APC

Acalanes Parent Club – Campus Culture Committee (CCC) Update
Upcoming Important Dates

• Jan 27 – International Holocaust Remembrance Day

CCC Meeting Summary – January 12, 2026
The Acalanes Campus Culture Committee met on Jan 12, 2026, to hear updates focused on student wellness, equity and inclusion, and leadership-supported activities across campus and the broader Lafayette community. The meeting highlighted strong collaboration among staff, students, and community partners, with a shared commitment to fostering belonging and student well-being.
 
Wellness Update – Mr. Patrick Turner
Mr. Turner shared highlights of recent and ongoing wellness initiatives supporting students before, during, and after school breaks. Prior to Thanksgiving and Winter Break, wellness workshops were held to help students manage transitions and maintain mental health during unstructured time. Resources were provided addressing isolation, food scarcity, and coping strategies, including a Friendsgiving event to foster connection.
 
Following the return from break, staff observed many students experiencing fatigue during the first week back, particularly by third period. In response, the wellness team emphasizes organizational skills, regular check-ins, and peer-to-peer wellness support. Efforts are underway to integrate a wellness lens into peer tutoring and student leadership spaces.
 
Additional initiatives include:

• Academy programming on Wednesdays focused on healthy relationships and social skills
• Friday study halls
• A “No Phones in Wellness” policy
• Classroom-based wellness support in partnership with school counselors
• Collaboration with College and Career staff, including participation on career pathway panels for students

Lafayette DEIB Update – Mr. Steve Poling
Mr. Poling provided an overview of the City of Lafayette’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) work. Having assumed leadership of the initiative over the past year, he shared that the city’s DEIB mission centers on education, awareness, and community building through inclusive, community-driven events.
 
Planning is underway for a public-facing spring event designed to bring together students, families, and community members of all ages, with the goal of breaking down existing age silos. The event will celebrate student leadership and equity work and include speakers, food, and entertainment. Mr. Poling will meet with the Equity Council to gather student input on how to make the event engaging and meaningful.
Save the Date: Apr 11, 2026 (food trucks and entertainment planned).
 
Leadership Support Update – Mrs. Katherine Walton
Mrs. Walton shared a wide range of upcoming student leadership and inclusion-focused activities:

• A month-long calendar of events for Black Excellence Month, led by BSU and the Equity Board
• BSU Dance: “Feel the Glow” (Neon-themed), held the last Friday of February

• Latinos Unidos & Filipino Club Potluck (date pending)
• QSA Districtwide Movie Night hosted at Acalanes (date pending)
• ACA Buddies program supporting special education students, with strong participation (averaging 50 students per event)
• Unified Basketball beginning in February
• Special Olympics on Apr 19, including a barbecue by Meat Team
• Schoolwide Academy on Jan 21: “Dons Are Stronger Together,” led by student leaders and focused on kindness and inclusion
• Middle School Leadership Conference hosted at Acalanes later this week, welcoming 215 eighth-grade students from five middle schools, including an equity-focused workshop
• Strategic outreach to elementary schools, including a Jan 26 welcome event at Lafayette Elementary with music and bubbles

Next CCC Meeting
Friday, Feb 27 | 6:00pm
In-Person at AHS (before the BSU-sponsored dance)
 
BSU Sponsored Dance: “Feel the Glow” ✨
It’s that time of year again for the AUHSD District-Wide BSU Dance! This year’s event will be hosted by the Acalanes Black Student Union (BSU) in partnership with AHS Leadership.
 
Friday, Feb 27
7:00–9:00pm
Big Gym
Theme: FEEL THE GLOW (students encouraged to wear neon)
What to Expect

• Black-light dancing with an amazing DJ
• Food, activities, prizes, face paint, glow sticks
• Space to hang out and celebrate with friends

Tickets: $10 via your school’s GoFan website
 
Help Make the Dance a Success!
This event happens at little to no cost for the school, and we rely on family support to make it special. Please consider donating food, funds, or your time.
Sign-Up Here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0C4AAFAF2EA3FE3-61648485-auhsd#/
 

Acalanes Parent Club – Campus Culture Committee (CCC) Update
Upcoming Important Dates

• Jan 19 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Jan 27 – International Holocaust Remembrance Day

CCC Meeting Summary – January 12, 2026
The Acalanes Campus Culture Committee met on Jan 12, 2026, to hear updates focused on student wellness, equity and inclusion, and leadership-supported activities across campus and the broader Lafayette community. The meeting highlighted strong collaboration among staff, students, and community partners, with a shared commitment to fostering belonging and student well-being.
 
Wellness Update – Mr. Patrick Turner
Mr. Turner shared highlights of recent and ongoing wellness initiatives supporting students before, during, and after school breaks. Prior to Thanksgiving and Winter Break, wellness workshops were held to help students manage transitions and maintain mental health during unstructured time. Resources were provided addressing isolation, food scarcity, and coping strategies, including a Friendsgiving event to foster connection.
 
Following the return from break, staff observed many students experiencing fatigue during the first week back, particularly by third period. In response, the wellness team emphasizes organizational skills, regular check-ins, and peer-to-peer wellness support. Efforts are underway to integrate a wellness lens into peer tutoring and student leadership spaces.
 
