News & Announcements

Student Activities

Homecoming 2022
The 2022 Homecoming theme is U.S. Cities! Homecoming runs from Sept 25 to Oct 1 and there are so many ways for students to get involved! For an up-to-date look at all the plans, check out the 2022 HOCO Overview! This document will be updated as plans get solidified. Class sub-themes are:

12th: Los Angeles
11th: New York
10th: Las Vegas
9th: Miami
 
Clubs
On Friday, Sept 2 during academy we have our fall club day. All recognized clubs will have a table and it is a great opportunity for students to learn more information about clubs and join. Next week’s daily bulletins will include a spreadsheet of all the 2022-2023 clubs. Encourage your student to join 1 or 2 that they are interested in!
 
Class Shirts
Class shirts will be passed out at lunch this week (Wednesday or Thursday in respective quads). Seniors received theirs last week. If you have any questions, please send your student to room 314!
 
Spiritwear Orders
Thanks to everyone who purchased spirit wear! Those who ordered received an email from Katherine Walton with instructions for pick-up. Thanks for your support of Acalanes and the classes of ‘23-’26!
 
ASB Stickers/Shirts
Thank you to the 900 families who purchased ASB stickers this year. We really appreciate your support! Three reminders:

  1. The sticker should be on the top of the ID card. If it is not, the student can take their ID card to the main attendance office to have it punched.
  2. The sticker provides discounts to local businesses for students so don’t forget to take advantage!
  3. If your student didn’t get the black spirit shirt at Dons Day, please have them go to room 314 to pick up one.

Order School Photos
Students took school photos for their ID cards and yearbooks that you can purchase herethrough Studio One.
 
As always, if there is anything we can do for you or your student, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here to connect students with activities and interests.
 
Katherine Walton, Leadership Teacher

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College & Career

SENIORS
Essay Academy Kristin Kisner, a local independent college consultant, will be leading essay workshops during Academy on Wednesday, Aug 31 and Friday, Sept 2. Interested students should sign up for Levy Academy and come to the CCC and Collaboration Center to get strategies and tips to get started on college essays.

Senior Parent Night Wednesday, Sept 7 in the PAC from 6-7pm. Join Anne Schonauer, Debbie Levy and the senior class liaisons to learn about the upcoming year and college and career planning.

College Visits This Week in the CCC office Sign up on Naviance home page or email to register. Have your students speak with their teachers to get permission:

  • Seton Hall- Aug 31 12pm
  • Boston University- Aug 31 8:35am
  • Lafayette College- Aug 31 9:20am
  • University of Utah- Sept 1 11:10am
  • Grinnell College- Sept 2 12:55pm

College Application Support Your student can click here to make an appointment to work on essays or get help with the entire process.
 
JUNIORS
Practice SAT and ACT Exams Click here to register your student for free online practice tests on Saturday, Sept 17 and Saturday, Sept 24 from 9am-1pm with Revolution Prep.
Volunteer Opportunity Encourage your child to check out these great places to give back!
Girls interested in Firefighting Careers This is a great local hands-on opportunity to learn about a career in fire science. Camp dates are Sept 17 and Sept 18 in Oakland, and they’re free!

SOPHOMORES/FROSH
Volunteer Opportunity Click here to sign up for the LPIE booth at the 2022 Lafayette Art and Wine Festival. This is also a good site to search for teen volunteer work.
 
Have your student explore their personality traits with this free assessment.
Girls interested in Firefighting Careers This is a great local hands-on opportunity to learn about a career in fire science. Camp dates Sept 17 and 18 in Oakland- free!
Please visit our College & Career Counseling website any time for additional information and support.  

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Counseling

Counselor assignments are by last name.
A-Em Anne Schonauer  
En-Kr Christine Todd  
Ku-Rog Marissa Meadows 
Roh-Z Susan Martin

Schedule Changes
Counselors will still process requests to drop classes through the end of the first quarter, Friday, Oct 7. We are unable to add any new classes to student schedules as of Tuesday, Aug 23.
 
Class Visits
Counselors will give grade-level presentations in classes from Aug 30-Sept 9. Senior presentations will be on Tuesday, Aug 30 and Wednesday, Aug 31 and Sophomores will be on Thursday, Sept 1 and Friday, Sept 2. Juniors and Frosh presentations will be the week after Labor Day. Your student will hear suggestions and tips for maximizing their experience this year. We will review graduation progress and remaining requirements at each grade level. All Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors will receive a copy of their transcript. Juniors and Seniors will also receive information about Naviance and college applications. 
 
Individual Senior Appointments
Beginning mid-Sept, counselors will be meeting individually with Seniors to discuss post-high school plans. Those applying to colleges will walk through the process of requesting required documents for their applications. 
 
Senior Parent Night
Plan to come to the PAC on Wednesday Sept 7 at 6pm to hear updates about post-high school options, tips for planning for college applications, and more!

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School Nurse

Please see my website for more information on medications, health issues, forms, etc.

GREAT ARTICLE on Strengths-Based Parenting
 
Do you have a student in college?  Please find parent support HERE.
 
SUMMER RECIPE:  Mushroom Soup – Soup in the summer?  The mushrooms at the Farmers’ Market are so good (Costco too)!
 
Looking forward to a GREAT year together!

