News & Announcements

APC Membership & Fundraising

Parent Club Members! Don’t forget to pick up your newly minted copy of the AHS School Directory at Back to School Night on Thursday, Aug 25!
 
We will pass out the 2022-2023 Directory in front of the main quad at 5pm before classroom visits begin. If you indicated you prefer an online version only, further directions will be provided this week on how to access.   

If you would like a directory and have yet to join the Parents Club, you can do so right here!  You can also bring a check made out to Acalanes Parents Club at BTSN.
Any amount is needed and greatly appreciated.  
 
The Parents Club has promised nearly $180,000 to Acalanes for this school year.  As of today, we have yet to reach that goal. We need your help!

Parents Club funds support programming for all Acalanes students and staff, including:

  • College & Career Services
  • Campus Enhancements
  • Peer Tutoring
  • Parent Ed
  • Staff & Teacher Development
  • Grants Program          
  • Communications
  • Volunteer opportunities and more… 

Another important source of funds is making your donations go twice as far with Corporate Matching. Please check if your company has a matching program and, if so, contact corpmatch@acalanesparentsclub.com for further information.
 
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

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Parent’s Club Pro-Tip

If you are dropping off your student in the morning, save yourself the hassle and avoid pulling into the parking lot. There are multiple areas around Acalanes where you can safely drop your student and they can walk on to campus. You will not only provide relief to the parking lot traffic but to yourself and your student!

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Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)

Endangered animals, skiing, model UN, Jewish culture…we support the work of many of our student clubs! Every student belongs at Acalanes, and their interests help form meaningful connections on campus. Talk to your student about joining or starting a club. Bonus – clubs meet during the school day so students can work it into their schedules. Learn more here
 
Let’s Cheer!  ACA debuts first female football player.
 
As many of you may have recently seen, Acalanes has its first female football player on the JV team this year. Lucca DeBiasse and her teammates will help to kick off our Dons football season soon and as they do, we are reminded that football has the power to bring us together. Check out this inspiring trailer for “First Down”, a gripping short film on an underdog, all-girls, high school tackle football league that shows why girls also belong in pads and how players empower one another on and off the field. “We all have different backgrounds, but when we get on the field together we are all the same…we want to do big things and make this history.”
 
We are social: Follow us on Instagram: @acalanesdei 

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Student Activities

We had a great week last week at Acalanes! It was nice to be together as a community at the all-school rally & have a Welcome Back dance after a two-year hiatus.
 
Clubs
The club application process is open. Any student can start or renew a club and we encourage it. Clubs are instrumental to school culture and community at Acalanes. All of the information can be found on the club website. Applications are due Friday, Aug 26. Our fall club day is Sept 2 during academy and this is a great chance for students to check out the recognized clubs and join.
 
ASB Stickers/Shirts
Thank you to the 900 families who purchased ASB stickers this year. We really appreciate your support! Two reminders:

  1. The sticker should be on the top of the ID card. If it is not, the student can take their ID card to the main attendance office to have it punched.
  2. The sticker provides discounts to local businesses for students so don’t forget to take advantage!
  3. If your student didn’t get the black spirit shirt at Dons Day, please have them go to room 314 to pick up one.

Order School Photos
Students took school photos for their ID cards & yearbooks that you can purchase herethrough Studio One.
 
Class Shirts
Thank you to all who have purchased a class shirt! They will be handed out the week of Aug 22 at lunch. We are waiting on the supplier with an exact delivery date but updated information will be in the school bulletin this week.
 
Spiritwear Orders
Thanks to everyone who purchased spirit wear! Items will be available for pick-up the week of Aug 29 and you will receive an email with more information about pick-up.
 
Homecoming 2022
The 2022 Homecoming theme is U.S. Cities! Homecoming runs from Sep 25 to Oct 1. We CANNOT wait so please save the date!
 
Our remaining calendar date for August is this Friday, Aug 26:

  • Club Applications Due
  • 7am: Senior Sunrise & Panoramic Picture
  • First home football game and pre-game tailgate (wear blue)

As always, if there is anything we can do for you or your student, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here to connect students with activities and interests.
 
Katherine Walton, Leadership Teacher

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College & Career

SENIORS

College Application Support – Your student can click here to make an appointment to work on essays or get help with the entire process.

Essay Help
 – The College Essay Guy offers quick, informative free workshops to inspire your students for UCs, the Common App, and more.

Senior Parent Night
 – Wednesday, Sept 7 in the PAC from 6-7pm. Join Anne Schonauer, Debbie Levy and the senior class liaisons to learn about the upcoming year and college & career planning.

