This past Friday, our student community watched a schoolwide video highlighting the incredible community we have at Acalanes and how we can make it even better. We want you to see it as well so check it out here!
The Winter Essentials drive is taking place now through this Friday, Nov 9. We are collecting hoodies and blankets to be distributed to those in need. Collection bins will be outside the main office and students can drop off anytime. Anything helps and we appreciate your support!
Come to the Enviro Council this Wednesday in Walton’s Academy, room 314, to talk about food waste in our community.
Adopt-a-Family
As the holiday season approaches, the Acalanes Community Outreach board is kicking off Adopt-A-Family. Acalanes has partnered with Pacific Clinics for over 15 years to support 60+ families this holiday season. Our community can either adopt an individual or a family.
If you would like to adopt an individual, along with their wishlist of gifts, please fill out the sign up genius here. If you wish to adopt a family, please fill out the google form linked here. All wrapped gifts will be collected the morning of Friday, Dec 15 at the front of 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 Laila Vivek at laila.vivek24@auhsdschools.org or Katherine Walton at kwalton@auhsdschools.org!
Just a reminder that students who purchased ASB receive discounts at local businesses. Our ASB Business Spotlight this week: Johnny’s Donuts!
Discount: Get one regular donut with the purchase of a dozen regular donuts or 1 donut hole with the purchase of one donut. How to Get the Discount: Show your ASB spirit card when you go to Johnny’s.
Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.
Katherine Walton, Activities Director
Student Activities
Student Activities
Halloween is this week! We have a fun Halloween carnival in the frosh quad on Tuesday during lunch, complete with carnival games, trick or treating and prizes. Students can dress up or come as they are!
Wednesday during academy 9th graders will be engaging in a student created and led presentation on belonging, inclusion and the role that social media can play in our lives.
Friday during academy all students will be watching a schoolwide video. The video highlights the incredible community we have at Acalanes and how we can make it even better. Students have worked together to name our student section and we will introduce the concept during this video. Thanks to Dudum Realty, Common Core Pilates and Acalanes Boosters for sponsoring spirit shirts for students. Students will receive these at lunch on Friday just in time to wear to Friday night football vs. Campolindo. For the community, please wear blue!
The Winter Essentials drive will take place from Oct 30 – Nov 9. We are collecting hoodies and blankets to be distributed to those in need. Collection bins will be outside the main office and students can drop off anytime. Anything helps and we appreciate your support!
Please encourage your student to come out to the last Unified Soccer game this Friday, Nov 3 during lunch in the stadium.
As the holiday season approaches, the Acalanes Community Outreach board is kicking off Adopt-A-Family. Acalanes has partnered with Pacific Clinics for over 15 years to support 60+ families during the holiday season. Look for additional information in the Daily Don this week and/or in the APC newsletter next week!
Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.
Student Activities
The Community Outreach and Improvement Program is hosting a drive for the Lamorinda branch of the American Association of University Women from October 16-27! Please donate your gently used sneakers to the bins outside the front office! The donations fund scholarships for women in our community!
Don’t miss waterpolo at home on Wednesday vs. Campolindo. It’s SENIOR NIGHT!Schedule of Events:
- 4pm JV boys
- 5pm Varsity boys
- SENIOR RECOGNITION in between varsity games to recognize 7 seniors each on the girls and boys teams
- 6pm Varsity girls***
- 7pm JV girls
Don’t miss Inherit the Wind this week! It runs Wednesday through Saturday and is a play not to miss!
We will be back in frosh classes this week (Thursday and Friday) leading our 2nd frosh connectof the year. New Crew leaders (11th and 12th graders) will spend time with every 9th grader and check in on their Acalanes experience.
A Peek at Future Events:
- Equity workshop for all 9th graders during academy on Wednesday, Nov 1
- Unified Soccer at lunch on Friday, Nov 3
- Friday night football at home vs. Campolindo (wear blue) on Friday, Nov 3
Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.
Katherine Walton, Activities Director
Student Activities
What a week! Homecoming 2023 is officially over and what an incredible week for our students and for our community. We donated thousands of cans to the Contra Costa Food Bank, we spent time with one another, we had fun, we made memories and we danced the night away on Saturday!
Homecoming would not be possible without YOU. Thank you for your donations, your time and your support. A special thank you to our 18 parent liaisons who gave so much of their time to support class officers and make the magic happen. Homecoming 2023 is one to remember!
This week, we have the incredible opportunity to host Dr. Alberto Ledesma, Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at UC Berkeley. He will be with us on Tuesday at 7pm in the Acalanes library to share his story, his experience as an undocumented immigrant, and more about the book he authored, Diary of a Reluctant Dreamer. The event is open to our entire district so please plan to attend.
