Archived Posts

Wednesday, March 10 at 7pm – Dr. Michael Rich, “The Mediatrician”
Join us online for an informative talk with Dr. Michael Rich, Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School and Director of the Center of Media and Child Health. He will focus on understanding and responding to the ways in which teens and families are affected by the interactive media we use and how we use them. Rich will also reframe the issue of screen use in adolescents from the values-based “right vs wrong” debate that has prevailed since the earliest days of television to an evidence-based public health issue – how we are changed by our media use, in positive and negative ways, so that parents, teachers, clinicians and society at large can make critical decisions in raising the next generations to be healthy, happy and kind.

• No advanced registration is required. Click here to join the event! 

Smile With Your Eyes!
I am resharing face mask resources: one from our District and one from the CDC. It’s really important that we’re all consistent for health and safety reasons, and to build a culture of trust. 

• Please note the types of masks that are NOT acceptable.
• Make sure to wear a CLEAN mask every day.
• Please wear your mask so that the top covers the bridge of your nose and the bottom goes under your chin. If you are constantly readjusting, it does not fit properly.

Parents!
Please report any COVID-related absences to the Attendance Recorder as soon as possible so I can do appropriate follow-up.

Updated Medical Documentation Needed for Students in Hybrid
We still need updated medical documentation for your student, especially if they will be participating in the Hybrid Model. Does your student need medication available at school? Does your student have updated medical issues/health issues? Do they have a new immunization record? Parents, please make sure you turn in any pertinent medical forms for your students for this school year, especially if your students will be in the Hybrid Model. See this page on my website and let me know if you have any questions.

COVID District Protocol
Available on AUHSD site and on my site.

February is Heart Health Month
We think a lot about what we can do as adults to promote heart health, and I want to put in a BIG PLUG for Lifestyle Medicine.  These same strategies are important to promote good health in our kids/students and hopefully prevent/reduce in their development of cardiovascular disease (it doesn’t just appear in adulthood – it takes years to develop).

• Anyone can learn Hands-Only CPR
• Another site I really like is from AHA: GO RED

Free Yoga Class I want to share a wonderful resource with you that supports neuroregulation: Subtle® Yoga for Greater Nervous System Resilience and Brain Function Subtle Yoga is very accessible, and is beneficial for anyone and everyone. Enjoy!

Stay healthy and be well,

Dvora Citron, RN, MS

Acalanes School Nurse Google Site
dcitron@auhsdschools.org
IG:  acalanesschoolnurse

Sports Season Begins!
Cross country, track and field, swimming and diving, boys tennis and boys and girls golf are underway with excitement and energy. The approach and approval process for other sports is changing rapidly; please watch your email for the latest updates. 

Please remember, the beginning of each sport may come quickly. Do not wait to complete your athletic clearance. Get it done now. You may access detailed instructions to complete the athletic clearance on Sportsnet here.

Course Preview & Open House Replay for Incoming 9th Graders
In case you missed Principal Bell’s presentations last week, visit these links:

• Course Preview & Open House Webinar for Incoming Parents
• Webinar for Incoming 9th Grade Students at Stanley

For additional information regarding AHS Course Preview for the 2021-2022 school year, click here. 

Friday, Feb 19 from 10-11:30a – Dons Dialogue with Principal Bell
Mark your calendar for an update on return to school plans, with a detailed review of the Hybrid Instructional Model. Stay tuned for more details and information on how to register.

APC Spring 2021 Grants Proposals Are Open!
Acalanes Parents Club is excited to announce its spring grant program is now accepting proposals to enhance the educational experience of AHS students during the current distance learning model and the anticipated return to in-person hybrid model. Teachers, students, staff and parents are welcome to submit a grant proposal. Contact APC Grants Coordinator Catherine Habas to receive the application submission guidelines or click here. Email completed applications to Catherine Habas at grants@acalanesparentsclub.com or drop in the APC box in the office. Grant applications are due by noon on Friday, March 12, 2021.  

Peer Tutoring
Encourage your student to take advantage of remote Peer Tutoring. Thanks to APC donations, this service is free for all students on every academic subject. Here’s how and when students can participate (this information is also posted for students in TeachMore):

• Mondays – 10a-4p: Monday Peer Tutoring link.
• Tuesdays and Thursdays – 7th period from 2-3p: 7th period link.
• Wednesdays and Fridays – Academy period from 9-10a: Academy link.
• Tuesdays through Fridays – After school from 3-4p: After school link

TONIGHT IS THE LAST NIGHT TO SEE IT! ACA STRONG Campus Light Display, 5:30-9:00pm
It’s not too late to check it out!! Students, parents, siblings and community members are invited to drive through campus to enjoy the ACA STRONG light display and engage in some fun community spirit! 

