Acalanes Community Always (ACA)

Attention High School Students Interested in Travel
Erin Barth, Tina Gullberg, and ACIS are hosting a trip to Japan from Jun 8-16! Any Lamorinda high school student is welcome to join.

Some of the sites and activities you will experience are:

• Tokyo Tour with Guide
• Meiji Shrine
• Lake Ashi Boat Ride
• Hakone Komagatake Ropeway
• Mount Fuji Kawaguchiko 5th Station
• Toyota Motor Company Kaikan Museum
• Atsuta Jingu Shrine
• Kiyomizu-dera Temple
• Japanese Tea Ceremony
• Kinkakuji Temple
• Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
• Nara Park
• Todaiji Temple
• Osaka Castle
• CupNoodles Museum Osaka Ikeda

The deadline to sign up is rapidly approaching, so be sure to take advantage of this incredible opportunity! Please click here for more information and to sign up.
 
Calling all AHS and Miramonte students who have completed Spanish 3 (or higher): Spanish Immersion Trip to Spain: Jun 7-19, 2025*
Facilitated by Edu-Culture Immersion and led by AHS Spanish teacher Señora Holland and Miramonte High School teacher Señora Frank

• See link for flyer
• Contact Maya Ramdihal at Edu-Culture Immersion Study Abroad Programs for more information: maya@educulture.com (reference Acalanes-Miramonte trip to Spain) or see QR code on flyer

*Please note that this is a private tour and not affiliated with AUHSD

Book Drive
The Acalanes Class of 2025 National Charity League is collecting new and gently used books for ages toddler through early high school students. The books will be donated and utilized as part of their “Sweet Dreams” senior class project supporting Hope Solutions. Hope Solutions provides emergency support for unhoused individuals and families in Contra Costa County. Beginning Tuesday, Nov 5, through Friday, Nov 22, donations can be dropped off outside of the Acalanes main office in an orange bin labeled “Hope Solutions Book Drive.” Feel free to email lucy.thomas25@auhsdschools.org if you have any questions.

Book Drive
The Acalanes Class of 2025 National Charity League is collecting new and gently used books for ages toddler through early high school students. The books will be donated and utilized as part of their “Sweet Dreams” senior class project supporting Hope Solutions. Hope Solutions provides emergency support for unhoused individuals and families in Contra Costa County. Beginning Tuesday, Nov 5, through Friday, Nov 22, donations can be dropped off outside of the Acalanes main office in an orange bin labeled “Hope Solutions Book Drive.” Feel free to email lucy.thomas25@auhsdschools.org if you have any questions.

Book Drive
The Acalanes Class of 2025 National Charity League is collecting new and gently used books for ages toddler through early high school students. The books will be donated and utilized as part of their “Sweet Dreams” senior class project supporting Hope Solutions. Hope Solutions provides emergency support for unhoused individuals and families in Contra Costa County. Beginning Tuesday, Nov 5, through Friday, Nov 22, donations can be dropped off outside of the Acalanes main office in an orange bin labeled “Hope Solutions Book Drive.” Feel free to email lucy.thomas25@auhsdschools.org if you have any questions.
 
AHS Garden Update
The garden club has been meeting weekly on Monday’s during lunch. We have planted seeds for our winter garden and have our next work party scheduled for TODAY, Sunday Nov 3 from 10am – 2pm (or until we finish, which is often earlier). We will be pulling out our summer garden, adding the rest of our soil to the beds, and planting our winter vegetables!  We can use all help, especially if you can bring a wheelbarrow or shovel. Please come help if you can!
 
We also received a small APC grant to buy new tools and supplies for planting our winter vegetables and are grateful for the support. And we are lucky that Meghan Thompson-Payne is on board to help with garden projects going forward. She wants to organize a small group of like minded parents to support the work of the garden club and the garden spaces at AHS. 
 
Please reach out if you have any questions: Lori (LTewksbury@auhsdschools.org) and Cathy (CChallacombe@auhsdschools.org)
 
Thanks again for your support!

