September is suicide awareness and prevention month. Although this is an extremely difficult topic to discuss with your student, it is also extremely necessary to do so.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages 10 to 34 and it can touch any community at any time. It is important to know the warning signs and what to do if you suspect that your child or someone else that you care about is suicidal. Parents looking for resources to educate themselves on the statistics, warning signs and preventative measures surrounding teen suicide can find them here.
In the hope of making suicide prevention more accessible than ever, 988 is a new national emergency phone number that will immediately connect callers to professional crisis support personnel.
On Friday, Sept 9, the Wellness Center will be hosting members of the Contra Costa County Office of Education’s Wellness in Schools Program in the front quad. Encourage your student to join us to learn more about suicide prevention and awareness resources as well as participate in fun activities.
Kiara Thomas- Wellness Intake Specialist
Wellness Center
LPIE
Save the date for LPIE’s annual “Texas Hold’em Tournament” on Friday, Dec 2 at 6pm (doors will open) and 7pm (cards will be dealt). Ticket sales for the event will open onThursday, Sept 8 at 9am (12 table limit) – click here for more information. The tournament is run by professional dealers and will also feature dinner and a hosted bar at a private residence.
Michele Colaco and Andrea Hilsabeck, Acalanes LPIE School Chairs
www.lpie.org
Follow us on Instagram
Sports
This week’s can’t miss events!
Girls golf
Tuesday, Sept 6 Miramonte HS at Orinda CC at 3:30pm.
Thursday, Sept 8 Las Lomas HS at Boundary Oak CC at 3:30pm.
Girls volleyball
Tuesday, Sept 6 at Pittsburg HS. Frosh at 4 pm, JV at 5pm and Varsity at 6:30pm.
Girls tennis
Tuesday, Sept 6 host Berkeley HS at 4pm.
Boys water polo
Tuesday, Sept 6 host College Park HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 6pm.
Football
Friday, Sept 9 at Sheldon HS. JV at 4:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Girls water polo
Friday, Sept 9 and Saturday, Sept 10 Acalanes Invitational.
Cross country
Saturday, Sept 10 Lowell Invitational at Golden Gate Park.
The fall sport schedules will be found on the Acalanes High School website by clicking here.
If you have any questions, please contact Randy Takahashi at rtakahashi@auhsdschools.org or Haley Walsh at hwalsh@auhsdschools.org.
APC in Action
APC Fall Grant Application Window is Now Open! We invite all AHS teachers, staff, students, and parents to submit a grant application for programming, materials or projects that enhance the educational experience for our school community; all ideas are welcome. Click here for criteria and application. Completed proposals and questions can be submitted before Friday, Sept 16 to Nicole Sanders or delivered to the APC Box in the front office.
Peer Tutoring is now open in room 107! Peer Tutoring aims to better the educational, social and emotional well-being of all AHS students. Junior and Senior student tutors are available to help in almost any AHS academic subject and students are also welcome to use the room to do homework, read, study or just chill out. Peer Tutoring is open everyday during Lunch, Academy, 7th period and after school – encourage your student to stop in.
Thank you Acalanes Parents Club! Peer Tutoring is 100% funded by APC.
We could not operate without your donations.
Follow the Acalanes Parents Club on Instagram to keep up to date on what’s happening at Acalanes, plus get timely reminders for important dates.
Please reach out to APC here with any questions.
APC Membership & Fundraising
Parent Club Members! Don’t forget to pick up your newly minted copy of the AHS School Directory at Back to School Night on Thursday, Aug 25!
Thanks to all the Parent Club Members who picked up their directories at Back to School Night!
If you are a Parent Club Member and still need to pick up your directory, please email Lori MacLeod (lori.macleod@gmail.com) to arrange pick up. If you would still like a directory and have yet to join the Parents Club, you can do so right here!
All APC members will receive further information via email next week about how to access the directory online.
Any amount makes you a Parents Club Member. Any amount is greatly appreciated.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Parent’s Club Pro-Tip
If you are dropping off your student in the morning, save yourself the hassle and avoid pulling into the parking lot. There are multiple areas around Acalanes where you can safely drop your student and they can walk on to campus. You will not only provide relief to the parking lot traffic but to yourself and your student!
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)
We belong together: DEI is looking for a handful of volunteers to round out our committee and it is important to us that it is a good reflection of our community-at-large. Plus, we have exciting speakers lined up for this fall and it will be a good time welcoming them to Acalanes. We could use help with social media, communications, photography, membership recruitment, data analysis, speakers, and also a few liaisons to work with other parent groups and support student activities. Reach out and let’s talk about which role fits you best.
Did you hear about the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)? ACP will help families that might not otherwise be able to afford high-speed internet. If you know families that might qualify, help spread the word.
