News & Announcements

Sunday, Oct 24 Lafayette Res Run for Education is back!
Please mark your calendar! Let’s show our Acalanes community strength by signing up today for the Lafayette Res Run for Education!
 
The 2021 Res Run t-shirt design reflects Lafayette’s first mural, “Unity In Diversity,” which was painted on the eastern wall of the building located at the northwest corner of Mt. Diablo Blvd and Oak Hill Rd this past summer. The approximately 650 square foot mural was created by youth from Lamorinda and Oakland, and facilitated by Three Thirty Three Arts. Lamorinda resident Lara Dutto collaborated and brought to life Lafayette’s first public mural, one that feels welcoming to all cultures and colors. Three Thirty Three Arts designed the concept that is first and foremost a beautiful and inviting work of art, but one that a diverse population of people would appreciate. The design features flowers, Monarch butterflies, a panther and dragon. Watch a video about the mural and learn more about the Res Run here.
 
Registration is now open for the 5k, 10k, or 2 mile fun run/walk option on Race Day, Sunday, Oct 24, or join the virtual Reservoir Challenge which “runs” Oct 13-23. 
 
2021-22 Donations to APC
We hope you see the value that Acalanes Parents Club brings to our campus. If you haven’t had a chance to donate, you can do so here. And visit Double The Donation to see if your company has a matching program. Thank you for being a part of the APC community!
 
Kelly Daggs, VP Fundraising and Corporate Match

APC Fall Grants: Submissions are Open! Applications due Oct 8, 2021
All ideas are welcome. Acalanes Parents Club is pleased to 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. Click here for criteria and application. Completed proposals and questions can be submitted by emailing APC Grants Coordinator Catherine Habas. Proposals can also be delivered to the APC box in the front office. 

Friday, Oct 15 at 8:45am October Dons Dialogue
Mark your calendars for our next Dons Dialogue and click here for the slides used in September’s conversation.

ACA IS BACK: Calling all Acalanes Alumni & Parents of Alums
One of the primary goals of ACA is to engage and better connect former students and their families to campus. An effort is underway to create an Acalanes Alumni Database that can be used to find ways to help former students remain active members of the ACA family after graduation. We invite all ages and classes of alumni to fill out the following Google form so you can be part of the lifelong ACA family. Click here to register.

We have a lot to look forward to and we continue to enjoy celebrating Latine Heritage (see Student Activities below for details of events – don’t forget to ask your student about their experiences).
 
Thursday, Sept 30 at 7pm Parent Webinar About Equity Lesson
Dr. Lynnā McPhatter-Harris, AUHSD Director of Student Support, Equity & Inclusion and AUHSD Associate Superintendent Amy McNamara will be hosting a webinar for parents to share information about the equity lesson for students that took place last week. Webinar link will be sent to all parents by email this week.
 
Also on Thursday, Sept 30 from 5:30-7:30pm Second “Teen Voices in Conversation” Event at Lafayette Library Outdoor Amphitheatre
Our city’s youth will lead their fellow Lafayette residents in a community conversation on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. What are the challenges we face, what actions are underway, and what type of future shall we strive for? Moderated by Dr. McPhatter-Harris, Director of Student Support, Equity and Inclusion for AUHSD. The event will be wheelchair accessible and all are welcome! Questions? Contact Jennifer Wakeman at jwakeman@ci.lafayette.ca.us or at (925) 299-3213.
 
Wednesday, Oct 6 from 5:30-7pm Latine Heritage Month Parent-Student Potluck
There will be music, an open-mic for Latin American poetry/songs, and dinner near the flagpole in the Acalanes Front Quad. To participate, students are asking parents to sign upto bring one or more dish(es) from a Latin American country. There is a list of food ideas in the Sign Up Genius, however, you are welcome to bring whatever food you wish. The students appreciate your help!
 
Tuesday, Oct 12 from 6-8pm AUHSD Quarterly Book Read in the Miramonte Library. Miramonte High School’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Parent Committee will be hosting the first AUHSD Quarterly Book Read led by teacher Steve Poling. The group will be discussing “The Sum of Us” by Heather McGhee. This event is open to all parents who have students in the district. Seating is limited and masks are required for attendance. Reserve your spot today!
 
