News & Announcements

Junior Families 

• Parents: One-on-One Appointments – All Juniors should book an individual meeting with Ms. Reicher here.  Parents can absolutely join. Let’s make sure we are creating a solid timeline for post Acalanes planning. Day/eve times available!
• Academy for Juniors this Wednesday and Friday: College 101 Q&A.

Sophomore Families

• Save the Date! Monday, March 1 from 7-8pm Sophomore College Planning – Join Wendy Reicher for a discussion addressing commonly asked questions from sophomore families including standardized testing, summer programs, volunteering, and more. Click here to register. 
• One-on-One Appointments – All Sophomores and their families should book an individual meeting with Ms. Reicher here to discuss timelines, summer options and any college/career related planning.

Seniors 

• DVC enrollment presentation Tuesday, Feb 23.  Register to attend here.
• Update college application results in Naviance.  
• Look for the required Senior exit survey coming in March on Naviance.

Scholarships: Use this link to explore options.

Job Opportunity
Local Food Group recently opened a kitchen in Lafayette and is looking for greeters/hosts. Tons of hours available! $14-$16/hr. Check job posting for application details.

Facebook Page community resources for our parents to get the most updated information on college related topics in the news.

Keep connected:

• CCC Website 
• Facebook Page for Students – Have your senior or junior join the College and Career Student FB page.

Thank you for all your support!

Wendy Reicher, College and Career Advisor: wreicher@auhsdschools.org

Class of 2023 PE Credit Options
Class of 2023 students (current Sophomores) can earn PE credits through both Athletic PE and Independent PE options as well as yoga and weight training classes during the 2021-2022 school year (their junior year).  Athletic PE is for students in Acalanes sport and Independent PE can include activities outside of school sports teams. Students will need to sign up at the beginning of a semester next school year and will need to provide weekly documentation of activity to earn credit. Please see your counselor for more detail. 

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.   

Geometry for Advancement
The District is also planning to offer a summer geometry class for those who want to advance more quickly through the math curriculum. This course is only open to students who are currently enrolled in Algebra 1 in 9th grade and have strong performance in Algebra 1. Email your student’s counselor if interested. 

CSF Application Period Underway
California Scholarship Federation’s spring application period began on February 1. Current students in grades 10-12 should apply to this honor society. Students need to complete an application and pay $7 dues on the webstore. This semester, the application is a Google form. Students need to use their school email to complete the form. 

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. We are trying to reserve the limited slots outside of class time for students. Parents can schedule a time when students are in class. 

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

Wednesday, March 10 at 7pm – Dr. Michael Rich, “The Mediatrician”
Join us online for an informative talk with Dr. Michael Rich, Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School and Director of the Center of Media and Child Health. He will focus on understanding and responding to the ways in which teens and families are affected by the interactive media we use and how we use them. Rich will also reframe the issue of screen use in adolescents from the values-based “right vs wrong” debate that has prevailed since the earliest days of television to an evidence-based public health issue – how we are changed by our media use, in positive and negative ways, so that parents, teachers, clinicians and society at large can make critical decisions in raising the next generations to be healthy, happy and kind.

• No advanced registration is required. Click here to join the event! 

Smile With Your Eyes!
I am resharing face mask resources: one from our District and one from the CDC. It’s really important that we’re all consistent for health and safety reasons, and to build a culture of trust. 

• Please note the types of masks that are NOT acceptable.
• Make sure to wear a CLEAN mask every day.
• Please wear your mask so that the top covers the bridge of your nose and the bottom goes under your chin. If you are constantly readjusting, it does not fit properly.

Parents!
Please report any COVID-related absences to the Attendance Recorder as soon as possible so I can do appropriate follow-up.

Updated Medical Documentation Needed for Students in Hybrid
We still need updated medical documentation for your student, especially if they will be participating in the Hybrid Model. Does your student need medication available at school? Does your student have updated medical issues/health issues? Do they have a new immunization record? Parents, please make sure you turn in any pertinent medical forms for your students for this school year, especially if your students will be in the Hybrid Model. See this page on my website and let me know if you have any questions.

COVID District Protocol
Available on AUHSD site and on my site.

February is Heart Health Month
We think a lot about what we can do as adults to promote heart health, and I want to put in a BIG PLUG for Lifestyle Medicine.  These same strategies are important to promote good health in our kids/students and hopefully prevent/reduce in their development of cardiovascular disease (it doesn’t just appear in adulthood – it takes years to develop).

• Anyone can learn Hands-Only CPR
• Another site I really like is from AHA: GO RED

Free Yoga Class I want to share a wonderful resource with you that supports neuroregulation: Subtle® Yoga for Greater Nervous System Resilience and Brain Function Subtle Yoga is very accessible, and is beneficial for anyone and everyone. Enjoy!

Stay healthy and be well,

Dvora Citron, RN, MS

Acalanes School Nurse Google Site
dcitron@auhsdschools.org
IG:  acalanesschoolnurse

Sports Season Begins!
Cross country, track and field, swimming and diving, boys tennis and boys and girls golf are underway with excitement and energy. The approach and approval process for other sports is changing rapidly; please watch your email for the latest updates. 

Please remember, the beginning of each sport may come quickly. Do not wait to complete your athletic clearance. Get it done now. You may access detailed instructions to complete the athletic clearance on Sportsnet here.

Course Preview & Open House Replay for Incoming 9th Graders
In case you missed Principal Bell’s presentations last week, visit these links:

• Course Preview & Open House Webinar for Incoming Parents
• Webinar for Incoming 9th Grade Students at Stanley

For additional information regarding AHS Course Preview for the 2021-2022 school year, click here. 