The Community Outreach and Improvement Program is hosting a drive for the Lamorinda branch of the American Association of University Women from October 16-27! Please donate your gently used sneakers to the bins outside the front office! The donations fund scholarships for women in our community!
Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.
Katherine Walton, Activities Director
Student Activities
HOMECOMING 2023 IS HERE!
Let’s celebrate together as a community! The fun begins tomorrow and we want to make sure you have all the information needed for your student to participate and have fun!
Tomorrow, Monday, Oct 9: Hallway Decorating from 10am-3pm
Encourage your student to come and support their class in transforming the halls. All students are welcome! Lunch will be served at 12:30pm.
We are also hosting a community walkthrough for families, our elementary schools, Stanley and the larger community from 5-6pm. Please stop by to see the magic!
Daily Schedule This Week
Tuesday:
- Dress Up: Country
- Lunch: Wild West Festival on the pumpkin patch
Wednesday:
- Dress Up: Jerseys
- Lunch: Relay race on the pool deck
- 5pm: FAB tailgate prior to our flag football senior night
- 7pm: Student dodgeball – a not to miss event! Students should bring their ID to play.
Thursday:
- Dress Up: Concert/band merch
- Lunch: Cakewalk
Friday:
- Dress Up: Class shirts or color (9: white 10: blue 11: grey 12: black)
- Academy: Homecoming rally with class skits
- Lunch: Staff vs. student dodgeball – students should bring their ID to play.
- 5:30pm: Tailgate prior to the football game (wear white)
- 7pm: Football game with halftime show including a powder toss (wear white)
HOCO Night Out: Saturday, Oct 14 from 7-10pm
This is a campus wide event (1100+ attended last year) and a night not to miss! Tickets are on sale via Go Fan and are $25 with ASB, $52 without ASB, $75 for an outside guest.
Outside guests need to fill out and return a guest contract by Tuesday, Oct 10 to the main office. Homecoming will feature a game truck, laser tag, arcade games, caricaturist, henna, casino games, food for purchase and dancing. There is something for everyone!
Attire: Students are welcome to wear what they are comfortable in. Most students wear slacks, a collared shirt, or a semi-formal dress. Dancing is outside on the cement so please plan footwear accordingly.
Homecoming Resources:
- Homecoming Overview Document
- Go Fan to purchase HOCO Night Out Ticket
- Google calendar with all the events
Canned Food Drive: Happening NOW through Friday, Oct 13
We will collect cans and money in the front quad in the morning and also have online donation links. The canned food drive is a part of class points for Homecoming. As a community, can we surpass the 40,000 can record set last year? Donation links:
LatinX/Hispanic Heritage Month began Sept 15 and runs until Oct 15. Students have planned various events and celebrations. One opportunity for our entire community is to attend the speaker event on Tuesday, Oct 17 at 7pm in our library. Dr. Alberto Ledesma, Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at UC Berkeley will be with us to share his story, his experience as an undocumented immigrant, and more about the book he authored, Diary of a Reluctant Dreamer. Please save the date!
Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.
Katherine Walton, Activities Director
Student Activities
EVENTS THIS WEEK:
Tuesday, Oct 3: Girls Volleyball vs. Benicia
Wednesday, Oct 4 @ lunch: Loteria with Latinos Unidos in room 507 & Hispanic Heritage Month movie at 3:15 with Ms. Voellm in room 403
Thursday, Oct 5: Girls Tennis vs. Campolindo & Pops Concert in the PAC
Friday, Oct 6: Home football vs. Northgate (wear pink for breast cancer awareness)
IT’S THE 1-WEEK COUNTDOWN TO HOMECOMING WEEK!
October 9-14: Acalanes celebrates music genres!
Check out the overview of Homecoming 2023 and encourage your student to get involved! It is one of the best weeks on campus and we want every student to feel a part of it. The week has multiple “entry” points so everyone can participate. The first event is Hallway Decorating on Monday, Oct 9 from 10-3. Please encourage your student to attend for an hour or more!
Monday, Oct 9 from 5-6pm we are hosting a Community Walk Through of the Homecoming Hallways! Bring younger siblings, neighbors, friends, family, & alumni to view the incredible work. There will be treats & music in each main hallway.