Facts corner:
As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we honor our indigenous groups who have been subject to brutal treatment in Latin America. From 1960 to 1996, civil war devastated the Central American country of Guatemala. The trauma Guatemalan people underwent as a result of the civil war and economic crisis that followed without international intervention is not widely known, and has contributed to racism and discrimination. Guatemalans join a list of asylum seekers who remain undocumented due to unjust immigration laws. We can listen to their stories and offer racial healing. We invite you to listen and reflect on the work of the amazing survivor and Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Rigoberta Menchú. Also thiswonderful 10 minute video explaining the time consuming work of Guatemalan weavers, particularly the women (survivors of the Guatemalan Genocide), who are struggling to create a business for themselves during the pandemic. The weavers sell their products locally and through Trama Textiles’ website: https://tramatextiles.org/

ICYMI, here is a recording of the Parent Ed event hosted by Miramonte with Justine Fonte (passcode: Miramonte1!). Justine spoke about the impact of the pornography industry on the sexual health of our students in this digital age and how we can help promote sex-positivity, healthy body image, and healthy relationships with our teens.
 
Tuesday, Sept 28 at 7pm Ron Lieber Talks – For those with teens who have aspirations to attend college, there is a free online talk about paying for college by Ron Lieber, award-winning writer/editor of the New York Times’ “Your Money” column. He will also provide another free online talk on how to teach teens about money on Thursday, Sept 30th at 7pm.
 
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and although it’s a sensitive and challenging topic to discuss with your teens, it’s critical. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from February 21–March 20, 2021, suspected suicide attempt emergency visits were 50.6% higher among girls aged 12–17 years than during the same period in 2019; among boys aged 12–17 years, suspected suicide attempt emergency visits increased 3.7%.  Feel free to use our collated resources for more information including videos on how to talk to teens about suicide and self-harm, information on depression, crisis hotline numbers, etc.  Don’t forget to use our own Wellness Center , Nurse, and Counselors as resources.
 
Feel free to reach out and connect with us with ideas for future topics, shareable resources, or thoughts at parented@acalanesparentsclub.com.

Homecoming 2021 – Let the Games Begin – THIS WEEK!!!!
Homecoming is such a special time for our community at Acalanes. It is a week-long opportunity for classes to bond along with one another AND also build memories with different grade levels. Please encourage your student to opt in to one or more events! The students have been working incredibly hard to put this week together and spent hours outside of class time. We are looking forward to the week ahead!
 
See the calendar below along with the entire calendar of events and descriptions for the week.
 
Today from 10am-3pm Hallway Decorating
Students can show up any time and help their class transform their hallway. It is a social opportunity and it is incredible to see what the students create!

Canned Food Drive continues through Friday (class competition)
Let’s support the Contra Costa Food Bank as a way to give back during Homecoming. Students can donate cans or money ($1= 3 cans) in the morning by the flagpole or at lunch. In 2019, we donated 22,000 cans to the Food Bank.

Wednesday, Sept 29 from 7:30-9pm Student Dodgeball
A student favorite – dodgeball! Classes will compete against one another to see who takes student dodgeball in 2021. Students can come to watch or play. Two rules: To play, students must bring their student ID and all students must wear a mask.

Friday, Oct 1 During Academy Homecoming Rally on the football field. A community favorite! The skits are ready to rock along with a few surprises! It is our first rally as an ACA Community in two years – so so so special! Skits will be on YouTube following the weekend.

Friday, Oct 1 Homecoming Tailgate, Game, and Halftime Show
We have some fun plans for our Homecoming football game. Each class will perform one skit number, students will do a powder toss, and HOCO winners will be announced by Lafayette Mayor Susan Candell. Wear white to support ACA!

Saturday, Oct 2 from 7-10pm A Night Out: Homecoming Event
Encourage your student to join for an evening full of games, arcade games, mini golf, silent disco, DJ and dancing, food, tarot card reader, air brush tattoos, and a ferris wheel! Tickets are on sale via gofan. $25 with ASB; $55 without ASB. Students should plan on wearing comfortable shoes, bringing money for food (tacos are $2) and a mask if they want to dance.

Homecoming Event Chaperones THANK YOU!
We have 30 parent chaperones for Saturday evening and couldn’t do it without each one. Thank you, thank you!
 
Sept 15 through Oct 15 Latine Heritage Month
Why celebrate Latine Heritage Month at Acalanes? As a school, we are dedicated to making all of our students feel welcome, safe, and appreciated, for we are all unique individuals. Our purpose with this month is to educate students and celebrate the different cultures in Latin Heritage.
 
Calendar of Events
There are many events for both students and our community:

• Monday, Sept 27 through Friday, Oct 1 Latine Door Decorating  
• Friday, Sept 24 Equity Council during Walton’s Academy in room 314
• Monday, Oct 4 through Friday, Oct 8 Latine Heritage Scavenger Hunt in all hallways
• Wednesday, Oct 6 from 5:30-7:30pm Latine Potluck in the front quad. All are welcome and invited to sign up to bring a dish!
• Thursday, Oct 14 at Lunch Guest Speaker Alberto Ledesma in room 314 (will be over Zoom). All are welcome!

