From the Activities Director

SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEK
Tuesday lunch: Frosh study hall in room 314 + leadership applications available
Wednesday: 
– Academy: Enviro council on the impact technology has on the environment
– Lunch: Class Cup Family Feud + Karaoke
Thursday at 7pm: Girls soccer vs. Miramonte (Big 10)
Friday
– 7:30am: Senior breakfast in the big gym
– Academy: Survivor rally
– 7:30pm: Boys basketball vs. Campo (Big 10)

As many of you know, the recent devastating wildfires in Los Angeles have claimed at least 24 lives and displaced over 180,000 people. In response, Community Outreach is organizing a drive to support relief efforts and is kindly requesting donations to aid those affected. We are partnering with two organizations:

• The LA Fire Department Foundation, which provides essential resources and support to firefighters on the front lines.
• World Central Kitchen, which is delivering meals to individuals and families who have been displaced by the fires.

Throughout this week, we will be collecting donations during lunch, walking around the quads with a QR code, and will set up a table at the boys varsity basketball game on Jan 24 at 7:30pm. Your contributions will directly help those who have lost their homes or been forced to evacuate. Together, we can make a difference in their recovery journey!

Leadership Applications, 2025-2026
Leadership applications for the 2025-2026 school year will be available beginning Tuesday in the Daily Don and on Canvas. Leadership is open to all grades and drives student programming on campus. There are 16 different committees and a space for everyone. There is an informational lunch meeting on Tuesday, Jan 28 in room 314 and it is a great chance to learn more. Applications are due Feb 4. 
 
BIG 10 in January
Students have designed the BIG 10 as a way for our community to SHOW UP & SHOW OUT to these 10 events that take place across campus. The remaining schedule for January:
Thursday, Jan 23 at 7pm: Girls soccer vs. Miramonte
Friday, Jan 24 at 7:30pm: Boys basketball vs. Campo
Wednesday, Jan 29 at 7pm: Girls basketball vs. Clayton Valley
 
New Clubs and Spring Club Day
Club applications for any students looking to start a new club will be available this week in the Daily Don and due on Wednesday, Jan 22. We will have our spring club day at lunch on Wednesday, Jan 29. It is a great opportunity to connect with our clubs and their leadership teams.
 
Class Cup: Family Feud
Classes will come together to compete in Family Feud – Acalanes style. Encourage your student to come watch this week on Wednesday during lunch in the big gym.
 
KEY 2ND SEMESTER DATES:
Jan 24: Senior breakfast + all school rally + boys basketball vs. Campo
Jan 29 @ lunch: Spring club day
Jan 30: Open House
March 13: 1st ever community rally
Mar 18: Talent show
Apr 18: Special Olympics
Apr 19: Junior & senior prom
Apr 23-26: School musical
 

Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.
 
Katherine Walton, Activities Director

BIG 10 in January
Students have designed the BIG 10 as a way for our community to SHOW UP & SHOW OUT to these 10 events that take place across campus. The schedule for January:
Monday, Jan 13 at 7:30pm: Boys basketball vs. Las Lomas (PJs-Night Night Knights)
Thursday, Jan 16 at 5pm: Wrestling vs. Campo
Thursday, Jan 23 at 7pm: Girls soccer vs. Miramonte
Friday, Jan 24 at 7:30pm: Boys basketball vs. Campo
Wednesday, Jan 29 at 7pm: Girls basketball vs. Clayton Valley
 
New Clubs and Spring Club Day
Club applications for any students looking to start a new club will be available this week in the Daily Don and due on Tuesday, Jan 21. We will have our spring club day at lunch on Wednesday, Jan 29. It is a great opportunity to connect with our clubs and their leadership teams.
 
Class Cup: Family Feud
Classes will come together to compete in Family Feud – Acalanes style. Encourage your student to come watch this week on Jan 13 and 15 and again on Jan 22 during lunch in the big gym.
 
KEY 2ND SEMESTER DATES:
Jan 24: Senior Breakfast + All School Rally + boys basketball vs. Campo
Jan 29 @ lunch: Spring Club Day
Jan 30: Open House
March 13: 1st ever community rally
Mar 18: Talent Show
Apr 18: Special Olympics
Apr 19: Junior & Senior Prom
Apr 23-26: School Musical
 

Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.
 
Katherine Walton, Activities Director

It’s 2025! Welcome back to 2nd semester. Let’s make it a great one!
 
January brings the start of league for our winter sports, spring club day, an all school rally and the 2nd round of class cup. Encourage your student to opt in and get connected (or reconnected) – and please let me know if I can be of any help.
 
