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
Job Fair: Walnut Creek Arts & Rec is hiring students aged 15+ for many summer jobs. They are hosting a job fair on Feb 9 from 4:30-6:30pm at Shadelands Art Center Auditorium.
A Healthier Approach to College Admissions: Event sponsored by Challenge Success on Mar 9 from 4-5:15pm.
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
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
Job Fair: Walnut Creek Arts & Rec is hiring students aged 15+ for many summer jobs. They are hosting a job fair on Thursday, Feb 9 from 4:30-6:30pm at Shadelands Art Center Auditorium. Looking for counselors, coaches, lifeguards, and more!
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.
College & Career
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.
Class Visits for Course Selection: Starting on Thursday, Jan 19 counselors will be visiting all Living Earth, Chemistry/ESS, and USH classes to review the course selection process with students for the next school year. Students will receive the form they will use, as well as instructions for how to enter requests in Aeries. We will finish visiting all classes on Wednesday, Jan 25 so students can attend the Open House on Jan 26 to hear more about classes!
Wellness Center
We are so excited to have students back to start the new year! It’s very common for people to use this time to set new goals for the upcoming year. Goal setting is a great way to set up yourself, and your student, for success. Discuss setting SMART goals with your student:
- Specific– narrow goals are more efficient for planning and execution.
- Measurable– how will you know that you are making progress toward reaching your goal?
- Attainable– it’s important that goals are realistic and can actually be achieved.
- Relevant– be sure that your goals align with what you find important in the short and long-term.
- Time based– when setting an end date to assess whether you have met your goal, the date should be both motivating and achievable.
Setting, working toward and achieving SMART goals is extremely beneficial to mental health. Everyone likes to feel capable and accomplished. This can help improve self esteem as well as fostering an internal locus of control.
Finally, the next AUHSD Wellness Parent Education opportunity is taking place via Zoom on Tuesday, Jan 24 from 6-7:30pm. While these webinars are free to attend, we do ask that you register here prior to attending.
Happy New Year!
Kiara Thomas- Wellness Intake Specialist
Sports
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General Administration Announcements
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.
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).
