News & Announcements

School Nurse

Does your student have allergies? We can’t dispense allergy medication at School unless you have medication administration set up for your student.  You’ll need THIS FORM signed by doctor and parent (even for OTC meds), and you need to bring the medication to our office. 
 
Calling all teens ages 11–22 with food allergies! Register for FARE’s Teen Talk. In the spirit of April Fools, this month’s theme is Food Allergy LOL. We will discuss all things awkward, annoying, and embarrassing about food allergies. Fun and laughter are guaranteed!
 
“Teen talks provide comfort and make life experiences less scary. I like hearing other people’s stories and how they deal with their food allergies.
—Teen Talk Participant”
 
 We are in the “home stretch” and have less than 2 months of school left (what???). No worries, there is still time to support your student with healthy habits so they can finish up the semester with good health AND good grades.
It always helps to ground ourselves in the “pillars” of optimal health”:

  • Sleep
    • 8-10 hours of quality sleep
    • TIPkeep digital devices out of bedroom or at least away from bed
  • Nutrition
    • FIBER: include AS MANY whole foods high in fiber as possible
    • TIP: Instead of processed foods, look for health alternative choices
  • Physical Activity
    • Encourage your student to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity at least 5 days per week
    • TIP: Go on walks together
  • Avoid smoking, alcohol and substance use
    • Talk to your students about strategies to avoid
    • TIP: Model healthy behavior
  • Stress Management
    • Find something fun away from the “work” of being productive
    • TIP: Try a new “shared” experience like doing a craft together, pulling out a board game, or having a “joke-sharing break”
  • Social Connection
    • Family dinner (or some regular time where your household members gather, ideally to eat together)
    • TIP: Even silent time together can foster connection (personal share: when my kids were teens, I’d “drag” them out for a walk. Sometimes they’d talk and sometimes not. But we were spending time together and I was there if they needed me).

I’d love to hear about your experiences–please let me know! 

My office hours are:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and some* Thursdays
Tuesdays & Thursdays:  8am – 3:50pm
Wednesdays:  7:30am – 3:20pm

Dvora Citron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org, 925-280-2970 x7128
IG: acalanesschoolnurseSchool Nurse Website

Read more

Wellness Center

SENIOR WEEK IN THE WELLNESS CENTER
From April 20 through May 2, the Acalanes Wellness Center will be hosting our first ever Senior Week! Going from high school to the real world can be scary, but we’ve got our seniors covered. For this week, the Wellness Center will offer a variety of programming and resources geared toward seniors transitioning from high school to their next stage in life. Some of the topics that we will be covering include self-care, CA state resources, consent and healthy relationships, and harm reduction. No matter which path your AHS student takes after high school, learning more about these topics can better prepare them for life as a young adult. Stay tuned for a schedule of events in next week’s newsletter!

Read more

Performing & Visual Arts


The SpongeBob Musical! Apr 24-26, 7pm & Apr 27, 2pm in the AHS PAC
When Bikini Bottom faces disaster, SpongeBob and friends must band together to save their home—through friendship, courage, and epic songs! A must-see for all ages! Tickets on sale NOW at ahsperformingarts.org



Acalanes Symphonic Orchestra Goes for the Gold in Chicago!
Performing Arts Boosters congratulates the Acalanes Symphonic Orchestra for achieving a Gold award at the Chicago International Music Festival. The Symphonic Orchestra is composed of 50 musicians from the Wind Ensemble, String Orchestra, and Symphonic Ensemble classes. Students attended master classes and performed at the stunning Chicago Symphony Hall. They also went to the Chicago Opera to see La Boheme, and toured the city.
 

 
Join Acalanes Performing Arts Boosters!
Performing Arts Boosters is a parent group that promotes and advocates for high quality performing arts education at Acalanes. There are open positions in the Instrumental Music subgroup as well as in the umbrella Boosters organization.

  • Performing Arts Boosters
    • Member-at-Large
    • Treasurer 26-27 shadow role (QuickBooks)
    • Web Admin 26-27 shadow role (Wix & Google Workspace)
  • Instrumental Music
    • Concert Attire Coordinator
    • Carpool Coordinator
    • Stanley Liaison
    • Publicity & Communications Coordinator
    • Programs & Posters Coordinator
    • House Manager

Please reach out if you have questions or are interested in joining us! info@ahsperformingarts.org or instrumental-co-vp@ahsperformingarts.org




Read more

LPIE

Thank You for Making the 12th Annual Project LPIE a Success!
 