Our annual canned food drive begins tomorrow and runs through Friday, Oct 13. We will collect cans and money in the front quad in the morning and also have online donation links. The canned food drive is a part of class points for Homecoming. As a community, can we surpass the 40,000 can record set last year? Donation links:
Class of 2027
Class of 2026
Class of 2025
Class of 2024
Saturday, Oct 14 is our HOCO Night Out from 7-10pm. It is a campus wide event (1100+ attended last year) and a night not to miss. Tickets are on sale via Go Fan and are:
$25 with ASB
$52 without ASB
$75 for an outside guest
Outside guests do need to fill out and return a guest contract by Tuesday, Oct 10 to the main office. Homecoming will feature a game truck, laser tag, arcade games, caricaturist, henna, casino games, food for purchase & dancing. There is something for everyone.
Attire: Students are welcome to wear what they are comfortable in. Most students wear slacks, a collared shirt, or a semi-formal dress. Dancing is outside on the cement so please plan footwear accordingly.
In order to make sure it is a safe event for all, we are in need of 15 more parent chaperones. Please consider signing up!
LatinX/Hispanic Heritage Month began September 15 and runs until October 15th. Students have planned a host of various events & celebrations. One opportunity for our entire community is to attend the speaker event on Tuesday, Oct 17 at 7 PM in our library. Dr. Alberto Ledesma, assistant dean for diversity, equity & inclusion at UC Berkeley will be with us to share his story, his experience as an undocumented immigrant, and more about the book he authored, Diary of a Reluctant Dreamer. Please save the date!
Clubs at Acalanes
This year we have 72 approved clubs at Acalanes and they are a great way to connect with a passion and get involved. Please encourage your student to attend meetings, reach out to the presidents and get involved! Check them out here!
Class shirts will be delivered to all students who have yet to pick it up on Monday during 3rd period.
Ordered spiritwear? It has arrived! Check your email for details on pick-up this week!
Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.
Katherine Walton, Activities Director
Student Activities
Homecoming 2023 Oct 9-14: Acalanes celebrates music genres!
Check out the overview of Homecoming 2023 and encourage your student to get involved! It is one of the best weeks on campus and we want every student to feel a part of it. The week has multiple “entry” points so everyone can participate.
HOCO Night Out is on Saturday, Oct 14 from 7-10pm. It is a campus wide event (1100+ attended last year) and a night not to miss.The night features a game truck, laser tag, arcade games, caricaturist, henna, food for purchase, pool tables, ping pong, air hockey, dancing & more. Tickets are on sale via Go Fan and are:
- $25 with ASB
- $52 without ASB
- $75 for an outside guest
Students with ASB need to use their ID number as the promo code in order to get the correct ticket price. Outside guests need to fill out and return a guest contract by Tuesday, Oct 10 to the main office.
In order to make sure it is a safe event for all, we are in need of 30 parent chaperones. Please consider signing up!
The annual Acalanes Blood Drive is here! Anyone 16+ years old can donate (adults encouraged). It is on Tuesday, Sep 26 from 8am-3:35pm in the small gym at Acalanes. People can sign up to donate through the link or scan the QR codes in all senior and junior English classrooms. High schoolers should make sure to bring their signed permission forms to room 314 by tomorrow, Monday, Sep 25. Snacks will be provided! Contact Katherine Walton if you have any questions!
Clubs at Acalanes
This year we have 72 approved clubs at Acalanes and they are a great way to connect with a passion and get involved. Please encourage your student to attend meetings, reach out to the presidents and get involved! Check them out here!
Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.
Katherine Walton, Activities Director
Student Activities
Clubs at Acalanes
This year we have 72 approved clubs at Acalanes and they are a great way to connect with a passion and get involved. Please encourage your student to attend meetings, reach out to the presidents and get involved! Check them out here!
Celebrate LatinX Heritage Month!
Sign up to bring food to the potluck this coming Wednesday, Sep 20 before the girls volleyball team takes on Campolindo. We will do a potluck from 5-6pm in front of the big gym and celebrate community together and then go inside the gym to root on our girls team. Looking forward to it!
Homecoming 2023 October 9-14: Acalanes celebrates music genres!
Check out the overview of Homecoming 2023 and encourage your student to get involved! It is one of the best weeks on campus.
HOCO Night Out is on Saturday, Oct 14 from 7-10pm. It is a campus wide event (1100+ attended last year) and a night not to miss. Tickets are on sale via Go Fan and are:
- $25 with ASB
- $52 without ASB
- $75 for an outside guest
Students with ASB need to use their ID number as the promo code in order to get the correct ticket price. Outside guests need to fill out and return a guest contract by October 10th to the main office.
In order to make sure it is a safe event for all, we are in need of parent chaperones. Please consider signing up!
Spirit Wear/Class Shirt Update:
If you ordered spiritwear via the Gryco webstore, it will be here soon and you will receive an email from me with pick-up information.
