While it may not be the first stress-reducing strategy to come to mind, connecting with others is easily one of the most effective and available. This is one of the reasons why students set their devices aside when they’re in the center and believe it or not, they’re happy they did. Time and time again, we see students who are overwhelmed connect with us and then turn around and connect with a peer in need. It feels good to talk it out; to learn that many of our experiences are universal; and to both give and receive words of compassion. Next time you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed, do a scan of your emotions and notice where you feel them in your body. After you connect with a compassionate listener who you can count on to be supportive, scan again with close attention to your experience. If you can identify the feeling of a lowered stress response, share that with your kids and see if together, you can create a new habit! (CS 8/29)
College & Career
Academies have started with a bang and the students had a fun kick off with a Chick Fil A and Naviance workshop. Make sure to have your student sign up in advance, space is limited to 20 students. A big thank you to Acalanes Parents Club for making it possible to create these wonderful opportunities for our students.
COMING UP!
Oct 19 PSAT – register on the Web Store. Open to Juniors and interested Sophomores.
Seniors and Juniors please sign up in Naviance for College Rep Visits:
Sept 3 University of Pacific 12:25pm
Sept 3 Savannah College of Art and Design 1:35pm
Sept 4 Lynn University 11:25pm
Sept 4 Vanderbilt 12:25pm
Just a reminder, students need to pick up a pass in College & Career the morning of a college rep visit. Be sure they get permission from their teacher the Monday before the visit. Students may not miss a test for a rep visit.
Performing Arts students can find their college fit at the San Francisco Bay Area Performing and Visual Arts Fair on September 19, at the Santa Clara Convention Center. Visit the official San Francisco Performing and Visual Arts Fair site for more details. Students meet face-to-face with representatives from hundreds of colleges—all in one place—and get their questions answered about majors, degree programs, auditions, campus visits, internships, scholarships, financial aid, and much more.
One last thing! The the College & Career Center is creating a “Dons in the Workforce” bulletin board. Please bring me a picture of you (or your student!) at work!
As always, email me with any questions!
Wendy
wreicher@auhsdschools.org
The Power of LPIE at Acalanes – Donate Today!
LPIE has committed $4.5 million directly to our students and their schools this academic year, with nearly $1 Million of that number to Acalanes alone. Consider what your donation funds for your child each and every day at Acalanes: 16 class sections; iPads and Chromebooks for the 1:1 device program; science, engineering, math and robotics; world languages; the expanded Writing Tutor Program; Wellness Counselors for the new Wellness Center and much, much more. You can find a full listing of what we fund here.
We can’t reach our fundraising goals without your help. Though we ask $1,000 per child, some families donate less, some donate more. Our hope is that ALL families participate in some way, and we value ALL donations.
Make a single payment, 10 monthly payments, or make a pledge. Click here to donate.
With gratitude,
Laura-Kate Rurka & Rachel Berkowitz
Acalanes LPIE School Chairs
Athletic PE: How It Works
Do you still have questions about the Athletic Physical Education program? Following is the basic info, with more details on how the program works on the AHS Athletic PE web page. (Freshman parents: while this information is helpful to know now, it isn’t necessary to act on anything until the Spring when course selections are made.)
Acalanes students are required to complete four semesters of Physical Education classes to graduate. All freshmen take two semesters of PE 9 and must complete a Physical Fitness Test (PFT) in the Spring of their Freshmen year.
Students who pass their Physical Fitness Test may fulfill their final two semesters of PE by either taking two semesters of PE at some point during grades 10-12 or by participating in two Acalanes team sport seasons (Fall, Winter or Spring) during 10-11 grades.
Keep in mind that your student is responsible for initiating and maintaining their Athletic PE contract (e.g., logging hours weekly) throughout the season of the sport they play. You can help guide your student to meet the necessary program requirements.
College & Career
It’s been a great start to the year in the College and Career Center. A lot is happening! Parents – make sure you are signed up for School Loop, as I have a lot of information coming through School Loop emails.
All Grades
Aug 26 “Next College Student Athlete” presentation for NCAA college bound athletes. AHS PAC @7pm
Aug 28 “Value Priced College Night” Las Lomas Library @7-8pm
Come hear from a financial expert, Tim Lenahan, who has researched and compared costs of colleges across the nation. Learn about the affordable in-state and out-of-state public colleges in the Western US. Tim is a CPA and Certified College Advisor and will share insights and top picks that costs as little as $16k to attend.
Sept 10 “Navigating the Financial Landscape” Miramonte Library 7-9pm
Tim Lenahan is back, sharing strategies to find the best college for your student at the lowest cost. Sign ups required as space is limited.
College Rep Visits
Seniors and Juniors register (all grades welcome):
- Register in Naviance
- Get a pass the morning of the visit from C&CC. Teachers must sign your pass to be excused from class.
Sept. 3 University of Pacific 12:25p
Sept. 3 Savannah College of Art and Design 1:35p
Sept. 4 Lynn University 11:25p
Sept. 4 Vanderbilt 12:25p
Oct 19 PSAT – registration open Aug 27 – Sept 17 on the webstore. Open to Juniors and interested Sophomores.
As always, email me with any questions!
Wendy
Parent Handbook/ Student Directory
If you would like a Parent Handbook and Student Directory but have not had a chance to donate to APC yet, it’s never too late and no amount is too big or too small. Please go to the Acalanes Web Store to donate now. Your donation is tax deductible and helps fund several programs and events which benefit all of our Dons.
If you did not pick up our Directory at BTSN, please be sure to swing by the Registrar’s Office to get your complimentary copy. And, THANK YOU for donating to Acalanes Parents Club this year!
Homecoming Theme: Battle of the Bands
This year’s Homecoming theme is Battle of the Bands and the class of 2020 has chosen QUEEN. Hallway decorating will be on Sunday, Sept 22. Thank you in advance to the parent volunteers for signing up to bring snacks here. Let us know if you need to make any changes.
Add Funds to Meal Account: It’s a cinch!
Go to family.titank12.com
- Create an account
- Link it to your student
- Add funds
The site has daily menus as well. Bon appetit!
Counseling Update
Welcome back! Counselors are excited to see students again! Just to refresh your memory: Counselors are assigned by student last name, as follows:
- Last names A- E Anne Schonauer aschonauer@auhsdschools.org x7113
- Last names F – Lar Christine Todd ctodd@auhsdschools.org x 7114
- Last names Las- Roh Marissa Meadows mmeadows@auhsdschools.org x7145
- Last names Rog- Z Susan Martin smartin@auhsdschools.org x 7139
Counselors will be visiting seniors in their government classes the week of September 9 to talk about post-high school planning and next steps on college apps. We will be meeting with seniors individually throughout the month of September and early October. Students who need a letter of recommendation or school report from their counselor should make sure to have an appointment at least a month in advance of the deadline.
