Finals Prep

We have your students covered as they prepare to finish the semester strong! Please be sure to visit our website for even more information on all events planned to support our students through Finals.
 
Tuesday, Dec 6 Frosh Finals Informational Meeting at Lunch in the Library
Come hear from teachers in English, Math, World History, Living Earth & World Language about best practices to prep for finals. They will not only share information on finals but best ways to study as well. Finals goodie bags will be given to the first 150 Frosh thanks to APC!
 
Wednesday, Dec 7 during Academy ‘Wellness in the Winter’ session
Our Wellness in the Winter session is a space to gather together and practice coping skills to thrive during finals and a long break with family. Sign up for this Academy.
 
Wednesday, Dec 7 Exam Jam from 3-5pm in the Library
Kick start your finals studying and preparation during exam jam. We will have teachers from each department along with peer tutors on hand to support and answer questions. It is a great opportunity to finish up study guides, begin to study while enjoying delicious snacks & a quiet environment. See you there!
And don’t forget to encourage your student to take advantage of these additional resources!

  • Peer Tutoring this week, every Academy, Lunch, 7th Period, and every day 1 hour after the final school bell.
  • Wellness Center this week, open for students to drop in Monday through Friday from 8:00am – 4:00pm (with teacher approval during class hours)
  • Acalanes Library Open from 7:30am to 5:00pm daily

Check out our Finals Prep Webpage for more information and resources!

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General Administration Announcements

Acalanes Teacher Wins Master Teacher Fellowship Appointment
Sydney Johnson was selected as one of twelve candidates internationally for the ABE (Amgen Biotechnology Experience) Master Teacher Fellowship.
 
This program will support Ms. Johnson in collaborating with experts from STEM fields, developing curriculum infusing research-based pedagogy, inclusive classroom practices, and cutting-edge biotech concepts and technologies.
 
This was a very selective process and a big honor! Ms. Johnson teaches Biotechnology, Chemistry, and Earth and Space Science at Acalanes.
 
Please join us in congratulating Sydney Johnson!
 
View full press release here.

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APC in Action

Parent VOLUNTEER Opportunities:

  • Staff Appreciation Holiday Cookie Exchange – We need lots of volunteers to pull this off and give our Teachers & Staff a much-deserved treat.  Please sign up here if you are able to bake and/or purchase holiday goodies.
  • Finals Fuel –  This is a wonderful way to get on campus and make a difference! Help our students finish strong by providing snacks in between their finals. Please sign up here if you are able to donate snacks and/or work a shift.

In Case you Missed it –  Dons Dialogue Recording & Slides
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our November Dons Dialogue. We had an incredible line-up of speakers including; Student Leadership, The Wellness Center, one of our Human and Social Development (HSD) teachers, and Sports Medicine.
If you were not able to attend, you can view slides here or listen to the recording here.

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Acalanes Community Always (ACA)

A very special Acalanes community event will take place on Saturday, Dec 10 at 6:30pm in the main gym. For those families fortunate enough to have had Chris Huber as their PE teacher and/or coach, the time has finally come to properly honor our treasured Don. The dedication ceremony of the Chris Huber Memorial Gym will take place during the Chris Huber Annual Memorial Basketball Tournament that evening. APC has been honored to support the efforts of renaming the gym and this special dedication. We hope you will join us.

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Parent Education

Be sure to bookmark the AUHSD Parent Education website for all the information you need for AUHSD Parent Education events. And, great news! There are recordings of the past events in case you missed them!
 
Next event: 
Parent Presentation by Contra Costa Crisis Center
Suicide Awareness
Tuesday, Dec 6 from 6-7pm
Register on Zoom here
 
Click here for more information on Wellness Parent Ed events.

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Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)

As we conclude a week of gratitude, we would like to pay respect to the Bay Miwok and Muwekma Ohlone elders, both past and present, who have been living along Lamorinda creeks for thousands of years.
 
Are you looking for a book to read over the winter break? Check out Quiet Quail Books’ curated lists featuring indigenous authors, or Contra Costa County Library’s digital book club pick, A Snake Falls to Earth
 
We appreciate the work of our student journalists. Check out this article in which Blueprintstaff writers highlight student-led activities:  CARE Week Lunchtime Dialogues PromptImportant DiscussionsACALANES BLUEPRINT
 
Upcoming community event:
The Road to Democracy Runs through the Classroom
Wednesday, Dec 7, 5-7pm, Lafayette Library
Dr. Carol Anderson will discuss the importance of civic and history education for students today. For more information on this event, click here.
 
