Student Government 2023-2024
Is your student interested in participating in student government next year? Applications are now available and are due Friday, Feb 3 for current 9th, 10th and 11th graders. There are elected and appointed positions and there is a spot for everyone! For the full list of committees, check out the descriptions.
Current 8th graders: Applications are now available and are posted on the Acalanes home page. They are due Monday, Feb 13. If your student attends Stanley, there will be an informational meeting on Tuesday, Jan 31 during lunch in Ms. Shegoian’s room.
Looking for Acalanes spiritwear? Our spring spiritwear webstore is now open along with EXCLUSIVE frosh spirit packs for the Class of 2027. Check it all out here.
A Night in New Orleans – An All District Dance
On Friday, Feb 3 from 7-9pm, Acalanes will be hosting an all district dance. Tickets are $10 and available on Go Fan. Ticket prices include games, DJ, snacks & crafts. Sponsored by the Black Student Union.
Where will The Force be this week? We’ll be at boys basketball & boys soccer onThursday night!. The FORCE shirts will be for sale at the game along with Dons rally towels. Join us!
2022-2023 Clubs
We had an amazing spring club day and are so excited for the current 59 active clubs on campus! Encourage your student to check 1 or 2 out. You can view all clubs here.
Gratitude Grams
Want to show appreciation to friends, family and staff? Buy a gratitude gram on the webstore filled with fun toys and snacks. Embrace the attitude of gratitude.
Looking to stay informed? Follow us on instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.
Katherine Walton, Leadership Teacher
Student Activities
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.
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!
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. Female identifying students, check this Blackhawk Women’s Scholarship.
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
Virtual College Fair: WACAC (Western Association for College Admissions Counseling) Virtual College Fair is this week on Tuesday, Jan 31 from 5-7:45pm. Many schools are attending, including UCLA and UC Irvine.
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!
Summer Jobs: Orinda Country Club is hiring through KE Camps. Great opportunities!
A Healthier Approach to College Admissions: Event sponsored by Challenge Success on Thursday, Mar 9 from 4-5:15pm.
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.
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.
Course Selection Appointments: Beginning this Tuesday, Jan 31, counselors will be meeting individually with each 11th, 10th and 9th grade student to review class selections and make sure classes are entered correctly in Aeries. We will answer any questions they may have, and collect their Course Selection Form. Each student has an appointment time listed on the front of their Course Selection Sheet. Please have your student head to the Counseling Office for their appointment, no matter what class they are in. Appointments will only take a few minutes.
School Nurse
Make 2023 an AWEsome year!
Book I am reading: AWE: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life. I follow Dacher Keltner of The Greater Good and went this week to hear Michael Pollan interview Dacher about the book and the emotion (yes!) of Awe.
Why do I share recipes? Because feeding your family yummy nutritious meals helps support EVERYTHING about their health–mental, physical, emotional. So it will ALSO support their academic success!
Recipes of the week: Lemon herb tofu Tofu is nutritious, versatile, cheap and easy to cook. Will combine well with ginger orange broccoli noodles.
I tried another red lentil soup last week which I loved (even though I forgot to add the broth!).
Substance use prevention:
- Keep your home safe: Lock Your Meds
- Have family dinner
- Know where your kids are
- Spend regular time together
What else would you like to see on my website?
Dvora Citron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org
925-280-2970 x7128
IG: acalanesschoolnurse
Wellness Center
Resilience is defined by the Oxford dictionary as the ability to withstand or recover quickly from difficulties. Let’s be honest, this is one of the most valuable skills that one can have in life. While suffering in life is inevitable, resilience allows us to move past it, and even capitalize on it, by fostering personal growth. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you are hoping to develop resilience within your AHS student or yourself:
Self Awareness – being in tune with oneself increases our ability to understand our emotions and act in accordance with what aligns with our values. Ultimately, this reduces inner conflict which reduces suffering.
Mindfulness – taking in the present moment for solely what it is creates a space in which we may feel more in control of ourselves. Instead of passing judgment, take a deep breath and consider what decisions can be made to achieve our desired outcome.
Self Care – if we are not taking care of ourselves (exercising, eating, recreating, etc.) suffering increases. Consider the fact that sleep is now viewed as one of the strongest health indicators.
Community – humans are extremely social creatures. Creating meaningful, healthy connections with others can help lessen the negative effects of suffering. Sharing personal experiences with people you trust can increase resilience.
Purpose – this point goes along with self-awareness. Finding purpose in what we do with our lives has the potential to be grounding when times get tough.
Kiara Thomas-Wellness Intake Specialist
Performing Arts
For an excellent overview of all VAPA classes, listen to the Dons Dialogue recording from Friday, Jan 20 (see here)!
CONGRATULATIONS ACALANES JAZZ!
The Acalanes Jazz Ensemble performed at the 34th Annual Folsom Jazz Festival, Saturday, January 28, one of the largest jazz competitions in California, and it was an exciting day of entertainment! Middle school and high school jazz bands, vocal jazz choirs, and jazz combos from all over Northern California competed.
The Acalanes Jazz Combo of Lucas Chow, Tommy Gallagher, Nathan Joseph, and Spencer Tantameng received 1st place in the Combos A Division and the Acalanes Jazz Ensemble received 4th place in the Band A Division. Directed by Lauren Gibson.