2021-2022 Clubs.
Clubs are continuing to meet and it is one of the BEST ways for students to get connected at Acalanes. Club meeting times and contact information are in the spreadsheet.
 
As always, I am here to support you and your students. If there is anything I can do, please don’t hesitate to reach out via e-mail.
 
Katherine Walton, Student Activities Director

September is Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month. Over the past week, Leadership students have successfully facilitated events that encourage students to look out for one another as well as remind students that they are not alone when life gets tough. From sharing struggles and triumphs, to providing crisis support resources, to encouraging the making of friendship bracelets for a stranger, Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month has allowed students the opportunity to reach out to one another in an integral way. A major goal of the Wellness Center is to ensure that students know that they are supported not only by school staff, but by their peers as well.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages 10 to 34, more than AIDS, lung disease, birth defects, flu, and cancer combined. Suicide is not inevitable for anyone. By starting the conversation, offering support, and directing help to those who need it, we can prevent suicides and save lives. Learn the warning signs and risk factors HERE and if your student shows signs of suicidal thoughts or behaviors, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK(8255). Sources: suicidepreventionlifeline.org; ndbh.com.

SENIORS

• College Visits in the CCC (have your student come by for a pass before school)

Monday:  Westmont, Northwestern, Michigan State, Connecticut College, Azusa Pacific, St. John’s University, Harvey Mudd, University of Washington

Tuesday:  University of Portland, Washington University in St. Louis, TCU, Rensselear Polytechnic, University of Chicago, Pitzer, Holy Names

Wednesday:  Scripps, Chapman, Stonehill College, Johns Hopkins, Southeastern, Franklin and Marshall College

Thursday:  Seattle University, Ohio State, University of Redlands, Beloit, University of the Pacific, Colorado State

Friday:  University of Victoria, USC, University of Rochester, Muhlenberg College, St. Olaf College, Case Western Reserve

• ACADEMY – This is a great time to get application support. Encourage your child to sign up for Levy’s Academy on Wednesday and Friday!
• Virtual visits are upcoming. These are engaging too!

JUNIORS

• Sept 28 and Oct 3 Join a College Visit – Check out these interesting virtual visits. I recommend the LIVE sessions, so your students can engage and ask specific questions related to their interests. There are hundreds of colleges to choose from at these virtual fairs!

SOPHOMORES / FRESHMEN

• Volunteer and Work in the Community –  Click here for some ideas to get you started. Students are always welcome to come by or email for other ideas. In the winter, students can work on resumes in the CCC.

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

Counselor Appointments
Counselors are finishing up senior meetings this week and plan to start checking in with all 9th graders in October. If any 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.

Thursday, Sept 30 CSF Applications Due
The California Scholarship Federation (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.

Friday, Oct 8 Last Day to Drop a Class
Students can still drop classes from their schedule through the end of the first quarter with no penalty. After that deadline, students will receive an automatic F on the transcript for that class. Come see your counselor before Oct 8 to drop a class!  

Ordering Official Transcripts for College Applications
Please go here for step by step instructions if you or your student needs to order transcripts to be sent to colleges. Official transcripts are sent electronically in most cases, so physical addresses are not necessary. 

DO NOTHING for health!

• Do you let your car idle while waiting for your student?  Consider THIS.
• Try practicing “non-doing” with your family to reap the benefits of calming down our nervous system. Try this sample practice.

Did your student get both COVID-19 vaccines? 
Yes: Please submit vaccine record here: COVID-19 Vaccination Record Submission Form
No:  Please consider getting your student vaccinated – it’s so easy now. Vaccines will soon become available for the younger children as well.

Does your child have any ILLNESS SYMPTOMS?
We are trying to be very vigilant about keeping our population at school healthy and safe. Please keep your student home if they are ill.

Reminders

• Need more masks? Many students are arriving at school without a mask. Please make sure to have a generous supply of clean masks at home for your students. Everyone wears a mask indoors (outdoors optional with social distancing) and is encouraged to practice good hand hygiene.
• Any student that has illness symptoms should stay home until they have been symptom-free for at least 24 hours.
• If your student has a medical condition and/or needs medication available at school, please go to this link on my webpage to get the appropriate forms. All forms need to be filled out completely and signed by both the parents and the physician. 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.
• If there are any updates to your student’s vaccination record, please send me a copy. If your student is missing any required immunizations, they may not be able to be at school until those are complete. Please get in touch with me as soon as possible.

Quick Links

• AUHSD Safety Plan
• COVID-19 Vaccination Record Submission Form

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