student interest and needs as we gain learning and we will share as it all evolves.

Allen Choi, Wellness Coordinator
Casey Sasner, Intake Specialist

For updates, tips and advice, follow Wellness on Social Media: Instagram @acalaneswellness

One-on-one Appointments
Students can book an individual meeting with Ms. Reicher here. Please encourage your student to take advantage regardless of where they are in the process.

Tomorrow, Oct 26 Admissions Virtual Reps Visits for Junior and Senior students via Naviance. Have your student sign up! Here are some of the schools this week: UC San Diego, UCLA, UToronto, UMontana, Ohio State, Hamilton, Davidson and more!

Tuesday, Oct 27 at 7pm Financial Aid Night (rescheduled)
Join us for an online presentation about college costs. The meeting link is here, and you can review this helpful handout for details. Tuesday, Nov 17 at 7pm Parent Naviance Workshop for Juniors. Zoom ID: 651 363 0875 Password: DONS2021.  Log in using your students AUHSD Zoom account.

Helpful Links:

• Career Exploration
• Alternatives after High School
• Fall CCC Newsletter for updates!

Freshman College Planning
Sophomore College Planning
Junior College Planning
Senior Checklist

• CCC Website 
• Follow us on Instagram: @acalanesccc
• Facebook Page for Students Have your senior or junior join the College and Career Student FB page 

Keep up the good work! 
Wendy Reicher/College and Career Advisor: wreicher@auhsdschools.org

Seniors
Many seniors have still not ordered official transcripts for college apps or updated their Naviance accounts. Students pay the $5 fee for official transcripts on the webstore. Mrs. Finn, the registrar, will process requests. Documents will be sent electronically through Naviance whenever possible. Please contact Mrs. Finn with questions. Students can review unofficial transcripts in Aeries.

Counselor appointments
We love talking to our students! Email is the best way to reach us. Counselors have appointment slots for students and will email them a link for signing up. We are trying to reserve the limited slots outside of class time for students. Parents can schedule a time when students are in class.

A- Ed  Anne Schonauer
Ee-Kr  Christine Todd
Ku-Ros  Marissa Meadows
Rot-Z  Susan Martin

(Fore)HEADS-UP!
Part of our “new normal” needs to be checking our temperature each morning, especially if you are leaving your house to be in any public/social environment. That means if you don’t already have a thermometer, this is a good time to get one!

Be Covid Proactive!
See update on my google site. Stay healthy by keeping this symptom checklist in mind.

Flu Vaccine is available NOW!
Reduced illness from flu will also ease the burden of illness from Covid in our hospital facilities. Flu vaccines are available at most medical practices and pharmacies. Free CC County Flu Shot Clinics begin next week.

Parents: Feeling Overwhelmed? Who isn’t???
I found this TedTalk with Elizabeth Gilbert validating and nourishing.

Here’s a great one-pager on SLEEP to remind you why it’s so good for us.

Is your student interested in joining the Acalanes Health & Medicine Student Club? They meet at lunch on the 2nd and 3rd Tuesdays. Check it out here.

Please get in touch with me with any questions, concerns, and/or requests. I look forward to being in touch and connected!

Dvora Citron, RN, MS
Acalanes School Nurse Google Site
dcitron@auhsdschools.org
IG:  acalanesschoolnurse

Thanks to your LPIE donations, Acalanes students have A Soft Place To Land

Our students have been receiving critical support services from the Acalanes Wellness Center for the past three years, funded by LPIE donations from our community. Learn more about the history and benefits the Wellness Center provides in this interview with Wellness Coordinator Allen Choi and Intake Specialist Casey Sasner.

Laura–Kate Rurka & Jennifer Palmer
Acalanes LPIE School Chairs

www.lpie.org

ACA 101 How To Stay Connected During Distance Learning
This guide provides a wealth of Dons resources for students and families. 