AHS Garden Update
The garden club has been meeting weekly on Monday’s during lunch. We have planted seeds for our winter garden and have our next work party scheduled for Sunday Nov 3 from 10am – 2pm (or until we finish, which is often earlier). We will be pulling out our summer garden, adding the rest of our soil to the beds, and planting our winter vegetables!  We can use all help, especially if you can bring a wheelbarrow or shovel.  Please take a moment to sign up here if you can come help.
 
We also received a small APC grant to buy new tools and supplies for planting our winter vegetables and are grateful for the support. And we are lucky that Meghan Thompson-Payne is on board to help with garden projects going forward. She wants to organize a small group of like minded parents to support the work of the garden club and the garden spaces at AHS. 
 
Finally, this past Friday we enjoyed a “harvest party” lunch. While the food did not come directly from the garden (most of our harvest was actually during the summer), it was nice to share food and enjoy each other’s company.
 
Please reach out if you have any questions: Lori (LTewksbury@auhsdschools.org) and Cathy (CChallacombe@auhsdschools.org)
 
Thanks again for your support!

SUMMER JAPAN TRIP
Acalanes staff are taking students on a trip to Japan this summer. Students from any grade and any of the four high schools can attend! The only requirement is an interest in travel! This trip has a little bit of everything — ancient/historical sites, awe-inspiring locations, amazing food, and a once-in-a-lifetime bonding experience with your Lamorinda peers. Send your student on the trip of a lifetime where they become a global citizen who values travel and exploration.
 
For anyone interested in going on the trip to Japan this summer, please follow this link to preview the trip and to register:  June 2025 – Japan.
And check out our Instagram page to see photos from the last two summers! acalanes_travels

If you have any questions please reach out to Erin Barth or Tina Gullberg. This is not a school-sponsored trip.

CALLING ALL DONS DADS!
The Dons Dads is a dad-led group formed to create simple ways for father figures within the Acalanes High School Community to connect.  Relationships formed > Experiences shared > Laughs had > Ideas batted around > The world benefits.
 
For our first event, we’ve got space reserved at the Headlands for burgers and beverages for a Thursday Night Football ™ game.
 
WHAT:       NFL Football. Broncos @ Saints. Burgers & Beverages
WHERE:    Headlands Brewery- Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette CA
WHEN:      Thursday, Oct 17. Kick off at 5:15pm. Doors open at five o’clock.
WHO:        You, and anyone else you’d like to invite.
VENMO:    $40 gets you two beverages and a smash burger.  @bob-mccallister  / 415.260.7518.

 
Send payment to Bob now to reserve your spot. Include your name and email in the memo.
 
We’re fired up to have you.
 Josh Milnes & Bob McCallister, Dons Dads Co-Chairs/Founders


LAFAYETTE RES RUN FOR EDUCATION – NEXT WEEKEND!
Show your community spirit, and support Acalanes (Go Dons!) – sign up for the Lafayette Res Run for Education on Sunday, Oct 20. 15% of Acalanes designated registrations + donations go back to Acalanes Parents Club. Every registration counts! Be sure to select Acalanes when you register!
 
In 2023, the Lafayette Res Run for Education donated over $28K to our local public schools. Learn more and register TODAY.

SUMMER JAPAN TRIP
Acalanes staff are taking students on a trip to Japan this summer. Students from any grade and any of the four high schools can attend! The only requirement is an interest in travel! This trip has a little bit of everything — ancient/historical sites, awe-inspiring locations, amazing food, and a once-in-a-lifetime bonding experience with your Lamorinda peers. Send your student on the trip of a lifetime where they become a global citizen who values travel and exploration.
 
