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.
APC in Action
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.
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.