We are social: Follow us on Instagram: @acalanesdei
Student Activities
Homecoming 2022
The 2022 Homecoming theme is U.S. Cities! Homecoming runs from Sept 25 to Oct 1 and there are so many ways for students to get involved! For an up-to-date look at all the plans, check out the 2022 HOCO Overview! This document will be updated as plans get solidified. Class sub-themes are:
12th: Los Angeles
11th: New York
10th: Las Vegas
9th: Miami
Clubs
On Friday, Sept 2 during academy we have our fall club day. All recognized clubs will have a table and it is a great opportunity for students to learn more information about clubs and join. Next week’s daily bulletins will include a spreadsheet of all the 2022-2023 clubs. Encourage your student to join 1 or 2 that they are interested in!
Class Shirts
Class shirts will be passed out at lunch this week (Wednesday or Thursday in respective quads). Seniors received theirs last week. If you have any questions, please send your student to room 314!
Spiritwear Orders
Thanks to everyone who purchased spirit wear! Those who ordered received an email from Katherine Walton with instructions for pick-up. Thanks for your support of Acalanes and the classes of ‘23-’26!
ASB Stickers/Shirts
Thank you to the 900 families who purchased ASB stickers this year. We really appreciate your support! Three reminders:
- The sticker should be on the top of the ID card. If it is not, the student can take their ID card to the main attendance office to have it punched.
- The sticker provides discounts to local businesses for students so don’t forget to take advantage!
- If your student didn’t get the black spirit shirt at Dons Day, please have them go to room 314 to pick up one.
Order School Photos
Students took school photos for their ID cards and yearbooks that you can purchase herethrough Studio One.
As always, if there is anything we can do for you or your student, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here to connect students with activities and interests.
Katherine Walton, Leadership Teacher
College & Career
SENIORS
Essay Academy Kristin Kisner, a local independent college consultant, will be leading essay workshops during Academy on Wednesday, Aug 31 and Friday, Sept 2. Interested students should sign up for Levy Academy and come to the CCC and Collaboration Center to get strategies and tips to get started on college essays.
Senior Parent Night Wednesday, Sept 7 in the PAC from 6-7pm. Join Anne Schonauer, Debbie Levy and the senior class liaisons to learn about the upcoming year and college and career planning.
College Visits This Week in the CCC office Sign up on Naviance home page or email to register. Have your students speak with their teachers to get permission:
- Seton Hall- Aug 31 12pm
- Boston University- Aug 31 8:35am
- Lafayette College- Aug 31 9:20am
- University of Utah- Sept 1 11:10am
- Grinnell College- Sept 2 12:55pm
College Application Support Your student can click here to make an appointment to work on essays or get help with the entire process.
JUNIORS
Practice SAT and ACT Exams Click here to register your student for free online practice tests on Saturday, Sept 17 and Saturday, Sept 24 from 9am-1pm with Revolution Prep.
Volunteer Opportunity Encourage your child to check out these great places to give back!
Girls interested in Firefighting Careers This is a great local hands-on opportunity to learn about a career in fire science. Camp dates are Sept 17 and Sept 18 in Oakland, and they’re free!
SOPHOMORES/FROSH
Volunteer Opportunity Click here to sign up for the LPIE booth at the 2022 Lafayette Art and Wine Festival. This is also a good site to search for teen volunteer work.
Have your student explore their personality traits with this free assessment.
Girls interested in Firefighting Careers This is a great local hands-on opportunity to learn about a career in fire science. Camp dates Sept 17 and 18 in Oakland- free!
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
Ku-Rog Marissa Meadows
Roh-Z Susan Martin
Schedule Changes
Counselors will still process requests to drop classes through the end of the first quarter, Friday, Oct 7. We are unable to add any new classes to student schedules as of Tuesday, Aug 23.
Class Visits
Counselors will give grade-level presentations in classes from Aug 30-Sept 9. Senior presentations will be on Tuesday, Aug 30 and Wednesday, Aug 31 and Sophomores will be on Thursday, Sept 1 and Friday, Sept 2. Juniors and Frosh presentations will be the week after Labor Day. Your student will hear suggestions and tips for maximizing their experience this year. We will review graduation progress and remaining requirements at each grade level. All Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors will receive a copy of their transcript. Juniors and Seniors will also receive information about Naviance and college applications.
Individual Senior Appointments
Beginning mid-Sept, counselors will be meeting individually with Seniors to discuss post-high school plans. Those applying to colleges will walk through the process of requesting required documents for their applications.
Senior Parent Night
Plan to come to the PAC on Wednesday Sept 7 at 6pm to hear updates about post-high school options, tips for planning for college applications, and more!