If you ordered a class shirt but your student didn’t get it last week, please send them to room 314 to grab it.
Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.
Katherine Walton, Activities Director
Student Activities
Clubs at Acalanes
This year we have 72 approved clubs at Acalanes and they are a great way to connect with a passion and get involved. Please encourage your student to attend meetings, reach out to the presidents and get involved! Check them out here!
Celebrate LatinX Heritage Month!
Sign up to bring food to the potluck on Sep 20 before the girls volleyball team takes on Campolindo. We will do a potluck from 5-6pm in front of the big gym and celebrate community together. Looking forward to it!
Homecoming 2023: Acalanes celebrates music genres!
Homecoming week is Oct 9-14 and is one of the best weeks on campus with so many different ways for students to get involved. Please encourage your student to opt in!
Frosh have their informational meeting on Tuesday @ lunch in room 314 (other class meetings took place last week). If your student missed their class informational meeting, check the bulletin for links to sign up to participate!
Saturday, Oct 14 is our HOCO Night Out from 7-10pm. It is a campus wide event (1100+ attended last year) and a night not to miss. Tickets are on sale via Go Fan and are:
$25 with ASB
$50 without ASB
$75 for an outside guest
Outside guests do need to fill out and return a guest contract. Look in the bulletin for all of the information and stay tuned for confirmed vendors, food, games, activities and entertainment.
Spirit Wear/Class Shirt Update:
If you ordered spiritwear via the Gryco webstore, it will be here mid September and you will receive an email from me with pick-up information.
If you ordered a class shirt, we will hand them out this Wednesday, Sep 13 at lunch.
If you purchased ASB and didn’t receive your white spirit shirt, please send your student to room 314.
SEED Friendship Circle – Sep 21 at 5pm. Support high school students with special needs in our community by attending Friendship Circle at LOPC. It happens monthly and is a great chance to get to know new peers, have fun & serve your community. Counts as volunteer service hours. To RSVP email susan@lopc.org
Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.
Katherine Walton, Activities Director
Student Activities
Friday, Sep 8 is a BIG DAY at Acalanes! Three great opportunities to get involved and SHOW UP!
- Fall Club Day is this Friday, Sep 8 during academy in the front quad. It is a great opportunity to connect with the 60+ clubs, join their communication system and get involved at Acalanes. Check out the daily bulletin for the spreadsheet of all 23-24 approved clubs.
- Girls water polo plays this Friday at lunch to kick off their tournament. Encourage your student to show up on the pool deck and root our ladies to victory.
- Football plays at home this Friday. It is a great community event so come out in your very best Red, White & Blue & let’s celebrate together as we root our football team and cheerleaders on.
The Acalanes Community Outreach Board is hosting a fundraiser through Sep 8 to support citizens of Maui in the wake of the recent fires that occurred. Cash can be donated in the morning by the flagpole and in jars in classes; those donations will go towards supplies for first responders and displaced families through the Maui Fund at the Hawaii Community Foundation. Donate online to the Maui Food Bank using this link. We’ve raised over $2000 so far – thank you for your support!
Encourage your student to come to the Enviro Council on Wednesday, Sep 6 during academy in room 314. We will be discussing the carbon footprint and the importance of reducing and reversing it! There will be donuts!
Celebrate LatinX Heritage Month!
Sign up to bring food to the potluck on Sep 20 before the girls volleyball team takes on Campolindo. We will do a potluck from 5-6:15pm in front of the big gym and celebrate community together. Looking forward to it! Link to Sign–Up Genius.
Homecoming 2023: Acalanes celebrates music genres!
Homecoming week is Oct 9-14 and is one of the best weeks on campus with so many different ways for students to get involved. Please encourage your student to opt in!
Juniors have their informational meeting Wednesday @ lunch in room 314.
Sophomores have their informational meeting Thursday @ lunch in room 314.
ASB Stickers: Thank you to all who have purchased the ASB Sticker via the webstore! There is still time to purchase. This money drives student activities at Acalanes. ASB costs $100 and the sticker gets printed on the ID Card.
Perks include:
- Free spirit shirt
- Discounts at local businesses
- Free admission to home athletic events
- Discounts to on campus dances
Spirit Wear/Class Shirt Update:
- If you ordered spirit wear via the Gryco webstore, it will be here mid September and you will receive an email from me with pick-up information.
- If you ordered a class shirt, we will hand them out on Wednesday, Sep 13 at lunch.
- If you purchased ASB and your student didn’t receive a white spirit shirt, please send your student to room 314.
Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.
Katherine Walton, Activities Director
