Attention Senior Parents/Guardians: Graduation will be here before you know it! In preparation, we will be ordering diplomas by the end of January and want to make sure all student names are accurately reflected in our Aeries database. Your student can check the name postings on the window of the Counseling Office, or you/your student can check your Aeries portal (select Student Information, then Demographics). For any changes, please contact Emily Finn (efinn@auhsdschools.org) in the Counseling Office by Friday, Jan 20. Thank you, and we hope your student has an excellent last semester at Acalanes!
2023-2024 Academic Calendar: The AUHSD Governing Board recently approved the Academic Calendar for next school year, view here.
General Administration Announcements
APC in Action
Dons Dialogue – Friday, Jan 20, 8:45 am in the Collaboration Center
We hope to see you for our January Dons Dialogue. Join us to hear all about the course selection process for next year. You will hear directly from the Counseling department as well as teachers from our Computer Science & Engineering and Visual & Performing Arts departments, plus open Q&A time with Principal Shawn. Coffee and treats will be served – hope to see you there!
We know it’s hard to believe, but course selections for next year are due Feb 3! So be sure to attend (and encourage your students to attend) all the events available to assist with the course selection process (Dons Dialogue, Open House/Course Preview and Class Academies).
2023-2024 Course Preview and Open House for Students and Parents
Thursday, Jan 26 from 5:30-8pm
The night is a valuable resource for current Frosh, Sophomores and Juniors who are mapping out their future courses, as well as an excellent way for incoming 9th grade students to experience all that Acalanes has to offer. It’s also a great way to connect with fellow Acalanes parents. Mark your calendars to attend and stay tuned for an event schedule next week.
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)
Jan 19 Event ON HOLD: Please note that the LGBTQ+ parenting education event scheduled for Jan 19 will most likely be postponed. More information will be shared as soon as possible.
In the meantime, the Orinda School District (OUSD) invites Lafayette parents to attend an upcoming Parent Education Workshop:
Parent Education about Racial Consciousness
with Dr. Lori Watson
Tuesday, Jan 10 from 5-7pm
Register Here
OUSD is pleased to offer this event about racial consciousness with Dr. Lori Watson, a founder and the CEO of Race-Work. She will be leading a four-part series for parents/caregivers to explore issues of race and identity and help develop tools to speak to our children and others about this often-difficult topic.
The “Parents for Racial Equity” four-part series is intended to educate and engage adult learners who wish to expand their personal knowledge and elevate their racial consciousness. Sessions will be held on the following dates and all sessions will be held from 5-7pm in the OUSD boardroom: Jan 10, Feb 2, Mar 7 and Apr 19.
We ask all attendees to register prior to attending the meeting by completing this form. ** Please note that this series will not address questions regarding the District’s specific curriculum or classroom practices.**
If you have questions about this event, please feel free to contact Superintendent Aida Glimme at aglimme@orinda.k12.ca.us
Student Activities
Spring Club Day Friday, Jan 13 @ Lunch
Encourage your student to attend spring club day this coming Friday! It is a great chance to connect with some of our established clubs or check out the 11 new clubs. You can view all clubs here.
Class Cup!
This year, Acalanes is introducing a friendly grade level competition that will promote school spirit and bonding between the classes. It will conclude with a trophy prize for the winning class at the end of year rally.
Throughout the second semester, students can participate in basketball (Jan), volleyball (Feb), and kickball (Apr) games on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during lunch.
Encourage your student to participate! Basketball sign-ups are open now
Student Government 2023-2024
Is your student interested in participating in student government next year? Applications will be available beginning Jan 23 and due Feb 3. There are elected and appointed positions. For the full list of committees, check out board descriptions.
Katherine Walton, Leadership Teacher
College & Career
SENIORS
DVC Registration: Please tell your senior to join us during Academy on Wednesday, Feb 15 in the library for a DVC admissions’ presentation and registration details.
Acalanes College and Career Center Scholarship links. Diablo Valley AssistanceLeague, Rossmoor Scholarship Foundation, and AAUW are also available- large scholarships for students with financial limitations.
FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is available. The state is asking all seniors to fill out the FAFSA or to opt-out.
JUNIORS
Join a free webinar series by The College Essay Guy: How to Bring More Ease, Purpose, and Joy to your College Admission Process in 2023 — Parents and Students (Part 1) Jan11, 4-5pm PT
ACT/SAT Practice Tests: Revolution Prep is offering a practice SAT and ACT: Practice ACT: Saturday, Jan 21, 9am-1pm
Practice SAT: Saturday, Jan 28, 9am-1pm
Live Online! Register here
Girls & Boy’s State Summer 2023: Boys State is adding girls to its summer program from June 16-23. This is an excellent leadership opportunity. Application details here.
1:1 appointments: If you’d like your child to start exploring career interests and begin looking at Naviance, please have them schedule an appointment here.
SOPHOMORES/FROSH
Save the Date: Attention 9th and 10th grade families—it is officially course selection season! AHS counselors will host a Frosh/Soph parent night Thursday, Jan 12 from 6-7pm in the AHS Library. Come hear info about graduation requirements, course selection process, and more. We look forward to seeing you there!
