GET OUT TO VOTE on Tuesday, Nov 8!
Cheers to all our Acalanes students voting for the first time this year. Make your voices heard!
If you are still seeking information to help you make an informed decision, visit here for recordings from the local Candidate Forums including our Acalanes Union High School Governing Board Candidate Forum.
Legislative News
APC in Action
Thank you Dr. Z and Peer Tutoring!
Huge shout out to Dr. Z and our incredible Peer Tutoring program for hosting the Pizza with Dr. Z Math Seminar this week. As you can see, it was standing room only! It’s hard to pass up math time with Dr. Z and Pizza.
All of this is possible thanks to your generous donations to APC. Be on the lookout for more valuable opportunities organized by Peer Tutoring.
Peer tutoring is located in Room 107. Hours are: Academy, 7th period, lunch and every day 1 hour after school.
Volunteer Service Awards
The 2022-23 volunteer program year has kicked off for the Acalanes and President’s Service Awards 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 ServiceAward page under Get Informed on the APC website to learn more and find the forms. You can also email communityservice@acalanesparentsclub.com with any questions.
tions.
Parent Education
AHS and APC Present Internet Safety Night
Thursday, Nov 3
6:30pm in the PAC
We’re excited and grateful to have another Parent Ed opportunity this week and hope you’ll be able to join. As mentioned above, we have invited the experts to come share all we need to know about internet safety for our teenagers. You will hear directly from District Attorney, Paul Graves, and Senior Inspector, Daryl Holcombe with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s office on internet safety.
This is such an important topic and you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about what parents need to know for their new high schoolers, as well as those getting ready to graduate, and what happens in college and the postgraduate world. View full flyer here.
Free for all AUHSD parents/guardians.
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)
November is full of community-focused equity events. Attend all that interest you!
- AAPI Parent Affinity Group Tuesday, Nov 1 at 7pm in the Campo Library. Open to all Asian, South Asian, South/Asian American identifying parents/guardians/caretakers of teenagers in AUHSD or related middle schools. Check out the flyer here for more info and please RSVP ASAP
if you’re interested in attending. - Latinx/Indigenous People’s Festival Wednesday, Nov 9, 5:30-7:30pm at Miramonte. This is open to all of AUHSD. Click here for more details.
- Community Conversation #6: See Us, Hear Us – The Renter’s Narrative of Life in Lafayette Wednesday, Nov 16 from 7-8:30pm at the Lafayette Library, Don Tatzin Community Hall. Open to all. Hosted by the Lafayette Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee. For more information, click here.
Have a suggestion, question, or some feedback? Email us
Legislative News
In case you missed it, the Acalanes Union High School District Governing Board Candidate Forum was recorded and is available here. Please watch to help you make an informed choice.
APC in Action
Dons Dialogue
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our first evening Dons Dialogue. Principal Shawn led the discussion with an exciting review of Acalanes’ academic success with recent data on AP test scores. We heard more about the inspiring Breaking Down the Walls program and recent parent feedback through our WASC school accreditation process.
If you were not able to attend, you can view slides here or listen to the recording here.
Volunteer Service Awards
The 2022-23 volunteer program year has kicked off for the Acalanes and President’s Service Awards 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 ServiceAward page under Get Informed on the APC website to learn more and find the forms. You can also email communityservice@acalanesparentsclub.com with any questions.
Six APC Fall Grants Have Been Awarded
Thank you to the parents and staff who submitted proposals for an APC Grant this fall. We had a healthy number of submissions and are pleased to announce that four grants have been awarded through APC and two additional grants will be supported through our partnership with LPIE. Please click here for more information on awarded grants.
Pizza with Dr. Z! How to Study Math
Peer Tutoring will host “Pizza With Dr. Z,” on Thursday, Oct 28 at lunch. Acalanes Math Department Head, Vicki Zalewski, will lead students in a discussion on best practices for staying on top of math concepts and will also give tips on how to study for assessments. Pizza will be provided to the first 40 students who attend!
Peer tutoring aims to better the educational, social and emotional well-being of all Acalanes High School students and gives students the skills necessary to succeed in academics and life post high school. Peer Tutoring is off to a great start this year, with over 1000 student visits to date! Thank you to the Acalanes Parents Club, who fully funds this important student program.
Peer tutoring is located in Room 107. Hours are: Academy, 7th period, lunch and every day 1 hour after school.
Follow Acalanes Parents Club on Instagram. Contact APC here with any questions.