Friday, Feb 19 from 10-11:30a – Dons Dialogue with Principal Bell
Mark your calendar for an update on return to school plans, with a detailed review of the Hybrid Instructional Model. Stay tuned for more details and information on how to register.

APC Spring 2021 Grants Proposals Are Open!
Acalanes Parents Club is excited to announce its spring grant program is now accepting proposals to enhance the educational experience of AHS students during the current distance learning model and the anticipated return to in-person hybrid model. Teachers, students, staff and parents are welcome to submit a grant proposal. Contact APC Grants Coordinator Catherine Habas to receive the application submission guidelines or click here. Email completed applications to Catherine Habas at grants@acalanesparentsclub.com or drop in the APC box in the office. Grant applications are due by noon on Friday, March 12, 2021.  

Peer Tutoring
Encourage your student to take advantage of remote Peer Tutoring. Thanks to APC donations, this service is free for all students on every academic subject. Here’s how and when students can participate (this information is also posted for students in TeachMore):

• Mondays – 10a-4p: Monday Peer Tutoring link.
• Tuesdays and Thursdays – 7th period from 2-3p: 7th period link.
• Wednesdays and Fridays – Academy period from 9-10a: Academy link.
• Tuesdays through Fridays – After school from 3-4p: After school link

TONIGHT IS THE LAST NIGHT TO SEE IT! ACA STRONG Campus Light Display, 5:30-9:00pm
It’s not too late to check it out!! Students, parents, siblings and community members are invited to drive through campus to enjoy the ACA STRONG light display and engage in some fun community spirit! 

• When you come to campus, please consider bringing peanut butter and/or boxes of cereal to donate to the Monument Crisis Center. Donations can be placed in collection bins located by the flagpole.

Acalanes Class of 2025 Drive Through: Huge Success!
Last Wednesday, Acalanes sponsored an ACA Drive Through for incoming 9th graders that showed off the heart of Acalanes – its spirit and sense of community. These kinds of events make us all proud to be a Don!

February ACA STRONG Blue Heart Displays of Spirit
Show your ACA Spirit by showing how much “heart” you have for Acalanes and our Lafayette community. Chalk your driveway with a BIG BLUE heart, hang blue hearts in your windows & look out for ACA STRONG posters throughout Lafayette. Check out @ahs_dons on instagram to see pictures & to submit yours! 

• Pick Up Blue Chalk and Treats at Sideboard Lafayette – Stop by for a treat and ask for a stick of complimentary blue chalk (through Friday, February 18). They have creative gifts too!

Buy and Eat Local: Support Lafayette Businesses & Restaurants!
Local businesses and restaurants need our support more than ever! Restaurants are welcoming outside dining again and would appreciate patronage by Acalanes families in their outdoor seating areas or via take-out. Valentine’s Day is around the corner and local boutiques have some creative gift ideas. Check them out here. Let our local businesses know how much our ACA family supports them!

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

Thank you to our local businesses for investing in LPIE’s mission to support and enrich the education of every child in the Lafayette public schools!
Their commitment to our students and community is extraordinary.  Please be sure to say “thank you” when you see any of these business owners! 

Step inside the halls of Acalanes High School during Adam’s conversation with 2020 AHS graduate Maddie Wilson.
Learn how Acalanes has helped Maddie become a confident woman who is striving towards her full potential, and also who recognizes and appreciates the value of individuals from all walks of life. LPIE’s commitment to Acalanes ensures programs, electives and support is funded and available to every student, which is why it remains an incredible institution and truly a place for everyone! Click here to listen and learn more.

Laura-Kate Rurka & Jennifer Palmer
Acalanes LPIE School Chairs

www.lpie.org

Rising Assault Within AAPI Communities
Our hearts are with families who have lost loved ones and continue to live with the trauma of rising anti-AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) sentiment this past year with the start of COVID. Explore this topic further in this article. Many AAPI organizations have organized a community foot patrol  to escort the elderly in Oakland Chinatown. If you would like to know ways to help support the AAPI communities, and for other resources please use this list.  

• As we continue to do our part in diversity, equity and inclusion work as a community, we hold hope as people from different cultures and communities rise together to condemn hate. If you are unsure where to start on a journey of antiracism, try here.

Black History Month 

• AUHSD continues highlighting “Black Heroes”
• Full calendar of AHS student events here
• Be sure to follow us on Instagram, where prominent Black Americans are featured daily through Black History Month; also follow Acalanes Diversity Board for student updates

Tuesday Feb 23 from 6:30-7:30pm Private Virtual Speaker Event with Arshay Cooper, author of the novel “A Most Beautiful Thing” and co-star of the movie with the same name. This event is almost sold-out, so don’t wait to sign up! Purchase the book here, and watch the movie on Amazon Prime or Xfinity. 

Thursday Feb 25 at 6pm Student Poetry Night
Encourage your student to register their entry for the ACA BHM Poetry night here. Join via Zoom – all are welcome!

Wednesday March 3, from 7-8:30pm Racial Equity Series, Session 5
Join Dr. Lori Watson for a discussion on “Children and Race.” Zoom link will be sent out to all those registered prior to the meeting.

Order by March 14! “Stand Together” DEI Lawn Sign
$14 on the webstore.

Lastly, we invite you to join our committee!
If you have ideas or questions, or you want more information, email us! Stay current by visiting our webpage, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.