BAND MEMBER RECOGNITION
We are very proud to recognize and honor our talented Acalanes musicians who were accepted into these distinguished ensembles this year!
- CONTRA COSTA COUNTY HONOR BAND
Serina Eun, Melina Galacatos, Miles Garcia, Zach Garcia, Zero Hill, Nathan Joseph, Monique Khouw, Sabrina Koo, Daichi Nannen, Cole Ruebner, Anthony Smario, Aya Watanabe, Koto Watanabe, and Adelina Zheng. The CCC Honor Band concert is Saturday, Feb 4, 7 pm at Alhambra High School in Martinez. - CALIFORNIA ALL-STATE JAZZ ENSEMBLE
Spencer Tantameng
LPIE
Tom Mulvaney Legacy Award: NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN
LPIE is proud to announce a call for nominations for the Tom Mulvaney Legacy Award to honor those individuals, families, or businesses who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to the LPIE mission.
- Displays leadership skills that inspire others. Helps create a vision for the future and helps others understand their role in achieving that vision.
- Models excellence in everything they do.
- Embodies LPIE’s mission to support and enrich the education of every child in the Lafayette public schools.
- Has demonstrated a continuing commitment of their time, treasure, or energy to further LPIE’s mission.
Nominations are due by Tuesday, Feb 14 at midnight. The winner will be announced Saturday, Mar 25 at LPIE’s Masquerade Gala. Questions? Contact office@lpie.org or (925) 299-1644.
Coming Soon: Project LPIE 2023 This week we are launching our annual Project LPIE competition. With 13 categories in a variety of disciplines, the contest is open to any AHS student and is a great opportunity for students to showcase their talents and potentially earn an award. Please keep your eyes peeled for more details!
Questions? Please contact Andrea Hilsabeck or Michele Colaco
Follow us on Instagram or visit www.lpie.org
Sports
This week’s can’t miss events:
Boys soccer
Tuesday, Jan 30 host Campolindo HS. Frosh at 3:30pm, JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Thursday, Feb 2 host Las Lomas HS. Frosh at 3:30pm, JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Saturday, Feb 4 at San Ramon Valley HS at 4pm.
Girls soccer
Tuesday, Jan 30 at Campolindo HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Thursday, Feb 2 at Las Lomas HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Boys basketball
Thursday, Feb 2 host Clayton Valley Charter HS. Frosh at 4:30pm, JV at 6pm and Varsity at 7:30pm.
Saturday, Feb 4 at Las Lomas HS. Frosh at 4pm, JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Girls basketball
Thursday, Feb 2 at Clayton Valley Charter HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Saturday, Feb 4 host Las Lomas HS. JV at 1:30pm and Varsity at 3pm.
Wrestling
Wednesday, Feb 1 host Miramonte HS at 6pm.
The winter sport schedules will be found on the AHS website by clicking here.
If you have any questions, please contact Randy Takahashi at rtakahashi@auhsdschools.org or Haley Walsh at hwalsh@auhsdschools.org.
General Administration Announcements
Be sure to read Principal Shawn’s email regarding “Upcoming Course Selection Events at Acalanes”. Click here to read the email on Parent Square.
Policies & Procedures Reminder
As we move further along into our second semester, we want to share a few friendly reminders regarding the day to day policies and procedures outlined in our StudentHandbook.
- Students must have a hall pass when leaving class at any time.
- Students repeatedly in the hallways without a pass will be followed up with.
- Students are not to be leaving class and roaming campus, the pass should be used respectfully.
- The parking lot is off limits to students during the school day. This includes eating lunch in their cars. Only cars with AHS parking permits are allowed to park in student designated parking spots.
- Acalanes is not an open campus, which means students are not allowed to leave during brunch, lunch, or Academy.
- Please review the AUHSD Attendance Policies as outlined in the StudentHandbook.
Helpful Resources for Course Selection
Course selections for the 2023-2024 are due Friday, Feb 8! Acalanes has a wealth of resources available to assist you and your students in the process.
OPEN HOUSE & COURSE PREVIEW
A detailed program for the evening will be available on the 26th. The planned breakout session timing is;
Session 1: 6:35-7:00pm
Session 2: 7:05-7:30pm
Session 3: 7:35-8:00pm*
Open Session (drop in any time): 6:15-8:00pm
*Please note, new this year, is a required session for all students planning to take 2+ AP/Honors Classes. This important session will be held during Open House & Course Preview from 7:35-8pm in the PAC. Parents are invited to attend with your students at Open House! There will also be a makeup session (for students only) during Academy on Friday, Jan 27.
GRADE LEVEL STUDENT PRESENTATIONS
All 9th, 10th and 11th grade students recently attended grade specific presentations on course options with counselors, admin and teachers. The presentations are available below for parents to review and discuss with students. We encourage you to take a look, there is a lot of good information!
Rising Sophomores (Current Frosh) In–House Course Preview Presentation
Rising Juniors (Current Sophomores) In–House Course Preview Presentation
Rising Seniors (Current Juniors) In–House Course Preview Presentation
9th & 10th GRADE PARENT NIGHT SLIDES
The library was packed with Frosh/Soph parents on Jan 12! If you missed the evening or want additional access to all the valuable information shared, please see these slides below. Thank you to the parents and counselors for a great session!
Frosh/Soph Parent Night Slides