For anyone interested in going on the trip to Japan this summer, please follow this link to preview the trip and to register:  June 2025 – Japan.
And check out our Instagram page to see photos from the last two summers! acalanes_travels

SHOE DRIVE FOR WOMEN’S SCHOLARSHIPSThe Community Outreach and Improvement Program is hosting a shoe drive for the Lamorinda branch of the American Association of University Women from Monday, Sept 30 to Friday, Oct 11. Please donate your gently used sneakers to the bins outside the front office. The donations fund scholarships for women in our community! Please check out our website for more donation options and information about us: https://sites.google.com/view/coip-ahs/home!

LAFAYETTE RESERVOIR RUN: Sunday, Oct 20
The Race Before the Race Continues – Register NOW
Lafayette’s public schools are beneficiaries of this event, with 15% percent of each registration going back to Acalanes – so be sure to choose Acalanes during the registration process! The school who most increases their number of runners compared to last year will receive an additional $500 beneficiary check! (We’ve got this Dons!)
 
Run/walk downtown Lafayette in the 2-mile fun run/walk or 5k, or strive for your best 10k time, which includes going around the Lafayette Reservoir on race day, Sunday, Oct 20. There is also a virtual option around the paved trail of the reservoir from Oct 12-19.
Thank you for supporting our schools!
 

LAFAYETTE RESERVOIR RUN: Sunday, Oct 20
The Race Before the Race Continues – Register NOW
Lafayette’s public schools are beneficiaries of this event, with 15% percent of each registration going back to Acalanes – so be sure to choose Acalanes during the registration process! The school who most increases their number of runners compared to last year will receive an additional $500 beneficiary check! (We’ve got this Dons!)
 
Run/walk downtown Lafayette in the 2-mile fun run/walk or 5k, or strive for your best 10k time, which includes going around the Lafayette Reservoir on race day, Sunday, Oct 20. There is also a virtual option around the paved trail of the reservoir from Oct 12-19.
Thank you for supporting our schools!
 



ACALANES HIGH SCHOOL SEEKS PARENT REPS FOR SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL
Acalanes is searching for 4-5 parents to join the Acalanes School Advisory Council. This year we hope to have representation from all four grade levels, and parents of students from a variety of interests and backgrounds. The Acalanes High School School Advisory Council meets five times a year to provide a forum for staff, students, and parents to discuss progress and provide feedback on the school site plans like the AHS Single Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA), the school safety plan, and progress on issues of equity and access. Please click here and fill out the form to indicate your interest in participating in the Acalanes School Advisory Council.
 

SHOE DRIVE FOR WOMEN’S SCHOLARSHIPS
The Community Outreach and Improvement Program is hosting a shoe drive for the Lamorinda branch of the American Association of University Women from Monday, Sept 30 to Friday, Oct 11. Please donate your gently used sneakers to the bins outside the front office. The donations fund scholarships for women in our community! Please check out our website for more donation options and information about us: https://sites.google.com/view/coip-ahs/home!

JOIN THE ACALANES SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL
Acalanes High School Seeks Parent Reps for School Advisory Council
Acalanes is searching for 4-5 parents to join the Acalanes School Advisory Council. This year we hope to have representation from all four grade levels, and parents of students from a variety of interests and backgrounds. The School Advisory Council meets five times a year to provide a forum for staff, students, and parents to discuss progress and provide feedback on the school site plans like the AHS Single Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA), the school safety plan, and progress on issues of equity and access. Please click here and fill out the form to indicate your interest in participating in the Acalanes School Advisory Council.

SUMMER JAPAN TRIP – Sign Students up Now!
Acalanes staff are taking students on a trip to Japan this summer. Students from any grade and any of the four high schools can attend! The only requirement is an interest in travel! This trip has a little bit of everything — ancient/historical sites, awe-inspiring locations, amazing food, and a once-in-a-lifetime bonding experience with your Lamorinda peers. Send your student on the trip of a lifetime where they become a global citizen who values travel and exploration. 

For anyone interested in going on the trip to Japan this summer, please follow this link to preview the trip and to register:  June 2025 – Japan.
And check out our Instagram page to see photos from the last two summers! acalanes_travels

If you have any questions please reach out to Erin Barth or Tina Gullberg. This is not a school-sponsored trip.