From the Activities Director

Student Government (Leadership) Applications due Tuesday, Feb 6
Applications for the leadership program for current Acalanes students are due Tuesday. There is a place for everyone in leadership and the program drives student activities at Acalanes. If your student is an incoming 9th grader, applications can be found here and are due Feb 22. Any questions, please contact Katherine Walton.
 
Valentine’s Grams are now available for purchase online for $4 on the Acalanes web store. You can also buy one in person at lunch on Feb 6-9 and Feb 12 in the frosh and sophomore quads. Anyone can purchase, including teachers and parents. Gram recipients will receive them in their 5th period class on Wednesday, Feb 14. The grams include candy, a flower, an eraser, and a note. Happy Valentine’s Day!
 
The annual Acalanes blood drive is coming soon on Tuesday, Feb 27! Anyone 16+ years old can donate (adults encouraged). Appointments are available from 8am-1:45pm in the small gym at Acalanes. People can sign up to donate through this link or scan the QR codes located in all junior and senior and English classrooms. If a student is 16/17, a permission form is needed and is available in room 314. Donors will get a complimentary shirt, as well as a $20 Amazon gift card. Contact Katherine Walton If you have any questions!
 
There is a blanket making event happening on Feb 9 in room 314 during academy. All blankets made will be donated to a local shelter in Richmond! There will be hot cocoa and cookies for everyone who shows up and it will count as volunteer hours. Interested students should sign up here by Wednesday Feb 7.
 
February is Black Excellence Month! Every Friday there is an event that students can opt into. There is also a district wide Mardi Gras dance on Friday, Feb 23 from 7-9 pm at Miramonte High School! Along with dancing and an awesome DJ, there will be food, a 360 open-air video booth, a place to hang out with friends, and an airbrush tattoo artist! Tickets are $10 and available on GoFan.


 
Acalanes Spiritwear Available for Purchase!
Looking for Acalanes gear? Our spring webstore is open with new sweatshirts, shirts, sweatpants and a lanyard. The webstore closes on Monday, Feb 26 and items will be available for pick-up in late March. All proceeds benefit the classes of 2025, 2026 and 2027.
 
We also have 2028 frosh spirit packs available for purchase. Spirit packs feature a limited edition 2028 hoodie, string backpack and lanyard. The last day to order these is Thursday, Apr 18 and items will be available for pick-up beginning Wednesday, May 1. All proceeds benefit the class of 2028.
 
There is a Dress Drive happening through Friday, Mar 1. Bring any kind/type of dress (all will be accepted) to AHS (outside the front office) or to the Lafayette Community Center. Donations will be going to the Princess Project in San Francisco.
 
Is your student looking for a BLUE CREW shirt and didn’t get one? Have them stop by room 314 with $2 to get their shirt!

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

Students are hosting staff-student trivia at lunch on Wednesday in the big gym.Reminder your student to come see 10 teachers compete and let’s see who the winner will be!
 
Student Government (leadership) 2024-2025
Current Acalanes Students: Applications for the leadership program will be available beginning tomorrow. There is a place for everyone in leadership and the program drives student activities at Acalanes. Applications are due Tuesday, Feb 6.
9th grade? Applications will be available Feb 1 and due Feb 22.
Come see Leadership at Open House! Any questions, please contact Katherine Walton.
 
Valentine’s Grams are now available for purchase online for $4 on the Acalanes web store. You can also buy one in person at lunch on Feb 6, 7, 8, 9, and 12 in the frosh and sophomore quads. Anyone can purchase, including teachers and parents. Gram recipients will receive them in their 5th period class on Feb 14. The grams include candy, flower, eraser, and a note. Happy Valentine’s Day!
 
The Community Outreach and Improvement Program is hosting a drive for White Pony Express from through Feb 2! Please donate pantry/canned goods to the bins outside the front office and check out our website for more information and donation options! Thank you!
 
