Buy a Brick, Leave a Legacy! There’s no better way to honor a Don than with a customized 2022 Legacy Brick on our Dons Legacy Wall. Prominently displayed in the Main Quad, our Dons Legacy Wall provides families a lasting way to recognize their special student, teacher, coach, team, performance group, club, and more. Purchase your brick through the Acalanes Web Store for $250. Contact Legacy Brick Coordinator Leanne Zimmerman with any questions.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
Congratulations go to Alyssa Nakken! A coach for the San Francisco Giants, she made history last week becoming the first woman to take an on-field role in a Major League Baseball game.
The city of Oakland is helping to fund a $28 million grass-roots effort to help residents of East Oakland mitigate climate problems. With the help of Planting Justice, a nonprofit focusing on economic justice, local residents have started by planting fruit trees in the Sobrante Park neighborhood.
This month, the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Deaf West Theater opened a “radical” and “extraordinary” new production of Beethoven’s Fidelio at Walt Disney Concert Hall conceived for both hearing and deaf opera goers.
Facts corner: A study published recently in the journal Proceedings of the NationalAcademy of Sciences offers new genomic evidence that the Muwekma Ohlone tribe’s presence in the Bay Area dates back 2,000 years or more.
Parent Education
How many of you have been wondering about your teen’s well-being given the losses we have had in our communities recently? How many of you are anxious and fearful that the same could happen to your child? This is a natural thing to be feeling; you are not alone.
If you have questions about how to help your teen with grieving and loss, here is a resource from the Center for Loss and another from the Center for Loss and Bereavement. If you are looking for specific language or tips on how to talk with your teen about their loss, consider this resource from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. Make sure you validate your teen’s feelings and not dismiss them- this can be difficult to do especially when you feel sad yourself, but it demonstrates empathy.
Contrary to popular belief, talking about suicide with your teens and the reasons why people end their lives does not increase the likelihood that your teen will want to die by suicide. It can open the door for your teen to talk to you about their thoughts and obtain help. People with suicidal thoughts can suffer a range of emotions: sadness, despair, neglect, and anger. Some people who think of suicide may not display any signs. Some potential risk factors may include a break up, struggling with depression or stressful life events, perceived rejection and lack of affirming spaces (e.g. in the LGBTQ+ population), the presence of lethal means in the house, etc. Some possible warning signs for suicide:
- Talking about death and/or suicide in a casual way
- Saying they wish they hadn’t been born
- Asking about death or how to commit violent acts
- Talking about leaving or going away
- Saying they won’t need things soon
- Not wanting to be around people anymore
- Seeming sad and remote instead of happy and social
- Becoming more angry or edgy
- Losing interest in hobbies or events
- Having trouble focusing
- Showing changes in normal routine, such as sleeping, eating, or grooming
- Acting out in harmful ways, such as drinking, using drugs, or hurting themselves
- Getting in trouble with the law
If you would like more resources on how to talk with your teen about your concerns, an authentic and caring conversation is usually enough. Here is a document from Kidshealth. If you would like to talk with other parents and guardians or need more support, ParentsAnonymous has online parenting support groups as well as a Parent and Youth Helpline: 855-427-2736. An additional resource for teens is from the JED Foundation and their Mental Health Resource Center. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is: 1-800-273-8255 or text GO to 741741 to speak to a crisis counselor 24/7.
Final thought: please do not forget to take care of yourselves. Just like on airplanes, make sure you put on your face mask first before you put the mask on your child. Taking care of yourself IS taking care of your kids as your kids will need you as their homebase and touchpoint. Finally, if your teen is struggling with academics or feeling down or frustrated about school, don’t forget to connect with our Counselors, our Nurse, and our WellnessCenter.
APC in Action
Campus Clean-up postponed to Saturday, Apr 30 from 11am to 2pm
This is a new date for the Acalanes Spring Campus Clean Up! Please join for this great opportunity to connect as a community and show that we are ACA Strong, all while beautifying our campus! Everyone is welcome – students, parents, teachers, staff, and community members. Click here to sign up. Email Denise Cain with questions or for more information.
Log Volunteer Service Hours for Award Applications due Monday, Apr 18
Applications for the Acalanes Volunteer Service Award (20 hours) are due by Monday, Apr 18. You can find more details about the Award Instructions and qualifications here and the application/verification forms here. For questions or more information, email here.
APC Spring Grants Have Been Awarded
Thank you to the parents and staff who submitted proposals for an APC Grant. APC Grants are funded through parent donations. We are pleased to announce three grants have been awarded.
- The Physical Education department will receive funds to improve the weight room’s experience with the addition of large banners promoting the Acalanes Community Always motto, and the addition of signage that is representative of every sport at Acalanes. The weight room is a community space open and available to all Acalanes students. All Freshmen PE students utilize the weight room their first year at Acalanes.
- Acalanes Leadership students will receive funds to purchase a Cricut Machine, a needed addition to their classroom that will allow for the creation of customized materials to better promote the Acalanes spirit and promote school-wide events.
- Supports the purchase of artificial greenery for campus enhancement during special events throughout the year. A sustainable choice, the artificial greenery will be used year to year during Graduations, Dons Days, Parent nights, dances, awards nights, and more.
Thank you to the 2022 Nominating Committee for your hard work and dedication to filling our APC Executive Board positions. We are proud to announce our slate of nominees for the 2022-2023 school year. The formal vote by the general Parents Club membership will take place at the Friday, May 13 Dons Dialogue and APC General Meeting.