Dvora Citron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org
925-280-2970 x7128
Acalanes School Nurse Google Site
IG:  acalanesschoolnurse

 

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Wellness Center

The AHS Wellness team would like to welcome everyone to a new school year! With this new year there have been some changes to the Wellness Center including a new coordinator, Patrick Turner, and new Wellness Center hours.
 
While new to AHS, Patrick/Mr.Turner is not new to the district. He’s been dedicated to supporting the success of students in the district for 5 years as a school counselor at Campolindo. Patrick is a great addition to our team and looks forward to continuing to provide support for students in his new role.
 
Last year, usage of the Wellness Center was extremely successful, which means we were also extremely busy. In hopes of better serving our students, new Wellness Center hours are listed here. By modifying our hours, we are able to collaborate more and increase our programming and planning, which allows us to be proactive in reaching more AHS students.
 
As always, if you know of any AHS students that may need additional mental health support here on campus, please submit a referral to the Wellness Center using this link.
The success of Wellness Centers in our  would not be possible without the continued support of parents, families and community partners. Thanks for all that you do in prioritizing mental health for our students!
 
Kiara Thomas- Wellness Intake Specialist

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Performing Arts

Former Instrumental Music Don, Mav Fabela, playing it big at Outside Lands. Read the Acalanes Blueprint article here:

https://acalanesblueprint.com/2022/08/18/soaking-up-summers-final-moments-outside-lands-2022/


 

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LPIE

LPIE is looking forward to seeing the members of our wonderful community at the Lafayette Art, Wine & Music Festival on Sept 17 and 18. A reminder that LPIE is the largest beneficiary of this event, receiving over $10,000, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the support of Lafayette Chamber of Commerce. We still have a few open slots to volunteer at the event, and we welcome you to take a shift and enjoy the festival!   

Michele Colaco and Andrea Hilsabeck, Acalanes LPIE School Chairs
www.lpie.org
Follow us on Instagram

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Sports

This week’s can’t miss events!

Girls golf
Monday, Aug 29 Miramonte HS at Contra Costa CC at 3:30pm.

Girls volleyball
Tuesday, Aug 30 host Albany HS. Frosh at 4pm, JV at 5pm and Varsity at 6:30pm.
Wednesday, Aug 31 at Maria Carrillo HS. Frosh at 4pm, JV at 5pm and Varsity at 6:30pm.

Girls tennis
Tuesday, Aug 30 Amador Valley HS at 4pm. Varsity is away and JV is home.

Girls water polo
Wednesday, Aug 31 host Tamalpais HS. JV at 4pm and Varsity at 5pm.
Thursday, Sept 1 at Redwood HS. Varsity at 4pm and JV at 5pm.

Boys water polo
Wednesday, Aug 31 host Northgate HS. Varsity at 6pm and JV at 7pm.
Saturday, Sept 3 at Menlo School HS. JV at 11am and Varsity at 12:30pm.

Football
Friday, Sept 2 at Bishop O’Dowd HS. JV at 4:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
 
The fall sport schedules will be found on the Acalanes High School website by clicking here.

If you have any questions, please contact Randy Takahashi at rtakahashi@auhsdschools.org or Haley Walsh at hwalsh@auhsdschools.org.

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APC in Action

Peer Tutoring is Open for Business! Peer Tutoring aims to better the educational, social and emotional well-being of all Acalanes High School students and give them the skills necessary to succeed in academics and life post high school.
 
The program opens again tomorrow in Room 107, a new welcoming and spacious location with two new Co-Directors, Kristen Labrosse & Angela Ketcham. While our Junior and Senior student tutors are there to help in almost any AHS academic subject if needed, that’s not all that Peer Tutoring is for! Students are welcome to use the room to do homework, read, study or just chill out. Encourage your student to drop by and say hi!
 
Hours week of Aug 22: Lunch, 7th period, and every day 1 hour after school.
Open during Academy starting August 26!
 
Thank you, Acalanes Parents Club! Peer Tutoring is 100% funded by APC. We could not operate without your donations.
 
Follow the Acalanes Parents Club on Instagram to keep up to date on what’s  happening at Acalanes, plus get timely reminders for important dates.
 
Please reach out to APC here with any questions. with any questions.

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APC Membership & Fundraising

Parent Club Members! Don’t forget to pick up your newly minted copy of the AHS School Directory at Back to School Night on Thursday, Aug 25!
 
We will pass out the 2022-2023 Directory in front of the main quad at 5pm before classroom visits begin. If you indicated you prefer an online version only, further directions will be provided this week on how to access.   

If you would like a directory and have yet to join the Parents Club, you can do so right here!  You can also bring a check made out to Acalanes Parents Club at BTSN.
Any amount is needed and greatly appreciated.  
 
The Parents Club has promised nearly $180,000 to Acalanes for this school year.  As of today, we have yet to reach that goal. We need your help!

Parents Club funds support programming for all Acalanes students and staff, including:

  • College & Career Services
  • Campus Enhancements
  • Peer Tutoring
  • Parent Ed
  • Staff & Teacher Development
  • Grants Program          
  • Communications
  • Volunteer opportunities and more… 

Another important source of funds is making your donations go twice as far with Corporate Matching. Please check if your company has a matching program and, if so, contact corpmatch@acalanesparentsclub.com for further information.
 
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

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