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

Tuesday, Dec 14 through Friday, Dec 17 Final Exams 2nd Quarter is almost over!  This is the last week before final exams – students should be doing a lot of review in classes this week. Here is the finals week schedule:



Counselor Appointments Counselors are finishing up checking in with all 10th graders during December. We are always seeing any student for drop-in appointments.

Semester Grades  First semester grades will be available by Friday, January 7th.  Report cards will be mailed home to all students.

Second Semester Class Changes Counselors will be changing some student schedules during the first 10 days of second semester only. There are limited options, as our classes are year-long by design. Have your student see their counselor if they wish to discuss a class change.

It’s December and time to get ready for FINALS!  How can you support your students? 

•  Keep lots of healthy food available, especially fresh vegetables and fruits. Do the work for them- buy, clean, peel, cut, chop, etc. Put it into easy containers, put it out for them during study breaks with hummus, guacamole, and salsa. Here’s a yummy and healthy lasagna recipe I made this past week when I had a houseful of adult kids visiting. Lasagna is always great for a cold, cozy night (make enough for leftovers). I used a variety of vegetable layers, and I often like to add some pureed butternut squash (even if it’s from a can) and cannellini beans (canned, whole or blended) for added flavor and nutrition. I use these lasagna noodles so it’s also GF if you need it to be. Tell me how you like it!
• Help them with their calendar over the next two weeks. Try to reduce their busy schedule. Schedule study times and times for restorative exercise (walks).
• Support sleep. You can create “quiet hours” in your house (9 pm to 7 am) most of your kids need at least 9 hours of sleep for optimal health (and good grades!).

COVID VACCINE: I continue to encourage you to get your students and your families vaccinated. Please contact me for support if needed. Don’t forget to get your FLU shot too! Please turn your student’s COVID vaccine record in to me if you haven’t.

Proof of vaccination: Try this site:  https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov/  iPhone users: you can now put your vaccination record in your Apple Health app (and Apple Wallet)

Need ideas for holiday gifts? Refresh your student’s mask supply with some fun new designs!

PLEASE EAT MORE PLANTS to keep your student and your family healthier and smarter. Try these yummy but healthy lemon oat pancakes with your family.

Please be in touch with me to discuss any medical, health, or wellness concerns.
Stay healthy and be well,
Dvora Citron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org
925-280-2970 x7128
Acalanes School Nurse Google Site
IG:  acalanesschoolnurse

Winter Concerts 2021
Join Music Director Lauren Gibson as she leads her talented musical groups in performing beautiful melodies in two fabulous Winter Concerts this month!

Tuesday, Dec 7 at 7 pm in AHS Performing Arts Center (masks required)
Performing bands- Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Octet
Free admission

Wednesday, Dec 8 at 7 pm in AHS Performing Arts Center (masks required)
Performing bands- Chorus, Orchestra, Wind Ensemble
Free admission

This week’s can’t miss events:

Boys soccer
Monday, Dec 6 host Mt. Eden HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Wednesday, Dec 8 at University HS in San Francisco at 3:15pm.
Saturday, Dec 11 v. East Union HS at the Las Lomas Showcase at 3pm.

Girls soccer
Tuesday, Dec 7 at Mt. Diablo HS at 7pm.
Friday, Dec 10 at Petaluma HS at 7pm.
Saturday, Dec 11 hosts West County HS at 12pm.

Girls basketball
Tuesday, Dec 7 JV host Jesse Bethel HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Friday, Nov 10 host Carondelet HS at 6pm.

Boys basketball
Thursday, Dec 9 v. Urban HS in Red Brown Invitational at Archie Williams HS at 3pm.
Friday, Dec 10 in Red Brown Invitational at Archie Williams HS.
Saturday, Dec 11 in Red Brown Invitational at Archie Williams HS.

Click here for the full Winter Sports Schedule (subject to change)

We have your student covered as they prepare to finish the semester strong! This week’s options are listed below, and make sure to visit our website for even more information!
 
