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.
APC in Action
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.
APC in Action
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.
Volunteer Service Awards
The 2022-23 volunteer program year is in full swing for the Acalanes and President’s Service Awards! All applications are due by Apr 14 so please make sure your student is logging those hours. It’s a great opportunity for students to give back AND be recognized for their service. Visit the Volunteer Service Award page (under Get Informed) on the APCwebsite to learn more and find the forms or email communityservice@acalanesparentsclub.com with any questions.
Dons Dialogue – Listen to the Recording!
Do not miss the recording or slides from our most recent Dons Dialogue on Friday, Jan 20. The room full of parents were lucky to hear an incredible overview of;
- The Course selection process from Counselor Susan Martin
- The exciting Computer Science and Engineering pathway from Teacher Dan Appel
- The impressive Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) course options from Teachers Lauren Gibson and Eric Morford
- All of the fun activities happening on campus from Leadership Student Tess Gundaker
We closed the session with a powerful Q&A discussion with Principal Shawn.
Be sure to listen to the recording here or view the slides here! We promise you will be happy you did.
The next Dons Dialogue will be Friday, Feb 24 at 8:45am.
Parent Ed
Please join us for the next event in our Wellness Parent Education Series. The Sports and Wellness Education Night will take place on Tuesday, Jan 24 from 6-7:30pm on Zoom with Dr. Doug Garner. You can register here.
Click here to review the full 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)
Lunar New Year, the Year of the Rabbit, begins today, Jan 22. Did you know that San Francisco has celebrated Lunar New Year in some form since the Gold Rush era of the 1860s? If you haven’t heard of Chunyun, you might want to stream “Last Train Home” by Lixin Fan, an astonishing documentary about this annual migration during Lunar New Year and its human scale.
Upcoming Events and Announcements
- Asian/South-Asian/Asian-American Parents Happy Hour Jan 27, 5:30-8pm at Town Bakery & Cafe in Moraga: If you are a Walamorinda Asian, South Asian, or South/Asian-American identifying parent/guardian, please join us for an affinity space Happy Hour! Free light appetizers and drinks for purchase. Hope you can join us for this informal gathering (parents only event). Please RSVP here.
- Attention Parents of Athletes in Female Sports: The Voice In Sport Foundation (VISF) has introduced The Fair Play for Women Act that will strengthen TITLE IX through better education, stronger enforcement and greater transparency in data and reporting. Student athletes can join the VIS Advocate Program to receive FREE advocacy training and contribute to gender equity at your school. All advocates gain access to the VOICEINSPORT platform where they can meet with experts in sports psychology, nutrition, and talk one on one with their favorite college and professional women athletes!
- For Your Student: A Night in New Orleans Takes Over the Acalanes Gym
The district Black Student Unions (BSUs) are co-hosting a New Orleans-themed dance on Friday, Feb 3 at 7pm for all AUHSD students. More information is available in the Student Activities section below and will be available in the Daily Don. Tickets are $10 on GoFan.
APC in Action
Dons Dialogue – Friday, Jan 20, 8:45 am in the Collaboration Center
We hope to see you for our January Dons Dialogue. Join us to hear all about the course selection process for next year. You will hear directly from the Counseling department as well as teachers from our Computer Science & Engineering and Visual & Performing Arts departments, plus open Q&A time with Principal Shawn. Coffee and treats will be served – hope to see you there!
Volunteer Service Awards
The 2022-23 volunteer program year is in full swing for the Acalanes and President’s Service Awards and all applications are due by Apr 14 so please make sure your student is logging those hours! It’s a great opportunity for students to give back AND be recognized for their service. Visit the Volunteer Service Award page (under Get Informed) on the APCwebsite to learn more and find the forms or email communityservice@acalanesparentsclub.com with any questions.
Parent Ed
Please join us for the next event in our Wellness Parent Education Series. The Sports and Wellness Education Night will take place on Tuesday, Jan 24 from 6-7:30pm on Zoom with Dr. Doug Garner. You can register here.
Click here to review the full 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)
Happy MLK Day! January is full of opportunities to engage, explore and support one another in striving to be our best selves. Highlighted below are activities ripe with potential to add value and enrich our lives.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Jan 16: If you are still trying to find a local event to help you honor the life, legacy and impact of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his groundbreaking social justice and equity work, check out this guide.
January is Poverty Awareness Month: Several of the local elementary schools are recognizing the month by participating in the “Life through Another Lens” Book Challenge. If you would like to follow suit, Oxfam recommends these books to better understand poverty. Additionally, the US Census Bureau shares thought provoking data and statisticson American poverty for those who want to learn more.
Asian/South-Asian/Asian-American Parents Happy Hour Jan 27 5:30-8pm
If you are a Walamorinda Asian, South Asian, or South/Asian-American identifying parent/guardian, please join us for an affinity space Happy Hour! There will be free light appetizers and drinks for purchase. The happy hour will take place at Town Bakery & Cafe in Moraga. Hope you can join us for this informal gathering (parents only event). Please RSVP here.
Questions, suggestions or feedback? Share here.
APC in Action
Dons Dialogue – Friday, Jan 20, 8:45 am in the Collaboration Center
We hope to see you for our January Dons Dialogue. Join us to hear all about the course selection process for next year. You will hear directly from the Counseling department as well as teachers from our Computer Science & Engineering and Visual & Performing Arts departments, plus open Q&A time with Principal Shawn. Coffee and treats will be served – hope to see you there!
We know it’s hard to believe, but course selections for next year are due Feb 3! So be sure to attend (and encourage your students to attend) all the events available to assist with the course selection process (Dons Dialogue, Open House/Course Preview and Class Academies).
2023-2024 Course Preview and Open House for Students and Parents
Thursday, Jan 26 from 5:30-8pm
The night is a valuable resource for current Frosh, Sophomores and Juniors who are mapping out their future courses, as well as an excellent way for incoming 9th grade students to experience all that Acalanes has to offer. It’s also a great way to connect with fellow Acalanes parents. Mark your calendars to attend and stay tuned for an event schedule next week.
