Snowballs or Avalanches: Which ones are more dangerous?
The answer: Both can be!
“As parents and guardians, it’s important to watch for both avalanches and snowballs for ourselves as well in our teens’ lives, as certain times in their lives may be more risky. Transitions or significant life events/traumas are a known factor that plays into depression and increases suicide risk for children and teens.”
Please read an important message here from Dr. Yanni Rho, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist. Included is what to watch for in our teens, tips for checking in with our teens and important resources to support teens and parents.
UPCOMING AUHSD WELLNESS PARENT EDUCATION
Fentanyl, Narcan & Other Important Drug Updates
with Addiction Specialist Dr. Allyson Mayo, Medical Director of Comprehensive Wellness Dr. Rebecca Parish, and CHS Wellness Coordinator Jenna Wrobel
When: Tuesday, Mar 14 at 6:30pm
Where: Campolindo Library
Supporting Students with Anxiety
with Acalanes Wellness Center Coordinator, Patrick Turner, MA, PPS, APCC
When: Tuesday, Mar 21 from 6-7:30pm
Where: On Zoom – Register Here
Click here to review the full AUHSD Wellness Parent Education Series for 2023. Recordings of past Wellness Parent Ed events can be viewed on the AUHSD website here. Topics include Depression & Anxiety, The Fentanyl Epidemic, Connecting with Your Teen and more.
It’s Women’s History Month and our Thank Her feature is taking off. We had a couple of parents write in about women they admired…keep the suggestions coming! Send in the name and a short description of a woman change-maker you admire. Local tie-ins are always appreciated!
Thank Her: Two authors, Judy Blume and Amy Tan, have had a profound impact on the lives of our peers. Judy Blume’s rich collection of novels make adolescents – including many female youth of the 80s – feel seen. Her ability to portray teenage issues with frankness and humor made her relatable reads extraordinarily popular. The New York Times writes that many of Blume’s books are now being turned into films.
Oakland native, Amy Tan, had a breakout hit with The Joy Luck Club in 1989. Her novels, short stories, and essays are filled with intimate details about growing up as a first generation American and about what it is like to be both separate and a part of Chinese culture. Fun facts- Tan started out as a successful business writer and her novel, The Bonesetter’s Daughter, is also an opera!
Upcoming Event: Lift Your Voice with Angela Harrelson, TOMORROW, Mar 13 at 7pm, Town Hall Theater
Angela is the aunt of George Floyd and has written Lift Your Voice about how her nephew’s murder changed the world. Tickets to this special event are available at townhalltheater.com.
Stay in Touch: Click here to join the DEI mailing list or share feedback.
In honor of Women’s History Month, we are adding a Thank Her feature to our weekly communications throughout March. Contribute to the celebration by sending in a name and short description about an influential woman you admire. Bonus points for someone local or an alum of Acalanes.
Thank Her: Do you use Facetime or Zoom? Thank prolific inventor Marian Croak, owner of 200+ U.S. patents. Croak was one of the first two Black women to be inducted to the Inventors Hall of Fame. She is best known for developing Voice Over Internet Protocols (VoIP), technology that converts your voice into a digital signal. Among her inventions is the text-to-donate function which has helped to raise millions of dollars for disaster-relief efforts.
Happy Holi! And, chag Purim sameach! IYKYK
Don’t miss this important event happening Thursday night!
Repairing the World: Stories From The Tree of Life
Thursday, Mar 9, 7-9pm, Del Valle Theater in Walnut Creek
This is a documentary film on Pittsburgh’s powerful community response to hate in the aftermath of the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in U.S. history, showing what it means to be “stronger than hate.” Please join community members for this free film event sponsored by Campo DEIB. Screening will be followed by a special Q & A with the director. Register forthe event here.
Stay in Touch: Click here to join the DEI mailing list or share feedback.
February Dons Dialogue – Listen to the Recording!
Do not miss the recording or slides from our most recent Dons Dialogue on Friday, Feb 24. The great discussion included an overview of;
The next Dons Dialogue will be Friday, Mar 24 at 8:45am.
APC Spring Grant Application – ONE WEEK left to submit!
We invite all AHS teachers, staff, students, and parents to submit a grant application for programming, materials or projects that enhance the educational experience for our school community; all ideas are welcome. Click here for criteria and application. Completed proposals and questions can be submitted to Nicole Sanders or delivered to the APC Box in the front office before the Friday, Mar 3 deadline.
AHS COLOR RUN: SIGN UP NOW
Sunday, Mar 26 at 9am
Don’t miss this fun community event that supports the Acalanes Class of 2024 & 2025! All ages welcome!
Sign up today HERE!
In response to our call out for input, we received this Black Excellence highlight from a fellow parent and proud Cal alum:
“The LA Times puts a spotlight on O’Neil Ray Collins, a UC Berkeley professor who resided in Orinda and his kids went to Miramonte, in their article about 5 Black innovators who made significant contributions to the fields of horticulture and botany. Read the article here.”
Upcoming Events
Being Heumann: Acclaimed Memoir of a Disability Rights Advocate
Tuesday, Feb 28 from 6-7:30pm, Orinda Books
Join Facing History to discuss Judith Heumann’s life, her landmark civil rights activism, and how we can all be upstanders and advocates in our communities today. An RSVP is encouraged if you’d like to attend.
Get to Know Acalanes DEI
Informal meet-up to get to know one another. We will also be available to answer questions and talk about the past, present and future of our work. Sweet treats, savory sips and wonderful people provided. Email us so we can send you the exact date and location. We are targeting early March for this gathering.
Stay in Touch: Click here to join the DEI mailing list or share feedback.
February Dons Dialogue – This Friday at 8:45am!
Join us on Friday, Feb 24 in the Collaboration Center for coffee, treats and informative dialogue! This month’s topics include;
The APC Dons Dialogues are the best way to stay in the loop with what is happening on campus, ask any questions you may have or just connect with the Acalanes community.
We hope to see you Friday!
APC Spring Grant Application – Still two Weeks Left to Submit!
We invite all AHS teachers, staff, students, and parents to submit a grant application for programming, materials or projects that enhance the educational experience for our school community; all ideas are welcome. Click here for criteria and application. Completed proposals and questions can be submitted to Nicole Sanders or delivered to the APC Box in the front office before the Friday, Mar 3 deadline.
AHS COLOR RUN: SAVE THE DATE
Sunday, Mar 26 at 9am
The 4th annual Color Run fundraiser will take place at AHS and supports the classes of 2024 and 2025. It is a 1 or 2 mile loop through the Acalanes campus and is open to ALL of our local community- elementary, middle and high school students and families. Each participant receives a white t-shirt to wear through the five color stations where participants will emerge in a rainbow of colors by the end of the run.
Sign up today HERE!
Please save the date for our next AUHSD Wellness Parent Education Event!
What: “Supporting Students With Sleep: Why Sleep Is Important”
Presented by Deniz Keskinel, MSc
Date: Tuesday, Feb 21
Time: 6-7:30pm
Where: Over Zoom
Register Here
Click here to review the full AUHSD Wellness Parent Education Series for 2023. Recordings of past Wellness Parent Ed events can be viewed on the AUHSD website here. Topics include Depression & Anxiety, The Fentanyl Epidemic, Connecting with Your Teen and more.
Repairing the World: Stories From the Tree of Life