Tuesday, Nov 30 from 2:45 to 3:45pm Wellness Winter Workshop (#1)
Our Wellness Winter Workshop (session 1 of 2) is a space to gather together and practice coping skills to thrive during finals and a long break with family. We will have an afternoon snack of Boba with good company. Space is limited and registration is required. Sign–up here.
 
Wednesday, Dec 1 and Thursday, Dec 2 at lunch in Room 314 Finals Informational for Frosh & Sophomores
An informational meeting for our underclasses on all things finals. Encourage your 9th and 10th graders to join in and hear from current students on best ways to prepare, how to prioritize AND hear from a teacher in each discipline about how to best prepare for a final in Math, English, Science, History & World Language.
 
Wednesday, Dec 1 – Math/Science/World Language
Thursday, Dec 2 – English/History
 
Thursdays before finals from 3:30 to 5pm in Room 105/106 MATHursdays with Mr. Plant
Current Associate Principal and forever Math teacher, Mr. Plant, is providing valuable math support for students every Thursday. Appointments are not required, but students should come prepared with specific material (study guides, homework) to work on. This is not an open tutorial. 
 
And don’t forget to encourage your student to take advantage of these additional resources!

• Peer Tutoring – This week, Monday through Friday every Academy, Lunch, 7th Period, and after school until 4pm
• Wellness Center – This week, open for students to drop in Monday through Friday from 7:30am – 3:30pm (with teacher approval during class hours)
• Acalanes Library – Open from 7:30am to 5:30pm daily

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.
• Hot Lunch Help Monday through Friday 12:45-1:15 pm. Sign up here.

Giving Tuesday
November 30th is Giving Tuesday across the country. Here in Lafayette, a group of generous LPIE families will be matching all donations up to $150,000 from now until the end of 2021. Every dollar counts double, so now is the time to make a difference!  Click here to join your friends and neighbors who have already donated. Thank you for continuing the legacy of giving in Lafayette to support our children’s education.
 
Time to Get Social
LPIE families are sponsoring three pay-to-play parties in the new year. Tickets go on sale this Friday, December 3 at 9am. Check out our website for more information and a link to ticket sales.

• Crab Feed: Saturday, February 5 at 5 pm – The LPIE Crab Feed is making a comeback! Join us in a covered, heated outdoor barn for live music, beer & wine, and all the crab you can eat.
• Family Fiesta: Friday, May 6 at 5:30 pm – Join us for a Family Fiesta Friday, May 6th! Hosted at the Wilson home, we’ll serve up authentic Mexican food, margaritas and treats. Kids will be entertained with bouncy houses and activities.
• 90’s House Party – Yo! Yo! Yo!: Friday, May 13 at 6 pm – Don’t miss out on this totally 90’s throwback house party. We will have plenty of good street eats, drinks will be flowin’ and we will be playing all of your favorite 90’s jams on the turntables.

Jennifer Palmer and Michele Colaco, Acalanes LPIE School Chairs
www.lpie.org, Follow us on Instagram

Looking for a Way to Create a Holiday ACA Moment for a Family in Need?
The annual Acalanes Adopt-a-Family effort is underway to give a hand to those in need during the holiday season. Acalanes families can sign up to support another local family with holiday gift giving. Students can weigh in regarding what students their age may need, can help shop and wrap gifts. It’s easy to sign up: 

• Entire Family Sign up: Email Lily Hanzel with your preference of family size (small is1-2, medium at 3-4, and large is 5-6).
• Adopt a Single Person: Sign up to help one person.

Acalanes Adopt a Family is a terrific family activity to kick off the holiday season and create an ACA Moment!
 
Tomorrow, Nov 29 through Dec 10 Acalanes & Stanley Sock and Heavy Coat Drive
Another great way to give back is by supporting Acalanes Key Club & Leadership’s sock and heavy coat drive for a homeless encampment in Martinez. Donation bins will be at the AHS flagpole and in the attendance office in the morning and throughout the day. Thanks for your consideration of this meaningful community effort!