Additional initiatives include:

• Academy programming on Wednesdays focused on healthy relationships and social skills
• Friday study halls
• A “No Phones in Wellness” policy
• Classroom-based wellness support in partnership with school counselors
• Collaboration with College and Career staff, including participation on career pathway panels for students

Lafayette DEIB Update – Mr. Steve Poling
Mr. Poling provided an overview of the City of Lafayette’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) work. Having assumed leadership of the initiative over the past year, he shared that the city’s DEIB mission centers on education, awareness, and community building through inclusive, community-driven events.
 
Planning is underway for a public-facing spring event designed to bring together students, families, and community members of all ages, with the goal of breaking down existing age silos. The event will celebrate student leadership and equity work and include speakers, food, and entertainment. Mr. Poling will meet with the Equity Council to gather student input on how to make the event engaging and meaningful.
Save the Date: Apr 11, 2026 (food trucks and entertainment planned).
 
Leadership Support Update – Mrs. Katherine Walton
Mrs. Walton shared a wide range of upcoming student leadership and inclusion-focused activities:

• A month-long calendar of events for Black Excellence Month, led by BSU and the Equity Board
• BSU Dance: “Feel the Glow” (Neon-themed), held the last Friday of February

• Latinos Unidos & Filipino Club Potluck (date pending)
• QSA Districtwide Movie Night hosted at Acalanes (date pending)
• ACA Buddies program supporting special education students, with strong participation (averaging 50 students per event)
• Unified Basketball beginning in February
• Special Olympics on Apr 19, including a barbecue by Meat Team
• Schoolwide Academy on Jan 21: “Dons Are Stronger Together,” led by student leaders and focused on kindness and inclusion
• Middle School Leadership Conference hosted at Acalanes later this week, welcoming 215 eighth-grade students from five middle schools, including an equity-focused workshop
• Strategic outreach to elementary schools, including a Jan 26 welcome event at Lafayette Elementary with music and bubbles

Friday, Feb 27 | 6:00pm
In-Person at AHS (before the BSU-sponsored dance)
 
BSU Sponsored Dance: “Feel the Glow” ✨
It’s that time of year again for the AUHSD District-Wide BSU Dance! This year’s event will be hosted by the Acalanes Black Student Union (BSU) in partnership with AHS Leadership.
 
Friday, Feb 27
7:00–9:00pm
Big Gym
Theme: FEEL THE GLOW (students encouraged to wear neon)
What to Expect

• Black-light dancing with an amazing DJ
• Food, activities, prizes, face paint, glow sticks
• Space to hang out and celebrate with friends

Tickets: $10 via your school’s GoFan website
 
Help Make the Dance a Success!
This event happens at little to no cost for the school, and we rely on family support to make it special. Please consider donating food, funds, or your time.
Sign-Up Here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0C4AAFAF2EA3FE3-61648485-auhsd#/
 
Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Jan 19
Observed on the third Monday of January, this day honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the chief spokesperson for nonviolent activism in the Civil Rights Movement. His leadership helped challenge racial discrimination in federal and state laws and led to landmark legislative reforms in the United States.
 

Acalanes Parent Club – Campus Culture Committee (CCC) Update
Upcoming Important Dates

• Jan 12 – APC Campus Culture Committee Meeting (Virtual)
• Jan 19 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Jan 27 – International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Welcome to 2026
Welcome back, and we hope you had a wonderful holiday break! We hope your students had a smooth and successful first week back to school. As we move into the second semester of the 2025–2026 school year, the Campus Culture Committee (CCC) remains committed to building a strong, inclusive parent support system for all student groups on campus. We continue to collaborate closely with school staff on issues that impact students’ experiences, well-being, and sense of belonging.

Next CCC Meeting – Join Us!
Our next Campus Culture Committee meeting will be held on:

• Monday, Jan 12
• 6:00 PM
• Virtual Meeting

Acalanes Parent Club – Campus Culture Committee (CCC) Update
As we continue the 2025–2026 school year, the Campus Culture Committee (CCC) remains dedicated to building a stronger parent support system for all student groups on campus. We are also working closely with staff on issues that impact our students’ experiences and well-being.

We recognize that supporting our students starts with supporting parents, which is why part of our mission is to ensure parents feel cared for through mental health and wellness support. 

Join Us Monthly! (In-Person & Virtual Meetings)
Meeting Schedule | 6:00–7:30pm

• Jan 12 – Virtual
• Feb 9 – In-Person
• Mar 16 – Virtual
• Apr 20 – In-Person (Final Meeting)
• May – No Meeting

Acalanes Parent Club – Campus Culture Committee (CCC) Update
As we continue the 2025–2026 school year, the Campus Culture Committee (CCC) is focused on building a stronger parent support system for all student groups on campus. We’re also working closely with staff on issues that impact our students.