• When you come to campus, please consider bringing peanut butter and/or boxes of cereal to donate to the Monument Crisis Center. Donations can be placed in collection bins located by the flagpole.

Acalanes Class of 2025 Drive Through: Huge Success!
Last Wednesday, Acalanes sponsored an ACA Drive Through for incoming 9th graders that showed off the heart of Acalanes – its spirit and sense of community. These kinds of events make us all proud to be a Don!

February ACA STRONG Blue Heart Displays of Spirit
Show your ACA Spirit by showing how much “heart” you have for Acalanes and our Lafayette community. Chalk your driveway with a BIG BLUE heart, hang blue hearts in your windows & look out for ACA STRONG posters throughout Lafayette. Check out @ahs_dons on instagram to see pictures & to submit yours! 

• Pick Up Blue Chalk and Treats at Sideboard Lafayette – Stop by for a treat and ask for a stick of complimentary blue chalk (through Friday, February 18). They have creative gifts too!

Buy and Eat Local: Support Lafayette Businesses & Restaurants!
Local businesses and restaurants need our support more than ever! Restaurants are welcoming outside dining again and would appreciate patronage by Acalanes families in their outdoor seating areas or via take-out. Valentine’s Day is around the corner and local boutiques have some creative gift ideas. Check them out here. Let our local businesses know how much our ACA family supports them!

Questions, comments, or feedback, email aca@acalanesparentsclub.com.

Thank you to our local businesses for investing in LPIE’s mission to support and enrich the education of every child in the Lafayette public schools!
Their commitment to our students and community is extraordinary.  Please be sure to say “thank you” when you see any of these business owners! 

Step inside the halls of Acalanes High School during Adam’s conversation with 2020 AHS graduate Maddie Wilson.
Learn how Acalanes has helped Maddie become a confident woman who is striving towards her full potential, and also who recognizes and appreciates the value of individuals from all walks of life. LPIE’s commitment to Acalanes ensures programs, electives and support is funded and available to every student, which is why it remains an incredible institution and truly a place for everyone! Click here to listen and learn more.

Laura-Kate Rurka & Jennifer Palmer
Acalanes LPIE School Chairs

www.lpie.org

Rising Assault Within AAPI Communities
Our hearts are with families who have lost loved ones and continue to live with the trauma of rising anti-AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) sentiment this past year with the start of COVID. Explore this topic further in this article. Many AAPI organizations have organized a community foot patrol  to escort the elderly in Oakland Chinatown. If you would like to know ways to help support the AAPI communities, and for other resources please use this list.  

• As we continue to do our part in diversity, equity and inclusion work as a community, we hold hope as people from different cultures and communities rise together to condemn hate. If you are unsure where to start on a journey of antiracism, try here.

Black History Month 

• AUHSD continues highlighting “Black Heroes”
• Full calendar of AHS student events here
• Be sure to follow us on Instagram, where prominent Black Americans are featured daily through Black History Month; also follow Acalanes Diversity Board for student updates

Tuesday Feb 23 from 6:30-7:30pm Private Virtual Speaker Event with Arshay Cooper, author of the novel “A Most Beautiful Thing” and co-star of the movie with the same name. This event is almost sold-out, so don’t wait to sign up! Purchase the book here, and watch the movie on Amazon Prime or Xfinity. 

Thursday Feb 25 at 6pm Student Poetry Night
Encourage your student to register their entry for the ACA BHM Poetry night here. Join via Zoom – all are welcome!

Wednesday March 3, from 7-8:30pm Racial Equity Series, Session 5
Join Dr. Lori Watson for a discussion on “Children and Race.” Zoom link will be sent out to all those registered prior to the meeting.

Order by March 14! “Stand Together” DEI Lawn Sign
$14 on the webstore.

Lastly, we invite you to join our committee!
If you have ideas or questions, or you want more information, email us! Stay current by visiting our webpage, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Applications Due Feb 26 for Student Government 2020-2021
If your student is interested or might be interested in joining student government next year, applications will be available beginning Wednesday. All the information including the link will be sent out via Canvas. We know that student government operates best when it has a variety of voices and experiences! Opt in! There are various entry points. Check out an overview of the various committees. 

April 5 – Acalanes Leadership Applications Available
Is your 8th grader interested in joining student government at Acalanes? Applications will be available electronically beginning April 5th. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to reach out to Katherine Walton.

Acalanes Spirit Wear
We have spirit wear available for the last time this school year! We added a couple new items including a tribute t-shirt to Mr. Huber & proceeds donated to the Parkinson’s Foundation in his name. Check out our spiritwear on the Acalanes webstore. Orders deadline is March 14th and items can be either picked up at Acalanes or delivered beginning April 6th. 