There is a blanket making drive that is happening on Friday, Feb 9 during academy in room 314 and counts towards volunteer hourkets will be donated to the Bay Area Rescue Mission Emergency Shelter in Richmond. Sign up via Walton’s academy.
 
February is Black Excellence Month! Stay tuned for the whole month of events. There is a district wide Mardi Gras dance on Friday, Feb 23 from 7-9 pm at Miramonte High School! Along with dancing and an awesome DJ, there will be food, a 360 open-air video booth, a place to hang out with friends, and an airbrush tattoo artist! Tickets will be $10 and available on your school’s website/GoFan. We are excited to see your students there!
 
Acalanes Spiritwear Available for Purchase!
Looking for Acalanes gear? Our spring webstore is now open featuring new sweatshirts, shirts, sweatpants and a lanyard. The spring webstore closes on Monday, Feb 26 and items will be available for pick-up in late March. All proceeds benefit the classes of 2025, 2026 and 2027.
 
We also have 2028 frosh spirit packs available for purchase. Spirit packs feature a limited edition 2028 hoodie, string backpack and lanyard. The last day to order these is Thursday, Apr 18 and items will be available for pick-up beginning May 1. All proceeds benefit the class of 2028.
 
There is a Dress Drive happening from Jan 22 to Mar 1. Bring any kind/type of dress (all will be accepted) to AHS (outside the front office) or to the Lafayette Community Center. Donations will be going to the Princess Project in San Francisco.
 
Is your student looking for a BLUE CREW shirt and didn’t get one? Have them stop by room 314 with $2 to get their shirt!

Lunchtime Rally on Friday, Jan 26 in the Chris Huber Gym!
YOU (our community!) are invited to attend a lunchtime rally celebrating our very successful fall sports teams who went into playoffs and won (flag football, cross country, football) and to also welcome our winter sports athletes. The rally will feature sideline cheer, along with our jazz band. Want to feel the positive energy of Acalanes High School? See you at the lunchtime rally!
 
Student Government (leadership) 2024-2025
Applications for the leadership program will be available beginning tomorrow. There is a place for everyone in leadership and the program drives student activities at Acalanes. There will be an informational meeting during lunch on Thursday, Jan 25 in room 314. If your student is even slightly interested, please encourage them to attend. Applications are due Tuesday, Feb 6. Any questions, please contact Katherine Walton.
 
Acalanes Spiritwear Available for Purchase!
Looking for Acalanes gear? Our spring webstore is now open featuring new sweatshirts, shirts, sweatpants and a lanyard. The spring webstore closes on Monday, Feb 26 and items will be available for pick-up in late March. All proceeds benefit the classes of 2025, 2026 and 2027.
 
We also have 2028 frosh spirit packs available for purchase. Spirit packs feature a limited edition 2028 hoodie, string backpack and lanyard. The last day to order these is Thursday, Apr 18 and items will be available for pick-up beginning May 1. All proceeds benefit the class of 2028.
 
The Community Outreach and Improvement Program is hosting a drive for White Pony Express from Jan 22 – Feb 2! Please donate pantry/canned goods to the bins outside the front office and check out our website for more information and donation options! Thank you!
 
Environmental Council: Household Plastics discussion on Wednesday Jan 24 during academy in room 314 with guest speaker Laura Wehrley. We will be talking about the history of plastics, why they are dangerous for the environment, and ways to reduce your usage of plastics. There will be snacks.
 
There is a Dress Drive happening from Jan 22 to Mar 1. Bring any kind/type of dress (all will be accepted) to AHS (outside the front office) or to the Lafayette Community Center. Donations will be going to the Princess Project in San Francisco.
 
Is your student looking for a BLUE CREW shirt and didn’t get one? Have them stop by room 314 with $2 to get their shirt!

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

We are back! A few invitations and reminders as we cruise into week 2 of 2nd semester!
 