Questions, suggestions or feedback? Click here.

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Student Activities

Adopt-a-Family this Holiday Season!
Thank you for all of your support with adopt–a-family. We were able to support 45 families this year. If you adopted an individual or family, please check your email and plan to drop gifts off at Acalanes on Friday, Dec 9 either from 7:30-8:30am or 10-11am in front of the small gym. Questions? Email Katherine Walton.
 
SAVE THE DATE – Chris Huber Memorial Gymnasium Dedication
This will be held on Saturday, Dec 10 at 6:30pm at the school. Chris Huber was a beloved educator and basketball coach at Acalanes and our gym will be named for him. There will be a reception to follow and we hope you’ll join us!
 
The Week of Dec 5
Students have a full week planned from Dec 5-9 with winter week, finals preparation meetings/exam cram and two winter concerts. Full details will be available in next week’s newsletter along with the daily bulletin.
 
Buy Gratitude Grams now! These are a great way for students to appreciate classmates, friends, staff members and teachers by sending them a little goodie bag filled with love and appreciation. Each gram is $5 and they are available for purchase on the webstore.
 
As always, if there is anything we can do for you or your student, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Thank you and go Dons!
 
Katherine Walton, Leadership Teacher

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College & Career

SENIORS

Scholarships: Please send your student to the CCC this week. There are several significant scholarships available through the Diablo Valley Assistance League, RossmoorScholarship Foundation, and AAUW and they can come by to learn more! 
 
California State Applications: Every day during the month of November (we only have a few more days left!), the CCC is open to help with the Cal State application. It takes less than an hour.
 
UC ApplicationsUC applications are due on Wednesday, Nov 30. We are here to help!
 
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.
 
UC/Common App Support: Your student can click here to make an appointment to work on essays or get help with the entire process.
 
JUNIORS
 
Camp Counselor Opportunity: Does your child like kids? If so, maybe they’d like to consider becoming a 5th grade camp counselor Apr 10-14 or Apr 17-21 at Exploring New Horizons. It’s a wonderful volunteer leadership opportunity.
 
Out of State College Fair: Sign up here to meet college admission counselors from more than 20 colleges in the Acalanes library on Wednesday, Nov 30 from 6:30-8:30pm. Learn about the benefits of out of state schools, scholarship opportunities, financial aid and costs, and how to find your “match” school.
 
SOPHOMORES/FROSH
 
Out of State College Fair: Sign up here to start learning a bit about colleges early! Meet college admission counselors from more than 20 colleges in the Acalanes library on Wednesday, Nov 30 from 6:30-8:30pm. Get excited about the benefits of out of state schools, scholarship opportunities, financial aid and costs, and how to find your “match” school.
 
Camp Counselor Opportunity: Does your child like kids? If so, maybe they’d like to consider becoming a 5th grade camp counselor Apr 10-14 or Apr 17-21 at Exploring New Horizons. It’s a wonderful volunteer leadership opportunity.
 
Please visit our College & Career Counseling website any time for additional information and support.  

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Counseling

Counselor assignments are by last name.
A-Em Anne Schonauer  
En-Kr Christine Todd  
Ku-Rog Marissa Meadows 
Roh-Z Susan Martin

Frosh Appointments – Now that the big push to get letters of recommendation done for seniors is over, counselors will begin to check-in individually with their frosh students – their first final exams are only THREE school weeks away! 
 
Late Sign Up for AP Exams – Late registration options are still available but will incur a late fee. Please see here for more details.

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School Nurse

Welcome Back to School!
I hope everyone had a nourishing and restful Thanksgiving week. Please test for Covid before returning to school tomorrow. If your student is Covid+ or has another illness, please keep them home and inform the attendance office on the absence recorder (x7973).
 
Starting to think about holiday gifts? How about things that make being healthy fun!

  • Fun water bottles to stay hydrated through the school day
  • Beanies to stay warm through cold weather
  • Workout clothes and equipment to encourage physical activity
  • Journals to encourage mindful time and thought
  • Board games to encourage fun and connection

No time for breakfast?
Ask your student what kind of portable healthy food you can make available for them to grab on their way to school:

  • Green smoothie
  • Fruit (fresh and dried)
  • Nuts
  • PB&J
  • Healthy muffins

Dvora Citron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org
925-280-2970 x7128
IG: acalanesschoolnurse

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