It’s okay to let our kids see our humanness. In fact, I think it’s necessary. They should see what it looks like to mess up, apologize, and figure out how to make it right. None of us walk through this life perfectly, and the real lesson is showing our kids what to do next after the mistake. @casey.e.huff
Registration is now closed for Start Smart. Hope you were able to register!
Thursday, Mar 24 from 6:30 to 7:30pm in the Acalanes Library, Acalanes Parent Ed will host Cynthia Muchnick, M.A., author, speaker, educational consultant, and parent on Alternatives to College and College Prep. As a former Assistant Director of Admissions for the Illinois Institute of Technology and the University of Chicago, she has extensive experience screening and reviewing thousands of college applications. Most recently, she has authored several books including The Parent Compass: Navigating your Teens Wellness and Academic Journey in Today’s Competitive World and countless articles including Alternatives to College: Exploring Other Routes.Cindy will be speaking in person and available to sign purchased books afterwards.
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. Feel free to reach out and connect with us with ideas for future topics, shareable resources, or thoughts at parented@acalanesparentsclub.com.
Parent Education
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
Last week, Stanley Middle School shared with its community that racist speech was shouted by a group of approximately 10 to 12 students along the streets bordering the school. While painful to process, we need to use this moment to take pause and come together as a community in our commitment to being definitely and explicitly anti-racist in our actions. We need to support each other, stand up and be heard to ensure everyone should feel like they belong in our community, regardless of their sexual orientation, race, religion or ability.
Please join us in our work. Drop us an email and be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook @acalanesdei.
Parent Education
How to love a big kid – Smile when they walk into a room. Ask their opinion before giving yours. Tell them you believe they can overcome challenges. Apologize when you are wrong. Learn to communicate on their terms too, even if it’s SnapChat. Always keep their favorite snacks on hand. Take any hug you can get. You both need it.
#ParentingTeensandTweens
Wednesday, Mar 23 at 6:30 pm in the Miramonte High School Theater Miramonte Parent Ed will host Start Smart, an interactive safe driving class for teens. Attending students will receive a certificate from CHP (California Highway Patrol) to present to their insurance company. Details and registration here.
Thursday, Mar 24 from 6:30 to 7:30pm in the Acalanes Library, Acalanes Parent Ed will host Cynthia Muchnick, M.A., author, speaker, educational consultant, and parent on Alternatives to College and College Prep. As a former Assistant Director of Admissions for the Illinois Institute of Technology and the University of Chicago, she has extensive experience screening and reviewing thousands of college applications. Most recently, she has authored several books including The Parent Compass: Navigating your Teens Wellness and Academic Journey in Today’s Competitive World and countless articles including Alternatives to College: Exploring Other Routes.Cindy will be speaking in person and available to sign purchased books afterwards.
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. Feel free to reach out and connect with us with ideas for future topics, shareable resources, or thoughts at parented@acalanesparentsclub.com.
APC in Action
We continue to support our cafeteria staff every Monday, Wednesday and Friday during lunch. We have a small core of parent volunteers who have been “regulars” and we cannot thank them enough. Much gratitude goes to Jessica Langevin, Trisha Sanyal, David Melfi & Maria Nicolacakis for stepping up and helping out! We can always use more hands so sign up here if you can spare a lunchtime or two.
Deadline Extended! APC Spring Grant Applications will now be accepted through Friday, March 11. All ideas are welcome. We encourage AHS teachers, staff, students, and parents to submit a short grant application to support programming, materials or projects that enhance the educational experience for our school community. Click here for criteria and application. Completed proposals and questions can be submitted to CatherineHabas or delivered to the APC Box in the front office.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
Let’s celebrate Women’s History Month!
How did Ketanji Brown Jackson get to be the firstBlack woman nominated to the Supreme Court? It all started in high school, where she honed her skills on the debate team. “That was an experience that I can say without hesitation was the one activity that best prepared me for future success in law and in life,” Judge Jackson said.
Professor, computer engineer, and Forbes 30 under 30 recipient Dina Ayman recently received a Presidential Award for her DEI work. “Your diverse background is your superpower,” Ayman tells her students, as she explains that companies promoting an inclusive culture are twice as likely to meet or exceed financial goals.
Facts corner: Architectural wonder Hatshepsut Temple was commissioned by the Egyptianqueen who ruled as king in the 15th century. One of Egypt’s first female pharaohs, she ruled for over two decades and has recently been rediscovered by archeologists, after her successor, King Thutmose III, tried to erase her legacy.
