Question: What do Scarlett Johansson, Albert Einstein, and Drake have in common?
Answer: They are all Jewish.
 
And if you are Jewish, Happy New Year! You might be celebrating Rosh Hashanah, “the beginning of the year,” celebrated this year on September 7-8. Jews customarily celebrate both nights of Rosh Hashanah with a big feast. Ashkenazi Jews (those originally from Germany, France, and Eastern Europe) might eat brisket, tzimmes (a traditional stew of sweet potatoes and dried fruit), and honey cake (click for a yummy recipe!) while Sephardic Jews (those originally from Spain, Portugal, North Africa, and the Middle East) might prepare dishes with pomegranate, date, string bean, beet, pumpkin, and leek, and for dessert, macaroons (made without coconut!).
 
Follow us on Instagram @acalanesdei!

A question that we often hear is “How much is too much time on a screen or device for our kids” – especially after a year of remote learning? To help address this, here is an articlefrom Greater Good Science Center, affiliated with UC Berkeley, that speaks about it in practical and collaborative terms.

Single parents and guardians, if you are looking for more support, feel free to check out this group from Jewish Family and Children’s Services. It’s open to all parents and guardians regardless of faith or cultural background with a minimal suggested donation.

Feel free to reach out and connect with us with ideas for future topics, shareable resources, or thoughts: parented@acalanesparentsclub.com

Thursday, Sept 9 at 7 pm Julie Lythcott-Haims Talk “Your Turn: How to be an Adult” LPIE and the Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation welcome New York Times bestselling author of How to Raise an Adult, Julie Lythcott-Haims, for a conversation about her new book. Registration is required and the event is free of charge.
 
Jennifer Palmer and Michele Colaco
Acalanes LPIE School Chairs
www.lpie.org
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ID Cards
Students should have received their ASB card last week. If you purchased ASB, it will be indicated on your student’s ID card. If for some reason your student doesn’t see it, but you purchased ASB, or if your student didn’t receive their ID card, please have them go to the main attendance office.
 
2021-2022 Clubs
Our club registration has ended and we are excited for Friday’s club day! Clubs are one of the best ways for students to get involved in something they are interested in. Encourage your student to check out the clubs during academy on Friday. On Tuesday, students will be able to see all the club offerings via Canvas.
 
Wednesday, Sept 8 at lunch Class Shirt Pickup in the Quads
Thank you for your support of our classes!
 
Friday Events
We have a busy & super fun day of programming on Friday!

• 6:30am – Senior Sunrise & Panoramic Picture
• Academy – Club Day
• Lunch – Girls Water Polo play. Wear Blue!
• 6pm – Pre-game tailgate. Games, activities, face paint, poster making & more. Stop by before the home game.
• 7pm “Ride the Blue Wave” – Home Football game!

Homecoming 2021 is 21 days away!
Next week will be a preview of the entire week of programming. Get ready to play board games, Acalanes!
 
As always, I am here to support you and your student. If there is anything I can do, please don’t hesitate to reach out via e-mail.
 
Katherine Walton, Student Activities Director

The Wellness team is off to a running start with many kids taking advantage of what the Wellness Center has to offer. A majority of the students we serve are having difficulties coping with anxiety and stress. This could be triggered by many things, including the transition back into social situations post-COVID isolation, academic stressors, and perceived parent pressure to perform. Even though stress and anxiety are universal, the presentation of stress and anxiety are unique to the individual. Compassion is key when dealing with the anxieties of your students even though they may be difficult to understand.
 
September is National Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month. For every death by suicide there are over 25 attempts. We are partnering with student leadership the week of Sept 13-17 to plan lunchtime events that foster community amongst students. Every student should feel as though they matter because they do! Please check in with your kids to reinforce ideas about their value to you, their peers and the Acalanes community as a whole.
 
We would love to introduce you to a new member of the team! Marisa Travalini is one of the wellness interns that will be providing therapy to our students. She is working toward completing her Master’s of Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy concentration. During her time in undergrad, she volunteered at a Domestic Violence Crisis Center for women and children and learned the impact of mental health. On her days off, she spends time with her labradoodle going for walks and hikes in the area.

All Grades:
A key suggestion from the College Finance Guy, Tim Lenahan, was to click on the Financial Aid Calculator for every school your child may be interested in attending.  You can Google this for every college and plug in your details. Additionally, schools are required to list what average salaries are by major. Fill out the FAFSA on October 1 if your child is a senior.  This helps with merit and scholarship opportunities.
 
Seniors

• Wednesday, Sept 8 at 6:30pm Senior Parent Webinar – Mark your calendars! This will be a night to learn about college & career planning details. Here’s the webinar link.
• Virtual College Visits! – Check this out! The next BIG visit is September 12. Admissions representatives highly recommend attending these “visits.” Your students can learn about colleges and connect with the decision makers.
• College Visits in the CCC
  • Seniors!  All visits are held in the CCC. Tell your student to come by the CCC in the morning to pick up a pass. Sign up on Naviance or email dlevy@auhsdschools.org. 
    • Wednesday:  
      • US Air Force 10:15-11:15 Sign up on CCC Academy
    • Thursday:    
      • University of Oregon (virtual) 12pm-12:45pm
      • Elon University (virtual) 12:55pm
    • Friday:         
      • UC Santa Barbara (virtual) 11:25am- 12:10pm
      • University of Utah 1:35pm-2:20 pm
      • Providence College 2:20-3:00pm

Juniors

• Naviance Training – Your students will learn how to log onto Naviance and gain other college/career tips in classroom visits on September 7 and 8.
• Join a College Visit – Check out the VISITS above.

