Resilience is defined by the Oxford dictionary as the ability to withstand or recover quickly from difficulties. Let’s be honest, this is one of the most valuable skills that one can have in life. While suffering in life is inevitable, resilience allows us to move past it, and even capitalize on it, by fostering personal growth. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you are hoping to develop resilience within your AHS student or yourself:
Self Awareness – being in tune with oneself increases our ability to understand our emotions and act in accordance with what aligns with our values. Ultimately, this reduces inner conflict which reduces suffering.
Mindfulness – taking in the present moment for solely what it is creates a space in which we may feel more in control of ourselves. Instead of passing judgment, take a deep breath and consider what decisions can be made to achieve our desired outcome.
Self Care – if we are not taking care of ourselves (exercising, eating, recreating, etc.) suffering increases. Consider the fact that sleep is now viewed as one of the strongest health indicators.
Community – humans are extremely social creatures. Creating meaningful, healthy connections with others can help lessen the negative effects of suffering. Sharing personal experiences with people you trust can increase resilience.
Purpose – this point goes along with self-awareness. Finding purpose in what we do with our lives has the potential to be grounding when times get tough.
Kiara Thomas-Wellness Intake Specialist
Wellness Center
Performing Arts
For an excellent overview of all VAPA classes, listen to the Dons Dialogue recording from Friday, Jan 20 (see here)!
CONGRATULATIONS ACALANES JAZZ!
The Acalanes Jazz Ensemble performed at the 34th Annual Folsom Jazz Festival, Saturday, January 28, one of the largest jazz competitions in California, and it was an exciting day of entertainment! Middle school and high school jazz bands, vocal jazz choirs, and jazz combos from all over Northern California competed.
The Acalanes Jazz Combo of Lucas Chow, Tommy Gallagher, Nathan Joseph, and Spencer Tantameng received 1st place in the Combos A Division and the Acalanes Jazz Ensemble received 4th place in the Band A Division. Directed by Lauren Gibson.
BAND MEMBER RECOGNITION
We are very proud to recognize and honor our talented Acalanes musicians who were accepted into these distinguished ensembles this year!
- CONTRA COSTA COUNTY HONOR BAND
Serina Eun, Melina Galacatos, Miles Garcia, Zach Garcia, Zero Hill, Nathan Joseph, Monique Khouw, Sabrina Koo, Daichi Nannen, Cole Ruebner, Anthony Smario, Aya Watanabe, Koto Watanabe, and Adelina Zheng. The CCC Honor Band concert is Saturday, Feb 4, 7 pm at Alhambra High School in Martinez. - CALIFORNIA ALL-STATE JAZZ ENSEMBLE
Spencer Tantameng
LPIE
Tom Mulvaney Legacy Award: NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN
LPIE is proud to announce a call for nominations for the Tom Mulvaney Legacy Award to honor those individuals, families, or businesses who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to the LPIE mission.
- Displays leadership skills that inspire others. Helps create a vision for the future and helps others understand their role in achieving that vision.
- Models excellence in everything they do.
- Embodies LPIE’s mission to support and enrich the education of every child in the Lafayette public schools.
- Has demonstrated a continuing commitment of their time, treasure, or energy to further LPIE’s mission.
Nominations are due by Tuesday, Feb 14 at midnight. The winner will be announced Saturday, Mar 25 at LPIE’s Masquerade Gala. Questions? Contact office@lpie.org or (925) 299-1644.
Coming Soon: Project LPIE 2023 This week we are launching our annual Project LPIE competition. With 13 categories in a variety of disciplines, the contest is open to any AHS student and is a great opportunity for students to showcase their talents and potentially earn an award. Please keep your eyes peeled for more details!
Questions? Please contact Andrea Hilsabeck or Michele Colaco
Follow us on Instagram or visit www.lpie.org
Sports
This week’s can’t miss events:
Boys soccer
Tuesday, Jan 30 host Campolindo HS. Frosh at 3:30pm, JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Thursday, Feb 2 host Las Lomas HS. Frosh at 3:30pm, JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Saturday, Feb 4 at San Ramon Valley HS at 4pm.
Girls soccer
Tuesday, Jan 30 at Campolindo HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Thursday, Feb 2 at Las Lomas HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Boys basketball
Thursday, Feb 2 host Clayton Valley Charter HS. Frosh at 4:30pm, JV at 6pm and Varsity at 7:30pm.
Saturday, Feb 4 at Las Lomas HS. Frosh at 4pm, JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Girls basketball
Thursday, Feb 2 at Clayton Valley Charter HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Saturday, Feb 4 host Las Lomas HS. JV at 1:30pm and Varsity at 3pm.
Wrestling
Wednesday, Feb 1 host Miramonte HS at 6pm.
The winter sport schedules will be found on the AHS website by clicking here.
If you have any questions, please contact Randy Takahashi at rtakahashi@auhsdschools.org or Haley Walsh at hwalsh@auhsdschools.org.
General Administration Announcements
Be sure to read Principal Shawn’s email regarding “Upcoming Course Selection Events at Acalanes”. Click here to read the email on Parent Square.
