News & Announcements

Student Activities

The Community Outreach and Improvement Program is hosting a drive for the Lamorinda branch of the American Association of University Women from October 16-27! Please donate your gently used sneakers to the bins outside the front office! The donations fund scholarships for women in our community!
 
Don’t miss waterpolo at home on Wednesday vs. Campolindo. It’s SENIOR NIGHT!Schedule of Events:

  • 4pm JV boys
  • 5pm Varsity boys
  • SENIOR RECOGNITION in between varsity games to recognize 7 seniors each on the girls and boys teams
  • 6pm Varsity girls***
  • 7pm JV girls

Don’t miss Inherit the Wind this week! It runs Wednesday through Saturday and is a play not to miss!
 
We will be back in frosh classes this week (Thursday and Friday) leading our 2nd frosh connectof the year. New Crew leaders (11th and 12th graders) will spend time with every 9th grader and check in on their Acalanes experience.
 
A Peek at Future Events:

  • Equity workshop for all 9th graders during academy on Wednesday, Nov 1
  • Unified Soccer at lunch on Friday, Nov 3
  • Friday night football at home vs. Campolindo (wear blue) on Friday, Nov 3

Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.
 
Katherine Walton, Activities Director

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College & Career

Seniors

  • College Visits This Week in the CCC: Students MUST pick up a pass from the College & Career Center to attend.
    • Monday: University of Washington, Missouri University of Science & Technology, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, UMass-Amherst
    • Tuesday: Portland State, Fairfield University, Butler, Southern Oregon, Hawaii Pacific University
    • Wednesday: Ohio State, Loyola Marymount, University of Iowa, Whittier College, California College of the Arts
    • Thursday: Rutgers, SOKA, Chapman, Boise St.
  • California State OR UC Application Support: We have several college counselors available during Academy and 6th and 7th period every day. Your seniors are welcome to drop-in for PIQ or application detail support.
  • New FAFSA Changes and How They Impact Your Family: This is a very informative video on the new changes to FAFSA, which opens in December.
  • Please visit our College & Career Counseling website any time for additional information and support.

Juniors- Acalanes has over 70 clubs. Learn more here. It’s a great way for students to get involved!

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Counseling

Counselor assignments are by last name:
A-Em AnneSchonauer
En-Kr Erika Vasquez
Ku-Rog MarissaMeadows
Roh-Z SusanMartin

Letters of Recommendation: Counselors are busy writing letters of recommendation for seniors applying by Nov 1. If your senior is still making adjustments to their college list, and they need a letter of rec, please have them come see us!

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School Nurse

What’s more important than the health of your family?
More nutrition resources (to keep your family healthy): 
I am currently participating in an excellent training program about how to deliver nutrition education and culinary skills to families in their own homes. One of the resources shared is THISfree online program. Check it out and tell me what you think!
 
Help you kids stay in school! 
Reminder:  Have you had your flu shots yet?  If not, they are widely available at doctors’ offices and local pharmacies.

Always Your School Nurse,
DvoraCitron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org, 925-280-2970 x7128,
IG: acalanesschoolnurseSchoolNurseWebsite

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Wellness Center

In recent years you may have noticed a boom in the usage of the term “self-care.” It may seem as if this term is a new and trendy buzzword, but the benefits of self-care are endless when it comes to overcoming the challenges of everyday life. Self-care is an umbrella term for anything that an individual does to maintain their physical, emotional and spiritual health. It seems like a no brainer. It seems that taking care of yourself is pretty rudimentary and self-explanatory. Unfortunately, taking care of ourselves is extremely difficult when considering some of the challenges that we face on a day-to-day basis. Some barriers to self-care may include the mindlessness of daily routines in which we are driven by autopilot, yielding to others needs before our own, or even avoiding specific tasks that lead to the rationalization of why you just don’t have the time.
 
This week, I challenge you to consider the benefit of self-care not only for your personal wellbeing but for the wellbeing of your loved ones; specifically, your AHS student. Many of us have heard the phrase, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” If your physical, emotional and spiritual health are depleted, are you really showing up for your loved ones to the best of your ability? In addition to replenishing our cups, prioritizing self-care models effective health and wellness behaviors to your student. If your students can see that you are making it a point to take care of yourself, they are more likely to follow suit. Talk to your student about the importance of self-care and what that looks like for either of you. So, start that mindfulness practice, dance around the house to your favorite music, find what feels nourishing to your soul!
 