Sophomores/Freshmen

• Volunteer and Work in the Community –  Click here for some ideas to get you started. We will be visiting with all students this year to introduce them to Naviance and ways to expand their interests.

Resources:

• CCC Website

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

Class Visits
We loved visiting seniors and frosh last week! This week we look forward to visiting sophomore and junior English classes. We will provide students with a copy of their transcript as well as other handouts, and will present grade-specific information about academic planning, ways to get involved at AHS, and post-high school planning.

Counselor Appointments
Counselors will begin individual meetings with seniors this week to review graduation status and talk specifics about post-high school plans.  Counselors will either pull students out of elective classes for a 15-20 minute meeting, and they will also offer 6th and 7th period meeting options either in person or via Google Meets. If students need to see their counselor for any reason, they can stop by anytime!  If our door is open, come on in!  If it’s closed, leave us a note or send us an email. We love talking/working with/helping your students! 

Thursday, Sept 30 CSF Applications Due
The CSF application period is now open! Juniors and seniors, especially, should apply. You can download a form here or pick up a blank one in the counseling office. Turn in completed forms to the counseling office and pay dues on the webstore by September 30. CSF is an honor society to recognize students with high academic achievement. Please read the application for more information.

GOT ILLNESS??? STAY HOME!!!
Any student that has illness symptoms should stay home until they have been symptom-free for at least 24 hours.

FDA APPROVES COVID VACCINE
Please consider getting COVID-19 vaccinations for every eligible household member. For every FIVE people that want to get the COVID vaccines, CCCH Mobile Vaccination Team will come here on site to administer. Please get in touch with me to let me know. I am happy to help arrange if you need assistance.

COVID VACCINATION RECORDS
If your student has had COVID vaccinations, please submit this information.

GOT MEDS??? Inhalers? Epipens? Health Conditions and Medications
If your student has a medical condition and/or needs medication available at school, please go to this linkon my webpage to get the appropriate forms. All forms need to be filled out completely AND signed by BOTH parent and physician. You can email me the completed forms, or you can bring them to me at school. Please bring any/all (unexpired) medication in its original bottle directly to me so that I can review the required medical documentation at that time
.
GOT SHOTS???  Immunizations
If there are any updates to your student’s vaccination record, please send me a copy so I can update. If your student is missing any requiredimmunizations, they may not be able to be at school until those are complete.  Please get in touch with me as soon as possible.

COVID Protocols (DON’T Get It!)
Everyone wears a mask indoors. Keep staying healthy and practice hand hygiene.
AUHSD Safety Plan:  SEE PAGES 8-9
Submit your student‘s Covid-19 Vaccine Record HERE

BEYOND COVID
Please be in touch with me to discuss any medical, health and wellness concerns.

Thursday, September 23; 5:30-7:00 pm, Webinar — Tobacco, Vaping, and Cannabis: Everything Adults Need to Know.
This is a live webinar presentation featuring local adult and youth experts. Simultaneous Spanish interpretation and Q&A session included. No cost to attend. Pre-registration required:
More information and registration (English)
More information and registration (Spanish)

Stay healthy and be well,
Dvora Citron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org
925-280-2970 x7128
Acalanes School Nurse Google Site
IG:  acalanesschoolnurse

This week’s can’t miss events:

Girls volleyball

• Tuesday, Sept 7 host Maria Carrillo HS. Freshmen at 4pm, JV at 5pm and Varsity at 6pm.
• Saturday, Sept 12 at Sonoma Valley Invitational.

Girls golf

• Tuesday, Sept 7 v. Miramonte HS at Orinda CC at 3:30pm.

Girls tennis

• Thursday, Sept 9 host Mission San Jose HS at 3:30pm. Varsity is home and JV is away.

Football

• Friday, Sept 10 host Balboa HS. JV at 4:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.

Girls water polo

• Friday, Sept 11 and Saturday, September 12 host Acalanes Invitational.

Boys water polo

• Saturday, Sept 12 in the Miramonte JV Tournament.

Cross country

• Saturday, Sept 12 in the Lowell Invitational at Golden Gate Park.

Here are the Fall sports schedules (subject to change):

• Cross Country
• Football
• Girls Golf
• Girls Tennis
• Girls Volleyball
• Boys Water Polo
• Girls Water Polo

• Free student Peer Tutoring. Academic expectations and standards can be tough. APC understands that. We fund 100% of Peer Tutoring, an academically nurturing environment led by professionals and staffed by students who have been there, done that, with almost every teacher at AHS.
• College & Career Center programs. The C&C Center helps guide students on their post-Acalanes journey, taking the stress out of the process and helping students see the opportunities that lie ahead.
• Investment in Culture & Community. APC helps students create and maintain connection and belonging to the school and to each other through speakers and in-school programming.
• Parent Liaison Advisors. APC liaisons help leadership students plan and execute events throughout the year to involve and connect all students to AHS and their class.
• Academic Club Support. Academics and learning do not stop at the classroom door. APC supports clubs in external memberships and competitions so students are able to extend learning outside of our campus.
• Finals Fuel. An AHS tradition during finals week. A kind “good luck” and a healthy snack provided by parent volunteers is sometimes all our students need to take on yet another final during a stressful week.