Things we are loving this week: Black Excellence Month. As we honor the contributions and influence of Black Americans in our culture, we want to put a spotlight on the autobiographical works of two master storytellers. Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates and A Most Beautiful Thing by Arshay Cooper were enormously popular in our parent book clubs and worth sharing again. Both are TBR worthy.
Do you have a recommendation or highlight to share about Black Excellence Month? Please chime in and we will do our best to share it!
Upcoming Community Conversations & Events: Get to Know Acalanes DEI
Date TBD – planned for late February or early March
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 cool people provided. Email us so we can send you the exact date and location.
Being Heumann: Acclaimed Memoir of a Disability Rights Advocate
Tuesday, Feb 28 from 6-7:30pm, Orinda Books
Join Facing History to discuss Ms. Heumann’s life, her landmark civil rights activism, and how we can all be upstanders and advocates in our communities today. An RSVP is strongly encouraged if you’d like to attend.
Repairing the World: Stories From The Tree of Life
Thursday, Mar 9 from 7-9pm, Del Valle Theater
What if your community turned a blind eye to acts of aggression and did nothing to speak out against hate? Please join Campo DEIB for this free film event depicting how the city of Pittsburg, PA has come together to fight hate and extremism in the aftermath of the shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue. Moderated by Rabbi Jill Perlman of Temple Isaiah, there will be a Q&A session with director, Patrice O’Neill, after the film. Register for theevent here.
Stay in Touch: Click here to join the DEI mailing list or share feedback.
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)
APC in Action
APC Spring Grant Application Window is Now Open!
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.
SAVE THE DATE: ACALANES HIGH SCHOOL COLOR RUN 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. 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!
Parent Education
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.
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)
It is that time of year for us…we are starting to outline our DEI goals and refresh our committee assignments. We would love your input and involvement and you can click here to share any thoughts that might help shape next year’s work.
The Day of Remembrance on Sunday, Feb 19 is an opportunity to reflect on the motivation behind, and the impact of, Executive Order 9066 signed in 1942 which led to the unjust, forced internment of more than 100,000 persons of Japanese ancestry from the West Coast during World War II. History may not repeat itself, but it often rhymes. Join us in putting the lessons of the past into action today.
SAVE THE DATE Thursday, Mar 9 from 7-9pm: Campolindo Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging is excited to host the showing of Repairing the World: Stories from the Treeof Life, a Not In Our Town film depicting how the city of Pittsburg has come together to fight hate and extremism in the aftermath of the shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue. This will be a free event at Del Valle Theater on Thursday, Mar 9 from 7-9pm. ALL are welcome to attend. There will be a Q&A session after with Director Patrice O’Neill. More information is included with the link to RSVP/register.
Stay in Touch: Click here to join the DEI mailing list, become a guest contributor or share feedback.
APC in Action
APC Needs You!
Want to get more involved in doing something positive for our school and students? If so, there is no better way than joining our vast APC Board. From big roles to smaller event driven jobs, APC is looking for parents who want to make a difference and enhance our students’ high school experience. Click here to learn more about all the APC roles and how you can possibly get involved next year.
Are you able to get involved NOW? APC is looking for a Website Coordinator for the 2023-24 school year who can start learning the ropes from our current coordinator. It’s a fantastic way to learn all things Acalanes. The position requires only 20-30 min a week to make regularly scheduled updates. No previous WordPress experience necessary. If you’re interested in this, or any role, please reach out ASAP to Kristen Labrosse, APC Parliamentarian.
APC Spring Grant Application Window is Now Open!
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.
Special Thank You to our APC Hospitality Chairs
Huge shout out to Audra Fraioli and Kari Trimble, APC Hospitality Co-Chairs, for their beautiful homemade snacks for Course Preview & Open House last week. The APC reception and Principal Shawn’s presentation was such a nice way to welcome our incoming Acalanes families.
Parent Education
What: Parents Presentation of Substance-Free Athletics
COMMUNITY NARCAN TRAINING
What: Narcan Training – Free & Open to the Public
When: Monday, Feb 6, 4-6pm
Where: Rainbow Community Center, 2380 Salvio St. Ste 301, Concord, CA 94520
See community flyer for more information.