Kiara Thomas- Wellness Intake Specialist

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LPIE


Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime chance to be on the FLOOR to see the Golden State Warriors take on the San Antonio Spurs, including #1 NBA draft pick Victor Wembanyama! This unbelievable package includes two courtside seats just steps from the Warriors’ bench on Friday, November 24. Includes access to the JP Morgan Club, plus dinner and beverages, along with parking to get you in and out of the stadium with ease. Click HERE to bid. Auction closes on

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Sports

This week’s can’t miss events:
 
Girls volleyball
Tuesday, Oct 24 NCS Playoff, first round at 7pm.
Saturday, Oct 28 NCS Quarterfinal at 7pm.
 
Girls tennis
Tuesday, Oct 24 DAL Championship at Northgate HS at 9am.
Wednesday, Oct 25 DAL Championship at Acalanes HS at 4pm.
Thursday, Oct 26 DAL Championship at Acalanes HS at 4pm.
 
Boys water polo
Tuesday, Oct 24 host El Cerrito HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 6pm.
Wednesday, Oct 25 host Campolindo HS. JV at 4pm and Varsity at 5pm.
Friday, Oct 27 and Saturday, Oct 28 DAL JV Tournament at Campolindo HS.
 
Girls water polo
Wednesday, Oct 25 host Campolindo HS. Varsity at 6pm and JV at 7pm.
Friday, Oct 27 and Saturday, Oct 28 DAL JV Tournament at Campolindo HS.
 
Cross country
Wednesday, Oct 25 Midseason Mania at Campolindo HS at 3:30pm.
 
Flag football
Wednesday, Oct 25 Benicia HS at 6pm and Las Lomas HS at 7pm at Las Lomas HS.
 
Unified soccer
Thursday, Oct 26 at Freedom HS at 1pm.
 
Football
Friday, Oct 27 at Las Lomas HS. JV at 4:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
 
You may view the 2023-2024 Athletic Update by clicking HERE.

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APC in Action

LET’S HEAR IT FOR KATHERINE WALTON!



Thank you to Katherine Walton and her Leadership students for organizing an incredible Homecoming week! Did you hear, all together we donated 6,200 cans to the Contra Costa Food Bank, wow!

Walton works hard all year long to build an enthusiastic and inclusive Acalanes community. Her passion, dedication and school spirit set the tone on campus. Acalanes is such a special place thanks to Katherine Walton!

DONS DIALOGUE  – FRIDAY AT 8:45AM
Please join us on Friday, Oct 20 at 8:45am in the Collaboration Center for our October Dons Dialogue. These monthly forums provide parents with the opportunity to hear directly from Principal Eric Shawn and other AHS faculty regarding academics, student activities, department information, hot topics on campus, plus open Q&A. APC will provide coffee and treats. All parents/caregivers welcome.
 
Follow Acalanes Parents Club on Instagram. Please reach out to APC here with any questions.

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Acalanes Community Always (ACA)

ACA ALUMNI DATABASE – JOIN NOW!
It was great catching up with many Acalanes Alumni at the game on Friday!
Please click here to join the Acalanes Alumni Database to stay connected with our Acalanes Community and be in the know for any upcoming events.  Please help spread the word with any friends, family and neighbor alumns.

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Parent Education

Acalanes High School and Acalanes Parents Club present: INTERNET SAFETY NIGHT
Tuesday, Oct 24 at 6:30pm
Acalanes Performing Arts Center
Event is free for all parents/guardians

GUN SAFETY- Video and Resources
Thank you to all who attended the Gun Safety Town Hall last week! If you were not able to be there, you can watch the full video here or check out the presentation slide deck.
For additional resources, visit AcalanesAnonymous Reporting System, 988lifeline.org  (text and chat available 24 hours), contact the Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741 for Crisis Counselor), or the Acalanes Wellness Center (Call 211 or text HOPE to 20121; WellnessCenter Referral).

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