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the incredible students who submitted a total of 120 projects across 15 categories in this year’s Project LPIE. Your creativity, dedication, and hard work truly inspired us all. A special thank you to our judges, who generously volunteered their time and expertise to give meaningful feedback to all participants. And of course, we extend our sincere appreciation to Project LPIE Co-Chairs Jocelyn Werner & Lori MacLeod for leading us through the 12th year of this competition! Without you, this simply would not have been possible.
 
To everyone who attended our Student Showcase & Awards Reception last week, thank you for coming! We were proud to showcase every piece submitted to Project LPIE and to take the opportunity to celebrate the talent and community spirit that make Project LPIE such a meaningful experience each year. We hope you will join us again next year!

Read more

Sports


Ticket sales for the 2025 Booster Bash are LIVE! Remember to text the friends you huddled with in the cold while cheering on our Dons athletes so you all buy tickets to the Booster event of the year – April 26 at the Circle G Ranch! https://acalanesboosters.ejoinme.org/PurchaseTickets


*The game schedule below reflects dates and times as of last Friday. Games may change for several reasons, including weather. If you have questions or comments, please contact 
Acalanes Sports Boosters.

This week’s can’t miss events:
Boys golf
Monday, April 14 Varsity v. Campolindo HS at Contra Costa CC 3:30 pm.
Friday, April 18 JV v. Las Lomas HS at Moraga CC 3:30 pm.
 
Boys volleyball
Tuesday, April 15 hosts Campolindo HS.  JV at 5:00 pm and Varsity at 6:30 pm.
Thursday, April 17 hosts Clayton Valley Charter HS.  JV at 5:00 pm and Varsity at 6:30 pm.
 
Boys tennis
Tuesday, April 15 Varsity hosts Clayton Valley Charter HS at 3:30 pm.
Thursday, April 17 Campolindo HS at 3:30 pm.  Varsity is home and JV is away.
 
Boys lacrosse
Tuesday, April 15 hosts San Marin HS.  JV at 5:30 pm and Varsity at 7:00 pm.
Thursday, April 17 hosts Piedmont HS.  JV at 5:30 pm and Varsity at 7:00 pm.
Friday, April 18 at College Park HS.  JV at 5:30 pm and Varsity at 7:00 pm.
 
Girls lacrosse
Tuesday, April 15 at Piedmont HS.  JV at 5:30 pm and Varsity at 7:00 pm.
Friday, April 18 hosts Northgate HS.  JV at 5:30 pm and Varsity at 7:00 pm.
Saturday, April 19 Frosh-soph v. Campolindo HS, and Ygnacio Valley HS at Campolindo HS at 9:00 am.
 
Softball
Tuesday, April 15 College Park HS at 4:30 pm.  Varsity away and JV home.
Thursday, April 17 Hercules HS at 4:30 pm.  Varsity is away and JV is home.
 
Track & field
Wednesday, April 16 hosts Northgate HS at 3:30 pm.
 
Swimming
Wednesday, April 16 hosts Clayton Valley Charter HS and El Cerrito HS at 4:00 pm.
 
Stunt
Wednesday, April 16 Concord HS at Clayton Valley Charter HS at 6:00 pm.
Friday, April 18 Alhambra HS at College Park HS at 7:00 pm.
 
Baseball
Friday, April 18 San Ramon Valley HS at 4:00 pm.  Varsity home and JV away.
Saturday, April 19 Petaluma HS at 4:00 pm.  Varsity away and JV home.
Saturday, April 19 Freshmen host Campolindo HS at 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm.

You may view the full 2024-2025 Athletic Schedule by clicking HERE.

Read more

Legislative News

Something exciting arrived in the mail this week—your Measure T ballot!
Measure T provides locally-controlled funding to maintain our high-quality high school instruction and retain our excellent local teachers. It requires a steep two-thirds support rate AND is on the ballot during an off-year. All this means that every vote counts in this special election!
 
Turning out the parent vote is critical to our campaign’s strategy to win and protect our local high schools. You can help us today by filling out your ballot early!
 
Return your ballot in three simple steps:

  1. Find your ballot, it should be arriving this week
  2. Vote YES on T to protect quality local high schools
  3. Sign your ballot’s return envelope and mail it back today — no postage required. You can also turn it in at a local ballot drop box.

For more information about voting and drop box locations, please click here. Reminder, ballots are due by Tuesday, May 6! Early parent voting is essential to our campaign’s success!
 
We are still looking for volunteers! Please consider sharing some of your time by helping us get the vote out!  And, if you would like a lawn sign, click here!