Club Applications
Did your student want to start a club in the fall but didn’t get the chance? Now is the opportunity! Applications are available and due on Monday, Jan 16. A google form application is in the daily bulletin and on canvas. This Friday, Jan 19, during lunch is our Spring Club Day. Please encourage your student to stop by, check out our clubs and get involved.
 
Get ready for semester 2 and organize your school supplies!
Join us on Thursday, Jan 18 in the library at lunch! We will have snacks and school supplies to organize your backpack. This is a chance to get organized coming back from break. Encourage your student to sign up so we know who to expect!
 
Is your student looking for a BLUE CREW shirt and didn’t get one? Have them stop by room 314 with $2 to get their shirt!
 
SAVE THE DATE: Lunchtime Rally on Friday, Jan 26 in the Chris Huber Gym!
YOU (our community!) are invited to attend a lunchtime rally celebrating our very successful fall sports teams who went into playoffs and won (flag football, cross country, football) and to also welcome our winter sports athletes. The rally will feature sideline cheer, along with our jazz band. Want to feel the positive energy of Acalanes High School? See you at the lunchtime rally!
 
Future events:

• Jan 22: Leadership applications available for 2024-2025 school year
• Jan 22 & 24: Class Cup Trivia at lunch
• Jan 26: Senior Breakfast (7:30am), Senior Speaker Series (academy) and a lunchtime rally for students and community (lunch). All are invited to attend the lunchtime rally to recognize our fall sports and highlight our winter athletes!
• Jan 31: Staff/Student Trivia

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

Welcome back to 2nd semester and 2024! Students have some fun things planned for the month of January!
 
Club Applications
Did your student want to start a club in the fall but didn’t get the chance? Now is the opportunity! Applications are available Jan 9 and due Jan 16. A google form application is in the daily bulletin and on canvas.
 
Tuesday Night Basketball: Wear Blue!
First day of school and we plan to show out to boys basketball in our BLUE CREW shirts to cheer them on as they take on Clayton Valley. Need a blue crew shirt? They will be available to purchase out front for $2. See you in the Chris Huber gym!
 
Preview of upcoming events:

• Jan 19: Spring Club Day at lunch
• Jan 22: Leadership applications available for 2024-2025 school year
• Jan 22 & 24: Class Cup Trivia at lunch
• Jan 26: Senior Breakfast (7:30am), Senior Speaker Series (academy) and a lunchtime rally for students and community (lunch). All are invited to attend the lunchtime rally to recognize our fall sports and highlight our winter athletes!
• Jan 31: Staff/Student Trivia
• A whole lot more!

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

Our community is so generous – thank you for all of your support for Adopt-a-Family! We dropped off a full U-Haul this past Friday supporting over 70 families in our local community. THANK YOU Acalanes!
 
Class Fundraiser @ Minted
Looking to buy holiday cards or holiday gifts? Consider purchasing from Minted! You will receive 20% off and Acalanes classes of ‘24, ‘25, ‘26 and ‘27 will receive 15% back. Use the code FUNDRAISEACALANES
 
Preview of January programming:

• Jan 19: Spring Club Day at lunch
• Jan 22: Leadership applications available for ‘24-’25 school year
• Jan 22 & 24: Class Cup Trivia at lunch
• Jan 26: Senior Breakfast (7:30am), Senior Speaker Series (academy) and a lunchtime rally for students and community (lunch)
• Jan 31: Staff/student trivia
• A whole lot more!

It has been an incredible first semester at Acalanes! So many moments of joy and memories made for our students. Thank you for all of your support of student activities!

