APC

Friday, Feb 21 APC Dons Dialogue

Friday, Feb 21, 8:45-10am, Acalanes Collaboration Center

Join us for another Dons Dialogue this Friday. Topics include:

  • Department updates from Math, Special Education and Career Tech Ed
  • California State (CAASPP) Math Assessment Report
  • Restorative Practices as a Response to Student Discipline

As always, parking will be reserved in the small lot adjacent to the gym, and refreshments will be served. See you there.

 

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Friday, Feb 21: Last Call for APC Spring Grant Program Applications!

The deadline for submission is this Friday, Feb 21 at noon. Teachers, students and parents are welcome to submit a grant proposal, utilizing the application form. Guidelines for grant submissions are also available. Email completed applications to Laura White or deliver to the APC box in the office.

 

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Volunteer Service Awards Program

With the support of the APC, Acalanes recognizes students for their volunteerism through the nationally recognized President’s Volunteer Service Award and the Acalanes Volunteer Service Award. All program information, including application and tracking forms, can be picked up in the Counseling office or downloaded from the Acalanes website (under College & Career Center). Quick links below.

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APC Sponsored: “Just Mercy” FREE Screening

Monday, Feb 24 at 7pm in the Orinda Theater. Hosted by Acalanes BSU & ASB Leadership.

In celebration of Black History Month, the Acalanes Black Student Union (BSU) is hosting this highly acclaimed film. Acalanes Parents Club bought out the theater so the event for parents and students is free! Donations to the Acalanes Black Student Union will be accepted. 

Film overview: In this adaptation of a true story, idealistic young lawyer Bryan Stevenson (Michael B. Jordan) takes on cases of death row inmates, but he risks being crushed by his biggest challenge yet when he tries to represent convicted murderer Walter ‘Johnny D’ McMillan (Jamie Foxx). 

 

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Co-Associate Principals’ Message

The month of January was a busy one at the home of the Dons with the second semester kicking off with a flurry of activity. One of the highlights was our annual Open House Course Preview night last week. The Dons community showed up in droves for an excellent event with a kick off address by Principal Bell and followed by three breakout sessions, where students and parents could self-select into offerings of individual interest. Teachers and staff organized and facilitated sessions about course pathways, class curriculum overviews and expectations, and assorted other informational offerings.

Continuing the class selection theme, counselors have spent this week, and will continue next, meeting with all 9th, 10th and 11th graders for individual sessions based around students selecting their classes for next year. With graduation requirements, a huge array of exciting electives and an intriguing peppering of new classes, there are choices aplenty at every level. Our counselors’ expertise, and recommendations from current teachers, is of great value and these individual 5-10 minute meetings have been a great way to clarify those challenging decisions.

Our final mention for this month is to reference the current #QuitLying campaign, orchestrated by our Leadership class in partnership with a nation-wide campaign. The purpose of this initiative is to spark curiosity amongst our youngsters to unearth some of the unethical and morally corrupt lies that big vape and tobacco companies are using to market vaping as a low-risk endeavor. Placards around campus exposing some of the myths, misconceptions and falsehoods, along with a slogan-adorned T-shirt and factual videos distributed by Ms Walton and the Leadership class are all parts of the campaign. This educational, factual approach, along with recent campus-wide policy changes designed to limit opportunities for our students to make bad choices, is all part of our school community;s response to combat the plague of vaping that is an issue on high-school campuses nation-wide.

As always, we want to state what a pleasure it is to work at Acalanes on a daily basis. Our exceptional staff and faculty, our engaging and kind students and our wonderful, supportive community all serve to make us proud and happy Dons.

All the best,
Andrea Powers and Mike Plant

 

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#QuitLying

By now you may have seen #QuitLying emails sent via SchoolLoop or your student perhaps has talked about the campaign at Acalanes. #QuitLying aims to educate our community about the dangers of vaping and the fallacy about the highly harmful and addictive nature of vaping products as well as the companies behind them.  Acalanes Parent Club is proud to support #QuitLying on our campus by providing the funding for campaign signage. For more information about the campaign, please go to QuitLying.org.

 

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APC Spring Grant Program Applications due soon!

Acalanes is pleased to continue its Acalanes Parents Club (APC) Grant Program this semester with a focus on ideas that will enhance the educational and campus experience of AHS students in new and innovative ways. Teachers, students and parents are welcome to submit a grant proposal, utilizing the application form. Guidelines for grant submissions are also available. Email completed applications to Laura White or deliver to the APC box in the office. Grant applications are due by noon on Friday, Feb 21

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Co-Presidents’ Message

 It was wonderful to see so many students and parents at the 2020-21 Course Preview & Open House last week. Special thanks to our APC Hospitality Team led by Marlene Peacock and Kim Siegal for their creative “Love Lafayette” themed reception and our APC board members who were on hand to welcome incoming freshman families. 

All freshmen, sophomores and juniors will have a brief meeting with the counselors this week to confirm their fall schedules. It’s a great chance for your student ask any final questions they may have about which classes to take before finalizing their schedule. 

Finally, we’d like to call your attention to the Wellness section of the website. If you haven’t yet stumbled upon it, the Wellness staff shares insightful information each week regarding how to support your student as they deal with the pressures of high school. This week, they highlight the value of sleep. While we all know how important sleep is for our kids, the message is a good reminder of how much they actually need to succeed.

Dawn Brightbill and Sarah Cusumano

 

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Co-Presidents Message

If you have a Sophomore or Junior, we hope that they came home and told you all about the exciting Breaking Down the Walls Program they participated in last week. It is consistently one of the most talked about programs on campus by students, teachers, counselors and AHS administrators. Here’s just one takeaway from a student:

“Breaking Down the Walls makes our school more of a community and I was able to connect with people I normally couldn’t of otherwise and today, I realized that I am never alone.”

Ask your sophomore or junior for input if they have yet to share their thoughts about the day. Thanks to your contributions, APC funds this valuable program.

We look forward to seeing lots of students and parents at the Acalanes Course Preview & Open House this Thursday! This is a worthwhile event for any current 8th graders, freshmen, sophomores and juniors to help guide students with their 2020-21 course selections. You can find more information in our General Announcements below. If you’re able to make it, please stop by the APC Reception in front of the Main Gym starting at 5:30 to grab a hot cocoa on your way to learn more about the various course pathways and course offerings. We hope to see you on Thursday evening!

Dawn Brightbill and Sarah Cusumano

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APC Spring Grant Program Applications Now Open!

Acalanes is pleased to continue its Acalanes Parents Club (APC) Grant Program this semester with a focus on ideas that will enhance the educational and campus experience of AHS students in new and innovative ways. Teachers, students and parents are welcome to submit a grant proposal, utilizing the application form. Guidelines for grant submissions are also available. Email completed applications to Laura White or deliver to the APC box in the office. Grant applications are due by noon on Friday, Feb 21. 

 

 

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