BIG 10 in January
Students have designed the BIG 10 as a way for our community to SHOW UP & SHOW OUT to these 10 events that take place across campus. Here is the schedule for January:
Wednesday, Jan 8 at 7pm: Girls basketball vs. Heritage
Monday, Jan 13 at 7:30pm: Boys basketball vs. Las Lomas
Thursday, Jan 16 at 5pm: Wrestling vs. Campo
Thursday, Jan 23 at 7pm: Girls soccer vs. Miramonte
Friday, Jan 24 at 7:30pm: Boys basketball vs. Campo
Wednesday, Jan 29 at 7pm: Girls basketball vs. Clayton Valley
 
New Clubs and Spring Club Day
Club applications for any students looking to start a new club will be available this week in the Daily Don and due Jan 21. We have our spring club day at lunch on Wednesday, Jan 29. It is a great opportunity to connect with our clubs and the leadership teams.
 
Class Cup: Family Feud
Classes will come together to compete in Family Feud – Acalanes style. Encourage your student to come watch Jan 13, 15 and 22 at lunch in the big gym.
 
KEY 2ND SEMESTER DATES:
Jan 24: Senior Breakfast + All School Rally + Boys basketball vs. Campo
Jan 29 @ lunch: Spring Club Day
Jan 30: Open House
March: 1st ever community rally (date TBD)
Mar 18: Talent Show
Ap 18: Special Olympics
Apr 19: Junior & Senior Prom
Apr 23-26: School Musical
 

Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.
 
Katherine Walton, Activities Director

I am so proud of our students and our community – what an incredible first semester! There is a long (and I do mean long) list of why our community ROCKS and YOU are one of those reasons. Thank you for your support of so many things on our campus!
This semester has truly been wonderful and makes us all very excited to come back and kick off 2nd semester Jan 7, 2025. There are some pretty awesome things in store. For a small taste, see the list below and mark those calendars!
 
KEY 2ND SEMESTER DATES:
Jan 24: Senior Breakfast + All School Rally + Boys Basketball vs. Campo
Jan 29 @ lunch: Spring Club Day
Jan 30: Open House
March: 1st ever community rally (date TBD)
Mar 18: Talent Show
Ap 18: Special Olympics
Apr 19: Junior & Senior Prom
Apr 23-26: School Musical
 

Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.
 
Katherine Walton, Activities Director

FINALS PREP WEEK
Frosh Finals Informational Meeting: Please encourage ALL 9th graders to come to the frosh finals info meeting on Tuesday at lunch in the library. Teachers from math, English, living earth, social science and world language will be there to talk about finals & finals preparation.
 
Exam Jam: Wednesday from 3-5pm in the library
Students can kick start their studying while getting support from teachers and peer tutors.


 Adopt-A-Family
It is delivery week! Please drop off your wrapped (and labeled) gifts in front of the small gym this Friday either between 7:15-8:15am or 10:15-10:45am. Check your email for further instructions. We rent a U-Haul and take all the gifts to the organization Friday afternoon. Our community is amazing – thank you for all your support of this program!
 
Volunteer Opportunity
Consider volunteering at the Lamorinda Care Collective. It is a pop-up kindness experiment, dedicated to meeting unmet needs of families and non-profits and they are looking for volunteers throughout the next few weeks. You and/or your student can sign up here.
 
Donate
The Acalanes Leadership Enviro Board is collecting gently used items to promote sustainability. Through Friday, Dec 13, please donate clothes, shoes, accessories (such as jewelry, handbags, scarves, and belts), bedding, books, CDs, DVDs, pots, pans, kitchen items, kids’ toys, games, and stuffed animals in good condition. Donations can be dropped off in the bins located outside the main office and in the front quad. We aim to promote reusing items and diverting materials from landfills, giving them a second life to reduce waste. If you have any questions email estelle.block26@auhsdschools.org.
 
RecycleSmart 5 R’s Truck Art Contest
Your student can create an art piece that highlights the 5 R’s (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rot) to help raise awareness and encourage everyone to prevent and reduce waste, compost, organize and sort the three material streams (recycling, organic and trash) properly. Three winners will be chosen and the pieces will be on the Republic Services trucks throughout the Contra Costa community for one year. Eligible participants are from 3rd to 12th grade and submissions must be in before Jan 12. Visit the RecycleSmart website for more details.
 
Ordering holiday cards and gifts? Shop at Minted and not only do YOU get 20% off, Acalanes gets 15% of all sales. Use the code FUNDRAISEACALANES. We’ve raised over $700 so far and all money raised goes to off setting the cost of prom tickets.

Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.
 
Katherine Walton, Activities Director

We hope you had a great Thanksgiving break. It is hard to believe we are down to the last three weeks of the semester! There are lots of fun and meaningful activities planned during the next couple weeks – we hope your students opt in when they can!
 
Schedule of events this week:

• Mon-Fri at lunch: Senior dodgeball
• Wednesday @ academy: Blanket making for the Bay Area Rescue Mission
• Wednesday @ lunch: ACA Buddies
• Thursday at 7pm: Instrumental Winter Concert
• Friday @ lunch: Frosh cookie decorating in room 314
• Saturday from 10am-2pm: Students serve lunch at Glide Memorial in SF

The Acalanes Leadership Enviro Board is collecting gently used items to promote sustainability. From Dec 2-13, please donate clothes, shoes, accessories (such as jewelry, handbags, scarves, and belts), bedding, books, CDs, DVDs, pots, pans, kitchen items, kids’ toys, games, and stuffed animals in good condition. Donations can be dropped off in the bins located outside the main office and in the front quad. We aim to promote reusing items and diverting materials from landfills, giving them a second life to reduce waste. If you have any questions email estelle.block26@auhsdschools.org.
 
Acalanes shows up for Adopt-A-Family!
We have an amazing community – together, we are supporting 70 families this holiday season. THANK YOU!
 
If you adopted an individual or family, look out for information this week in your email regarding drop-off of gifts. All drop off needs to happen Friday, Dec 13 in front of the school as we take everything to the organization that afternoon. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to reach out to Hetty Lofting or Katherine Walton!
 
ACA Serves: Blanket Making
On Dec 4 there will be a winter blanket making academy in room 314. There will be hot cocoa and other snacks to bring the winter vibes. We will make no-sew blankets and then donate them to the Bay Area Rescue Mission, which will use them in their homeless shelters. Your student can sign up with this form – we hope to see them there!
 
Ordering holiday cards and gifts? Shop at Minted and not only do YOU get 20% off, Acalanes gets 15% of all sales. Use the code FUNDRAISEACALANES. All money raised goes to off setting the cost of prom tickets.

Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.
 
Katherine Walton, Activities Director

Schedule of events this week:

• Wednesday before school: Frosh social in the frosh quad
• Wednesday academy: Yoga with Ms. Bruce in the small gym
• Wednesday lunch: Senior friendsgiving
• Wednesday at 7pm: Fall jazz concert in the PAC
• Friday at lunch: ACA Buddies

Adopt-A-Family – last chance to sign up!
As the holiday season approaches, the Acalanes Community Outreach board is kicking off Adopt-A-Family. If you have a desire to make a difference in our community, we encourage you to sign up! Last year, as a community, we were able to support 70+ families. Two options to support:
Option 1:  If you would like to adopt an individual along with their wishlist of gifts to buy, please sign up here.
Option 2: If you wish to adopt a family, please fill out the google form. We will be in touch with your family details.
All wrapped gifts will be collected the morning of Dec 13 in the front of the school. As this date approaches, we will be in touch with more details! If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to reach out to Hetty Lofting or Katherine Walton!
 
Starting to think about holiday cards and gifts? Shop at Minted and not only do YOU get 20% off, Acalanes gets 15% of all sales. Use the code FUNDRAISEACALANES.

Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.
 
Katherine Walton, Activities Director

Schedule of events this week:

• Wednesday academy: Pledge to Humanity service event in room 314
• Wednesday lunch: Class Cup basketball
• Friday academy: Frosh connect- time management, organization and finals prep
• Friday lunch: Class Cup basketball

Adopt-A-Family
As the holiday season approaches, the Acalanes Community Outreach board is kicking off Adopt-A-Family. If you have a desire to make a difference in our community, we encourage you to sign up! If you would like to adopt an individual along with their wishlist of gifts to buy, please sign up here. If you wish to adopt a family, please fill out the google form. All wrapped gifts will be collected the morning of Dec 13 in the front of the school. As this date approaches, we will be in touch with more details! If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to reach out to Hetty Lofting or Katherine Walton!
 
On Saturday, Dec 7 we are going to GLIDE Memorial Church in San Francisco to serve food to those in need from 10:10am to 1:30pm and will be meeting at Bart. Encourage your student to sign up HERE and receive 3 community service hours. We will be in touch regarding permission forms.
 
Starting to think about holiday cards and gifts? Shop at Minted and not only do YOU get 20% off, Acalanes gets 15% of all sales. Use the code FUNDRAISEACALANES.

Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.
 
Katherine Walton, Activities Director

Schedule of events this week:

• Tuesday at lunch: Bouquet making
• Wednesday academy: Enviro council on deforestation
• Wednesday at 5pm: Open mic night at Sideboard
• Thursday ALL DAY: Local Kitchens fundraiser
• Friday academy: New Crew leader training
• Friday lunch: ACA Buddies & Class Cup Basketball
• Friday Night Lights: Acalanes vs. Las Lomas

 
Looking for the perfect holiday gift? Our winter webstore is open for just a short period of time – get your Acalanes gear now! Orders due by this Thursday, Nov 7 and will be available in December.
 
Open Mic Night at Sideboard this Wednesday evening!
Open mic night is back!! Students can showcase their talent and sign up via the link in the Daily Don. Mark your calendar to enjoy a meal out and student talent – Nov 6 from 5-7pm.
 
Enviro events this week!
Tuesday at lunch there is bouquet making in room 314.
Wednesday during academy there is an enviro council on deforestation.
 
Adopt-A-Family
As the holiday season approaches, the Acalanes Community Outreach board is kicking off Adopt-A-Family. If you have a desire to make a difference in our community, we encourage you to sign up! If you would like to adopt an individual along with their wishlist of gifts to buy, please sign up here. If you wish to adopt a family, please fill out the google form. All wrapped gifts will be collected on Dec 13 in the morning at the front of the school. As this date approaches, we will be in touch with more details! If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to reach out to Hetty Lofting or Katherine Walton!
 
On Dec 7, we are going to GLIDE Memorial Church in San Francisco to serve food to those in need from 10:10am to 1:30pm and will be meeting at Bart. Encourage your student to sign up HERE and receive 3 community service hours. We will be in touch regarding permission forms.
 
Starting to think about holiday cards and gifts? Shop at Minted and not only do YOU get 20% off, Acalanes gets 15% of all sales. Use the code FUNDRAISEACALANES.

Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.
 
Katherine Walton, Activities Director

Thank you to APC for funding Breaking Down the Walls this past week. Our community is better as a result and the opportunity to spend time together, get to know one another and know that we are not alone is powerful. As one student said,
 
“I learned that our community has many stories and we have all been through things despite the stereotypes that we may have about one another. BDTW was about acceptance and courage, stepping outside our comfort zone and building a better sense of community.”
 
Looking for the perfect holiday gift? Our winter webstore is open for just a short period of time – get your Acalanes gear now! Orders due by Nov 7 and will be available in December.
 
HALLO-WEEK
Encourage your student to kick off Halloweek by coming to Trunk or Treat on Monday, Oct 28 at lunch on the blacktop! “Trick-or-Treat” for candy and other treats at decorated cars, enter a raffle for a Halloween gift basket, and play tons of fun games!
 
On Wednesday, Oct 30 during academy, students are invited to room 314 for a fun and educational pumpkin carving activity. Students will carve pumpkins that you can put on your porch as a festive decoration. The purpose of the event is to teach students about reducing waste by using all parts of the pumpkin while also bringing the community together. Encourage your student to join the event to make a jack-o-lantern and enjoy some roasted pumpkin seeds! They can RSVP here to participate.
 
Chillin’ with Charlie is coming up on Friday, Nov 1 and will be filled with fun and lots of food. We will be watching Charlie Brown Thanksgiving with popcorn, candy, pizza and drinks. It will be in room 314 during lunch and we hope to see your student there!!
 
Students can also celebrate Halloween by coming to Staff Student Trivia on Friday Nov 1 at lunch in the big gym! Students can compete with another student and a teacher! If they aren’t playing, they can show up and watch their favorite teachers compete against each other in Halloween themed trivia!
 
Open Mic Night at Sideboard
Open mic night is back!! Students can showcase their talent and sign up via the link in the Daily Don. Mark your calendar to enjoy a meal out and student talent – Nov 6 from 5-7pm.
 
The annual Acalanes Fall Blood Drive is in two days (Oct 30) and we still need 3 more sign-ups to reach our goal. Anyone who donates blood will receive a $10 gift card. You can make appointments through the Red Cross website (link to page). You must create an account and find the Acalanes Blood Drive on the Find a Drive page. If you have any questions please reach out to Ms. Walton (kwalton@auhsdschools.org).
 
Starting to think about holiday cards and gifts? Shop at Minted and not only do YOU get 20% off, Acalanes gets 15% of all sales. Use the code FUNDRAISEACALANES. 

Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.
 
Katherine Walton, Activities Director