2020-21 Acalanes & President’s Volunteer Service Awards Program
The 2020-21 program year continues to be challenging for identifying volunteer opportunities. It is very important that students looking for opportunities to volunteer in our local community follow safety guidelines in order to keep yourself, families and neighbors safe. This year we are reducing the volunteer service hour minimum to 20 hours and adding in flexibility to volunteer requirements. This reduction applies only to the Acalanes Volunteer Service Award. The President’s Volunteer Service award is a federal program and we cannot modify their program requirements. We encourage students to be creative with ideas that can turn into volunteer opportunities. Ideas to consider (verification of hours is still necessary):

• Grocery shopping or running errands for senior, disabled or at-risk neighbors
• AHS Stege Elementary pen-pal program
• AHS Clubs focused on service such as Key Club, Children’s Hospital, Equip for Equality, Environmental, Asian Student Union, SAGE, Protect Animals Worldwide

If you have a great idea about a way to be of service in your community and want to see if it qualifies under the AHS program, email us!

Wednesday, Oct 28 at 7pm – ACA Night at the Drive-In Movies, Solano Drive In
Mark your calendars for the final celebration of ACAtober! Join your friends & family (socially distanced) for a fun movie night under the stars! The theater will announce which movie will be played on Wednesday, October 21. Stay tuned for more details!

ACA E-Thanks to Acalanes Teachers & Staff
The first quarter is over and November will focus on gratitude and giving back. Let’s let our awesome teachers and staff know NOW how much we all appreciate what they do for our students. This week, please email at least one – if not all! – of your student’s teachers with a brief note of thanks. Not sure what to write? It can be as simple as: “Thank you for all you’re doing to help support my student during Distance Learning. Your efforts are thoroughly appreciated.” Emails to Acalanes administrators and staff are encouraged too!

Did you know the ASB Spirit Card Just Got Even Better?
Four more local businesses have joined the program! ASB Spirit Card Holders can receive a special discount at 360 Burrito, Pancoast Pizza, R&R Barber Salon and Zoonies. Here’s the link to participating businesses.

Questions, comments or feedback, email aca@acalanesparentsclub.com.

Tomorrow’s Monday Cohort focuses on the idea of temporary vs. permanent along with systems of support at Acalanes.

“How do we know what is temporary in our lives?  Once you figure out what is permanent in your life, you will know what is temporary.”

Here are two ways to follow-up with your student:

1. Students were encouraged to write a list of the things in their life that are frustrating, upsetting, or causing anxiety. Then ask themselves, “Are these things permanent or temporary?”
2. For those that are temporary, what percentage of time and energy do you give to those things. Do you spend too much time on these things?

Encourage your student to continue the dialogue at lunch on Wednesday with Keith. It will be facilitated by our Wellness staff. 

Our ballots are here! The presidential race is on our minds but there are lots of other important items on the ballot as well. Several state propositions and local elections will directly affect our schools and students, so be sure to fill out your entire ballot!  

Prop 15: California Schools and Local Communities Funding Act
This initiative would require commercial and industrial real estate property worth $3 million or more be taxed on current market value. This money would be allocated to schools (40%) and other local governments (60%). It is estimated to result in $11.5 billion in additional funding statewide, and between $1.9 million and $3.4 million for AUHSD. How Prop. 15 would increase K-12 districts’ funding. For an even-handed discussion of the pros and cons, see here: Quick Guide: Proposition 15, the proposed ’split-roll’ tax on commercial property.   

Prop 16: Repeal Proposition 209 – Restore Affirmative Action
This constitutional amendment would permit the use of race, gender, and ethnic diversity as factors (but not decisive factors) in education including college admissions, government hiring, and government contracting.  CSU Trustees endorse repeal of affirmative action ban  For more information, see: Proposition 16 — Allow Public Agencies to Consider Diversity.  

You can also find impartial analysis of Prop 15 (Proposition 15 — Taxes on Commercial Property) and other measures at https://votersedge.org/ca.