Parent Education
The Power of Parents: Navigating Substance Use and the Fentanyl Epidemic
Thursday, Oct 26
6-7pm on Zoom
The AUHSD Wellness Centers are hosting an important Parent Education program this week on the topic of substance abuse and Fentanyl. See Superintendent Nickerson’s important message on this topic here. Register for the Zoom event here.
AHS and APC Present Internet Safety Night
Thursday, Nov 3
6:30pm in the PAC
Hear directly from District Attorney, Paul Graves and Senior Inspector, Daryl Holcombe with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s office on internet safety for your teenager. From online trolling to social media, learn more about what parents need to know for their new high schoolers, as well as those getting ready to graduate, and what happens in college and in the postgraduate world. View the full flyer here.
Free for all AUHSD parents/guardians.
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)
Diwali, a popular and joyful Hindu holiday commonly referred to as the Festival of Lights, takes place on Monday, Oct 24 in the U.S. Learn more about Diwali and check out theseplaces you can celebrate in the Bay Area, including lighting a diya or enjoying colorful rangoli. And, don’t forget the sweets!
Continuing our observance of LGBTQ History month, a reminder to check out the GLBTHistorical Society in San Francisco. The museum demonstrates the importance of queer history to the public and shares rich stories of everyday queer life among the diverse populations of San Francisco over the last century.
Upcoming Events in the Lamorinda Area
- AAPI Parent Affinity Space Tuesday, Nov 1 at 7pm in the Campo Library. Open to all Asian, South Asian, South/Asian American identifying parents/guardians/caretakers of teenagers in AUHSD or related middle schools. RSVP requested. Please email to have the flyer sent to you.
- Latinx/Indigenous People’s Festival Wednesday, Nov 9 from 5:30-7:30pm at Miramonte. This is open to all of AUHSD and you can learn more via their flyer.
Legislative News
Las Trampas Creek Council of PTA’s (LTCC), in partnership with the League of Women Voters of the Diablo Valley, hosted several school board Candidate Forums this month. To view recordings of these forums, including the AUHSD Governing Board Candidate Forum that occurred on Oct 12, please visit the LTCC website here.
APC in Action
APC Fall Grants Have Been Awarded
Thank you to the parents and staff who submitted proposals for an APC Grant this Fall. We had a healthy number of submissions and are pleased to announce four grants have been awarded through APC and two additional grants will be supported through our partnership with LPIE:
- Members of the Black Student Union (BSU) will attend a field trip (with other Acalanes Union district high school students) to San Francisco to tour the Museum of the African Diaspora.
- A book entitled How She Did It by Molly Huddle and Sara Slattery will go to each member of the women’s cross country team. The authors are professional runners who interview other female runners on their path to success.
- A new sturdy carport-type covering (wind and weather resistant) will go up to shelter visual arts students working outside. This expanded space will allow students to work on larger and outdoor projects throughout the school year.
- Planting materials will be purchased for the revitalization of the Acalanes garden area outside 505/507 wing. Please click here to read more about the AHS Garden Restoration Group, their plans and how you can help.
- Spanish 3 students will experience a cultural evening at Pena Pachamama in San Francisco. Supported by LPIE.
- The San Francisco Shakespeare Festival will come to Acalanes to perform A Midsummer Night’s Dream. They will also host a Playshop on campus for students to participate and perform. Supported by LPIE.
Pizza with Dr. Z! How to Study Math
Peer Tutoring will host “Pizza With Dr. Z,” on Thursday, Oct 28 at lunch. Acalanes Math Department Head, Vicki Zalewski, will lead students in a discussion on best practices for staying on top of math concepts and will also give tips on how to study for assessments. Pizza will be provided to the first 40 students who attend!
Peer tutoring aims to better the educational, social and emotional well-being of all Acalanes High School students and gives students the skills necessary to succeed in academics and life post high school. Peer Tutoring is off to a great start this year, with over 1000 student visits to date this year! Thank you to the Acalanes Parents Club, who fully funds this important student program.
Peer tutoring is located in Room 107. Hours are: Academy, 7th period, lunch and every day 1 hour after school.
Meet our Outstanding Acalanes Custodial Team!
Earlier this month, APC honored National Custodian Day by presenting our hardworking custodial team with a full platter of fresh baked goodies. This invaluable team works day and night to take care of our campus and keep our students safe. Next time you are on campus and see one of these hardworking Dons, please give them a wave and thank them for all they do for our students and the Acalanes community.
From left to right; Rosabel, Francisco, Daniel, Jorge, Edgar, Federico. Plus Pedram, not in photo.
Follow Acalanes Parents Club on Instagram. Contact APC here with any questions.