LAMORINDA SUBSTANCE-FREE ATHLETICS PRESENTATION
What: Parents Presentation of Substance-Free Athletics
When: Tuesday, Feb 7, 6:30-8:30pm
Where: Miramonte High School Library AND on Zoom
Register here: Note that you can attend in person or on zoom. Please register using the link no matter which format you plan to attend.
Description: Substance-Free Athletics (SFA) is a nationally recognized youth prevention program that got its start in the Miramonte community several years ago.
AUHSD WELLNESS PARENT EDUCATION
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.
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)
Beyond the Binary: Helping Parents Support Their Kids With Navigating Gender, Tuesday, Feb 7 from 6-7pm over Zoom
This event, brought to us by AUHSD Wellness, will be presented by Rainbow Community Center and you can register here. Watch party? If you are interested in gathering with a small, supportive group to view this webinar, please email us.
Black Excellence Month is underway. Student-organized events are taking place throughout the month and all students are welcome to join. For parents, we point you to a letter by Dr. Brent Stephens. It is a good read.
Stay in Touch: Click here to join the DEI mailing list, become a guest contributor or share feedback.
APC in Action
Peer Tutoring Seminar for Students
Peer Tutoring is hosting its second student seminar on Thursday, Feb 2 during lunch in Room 107. Acalanes Spanish teacher Sra. Skvarna will discuss with students the importance of building relationships with teachers. She will share the hows and whys of connecting with your current teachers and future professors. No pre-registration is required. The first 40 students will get free pizza!
Nominating Committee Volunteers NEEDED!
APC Nominating Committee needs your help! We are looking for volunteers to join the 2023 Nominating Committee to help fill our 2023-2024 APC Board. This role is a small time commitment, but has a large ability to help. The committee will begin at the end of this month. If you have questions or would like to volunteer, please email Kristen Labrosse, APC Parliamentarian.
Parent Education
What: Parents Presentation of Substance-Free Athletics
When: Tuesday, Feb 7, 6:30-8:30pm
Where: Miramonte High School Library AND on Zoom
Register here: Note that you can attend in person or on zoom. Please register using the link no matter which format you plan to attend.
Description: Substance-Free Athletics (SFA) is a nationally recognized youth prevention program that got its start in the Miramonte community several years ago. Research has shown that underage substance use prevention will have one of the most important impacts on public health. SFA was developed because of this, as well as the research showing that alcohol, marijuana and nicotine have significant and specific impacts on sports and athletic development. Research also shows that the adult stakeholders in a student athlete’s life (coaches and parents) have significant influence in athlete decisions to use. MHS coaches have participated in SFA trainings this school year and MHS is now offering this training to all AUHSD parents.
AUHSD Wellness Parent Education Series
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.
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)
AUHSD honors Black Excellence Month starting Feb. 1. Can you name the scholar whose dedication to celebrating the historic contributions of Black Americans led to the establishment of Black History Month? If not, click here for the bio.
Events Happening this Month:
- A Night in New Orleans – All Student Dance, Friday, Feb 3, 7-9pm in the Acalanes Gym
Let’s get our Dons to turn up for this unique, all schools dance! Have them tag a friend or two at another school. This is an excellent opportunity for our students to come together for a relaxed, non-competitive evening and connect with friends across the district. Thank you to the BSUs for hosting. Tickets are $10 on GoFan. Parent volunteers are also needed so please reach out if you can help.
- Black College Expo, Feb 4, 10am-5pm
This will take place at Oakland Marriott City Center and additional information and registration details can be found here. In addition, this article may be a good resource for students thinking about applying to HBCUs.
- Beyond the Binary: Helping Parents Support Their Kids With Navigating Gender, Tuesday, Feb 7 from 6-7pm over Zoom
This event is presented by Rainbow Community and you can register here. Watch party? If you are interested in gathering with a small, supportive group to view this webinar, please email us.
Stay in Touch: Click here to join the DEI mailing list.