Parent Education
My teenager is in this “my family doesn’t love me” phase. To flip the script I’ve been hugging and kissing his head. Sulking? I hug and kiss him. Groan, glare, eye roll, I hug and kiss him. And every time, regardless of how irritated he is, he smiles. I think it’s working. – Clint Edwards
Wednesday, Mar 23 at 6:30 pm in the Miramonte High School Theater Miramonte Parent Ed will host Start Smart, an interactive safe driving class for teens. Attending students will receive a certificate from CHP (California Highway Patrol) to present to their insurance company. Details and registration here.
Thursday, Mar 24 from 6:30 to 7:30pm in the Acalanes Library, Acalanes Parent Ed will host CynthiaMuchnick, M.A., author, speaker, educational consultant, and parent on Alternatives to College and College Prep. As a former Assistant Director of Admissions for the Illinois Institute of Technology and the University of Chicago, she has extensive experience screening and reviewing thousands of college applications. Most recently, she has authored several books including The Parent Compass: Navigating your Teens Wellness and Academic Journey in Today’s Competitive World and countless articles including Alternatives to College: Exploring Other Routes. Cindy will be speaking in person and available to sign purchased books afterwards.
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 Wellness Center. Feel free to reach out and connect with us with ideas for future topics, shareable resources, or thoughts at parented@acalanesparentsclub.com.
APC in Action
We continue to support our cafeteria staff every Monday, Wednesday and Friday during lunch. We have a small core of parent volunteers who have been “regulars” and we can not thank them enough. Much gratitude goes to Jessica Langevin, Trisha Sanyal, David Melfi & Maria Nicolacakis for stepping up and helping out! We can always use more hands so sign up here if you can spare a lunchtime or two.
APC Spring Grant Applications due this Friday, Mar 4 – 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 Catherine Habas or delivered to the APC Box in the front office.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
Tuesday, Mar 1 from 6 to 8pm at St. Mary’s College. It’s not too late to catch the Black MentalHealth Series. Dr. Lynna McPhatter-Harris, Director of Student DEI at Acalanes Union High School District, and Dr. Carnetta Porter, Staff Therapist at Saint Mary’s Counseling and Psychological Services talk about how Black lives matter at a predominantly white institution. Join in person or via Zoom, must pre-register at link above.
As part of their More Than a Month celebration, San Francisco Public Library is hosting free film screenings and literary events from now through the month of March, including Black inventors and Silicon Valley’s Black innovators.
Facts corner: Did you know there was a Black Film Archive? Created last year by Maya S. Cade, it’s a living register of Black films from 1915 to 1979 that has been called “the definitive history of Black cinema.” This month the site highlights films from the 1920s through the 1970s.
Parent Education
The way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice- Peggy O’Mara
Tomorrow, Monday, Feb 28 at 6:30pm in the Miramonte Library. Miramonte Parent Ed will be hosting a talk on Achievement Pressure: What is it doing to our Kids? Speaker is Bryan Clark, PsyD. Masks will be required.
Wednesday, Mar 23 at 6:30 pm at the Miramonte Theater. Miramonte Parent Ed will also be hosting Start Smart, an interactive safe driving class for teens. Attending students will receive a certificate from CHP (California Highway Patrol) to present to their insurance company.
Thursday, Mar 24 Acalanes Parent Ed will be hosting Cynthia Muchnick, M.A., author, speaker, and educational consultant on Alternatives to College and College Prep. Cindy will be speaking in person and available to sign purchased books afterwards. More details soon!
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 Wellness Center. Feel free to reach out and connect with us with ideas for future topics, shareable resources, or thoughts at parented@acalanesparentsclub.com.
APC in Action
The APC Nominating Committee is in full swing and planning for the 2022-2023 school year! Below is a list of positions we need to fill in the Acalanes Parents Club. Being a part of this amazing, thoughtfully run organization is rewarding and an opportunity to help the school, teachers, staff, and students in a variety of ways. Come join the team! If you have any questions, please contact Nominating Committee Lead Angela Ketcham or anyone from our 2022 Nominating Committee: Sherry Quinn, Kristen Labrosse, Maria Nicolacakis, Jennifer Palmer, Katharine Wallace, Daniele Upp and Catherine Habas.
Open positions:
President Elect
VP Fundraising
Assistant Treasurer
Secretary
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Liaison
Co-Hospitality Chairs
Grants Coordinator
Volunteer Coordinator
Legislative Representative
Co-Parent Ed. Coordinator
Student Awards Coordinator
Stanley Liaison
APC Spring Grants: Submissions are Open! Applications due Friday, Mar 4 All ideas are welcome. Acalanes Parents Club is pleased to 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. Click here for criteria and application. Completed proposals and questions can be submitted by emailing APC Grants Coordinator Catherine Habas. Proposals can also be delivered to the APC box in the front office.