Jennifer Palmer and Michele Colaco, Acalanes LPIE School Chairs
www.lpie.org, Follow us on Instagram

Did you hear about the undefeated high school football team from Southern California? Not so unusual, except that the teamand coaches are all deaf. After a long string of losing seasons, the California School for the Deaf in Riverside went undefeated this season, and, for the first time in the school’s history, is vying for the division championship. Go Cubs!

Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights begins at sundown tonight and is celebrated with eight days of nightly menorah lighting, special prayers and fried foods. Interestingly, Hanukkah is not mentioned in the Hebrew Bible but only in the books of Maccabees, making it less important than the major Jewish holy days like Passover, Yom Kippur, and Rosh Hashanah. This may come as a surprise to onlookers, who see the convenient amalgamation of “The Holidays,” allowing us to overlook the more significant religious observations.  In fact the Jewish holy days of import fall throughout the school year bestowing a regular struggle on students who must choose between observing the holiday and being in school, attending sports, or other extracurricular events.

Teens and Sleep, courtesy of our Campolindo Parent Ed Partners:
“Sleep isn’t a luxury. Memory and learning are thought to be consolidated during sleep, so it’s a requirement for adolescents and as vital to their health as the air they breathe and the food they eat. In fact, sleep helps teens eat better. It also allows them to manage stress.”
― Frances E. Jensen, MD, Author of The Teenage Brain: A Neuroscientist’s Survival Guide to Raising Adolescents and Young Adults

“Sleep is vital for people of any age. For teens, though, profound mental, physical, social, and emotional development requires quality sleep.”  According to researchers at Johns Hopkins University, teenagers require 9-9.5 hours of sleep per night or maybe even more. In 2015, the Journal of Youth and Adolescence found that each hour of lost sleep is associated with a 38% increased risk of feeling sad or hopeless and a 58% increase in suicide attempts.  Sleep deprivation causes some huge physiological effects when we don’t sleep enough:  increased inflammation, immune system is compromised, cognition is decreased and mood is changed.  Sleep actually allows the brain to be cleansed of toxins.  Sleep allows for memories (ie new material learned in math class) to be stored.  While you are sleeping, your pituitary gland releases growth hormone, which helps your body to healand grow.

Listen to this podcast on Sleep and The Teenage Brain here  or watch one of this Ted Talkon the Teen Sleep epidemic  or this Ted Talk by Valerie Crabtree on the importance of sleep.

Quick Tips for getting a better night sleep:

• Stick to a regular sleep schedule
• Avoid electronics and digital screens for 1-2 hours prior to bedtime if possible or longer.  Many experts recommend banning tech from the bedroom.  Using tech at night not only cuts into teens’ sleep time, but it also exposes them to a type of light that suppresses the body’s production of sleep-inducing hormone melatonin, making it tougher to fall asleep.
• Avoid late afternoon or evening caffeine (Did you know that about 8 oz of chocolatecontains the same amount of caffeine as one cup of coffee?
• Exercise daily, but no less than four hours prior to bed if possible.
• Start each day in sunshine.  Having breakfast outside or by a sunny window or going for a brisk walk or jog in the morning can help regulate the body’s biological clock.
•  Maybe try a calming meditation or one of these podcasts to help fall asleep

Coming up: Tuesday, Dec. 14 at 4pm Challenge Success, a non-profit organization that focuses on the well-being of the student, will be hosting a Healthier Approach to College Admissions talk, helping parents to support their students’ well-being during the college admission process and beyond. Registration link is here with a recording sent afterwards for those who cannot attend the live event. Cost is $10.

Finally, if your teen is struggling with academics or feeling down or frustrated about school, don’t forget to connect with our Counselors, our Nurse, and our Wellness Center.
Feel free to reach out and connect with us with ideas for future topics, shareable resources, or thoughts at parented@acalanesparentsclub.com.