News & Announcements

March Madness Activities – Return to Campus!

• Decorate your student’s home mailbox for the first day of Hybrid Learning
• Get your students ready to wear ACA STRONG shirts on Hybrid Day 1, March 16 and March 17. 
• TODAY from 1-2:30pm Senior & Junior Car Painting – Meet us in the Acalanes parking lot. We will provide the paint!
• Join the fun & buy an ACA Parent/Sibling Strong Shirt. This is a grey version of the student/staff ACA Strong shirt.  You can purchase now via the Acalanes webstore for $10 and pick up from Acalanes after you receive your confirmation email. 

March is Women’s History Month!
Opt in to the various learning opportunities, dialogues & celebration.

• Check out Canvas for the daily spotlight of excellent women. It will run through the end of the month.
• Thursday, March 18 at 7pm Women in Leadership Series with our associate superintendent Aida Glimme. Aida Glimme is the Associate Superintendent of Educational Services and oversees all items related to curriculum development and instructional practices in the Acalanes Union High School District. This year, she has overseen the implementation of schedule and program changes due to the COVID pandemic, including the shift to distance learning and now to hybrid. Aida was a Principal of Acalanes High School and is a former science teacher. She is a war refugee and immigrated to the United States with some of her family members as a result of a civil war in former Yugoslavia. She started high school in San Mateo not speaking English and fought to learn English and the “American way.” Aida currently resides in Danville, where she lives with her husband, daughter, and their 4-legged child, a Boxer named Cash. Register here to attend.

Deadline TODAY! Purchase Acalanes Spirit Wear
We have spirit wear available for the last time this school year! We added a couple new items including a tribute t-shirt to Mr. Huber with proceeds donated to the Parkinson’s Foundation in his name. Check out our spiritwear on the Acalanes webstore. Items can be either picked up at Acalanes or delivered to your home beginning April 6. 

Wednesday, March 24 – Equity Curriculum Site Meeting
Is your student interested in hearing updates and engaging in dialogue about Social Science and English curriculum with an equity focus? Encourage them to attend this lunchtime roundtable. More information will be sent via Canvas.

Monday, April 5 – Acalanes Leadership Applications Available
Is your 8th grader interested in joining student government at Acalanes? Applications will be available electronically beginning April 5th. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to reach out to Katherine Walton.

Sunday, April 18 – Deadline To Order Frosh Spirit Packs!
Know an 8th grader? Frosh spirit packs are a great promotion gift and kick off to a career at Acalanes! Each pack is $53 and features a hooded sweatshirt, car magnet & cinch backpack. Proceeds go to the Class of 2025. Order deadline is April 18 and packs will be delivered to your house beginning May 7. Order here.

Homecoming 2021 is happening at the end of April! Although it will look a bit different, we are excited to celebrate different decades with skits and hallway decorations; encourage your student to get involved. Skit information will go out through Canvas!

2020-2021 Clubs
Club meetings continue. Check out our 49 clubs! Clubs continue to be one of the best ways for students to connect. We will be pushing out more information about clubs at the end of the week. Please encourage your student to check out Canvas to learn more.

If I can ever do anything to help you or your student, don’t hesitate to reach out!

Katherine Walton, Student Activities Director

On Monday, we will be providing a workshop for teachers on creating an anxiety toolkit to benefit students as they transition to whatever learning module they are will be in for the remainder of the year. Please be sure to talk to your students about the transition ahead. It will take the community time and patience to adjust. 

And don’t forget: Alcohol, Cannabis & Prescription Drug Expert Panel, is scheduled for Tuesday, March 30 at 5:30 pm. This live webinar will focus on a panel of local adult and youth experts to discuss the impact of alcohol, cannabis, and prescription drugs on young people in our communities and share resources for youth and adults. You may register here. This will be simultaneously interpreted in Spanish. 

Allen Choi, Wellness Coordinator
Casey Sasner, Intake Specialist

For updates, tips and advice, follow Wellness on Social Media: Instagram @acalaneswellness

Seniors

• DVC Registration (for graduating students only) Enrollment presentations sign up
• This is a busy time for admissions decisions to roll out. Remember to check ALL emails from schools to make sure you don’t miss anything. If you have any questions about an admission decision or financial aid reach out directly to the university. 

• Congratulations to all seniors who have heard from schools already!!! These are such exciting times. It is very helpful for everyone to log into Naviance and update the decisions. 

• Scholarships – There are still scholarships available. Naviance has many listed under the colleges section. Some deadlines are quickly approaching. Some applications require essays, so students should plan ahead. Here are some links to other scholarship sites:
  • https://student.naviance.com/acalanes 
  • https://www.niche.com/colleges/scholarships/ 
  • https://www.fastweb.com/college-scholarships
  • https://www.scholarships.com/financial-aid/college-scholarships/scholarship-directory/school-year/high-school-senior
  • https://scholarships360.org/scholarships/top-scholarships-for-high-school-seniors/ 

Juniors

• Sunday, March 14 Virtual College Fair – St. Mary’s usually hosts a huge fair with over 100 colleges; this year it is virtual. This is a great time to connect with schools you want to get more information about and a great way to connect with admissions reps. 

• • https://www.strivescan.com/wacac/

Resources:

• CCC Website 
• How to request a transcript
• College 101
• Internships and Volunteering Ideas
• Scholarships

Resources:

• CCC Website 
• How to request a transcript
• College 101
• Internships and Volunteering Ideas
• Scholarships

Friday, March 12 – Third Quarter Ended
Teachers have most of next week to update grades. The 3rd quarter progress report will be officially available in Aeries by Tuesday, March 23.  

June 7 through July 15 – AUHSD Summer School
Summer school is for students who need to repeat a required course after earning a D or F grade. Email your counselor for an application.   