Read more

General Administration Announcements

We are searching for parents to help with proctoring AP exams from May 5 – May 23. Exams start everyday at either 8am or 12pm. Students know to show up 30 minutes prior to start time for check in. Proctors for morning exams are needed starting at 7:15am and for afternoon exams starting at 11:15am. Exams can range from 2- 4 hours – please plan to stay for the longest amount of time possible. Restriction: Parents are NOT allowed to proctor an exam that their own child is taking.

If you are interested in learning more about proctoring AP exams, please contact the Acalanes Testing Coordinator, Jamielle McDonald.

Read more

APC in Action

ACA Service Awards Deadline: Apr 18 – Your student should check that their hours have been approved!!
If your student is working towards an AHS or Presidential Service Award, make sure their volunteer hours are entered and validated in Helper Helper by their supervisor by Apr 18! To check supervisor validation of volunteer hours:

  • Log into Helper Helper → “My Commitments” → “Past” → click an entry.
  • If it says “Your attendance is pending approval”, their supervisor hasn’t validated it. Make sure your student follows up with their supervisor (and make sure the supervisor checks their spam folder for an email from Helper Helper).

To check final APC approval of volunteer hours:
Once validated, we review the hours to confirm they meet our guidelines. If approved, your student will see a blue star next to the entry under “Past Commitments.” If validated but not approved within a few days, please have your student check their AUHSD email (and spam) for an email from us. We likely have questions about their service. If we don’t hear back from them, their hours may be rejected.
Need help with your Helper Helper account, have questions about what qualifies as community service, or need info on additional requirements for a Presidential Service Award? Visit our volunteer website or email communityservice@acalanesparentsclub.com.

Read more

Acalanes Community Always (ACA)

Welcome Class of 2029
Acalanes Athletics & Activities Night
May 1, 2025 | Acalanes Front Quad | 5-6pm
 
It’s time for incoming Acalanes freshmen & families to connect! Students/families can check out the following during this evening on May 1:

  • Student Clubs: Acalanes has over 90 student clubs. Club leaders will be at tables and happy to share information. Some of the clubs present will be ACA Buddies, Children’s Hospital, Feminist Club, Finance Club, Jewish Student Union, Black Student Union, Queer Straight Alliance, Latinos Unidos, Asian American Student Union, SAGE Club and many more!
  • Athletics:  Acalanes is home to twenty-five competitive sports teams. Tables will be set up around the quad alphabetically.
  • Athletic Directors and Clearance Information: Athletic Directors Randy Takahashi and Haley Walsh will be available to meet and share more about mandatory athletic clearance for next year.
  • Parent Volunteer Opportunities: Acalanes parents play a vital role in supporting and enriching our school activities and events! Thank you in advance for donating your time. More information can be found at our partner tables and Acalanes support organizations at the entrance:
    • Acalanes Athletic Boosters
    • Acalanes Parents Club
    • Acalanes Performing Arts Boosters
    • Lafayette Partners in Education
  • Acalanes SWAG: Pick up your pre-ordered Acalanes frosh spirit pack and/or purchase some new Acalanes gear! In addition, ALL incoming class of 2029 students can pick up a special goodie bag.

The Acalanes Community Outreach and Improvement Club is hosting a fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) from March 18 – April 30. LLS’s mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families by funding research and much more! Please donate as any and every donation makes a difference! Please check and see if your company does matching gifts when donating to double your impact! Thank you!

Read more

Campus Culture Committee

Upcoming Important Dates:

  • April is Autism Acceptance Month
  • April is Arab American Heritage Month
  • Apr 12 – Apr 20 Passover
  • Apr 20 Easter
  • Apr 21 Campus Culture Committee Meeting
  • Apr 23 Holocaust Remembrance Day

Autism Acceptance Month celebrates and honors the experiences and identities of autistic individuals. It emphasizes understanding, inclusion, and support, moving beyond awareness towards meaningful acceptance.

National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM) takes place in April. It celebrates the Arab American heritage and culture and pays tribute to the contributions of Arab Americans and Arabic-speaking Americans.

ALL ARE WELCOME HERE t-shirts are for sale! For just $20 you can support the Campus Culture Committee of APC while wearing a stylish black tee that lets everyone know what the Dons are all about. Reach out here for payment information and how to get your shirt. Available in M and L only at this time.

If you’d like to help with any celebrations or join in our cultural discussions, please contact the Campus Culture Committee here and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook to keep up to date with what the students are doing to celebrate all of these wonderful cultures and special dates.

 

 

Read more