Volunteer Ideas: Have your student come by the CCC so I can learn about their interests. Check out this website for ideas too! It’s best to set a search filter for teens.
Please visit our College & Career Counseling website any time for additional information and support.
Counseling
Counselor assignments are by last name:
A-Em Anne Schonauer
En-Kr Christine Todd / Christina Castillo–Gallardo during Spring 2023
Ku-Rog Marissa Meadows
Roh-Z Susan Martin
Late Sign Up for AP Exams: Late registration options are still available, but will incur a late fee. Please see here for more details.
Frosh/Soph Parent Meeting Thursday, Jan 12 at 6pm in the AHS Library
Come hear our Counselor Marissa Meadows, College and Career Advisor Debbie Levy, and Counselor Sub Christina Castillo-Gallardo talk about course selection and preliminary college planning for rising 10th and 11th grade students (current 9th and 10th grade students).
School Nurse
Happy 2023 and Welcome Back!
More FREE Covid Tests
Did you get your Bivalent Covid Vaccine?
Update your digital record here. It’s easy to schedule at your local pharmacy if you still need yours.
Here’s a great website on SLEEP.
Start the new year off right by starting the day strong – make time for breakfast!
Ask your student what kind of food they want in the morning before school. If they sleep until the last minute, talk about what portable healthy food you can make available for them to grab on their way to school:
- Cereal, instant oatmeal
- Green smoothie
- Breakfast burrito
- Fruit (fresh and dried)
- Nuts
- PB&J
- Healthy muffins
Dvora Citron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org
925-280-2970 x7128
IG: acalanesschoolnurse
LPIE
Gala raffle tickets are now available for purchase. You can sign up for one here and we will contact you. There are two fabulous prizes:
- STUNNING DIAMOND NECKLACE generously donated by Solano Jewelers
- 5 NIGHTS AT THE LAKES COUNTRY CLUB, PALM DESERT generously donated by Sean and Danielle Gallager.
Tickets are $100 and only 200 tickets will be sold! More information can be found here.
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
Acalanes Boys Lacrosse Parent Information Meeting
Come join us for drinks and dessert and hear from Coach Lorne Smith as he shares information about our upcoming season!
Wednesday, Jan 18 at 7pm
Contact julierabinovitz@comcast.net or alischwartz0125@gmail.com for details.
Girls Basketball
Monday, Jan 9 host Alhambra HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Friday, Jan 13 host Clayton Valley Charter HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Boys Basketball
Monday, Jan 9 at College Park HS. Frosh at 4pm, JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Friday, Jan 13 at Clayton Valley Charter HS. Frosh at 4pm, JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Girls Soccer
Tuesday, Jan 10 host Las Lomas HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Thursday, Jan 12 at Clayton Valley Charter HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Boys Soccer
Tuesday, Jan 10 at Las Lomas HS. Frosh at 3:30 pm, JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Thursday, Jan 12 host Clayton Valley Charter HS. Frosh at 3:30pm, JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Wrestling
Wednesday, Jan 11 host Campolindo HS and Concord HS at 5pm.
Saturday, Jan 14 Kermit Bankson Invitational at Albany HS.
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
Congratulations! We are happy to announce that our very own Ava Freeman has been awarded the Contra Costa County Student Humanitarian of the Year! Contra Costa County proudly honors a high school student each year who is an inspiration to fellow students. Ava was nominated by Mr. Robert Porter, her Studio Art teacher, and was selected by the county for setting an example for others and living Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s dream of equality, peace, justice, non-violence, leadership and inspiration. We are incredibly proud of her!
Ava will be recognized at the 45th Annual Ceremony celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. King on Tuesday, Jan 17 at 11am. To learn more about this ceremony, visit www.contracosta.ca.gov/5307 on the Contra Costa County website.
Congrats Ava!
Mission and Vision Poster Design Contest
Calling all creative minds! AHS is proud to announce a student competition to design our newly adopted mission and vision classroom posters, sponsored by Project LPIE.
Check out past designs and poster requirement here: Poster Design Contest Details
Competition Winners: A committee of students, staff and LPIE Board Members will review all submissions. Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 designs and the top design will be printed and displayed in every classroom and in the office at AHS.
Students should submit their design to Principal Shawn at eshawn@auhsdschools.org or drop physical designs at the main office.
Deadline for Submissions: Jan 27. Parents, please encourage your students to participate!
AP Exam Proctors Needed – Great Volunteer Opportunity
Our AP Students need YOUR help! We are searching for parents to help with proctoring AP Exams the first two weeks of May. Exam dates are May 1-5 and May 8-12.
Exams start everyday at either 8am or 12pm. Students know to show up 30 minutes prior to start time for check in. Proctors for morning exams would be needed starting at 7:15am and afternoon exams starting at 11:15am. Exams can range from 2-4 hours and we ask that you please plan to stay for the longest amount of time possible. Restrictions: Parents, you are NOT allowed to proctor an exam that your own child is taking.
If you are interested in learning more about proctoring AP exams, please contact the Acalanes Testing Coordinator, Nicole Singleterry at nsingleterry@auhsdschools.org