April 18 – Deadline To Order Frosh Spirit Packs!
Know an 8th grader? Frosh spirit packs are a great promotion gift and kick off to a career at Acalanes! Each pack is $53 and features a hooded sweatshirt, car magnet & cinch backpack. Proceeds go to the Class of 2025. Order deadline is April 18th and packs will be delivered to your house beginning May 7th. Order here.

Adopt-a-Senior! Community Opt-In! 
We want to celebrate our Seniors and show them just how much they are loved. One way is through the Adopt a Senior program. We have 104 Seniors who are participating.

Community member can opt-in to “adopt” a Senior. You can help our seniors feel appreciated in such trying times through special acts, or even give gifts to show that they are loved. The program will run until the start of spring break. If you opt in, we are asking that you give your senior one item a week and we will provide you with some ideas. We have designed the program so very little money is spent and instead it is focused on love, support & guidance! Interested? Fill out this google form. 

ACA STRONG
We’ve got heart! Show your ACA Spirit by showing how much “heart” you have for Acalanes and our Lafayette community. Chalk your driveway with a BIG BLUE heart, hang hearts in your windows and look out for blue hearts and ACA Strong posters throughout Lafayette. Check out @ahs_dons on Instagram to see pictures and submit yours!

Black History Month Continues This Week!
There is a lot to celebrate, and a lot of dialogue in which to engage. Our challenge to the Acalanes community is to engage in at least one event and we encouraged students to do this in last week’s cohort. Check out the calendar of events here. Two community events to register for ahead of time:

• Wednesday, Feb 17 at 5pm – Women in Leadership Series with Elizabeth Brown – Elizabeth Brown is a resident of Georgia and is a Director at the Housing Authority.  Prior to that, she was a Social Worker at The Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University in the Department of Psychiatry & Health Behavior. Link to register in advance.
• Tuesday, Feb 23 at 6:30pm – Arshay Cooper Dialogue – Join us in conversation with author Arshay Cooper. The dialogue will be facilitated by AHS parent Dan Meade, along with three AHS student panelists: Ava Freeman, Franny Daughters, and Miles Burger. Arshay will share more about his life, trauma, police brutality, film career, experience as a rower, and more. The novel and film chronicles the first African American high school rowing team in this country (made up of young men, many of whom were in rival gangs from the West Side of Chicago, coming together to row in the same boat). Order your copy from Orinda Books and a percentage of the proceeds will go to a BSU-selected charity. Please register in advance here. 

Share your kindness story to promote positivity and a community of kindness! We will be compiling them all together in the end to create our own book of kindness! 

Next Week Programming – Daily Events!

• Tuesday, Feb 16 at 3:30p – A virtual murder mystery. Look for the registration form via Canvas.
• Wednesday, Feb 17 at Lunch – Join a dialogue with Class of 2017 alumnae Casey Conrad, a water polo player who will share more about his experience at Princeton as a student and athlete.
• Thursday, Feb 18 at Lunch – Join us for a dialogue with the mayor of Lafayette, Susan Candell.
• Friday, Feb 19 at Lunch – Cake decorating! Does your student want to participate? Fill out this google form so we can drop all the supplies off at your house!

2020-2021 Clubs
Club meetings continue. Check out our 49 clubs! Clubs continue to be one of the best ways for students to connect. We will be pushing out more information about clubs at the end of the week. Please encourage your student to check Canvas to learn more.

If I can ever do anything to help you or your student, don’t hesitate to reach out!

Katherine Walton, Student Activities Director

Big life changes are stress-inducing but they are not only part of being human, they are opportunities to build resilience. There is a big transition coming as the state reaches a point when schools are poised for reopening. There are some things we can do to position ourselves for a positive transition. Number one is self-care. Getting enough sleep, connecting with the people and things we love, and taking extra good care of our mental health will help us be ready to meet the challenges and stressors that come with adapting to a new environment. You can help your student with these and with being open about what it’s like to have to quickly condition to an environment that feels different or foreign. It will be school, but not exactly school as we knew it pre-pandemic. Some students may feel stressed about mask-wearing or Covid transmission, or they may feel confused and concerned about the new schedule or being in a cohort that’s different from their friends. Please use the coming weeks to listen to your students about what they anticipate or what they’re worried about–naming it helps! And assure them that they will re-condition to the new environment quickly. That’s what human beings do–we adapt.

Allen Choi, Wellness Coordinator
Casey Sasner, Intake Specialist

For updates, tips and advice, follow Wellness on Social Media: Instagram @acalaneswellness