News & Announcements

Co-Presidents’ Message

Acalanes fall sports teams have been dominating this season. Be sure to check out the schedule for upcoming games for Girls and Boys Water Polo, Girls Tennis and Varsity Football. A special shout out to Girls Water Polo with a current 50-0 record. Let’s go Dons!

Thanks to all the parents who showed up to help out in the AHS Football game concessions last Friday. Football concession profits are divided throughout the season among the various classes so your support by volunteering or buying food is greatly appreciated!


The Make Vaping History Parent Education Event has been rescheduled for Wednesday, December 4, at 7pm, in the Performing Arts Center (PAC). This informative evening is put on by Acalanes Parents Club, Acalanes Union High School District and the Contra Costa Office of Education. Students and parents are invited. Learn up-to-date information on e-cigarette/vape pen products, adolescent use rates, impact on young people, prevention strategies, and how to support current users and more. You may want to also check out the APC Parent Ed Workshop with Matt Crevin on November 18 from 7-8:30pm in the Library. Learn how to help your kids with the invaluable skill of face-to-face communication. Refer to the Parent Ed section below to learn more and to sign up for these events.

Dawn Brightbill & Sarah Cusumano

 

Read more

Sports

Support for one another on campus!  Please check out the Dons Show Up calendar (on the homepage of the Acalanes website). Thank you for showing up!

This week’s highlights:    

  •  Wednesday  Open Mic Night at Sideboard at 6 pm
  • All Week   Exciting NCS and CIF playoff action in girls tennis, boys and girls water polo and football all week long! Check the sports section below for details.           

It’s a great week to be a Don!

Don’t miss November’s communications video! It debuted last Wednesday and is full of announcements about student activities.

Peek at the week (all activities during lunch)

  • Monday: Junior bonding in between the gyms
  • Tuesday: Sophomore bonding in the front quad
  • Monday through Wednesday: Senior dodgeball in the big gym
  • Thursday: Frosh Fall Festival in frosh quad
  • ALL Week: Students can write grateful leaves for fellow students and staff and hang them on the grateful tree in the front quad.
Read more

Open Mic Night Nov 20

 Join us at Sideboard in Lafayette at 6pm for our biannual Open Mic Night. Come out, eat dinner, and enjoy student talent (we have over 15 performers scheduled). This is one of our favorite nights of the year!

 

Read more

Wellness Center

Whether it’s about academics, relationships, sports or extracurricular activities, even the most routine student conversations reveal the power and influence of the adolescent inner-critic. The voice that tells us we’re not good enough is destructive and inhibitory but it is possible to change its tone. Practicing self-compassion has so many evidence-based benefits from increasing your compassion for others and enhancing motivation, to reducing your output of the stress hormone, cortisol. How to practice self-compassion isn’t complicated: treat yourself the way you would treat a cherished friend. How self-compassionate are you? Remember that kids model themselves after us. This link to a self-compassion test from Dr. Kristin Neff will show you how you’re doing at being self-compassionate. You’ll find lots of resources on her site for learning more and beginning your practice.

 

Read more

Week of 11/17 Update

College 101
A reminder that many topics related to college planning are covered on the AHS website.  Check out this link!

Scholarship
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) advances gender equality for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy.  Application available online now: AAUW Scholarship

Academy Period Opportunities (20 student limit)
     Nov 20 all application help
     Nov 22 all application help
     Dec 4 Junior Check In
     Dec 6 Junior Check In

In addition, any Senior is encouraged to schedule an appointment with Wendy Reicher if you need more help.  Email Ms. Reicher, with subject line “make an appointment with you.”  Make sure your college list has been reviewed by Ms. Reicher because we are in tune with the admissions landscape and want to set you up for success!

Juniors
Thank you for joining us last week at College Planning night. A copy of the presentation can be found here, and has been sent via school loop to students and families. After the Thanksgiving break, academy periods for juniors will be available to learn how to research colleges and start personal assessments. 

Read more

Progress Reports

Progress reports  Teachers updated grades earlier this week.  Report cards have been mailed if a parent is not registered on School Loop.  This is the last progress report before the end of the semester.  

Counseling resource of the week: The Healthy Mind Platter from Dr. Dan Siegel.  It’s like the nutrition pyramid, but for mental health.  

 

Read more

Parent Ed Workshop

Master the Message: The Art of Face to Face Communication with Matt Crevin

November 18 from 7-8:30pm in the Acalanes Library 

Lamorinda native and 49ers Football Press Box Announcer Matt Crevin will join APC to discuss the essential life skill of face-to-face conversations. While teens excel in connecting with numerous social media platforms, many lack the ability to sustain confident, clear and coherent face-to-face conversations. As a former talk show host, youth coach, sports announcer and parent, Crevins will guide parents in learning how to help your teen add effective face-to-face communications to their growing repertoire of skills. This workshop is similar to those he gives through his company Talk Shop. You can find more details via Talk Shop’s video link. We hope to see you on the 18th. Please register here for this free event.

 

Read more

Rescheduled Event!! APC in Partnership with AUHSD Presents

Make Vaping History: Students and Parents Learn About Risks of Vaping and Tobacco Use

Wednesday, December 4, 7:00 to 8:30pm, Acalanes Performing Arts Center

Learn up-to-date information on e-cigarette/vape pen products, adolescent use rates, impact on young people, prevention strategies, how to support current users, and more.  Register for this free event here

 

Read more

School Nurse

Here’s what to do if your student has mononucleosis.

Read more

Dec 12, 2019 Winter Choral Concert

Please join us for the 2019 Winter Choral Concert, “Winter Around the World” on Dec 18 at 7pm in the PAC at Acalanes. Come hear the Choirs, a cappella groups, solo acts and special guests, The Nothing But Treble Choir. Seat reservation information will be added the first week in December. Don’t miss this great way to kick off the Holiday Season! 

 

Read more