News & Announcements

Applications Due Feb 26 for Student Government 2020-2021
If your student is interested or might be interested in joining student government next year, applications will be available beginning Wednesday. All the information including the link will be sent out via Canvas. We know that student government operates best when it has a variety of voices and experiences! Opt in! There are various entry points. Check out an overview of the various committees. 

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.

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 & proceeds donated to the Parkinson’s Foundation in his name. Check out our spiritwear on the Acalanes webstore. Orders deadline is March 14th and items can be either picked up at Acalanes or delivered beginning April 6th. 

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 18th and packs will be delivered to your house beginning May 7th. Order here.

Adopt-a-Senior! Community Opt-In! 
We want to celebrate our Seniors and show them just how much they are loved. One way is through the Adopt a Senior program. We have 104 Seniors who are participating.

Community member can opt-in to “adopt” a Senior. You can help our seniors feel appreciated in such trying times through special acts, or even give gifts to show that they are loved. The program will run until the start of spring break. If you opt in, we are asking that you give your senior one item a week and we will provide you with some ideas. We have designed the program so very little money is spent and instead it is focused on love, support & guidance! Interested? Fill out this google form. 

ACA STRONG
We’ve got heart! 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 hearts in your windows and look out for blue hearts and ACA Strong posters throughout Lafayette. Check out @ahs_dons on Instagram to see pictures and submit yours!

Black History Month Continues This Week!
There is a lot to celebrate, and a lot of dialogue in which to engage. Our challenge to the Acalanes community is to engage in at least one event and we encouraged students to do this in last week’s cohort. Check out the calendar of events here. Two community events to register for ahead of time:

• Wednesday, Feb 17 at 5pm – Women in Leadership Series with Elizabeth Brown – Elizabeth Brown is a resident of Georgia and is a Director at the Housing Authority.  Prior to that, she was a Social Worker at The Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University in the Department of Psychiatry & Health Behavior. Link to register in advance.
• Tuesday, Feb 23 at 6:30pm – Arshay Cooper Dialogue – Join us in conversation with author Arshay Cooper. The dialogue will be facilitated by AHS parent Dan Meade, along with three AHS student panelists: Ava Freeman, Franny Daughters, and Miles Burger. Arshay will share more about his life, trauma, police brutality, film career, experience as a rower, and more. The novel and film chronicles the first African American high school rowing team in this country (made up of young men, many of whom were in rival gangs from the West Side of Chicago, coming together to row in the same boat). Order your copy from Orinda Books and a percentage of the proceeds will go to a BSU-selected charity. Please register in advance here. 

Share your kindness story to promote positivity and a community of kindness! We will be compiling them all together in the end to create our own book of kindness! 

Next Week Programming – Daily Events!

• Tuesday, Feb 16 at 3:30p – A virtual murder mystery. Look for the registration form via Canvas.
• Wednesday, Feb 17 at Lunch – Join a dialogue with Class of 2017 alumnae Casey Conrad, a water polo player who will share more about his experience at Princeton as a student and athlete.
• Thursday, Feb 18 at Lunch – Join us for a dialogue with the mayor of Lafayette, Susan Candell.
• Friday, Feb 19 at Lunch – Cake decorating! Does your student want to participate? Fill out this google form so we can drop all the supplies off at your house!

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 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

Big life changes are stress-inducing but they are not only part of being human, they are opportunities to build resilience. There is a big transition coming as the state reaches a point when schools are poised for reopening. There are some things we can do to position ourselves for a positive transition. Number one is self-care. Getting enough sleep, connecting with the people and things we love, and taking extra good care of our mental health will help us be ready to meet the challenges and stressors that come with adapting to a new environment. You can help your student with these and with being open about what it’s like to have to quickly condition to an environment that feels different or foreign. It will be school, but not exactly school as we knew it pre-pandemic. Some students may feel stressed about mask-wearing or Covid transmission, or they may feel confused and concerned about the new schedule or being in a cohort that’s different from their friends. Please use the coming weeks to listen to your students about what they anticipate or what they’re worried about–naming it helps! And assure them that they will re-condition to the new environment quickly. That’s what human beings do–we adapt.

Allen Choi, Wellness Coordinator
Casey Sasner, Intake Specialist

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

Wednesday, Feb 17 & Thursday, Feb 18 – Acalanes Adult Education Virtual Trades Night
Learn more and register to attend here. Employers include:

• Plumbing/Steamfitting
• Ironworkers
• Elevators Constructors
• Electrician
• Heat/Frost Insulators
• Sprinkler Fitters
• Tradeswomen and more

Junior Families 

• Wednesday, Feb 17 Practice ACT and SAT Tests available for students  proctored under live test conditions; cost: $20 ea. Sign up link.
• 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: 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 Wednesday, Feb 17 or 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

Smile With Your Eyes!
I am resharing a few 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.