2022-2023 Parents Club Executive Board Nominees
President: Veronique Kuhner
VP Communications: Michele Colaco
VP Community Partners: Natasha Acuna
VP Fundraising: Lori MacLeod
VP Services: Raina Foster
VP Special Projects: Kelly Daggs
Co-Head Liaison & ACA Liaisons: Jen Dodge and Heidi Hambidge
Secretary: Nicole Long
Treasurer: Katharine Wallace
Assistant Treasurer: Eng Young
Auditor: Nina Ruebner
Past President/Parliamentarian: Kristen Labrosse
APC Membership & Fundraising
Buy a Brick, Leave a Legacy! There’s no better way to honor a Don than with a customized 2022 Legacy Brick on our Dons Legacy Wall. Prominently displayed in the Main Quad, our Dons Legacy Wall provides families a lasting way to recognize their special student, teacher, coach, team, performance group, club, and more. Purchase your brick through the Acalanes Web Store for $250. Contact Legacy Brick Coordinator Leanne Zimmerman with any questions.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
Does your family celebrate Easter, Orthodox Easter, or Passover? Turns out these holidays have much in common. In fact, Easter’s roots canbe traced to Judaism by its original Greek name, Pascha.
Michael W. Twitty, food historian and author says he likes to bring his full identity as a Black Jew to the symbolic food of the seder meal during Passover. He will make his haroseth to symbolize the Egyptians’ enslavement of Israelites as well as sweet potato, signifying hope and renewal.
If you missed Technology and Civil Liberties Attorney Matt Cagle’s acclaimed documentary film Coded Bias last month, you can watch it here for free! The film follows an MIT researcher’s push for the first-ever legislation against bias in algorithms after she reveals how facial recognition software does not see dark-skinned faces accurately.
APC in Action
Campus Clean Up Saturday, Apr 16 from 11am to 2pm
It’s time for the Acalanes Spring Campus Clean Up! This is a great opportunity to get some last minute hours for the Acalanes Volunteer Service Award before the April 18 deadline, all while beautifying our campus! Everyone is welcome – students, parents, teachers, staff, and community members. Click here to sign up. Email Denise Cain with questions or for more information.
Log Volunteer Service Hours for Award Applications due Monday, Apr 18
It’s not too late to encourage your student to volunteer and get service hours towards the Acalanes Volunteer Service Award (20 hours). Applications for the award are due by Monday, Apr 18. You can find more details about the Award Instructions and qualifications here and the application/verification forms here. For questions or more information, email here.
APC Spring Grants Have Been Awarded
Thank you to the parents and staff who submitted proposals for an APC Grant. APC Grants are funded through parent donations. We are pleased to announce three grants have been awarded.
- The Physical Education department will receive funds to improve the weight room’s experience with the addition of large banners promoting the Acalanes Community Always motto, and the addition of signage that is representative of every sport at Acalanes. The weight room is a community space open and available to all Acalanes students. All Freshmen PE students utilize the weight room their first year at Acalanes.
- Acalanes Leadership students will receive funds to purchase a Cricut Machine, a needed addition to their classroom that will allow for the creation of customized materials to better promote the Acalanes spirit and promote school-wide events.
- Supports the purchase of artificial greenery for campus enhancement during special events throughout the year. A sustainable choice, the artificial greenery will be used year to year during Graduations, Dons Days, Parent nights, dances, awards nights, and more.
Thank you to the 2022 Nominating Committee for your hard work and dedication to filling our APC Executive Board positions. We are proud to announce our slate of nominees for the 2022-2023 school year. The formal vote by the general Parents Club membership will take place at the May 13th Dons Dialogue and APC General Meeting. Thank you!
2022-2023 Parents Club Executive Board Nominees
President: Veronique Kuhner
VP Communications: Michele Colaco
VP Community Partners: Natasha Acuna
VP Fundraising: Lori MacLeod
VP Services: Raina Foster
VP Special Projects: Kelly Daggs
Co-Head Liaison & ACA Liaisons: Jen Dodge and Heidi Hambidge
Secretary: Nicole Long
Treasurer: Katharine Wallace
Assistant Treasurer: Eng Young
Auditor: Nina Ruebner
Past President/Parliamentarian: Kristen Labrosse
APC Membership & Fundraising
Buy a Brick, Leave a Legacy! There’s no better way to honor a Don than with a customized 2022 Legacy Brick on our Dons Legacy Wall. Prominently displayed in the Main Quad, our Dons Legacy Wall provides families a lasting way to recognize their special student, teacher, coach, team, performance group, club, and more. Purchase your brick through the Acalanes Web Store for $250. Contact Legacy Brick Coordinator Leanne Zimmerman with any questions.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
Did you know there is a moon sighting committee that determines the start of the holy month of Ramadan? This Muslim holy month begins in April when the moon is spotted, which can sometimes be tricky because it’s hard to see and only lasts about 20 minutes! Ramadan is a time for praying, reflecting, and fasting. At the end of the daily fast Muslims share meals with family and friends.
Ask your kids: what do DJ Khaled, Shaquille O’Neal, and Dave Chappelle have in common? Aside from being famous for their music, basketball, and comedy, they are just a small number of Americans who practice the Muslim faith. Curious about who else does?
Facts corner: According to the World Health Organization, over 1 billion people live with some form of disability around the world. This includes about 10% of Americans who have an invisible disability including vision and hearing loss, or learning differences. Sadly mostpeople with unseen chronic medical conditions experience stigma and discrimination as a result of their disability.
APC in Action
Log Volunteer Service Hours over Spring Break – It’s not too late to encourage your student to volunteer over Spring Break and get service hours towards the Acalanes Volunteer Service Award! Applications for the award are due by Monday, Apr 18 (deadline has been extended from Apr 15). You can find more details on the College and Career Center website here. For questions or more information, email here.
Don’t miss a new volunteer/leadership opportunity in the month of April for students to help the Lafayette School District as camp counselors in the great outdoors to earn 100 hours! See details below in the College & Career section.