 
🌟 December Days of Recognition & Celebration

• Dec 14–22 – Hanukkah
• Dec 25 – Christmas
• Dec 26–Jan 1 – Kwanzaa

 
Join Us Monthly! (In-Person & Virtual Meetings)
Meeting Schedule | 6:00–7:30pm

• Dec – No Meeting
• Jan 12 – Virtual
• Feb 9 – In-Person
• Mar 16 – Virtual
• Apr 20 – In-Person (Final Meeting)
• May – No Meeting

Acalanes Parent Club – Campus Culture Committee (CCC) Update
As we continue the 2025–2026 school year, the Campus Culture Committee (CCC) is focused on building a stronger parent support system for all student groups on campus. We’re also working closely with staff on issues that impact our students.

🌟 December Days of Recognition & Celebration

• Dec 8 – Bodhi Day
• Dec 10 – Human Rights Day
• Dec 14–22 – Hanukkah
• Dec 25 – Christmas
• Dec 26–Jan 1 – Kwanzaa

Bodhi Day
 A Buddhist holiday that commemorates the day Gautama Buddha (Shakyamuni) attained enlightenment—known as bodhi in Sanskrit and Pali.

 
🥟 Dumpling Fundraiser Update
What a beautiful gathering! Seeing the hall filled with people ready to take action and make dumplings brought us such joy. Thank you for being part of our delicious adventure.
At a time when there is so much fracture and division, it warms our hearts to see what can happen when we come together with purpose. More than 130 people attended, and together we enjoyed over 1,000 freshly cooked dumplings. We also folded more than 1,000 dumplings to take home!
Thanks to your generosity, we collected 75 lbs of food for local food banks and—drumroll please 👏🏼👏🏾👏🏻—raised over $10,000 for White Pony Express!
A special thank you to our generous sponsors—China Moon, Diablo Foods, Nin Tang Realty, Honey Homes, Comprehensive Wellness, Moraga iKind Project, Lafayette United Methodist Church, Dome Construction, Bachan Sauce Company, and Sugoi Brewing—for covering supplies and hosting needs so that all donations could go directly to fighting food insecurity.

Join Us Monthly! (In-Person & Virtual Meetings)
Meeting Schedule | 6:00–7:30pm

• Dec – No Meeting
• Jan 12 – Virtual
• Feb 9 – In-Person
• Mar 16 – Virtual
• Apr 20 – In-Person (Final Meeting)
• May – No Meeting

Acalanes Parent Club – Campus Culture Committee (CCC) Update
As we continue the 2025–2026 school year, the Campus Culture Committee (CCC) is focused on building a stronger parent support system for all student groups on campus. We’re also working closely with staff on issues that impact our students.

 Join Us – APC Campus Culture Committee (CCC) Meeting 
Monday, November 17 | 6:00pm
Acalanes Library
Please join the Acalanes Campus Culture Committee for the second session in our 3-part “Wellness for Parents” series. This session will focus on strategies to support our own wellness and the wellness of our students. As we move closer to the end of the semester—with finals, senior applications, and holiday stress—this is an important time to come together as a community to share ideas, resources, and encouragement.

Join Us Monthly! (In-Person & Virtual Meetings)
Meeting Schedule | 6:00–7:30pm

• Dec – No Meeting
• Jan 12 – Virtual
• Feb 9 – In-Person
• Mar 16 – Virtual
• Apr 20 – In-Person (Final Meeting)
• May – No Meeting

Acalanes Parent Club – Campus Culture Committee (CCC) Update
As we continue the 2025–2026 school year, the Campus Culture Committee (CCC) is focused on building a stronger parent support system for all student groups on campus. We’re also working closely with staff on issues that impact our students.

 
Join Us – APC Campus Culture Committee (CCC) Meeting 
Monday, November 17 | 6:00pm
Acalanes Library
Please join the Acalanes Campus Culture Committee for the second session in our 3-part “Wellness for Parents” series. This session will focus on strategies to support our own wellness and the wellness of our students. As we move closer to the end of the semester—with finals, senior applications, and holiday stress—this is an important time to come together as a community to share ideas, resources, and encouragement.

Campus Culture Committee – November Highlights & Upcoming Events

• All Month: National Native American Heritage Month
• Nov 11: Veterans Day
• Nov 13–19: Transgender Awareness Week
• Nov 16: Dumplings for Good Fundraiser (4:00-6:00pm) – Lafayette United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 955 Moraga Road, Lafayette
• Nov 20: Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR)
• Nov 27: Thanksgiving
• Nov 28: Native American Heritage Day

Transgender Awareness Week & Day of Remembrance
Transgender Awareness Week, observed Nov 13-19, is a week dedicated to raising visibility and awareness for the transgender community through education and advocacy.
It leads into Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR) on Nov 20, founded in 1999 by Gwendolyn Ann Smith in memory of Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was tragically killed in 1998. The day honors transgender individuals lost to violence and stands as a reminder of the ongoing need for compassion, understanding, and action.

Join Us Monthly! (In-Person & Virtual Meetings)
Meeting Schedule | 6:00–7:30pm

• Nov 17 – In-Person (Library, 6-8pm): Part 2 of the Wellness Workshop Series
• Dec – No Meeting
• Jan 12 – Virtual
• Feb 9 – In-Person
• Mar 16 – Virtual
• Apr 20 – In-Person (Final Meeting)
• May – No Meeting