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 Thursday, Feb 9 from 4:30-6:30pm at Shadelands Art Center Auditorium.
A Healthier Approach to College Admissions: Event sponsored by Challenge Success on Thursday, Mar 9 from 4-5:15pm.
SAT Practice Test: Revolution Prep is offering a practice SAT on 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: This past Thursday, counselors started visiting all Living Earth, Chemistry/ESS, and USH classes to review the course selection process with students for the next school year. During these visits, students receive the form they will use, as well as instructions for how to enter requests in Aeries. We will finish visiting all classes this week on Wednesday, Jan 25 so students can attend the Open House on Thursday, Jan 26 to hear more about classes!
School Nurse
Getting Off to a Good Start in 2023
January is a great reason to use our energy towards setting intentions (vs resolutions). Goal-setting follows setting intentions. Focusing on intentions keeps us grounded and allows us to experiment and even fail (great value can be found in failing), and then return back to our intentions.
Use January as a motivation, excuse, whatever reason to focus on BALANCE in your family and with/for your student. Balance and resilience go hand-in–hand. Students will manage stress better with balance in their lives. Prioritize sleep, healthy eating, regular physical movement, and connection, in addition to school and studying. Please consider that each of us only has a 24 hour day. For our teens, 8-10 of those hours should be devoted to sleep. You can do the rest of the math, but the point is to factor in time for taking care of ourselves and also making sure to buffer in time for the unexpected. It’s especially important not to over-schedule – this in and of itself sets up a baseline of unmanageable stress. Please let me know what works well to support balance and resilience for your students.
Not sure how to prevent drug or alcohol use? Or what to do if you suspect or havediscovered substance use?
- 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
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 this week 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.
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 link above)!
Band Student 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, Aya Watanabe, Koto Watanabe, Adelina Zheng
California All-State Jazz Ensemble
Spencer Tantameng
More details to follow on the exact times of their public performances later this year.
Upcoming Lafayette District Band Festival Events
- District Band Festival 1:
Monday, Jan 23 at 7pm in the Stanley Middle School Gym.
Springhill and Happy Valley Elementary, Stanley Symphonic and Silver Bands, and Acalanes Wind Ensemble will be performing.
- District Band Festival 2:
Tuesday, Jan 24 at 7pm in the Stanley Middle School Gym.
Lafayette and Burton Valley Elementary, Stanley Cadet band, and Acalanes Symphonic Band will be performing.
- District Orchestra Festival:
Wednesday, Jan 25 at 7pm in the Stanley Middle School Gym.
Combined Elementary Strings, Strings Intermezzo, Stanley String Orchestra, and Acalanes Orchestra will be performing.
Sports
This week’s can’t miss events
Boys basketball
Tuesday, Jan 24 host Campolindo HS. Frosh at 4pm, JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Saturday, Jan 28 host College Park HS. Frosh at 4pm, JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Girls basketball
Tuesday, Jan 24 at Campolindo HS. JV at 4pm and Varsity at 5pm.
Saturday, Jan 28 at Alhambra HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Boys soccer
Tuesday, Jan 24 host Northgate HS. Frosh at 3:30pm, JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Thursday, Jan 26 at Miramonte HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Saturday, Jan 28 at College Park HS. JV at 3pm and Varsity at 5pm.
Girls soccer
Tuesday, Jan 24 at Northgate HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Thursday, Jan 26 host Alhambra HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Saturday, Jan 28 host Miramonte HS. JV at 3pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Wrestling
Wednesday, Jan 25 Berean Christian HS and Ygnacio Valley HS at Mt. Diablo HS at 5pm.
Saturday, Jan 28 Hunter Diemert Memorial Invitational at Livermore HS.
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
AUHSD Curriculum Survey
On Jan 19 and 20, all Acalanes students will take a survey about the English and Social Science curriculum. Our district has engaged in work around our curriculum and would like to hear input from our students. Student feedback will be valuable as we strengthen the curriculum and refine our Ethnic Studies course.
Helpful Resources for Course Selection
Course selections for the 2023-2024 are due Friday, Feb 3! Acalanes has a wealth of resources available to assist you and your students in the process.
OPEN HOUSE & COURSE PREVIEW
Open House & Course Preview is back in person this year! A detailed program for the evening will be available next week. Please note, new this year, is a strongly recommended session for all students planning to take 2+ Honors/AP Classes. This important session will be held during Open House & Course Preview from 7:35-8:00pm, with a makeup session 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
The library was packed with Frosh/Soph parents this past Thursday night! 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
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!
Volunteer Service Awards
The 2022-23 volunteer program year is in full swing for the Acalanes and President’s Service Awards and all applications are due by Apr 14 so please make sure your student is logging those hours! It’s a great opportunity for students to give back AND be recognized for their service. Visit the Volunteer Service Award page (under Get Informed) on the APCwebsite to learn more and find the forms or email communityservice@acalanesparentsclub.com with any questions.
Acalanes Community Always (ACA)
News from the Garden Club and the Next Garden Work Date
We are making a lot of progress on the garden spaces at AHS! We planted winter veggies in the “farm” (garden space across from 503/4) before winter break and have the bender board and redwood framing in for hardscaping in the “meditation garden” (garden space across from 507). We are planning our next work day on Sunday, Feb 5 from 8am-12pm (weather permitting) to install the last of the hardscaping for the “meditation garden.” If you can come and help, please sign up here (so we know you are coming).
After that and after irrigation is installed, we will be ready for the plants! (Our goal is to have low water, native, pollinator plants in the meditation garden.) We have also started seeds for spring time tomatoes and peppers with more (squash, cucumbers, etc) to start in a few weeks.
Please check out our donation wish list for anything you may have that you don’t need.
Thanks again for all the support! Any questions, etc – please email Ms. Tewksbury.
Lori Tewksbury (Living Earth and AP Biology Teacher)