Policies & Procedures Reminder
As we move further along into our second semester, we want to share a few friendly reminders regarding the day to day policies and procedures outlined in our StudentHandbook.
- Students must have a hall pass when leaving class at any time.
- Students repeatedly in the hallways without a pass will be followed up with.
- Students are not to be leaving class and roaming campus, the pass should be used respectfully.
- The parking lot is off limits to students during the school day. This includes eating lunch in their cars. Only cars with AHS parking permits are allowed to park in student designated parking spots.
- Acalanes is not an open campus, which means students are not allowed to leave during brunch, lunch, or Academy.
- Please review the AUHSD Attendance Policies as outlined in the StudentHandbook.
Helpful Resources for Course Selection
Course selections for the 2023-2024 are due Friday, Feb 8! Acalanes has a wealth of resources available to assist you and your students in the process.
OPEN HOUSE & COURSE PREVIEW
A detailed program for the evening will be available on the 26th. The planned breakout session timing is;
Session 1: 6:35-7:00pm
Session 2: 7:05-7:30pm
Session 3: 7:35-8:00pm*
Open Session (drop in any time): 6:15-8:00pm
*Please note, new this year, is a required session for all students planning to take 2+ AP/Honors Classes. This important session will be held during Open House & Course Preview from 7:35-8pm in the PAC. Parents are invited to attend with your students at Open House! There will also be a makeup session (for students only) during Academy on Friday, Jan 27.
GRADE LEVEL STUDENT PRESENTATIONS
All 9th, 10th and 11th grade students recently attended grade specific presentations on course options with counselors, admin and teachers. The presentations are available below for parents to review and discuss with students. We encourage you to take a look, there is a lot of good information!
Rising Sophomores (Current Frosh) In–House Course Preview Presentation
Rising Juniors (Current Sophomores) In–House Course Preview Presentation
Rising Seniors (Current Juniors) In–House Course Preview Presentation
9th & 10th GRADE PARENT NIGHT SLIDES
The library was packed with Frosh/Soph parents on Jan 12! If you missed the evening or want additional access to all the valuable information shared, please see these slides below. Thank you to the parents and counselors for a great session!
Frosh/Soph Parent Night Slides
APC in Action
Nominating Committee Volunteers NEEDED!
APC Nominating Committee needs your help! We are looking for volunteers to join the 2023 Nominating Committee to help fill our 2023-2024 APC Board. This role is a small time commitment but has a large ability to help. The committee will begin at the end of this month. If you have questions or would like to volunteer, please email Kristen Labrosse, APC Parliamentarian.
Volunteer Service Awards
The 2022-23 volunteer program year is in full swing for the Acalanes and President’s Service Awards! All applications are due by Apr 14 so please make sure your student is logging those hours. It’s a great opportunity for students to give back AND be recognized for their service. Visit the Volunteer Service Award page (under Get Informed) on the APCwebsite to learn more and find the forms or email communityservice@acalanesparentsclub.com with any questions.
Dons Dialogue – Listen to the Recording!
Do not miss the recording or slides from our most recent Dons Dialogue on Friday, Jan 20. The room full of parents were lucky to hear an incredible overview of;
- The Course selection process from Counselor Susan Martin
- The exciting Computer Science and Engineering pathway from Teacher Dan Appel
- The impressive Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) course options from Teachers Lauren Gibson and Eric Morford
- All of the fun activities happening on campus from Leadership Student Tess Gundaker
We closed the session with a powerful Q&A discussion with Principal Shawn.
Be sure to listen to the recording here or view the slides here! We promise you will be happy you did.
The next Dons Dialogue will be Friday, Feb 24 at 8:45am.
LPIE
LPIE is excited to invite our entire Lafayette community to celebrate all we have done together to enrich our schools over the last 40 years, as well as the potential of what is to come!
Join us for a festive family night with games and activities for all ages.
Friday, February 10, 2023
4:30-7:30pm
Lafayette Park Plaza
Order dinner and drinks from nearby restaurants and food trucks. Enjoy performances by our local Lafayette students, live music from David Martin’s House Party, and hear from dedicated community advocates for our schools. We hope you and your family will join us for this special and significant event.
Entry is complimentary; purchase required for restaurants, food trucks, drinks.
RSVP here! Guests who register will automatically be entered into a drawing to receive a Valentine’s dinner for two! Must be present to win during the event on Feb 10.
Questions? Please contact Andrea Hilsabeck or MicheleColaco
Follow us on Instagram or visit www.lpie.org
Parent Ed
Please join us for the next event in our Wellness Parent Education Series. The Sports and Wellness Education Night will take place on Tuesday, Jan 24 from 6-7:30pm on Zoom with Dr. Doug Garner. You can register here.
Click here to review the full Wellness Parent Education Series for 2023.
Recordings of past Wellness Parent Ed events can be viewed on the AUHSD website here. Topics include Depression & Anxiety, The Fentanyl Epidemic, Connecting with Your Teen and more.