Counselor Appointments
We love talking to our students! Email is the best way to reach us. Counselors have appointment slots for students and will email them a link for signing up.  Counselors will still be doing most of our appointments via Zoom when hybrid instruction begins. (Remember how small the offices are!)  

A- Ed  Anne Schonauer
Ee-Kr  Christine Todd
Ku-Ros  Marissa Meadows
Rot-Z  Susan Martin

Our school district has an agreement in place to re-open, but other school districts, especially the largest ones in the state, have not been able to achieve this. Now Governor Newsom and state legislators have reached a deal which should accelerate the process by providing hefty incentives to reopen and removing some of the obstacles about which school districts had complained. Meanwhile, the federal government has confirmed that standardized testing must resume this year, meaning students still in remote learning in California would be asked to take standardized tests at home. The state is applying for a waiver to give California some flexibility on how and when the tests are administered within the 2020-2021 school year.

Questions? Email our APC Legislative Representative.

This week’s can’t miss events:

Boys tennis

• Tuesday,March 16 at Campolindo HS at 3:30pm.  Varsity is away, JV is home.
• Thursday, March 18 Miramonte HS at 3:30pm.  Varsity is home, JV is away.

Girls lacrosse

• Tuesday, March 16 Varsity hosts Miramonte HS at 7:30pm and JV hosts Concord HS at 5:30pm.
• Thursday, March 18 Varsity at Miramonte HS at 7:30pm and JV at Concord HS at 5:30pm.

Softball

• Tuesday, March 16 Varsity at Monte Vista HS at 4pm.
• Thursday, March 18 v. San Ramon Valley HS at 4pm. Varsity is home, JV is away.

Golf

• Wednesday, March 17 Campolindo HS at Moraga CC 3:30pm.

Football

• Saturday, March 20 host Las Lomas HS. Freshmen at 1:30pm, JV at 4pm and Varsity at 7pm.

Click this link to see a list of current sports and their full schedules.

This Week’s School Schedule
As AHS prepares to open for hybrid instruction, the following calendar is in effect for March 8 through March 12

• Monday, March 8: Non-school day for all students
• Tuesday, March 9 through Friday, March 12:
  • In-person student orientation (see schedule below) 
  • Asynchronous schedule. Students must check in each day at 9am with their Cohort Academy teacher. 
  • On Tuesday & Wednesday, students will have required modules in Canvas regarding health and safety during hybrid learning. 
  • On Thursday and Friday, teachers will assign regular coursework.

Tuesday through Friday from 10a to 12n Student Orientation
Student orientation is required for all students attending in-person school; students not attending school in person are welcome but it is not mandatory. Orientation is approximately 40 minutes for grades 10 through 12; 60 minutes for 9th graders. Refer to this online document for event details and specific times by last name.

• Tuesday, March 9 – Seniors
• Wednesday, March 10 – Juniors
• Thursday, March 11 – Sophomores
• Friday, March 12 – Frosh

Required Health Screening
All students are required to complete a COVID-19 screening every day that they come to school, including next week’s orientation. Health screenings should be completed in the morning prior to arriving at school. AHS recommends that students use the cell/mobile set up as it allows for a daily text reminder. Email registration is also available. 

Student Cohort Reminder
All students have been assigned a group based on their selection of either in-person hybrid or fully-remote learning. Please log in to Aeries PASS parent portal to confirm your student’s group. Refer to the district website for your student’s specific schedule as determined by their group.

Additional Resources

• ICYMI: Read Principal Bell’s email from March 2 detailing AHS projected return to hybrid guide and checklist
• Visit this District online document for the latest details regarding the return to hybrid instruction including student schedules, FAQs, timelines and more. 
• View Contra Costa County tier metrics here

2021-2022 Looking for Volunteers for the APC Board and Committees
The nominating process for the upcoming APC board and related volunteer positions is underway. The APC Nominating Committee is looking for volunteers to fill a handful of positions. Job descriptions can be found here. If you’re interested in getting involved in a small (or large) role with APC, please reach out to APC Parliamentarians Dawn Brightbill &Sarah Cusumano at parliamentarian@acalanesparentsclub.com. 

APC Spring Grants Deadline Extended One Week to Friday, March 19!
Now is the chance to submit your ideas to enhance the educational experience of AHS students! Teachers, students, staff and parents are welcome to submit a grant proposal. Click here to learn more about past grants and program guidelines, and fill out an application. Email completed applications to Catherine Habas at or drop in the APC box in the office. 

Application Deadline Extended to May 1, 2021 – Acalanes & President’s
Volunteer Service Awards Program
Due to the continued challenges of identifying and completing volunteer work during COVID, we extended the deadline so students can finish service hours and submit applications. Visit the website for details and encourage your student to participate! 

ACA Back to School “March Madness”
It’s almost time to welcome hybrid students back on campus!! With a return to Hybrid date of March 16, it’s time to pump up the ACA spirit to new levels! Here are some ways to do so:

• Fly your ACA flag!! Don’t have one? Buy one on the webstore! (See Fundraising section for details.)
• Decorate your student’s mailbox for the first day of Hybrid (decoration kits will be available during “Back to School” hybrid orientation)
• Get your students ready to wear ACA STRONG shirts on Hybrid Day 1, March 16. Students who didn’t pick up an ACA Strong shirt at the last ACA Day can pick one up at Back to School Hybrid Orientation.
• Senior & Junior Car Painting – March 14th from 1-2:30 in the Acalanes parking lot. We will provide the paint!
• Join the fun & buy an ACA Parent/Sibling Strong Shirt. This is a grey version of the student/staff ACA Strong shirt. You can purchase now via the Acalanes webstore for $10 and pick up from Acalanes after you receive your confirmation email. 

Questions, comments, or feedback, email aca@acalanesparentsclub.com.