WINTER WEEK IS HERE- A fun and supportive week as we near the end of the first semester! The schedule of events:
 
Monday
Dress-up: Pajamas
8am: Hot cocoa in the front quad
 
Tuesday
Dress-up: Any sweater, holiday or not
Lunch: Movie in 314 with snacks
7pm: Winter Choral Concert
Frosh Connect in PE classes covering final exams and tips to prepare
 
Wednesday
Dress-up: Fuzzy socks or slippers
3pm: Exam Cram in the library with peer tutors and teachers
Frosh Connect in PE classes covering final exams and tips to prepare
 
Thursday:
Dress-up: Groutfit (all gray outfit)
Lunch: Frosh finals informational meeting in the library
Last day to purchase a raffle ticket for the 2026 gift baskets

Friday:
Dress-up: Blue, White or ACA Gear
Adopt-a-Famiy drop off (either 7:15-8:30am or 10-11am in front of the small gym)
Lunch: Therapy dogs & frosh cards and candy canes
 
Class Fundraiser @ Minted
Looking to buy holiday cards or holiday gifts? Consider purchasing from Minted! You will receive 20% off and Acalanes classes of ‘24, ‘25, ‘26 and ‘27 will receive 15% back. Use the code FUNDRAISEACALANES
 
Adopt-a-Family Drop Off is THIS WEEK!
Thank you to those contributing to adopt-a-family this holiday season! Together, we are supporting over 70 families in our local community. If you opted in, please get prepared this week! We need you to drop-off your wrapped gifts this Friday, Dec 15 either from 7:15-8:30am or from 10:15-11am in front of the small gym. We take the gifts to the non-profit Friday afternoon so we must collect all gifts during those windows. See your email for more information.
 
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!
 
Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.

Class Fundraiser @ Minted
Looking to buy holiday cards or holiday gifts? Consider purchasing from Minted! You will receive 20% off and Acalanes classes of ‘24, ‘25, ‘26 and ‘27 will receive 15% back.
Use the code FUNDRAISE ACALANES
 
Adopt-a-Family
Our community is amazing – thank you for your support of adopt-a-family this holiday season! Together, we are supporting 70 families in our local community. If you opted in, please check your email for instructions on wrapping and delivery of gifts. All gifts need to be wrapped and dropped off no later than Friday, Dec 15.
 
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!
 
Coming up in the next few weeks:

• Dec 4-8: Senior dodgeball at lunch
• Dec 7: Winter Instrumental Concert
• Dec 8 at lunch: Class of 2025 Holiday Lunch
• Dec 11-15: Winter Week dress-ups & fun
• Dec 12: Winter Choral Concert
• Dec 12/13: Frosh Connect covering final exam information
• Dec 13 at 3pm: Exam Cram (finals study session with teachers and peer tutors)
• Dec 14 at lunch: Frosh FINALS informational meeting in the library (NOT TO MISS)

SAVE THE DATE: Prom 2024 is Saturday, Apr 27 at the San Francisco Exploratorium

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

Come get organized before finals! We are hosting a backpack/binder organizational lunch on Wednesday, Nov 29 in the library. Please let us know you would like to attend by filling out this google form.
 
Class Cup is back and running this week! Class Cup is a friendly year long competition between classes with each month featuring a different event. This week, basketball is happening at lunch! Let the best team win!
 
ASB Business Spotlight: Diablo Foods
Discount: 20% off a lunch with the purchase of a sandwich. Just be sure to show them your ID card!
 
Adopt-A-Family
Thank you for your incredible support of Adopt-a-Family. As of now, we are able to support 65 families in our community – wow! If you are participating, look for an email with instructions on wrapping and drop off. 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.
 
Coming up in the next few weeks:

• Dec 7: Winter Concert
• Dec 8 @ lunch: Class of 2025 Holiday Lunch
• Dec 12/13: Frosh Connect
• Dec 13 @ 3pm: Exam Cram (finals study session with teachers and peer tutors)

SAVE THE DATE: Prom 2024 is Saturday, Apr 27 at the San Francisco Exploratorium
 
Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.

Katherine Walton, Activities Director

If you have yet to watch the 5-minute video highlighting the incredible community we have at Acalanes and how we can make it even better, please take some time to do so. We want you to see it so check it out here!
 
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 in 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!