Team Vaccine! Interested in Volunteering with Contra Costa Health Services Covid Vaccine Administration?
Here are the requirements to volunteer:   

• Current license: RN, LVN, EMT, or DDS, PharmD, or MD. 
• Completed background check and TB Test (provided by Contra Costa County)
• Completed online mandatory trainings Covid-19 Vaccine Training (ca.gov)
• Ability to volunteer 24 hours a week from Sunday through Saturday. Hours vary depending on assignment.
• Candidates must be able to work at all Contra Costa sites and have reliable transportation. 
• If you can meet the minimum requirements, please complete the Volunteer Information Form and send to: COVID19Volunteers@cchealth.org.  

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

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 projected start of baseball, softball and girls lacrosse is Monday, March 1.

Saturday, Feb 20 Cross Country
Virtual meet v. Las Lomas HS and Northgate HS at Newhall Park at 2pm. No spectators please.

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.

Sport Camps Will Continue
Current programs are set and may not add participants at this time. The next sport camp session will begin Monday, March 1. Football, boys and girls volleyball, boys lacrosse and wrestling are expected to conduct camps. You may contact the coach for more information here.

AHS Course Preview & Open House
As students begin to consider academic schedules for next year, there are several upcoming events to support our Dons:

• Thursday, Feb 11 at 6pm Incoming Frosh Course Preview & Open House Webinar – Incoming 9th graders and their families as well as students & families new to Acalanes are invited to join Principal Bell for a live webinar outlining the course selection process and various ways for the family to get connected to the Acalanes Community. Register to attend this event here. 
• Thursday, Feb 11 at 6pm AHS Course Preview & Open House –AHS students and parents are welcome to tune in to a series of pre-recorded videos from AHS teachers on both elective and required courses. Visit the AHS website to view.

Friday, Feb 12 – Regular Instruction Day
Please remember that Friday, February 12 is now a regular instructional day, not a school holiday for students. Monday, February 15 remains a school holiday. Refer to the district website calendar for details. 

ICYMI: Monthly Message from Principal Bell
Click here to read Principal Bell’s February email to our community!

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.

Every Thursday-Sunday Until Feb 14 5:30-9:00pm – ACA STRONG Campus Light Display
The kick-off night that included Acalanes students DJing a local radio station while families drove through the campus light display was a huge hit! It’s not too late to check it out. Students, parents, siblings & 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.

February “We’ve Got Heart” Throughout Our Lafayette Community 

• ACA STRONG Blue Heart Displays – Show your ACA Spirit by showing how much “heart” you have for Acalanes and our Lafayette community. Beginning tomorrow, chalk your driveway with a BIG BLUE heart, hang blue hearts in your windows & look out for blue hearts & ACA STRONG posters throughout Lafayette. Check out @ahs_dons on instagram to see pictures & to submit yours! 
• • • Today through Friday, Feb 12 – Get Your Chalk and Treats at Sideboard Lafayette – Stop by for a treat and ask for a stick of complimentary blue chalk. They have great Valentine’s gifts too!

• Local Gifts, Outdoor Dining & Take-Out in Lafayette – 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.

We Value Your Opinion The LPIE Survey is critical to our strategic direction and should only take 5-10 minutes of your time. Our target is 100% participation and the feedback you provide is anonymous. 

This survey will close on Sunday, February 14, 2021.

Laura-Kate Rurka & Jennifer Palmer
Acalanes LPIE School Chairs

www.lpie.org

As we continue celebrating Black History Month, ask your students what they are learning about. This week’s “Black Heroes” can be found here. 

• Be sure to follow us on Instagram, where prominent Black Americans will be featured daily through Black History Month. Also follow Acalanes Diversity Board for student updates.
• See the full calendar of student and family events here.

This month, we are also learning about various holidays that are celebrated both here and around the world! The traditions and customs reflected in these holidays highlight the diversity of America. 

February 8 is Buddhist Nirvana Day

February 12 is Chinese New Year – 2021 is the year of the Ox

February 14 is Frederick Douglass Day 

Are you “Zoomed out” yet? We recognize that most people’s plates are full, and hope that you’ll still consider joining us for at least one of these upcoming events:  

• • Tuesday Feb 9, from 7-8:30pm – Racial Equity Series, Session 4 Reminder to join Dr. Lori Watson for a discussion on “Whiteness.” Zoom link will be sent out to all those registered prior to the meeting.
  • 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. Space is limited, so sign up here to ensure your spot! Purchase the book here, and watch the movie on Amazon Prime or Xfinity. The students will have access to a special film screening from Feb 19-21.

• Thursday Feb 25 at 6pm Student Poetry Night with Reve Family Dinner Special Join us for Acalanes BHM Poetry Night and skip the cooking while supporting REVE, a local Black-owned business! Get your REVE order in before 2/20 by calling 925-385-0793 and ask for the Acalanes School Special.

• REVE meal is $89 featuring Coq-a-vin (8 pieces of chicken; leg or thigh), a REVE salad including mixed greens, olive tapenade, and parmesan cheese with a lemon thyme vinaigrette and a loaf of par-baked bread to finish at home.

Lastly, please consider joining our committee!
Meetings are usually two Tuesdays per month. 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.