College Visits this Week in the CCC office
– Sign up on Naviance home page or email to register. Have your students speak with their teachers to get permission.

  • University of Massachusetts-Lowell Aug 23 12:55pm-1:25pm
  • Loyola University Chicago Aug 25 11:10am-11:40am

JUNIORS

Practice SAT and ACT Exams
 – Click here to register your student for free online practice tests on Saturday, Sept 17 and Saturday, Sept 24 from 9am-1pm with Revolution Prep.

Volunteer Opportunity
– Community service hours are available on Saturday, Sept 10 from 8am-12pm in the Acalanes parking lot with the Lafayette Community Foundation. Contact Rhonda Andronico to help.

Girls interested in Firefighting Careers
 – This is a great local hands-on opportunity to learn about a career in fire science. Camp dates are Sept 17 and Sept 18 in Oakland and they’re free!

SOPHOMORES/FROSH

Job Opportunity – Strong in Algebra and English? Encourage your student to apply to work at Kumon in Lafayette.

Volunteer Opportunity – Click here to sign up for the LPIE booth at the 2022 Lafayette Art and Wine Festival.
 
Have your student explore their personality traits with this free assessment.

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Counseling

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

Schedule Change Requests
Tomorrow, Monday, Aug 22 is the last day to request a schedule change. Please send students directly to their counselor to see if a change is possible. 

Class Visits
Counselors will give grade-level presentations in classes from Aug 30-Sept 9. Your student will hear suggestions and tips for maximizing their experience this year. We will review graduation progress and remaining requirements at each grade level. All Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors will receive a copy of their transcript. Juniors and Seniors will also receive information about Naviance and college applications. 
 
Individual Senior Appointments
Beginning mid-Sept, counselors will be meeting individually with Seniors to discuss post-high school plans. Those applying to colleges will walk through the process of requesting required documents for their applications. 

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School Nurse

Does your student need to have an EPIPEN available?  If so, we need new medical documentation each calendar year. Please fill this form out completely and include both parent AND physician signatures and return to me.
 
Order more FREE Covid tests here.
 
GREAT ARTICLE on Strengths-Based Parenting
 
Do you have a student in college?  Please find parent support HERE.
 
Please see my website for more information on medications, health issues, forms, etc.
 
SUMMER RECIPE:  Mushroom Soup – Soup in the summer?  The mushrooms at the Farmers’ Market are so good (Costco too)!
 
Looking forward to a GREAT year together!

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

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Wellness Center

The AHS Wellness team would like to welcome everyone to a new school year! With this new year there have been some changes to the Wellness Center including a new coordinator, Patrick Turner, and new Wellness Center hours.
 
While new to AHS, Patrick/Mr.Turner is not new to the district. He’s been dedicated to supporting the success of students in the district for 5 years as a school counselor at Campolindo. Patrick is a great addition to our team and looks forward to continuing to provide support for students in his new role.
 
Last year, usage of the Wellness Center was extremely successful, which means we were also extremely busy. In hopes of better serving our students, new Wellness Center hours are listed here. By modifying our hours, we are able to collaborate more and increase our programming and planning, which allows us to be proactive in reaching more AHS students.
 
As always, if you know of any AHS students that may need additional mental health support here on campus, please submit a referral to the Wellness Center using this link.
The success of Wellness Centers would not be possible without the continued support of parents, families and community partners. Thanks for all that you do in prioritizing mental health for our students!
 
Kiara Thomas- Wellness Intake Specialist

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LPIE

Thank you to all who attended our Back to LPIE event at Metro. It was an amazing turnout! And a huge thank you to Metro Lafayette for hosting and providing complimentary beverages. We are truly grateful to have such wonderful partners that are so keenly vested in our community!
 
LPIE also had its first board meeting this week and it was our privilege to be able to honor our LPIE Business Partners who have already pledged more than $240,000 to support our Lafayette public schools. We approved our 2022-23 Budget and are pleased to announce a very successful start to our Annual Giving Campaign. For those who are new to LPIE, please feel free to reach out to us to learn more about LPIE and the programs that we sponsor.

Michele Colaco and Andrea Hilsabeck, Acalanes LPIE School Chairs
www.lpie.org
Follow us on Instagram

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Performing Arts

Former Instrumental Music Don, Mav Fabela, playing it big at Outside Lands. Read the Acalanes Blueprint article here:

https://acalanesblueprint.com/2022/08/18/soaking-up-summers-final-moments-outside-lands-2022/


 

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