General Announcements

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS
Congratulations to all of the 233 students who completed 30+ hours of community service over the past year. Please see the attached list of all of our amazing community service students. Each student can print their digital award for their own keeping if they choose.
 
We have 12 seniors that will be earning the Excellence in Community Service Award this year. These students have completed over 300 hours of community service during their 4 years at Acalanes. Please join us in congratulating:
Lauren Anderson
Alvera Bamorya
Jackson Crinnion
Liam Crinnion
Lauren Foster
Darren Ho
Miela Hsu
Addison Mandell
Donovan McGrath
Audrey Parkin
Addyson Stevens
Samantha Swift
 
These students may pick up a certificate and a special cord to wear at graduation on Wednesday, May 13th at lunch.
 
TEACHER APPRECIATION OPPORTUNITY!
Teacher Appreciation Week is next week!  We’re excited to celebrate our amazing teachers and staff all week long, and we’ll be wrapping it up with a special lunch for everyone.  Please consider signing up HERE to help make this lunch extra special—we couldn’t do it without your support!  Thank you so much for helping us show our appreciation!
 
INTERESTED IN GETTING MORE INVOLVED?
We are looking for parents/guardians to join our Acalanes Parents Club team for the 2026-27 school year.
 
We have openings for the following roles.
Senior Rally: typically junior parents, help coordinate the Senior Rally in the park
Student Community Service Coordinator: organize community service program for students, including Helper Helper app
 
If you are interested in learning more about any role, please reach out to APC Parliamentarians, Andrea Hilsabeck or Michele Colaco.

INTERESTED IN GETTING MORE INVOLVED?
We are looking for parents/guardians to join our Acalanes Parents Club team for the 2026-27 school year.
 
We have openings for the following roles.
Newsletter Editor: help gather and organize content for the weekly APC newsletter
Senior Rally: typically junior parents, help coordinate the Senior Rally in the park
Student Community Service Coordinator: organize community service program for students, including Helper Helper app
 
If you are interested in learning more about any role, please reach out to APC Parliamentarians, Andrea Hilsabeck or Michele Colaco.

APRIL DONS DIALOGUE – Friday, April 24 at 8:45am
Please join us for our final Dons Dialogue of this school year. We will start at 8:45am with a brief general meeting to vote on our 2026-27 Board of Directors slate (see below) and then we’ll proceed with the Dons Dialogue discussion. Grab a friend and join us for another informative forum – coffee and treats will be served!
 
2026-2027 Parents Club Board Nominees
President: Jocelyn Birrell
VP Special Projects: Jennie Dobies
VP Communications: Jen Ruhl
VP Community Partners: Lynna McPhatter-Harris
VP Fundraising: Samira Abrams
VP Services: Ali Krick
Co-Head Liaisons: Sarah Cusumano & Amy Lewis
Secretary: Liz Keyser
Treasurer: Rick Phillips
Assistant Treasurer: Fredi Gorham
Auditor: Courtney Griffin
Past President/Parliamentarian: Michele Colaco
 
INTERESTED IN GETTING MORE INVOLVED?
We are looking for parents/guardians to join our Acalanes Parents Club team for the 2026-27 school year.
 
We have openings for the following roles.
Newsletter Editor: help gather and organize content for the weekly APC newsletter
Senior Rally: typically junior parents, help coordinate the Senior Rally in the park
Student Community Service Coordinator: organize community service program for students, including Helper Helper app
 
If you are interested in learning more about any role, please reach out to APC Parliamentarians, Andrea Hilsabeck or Michele Colaco.

Helper Helper Deadline Friday, April 17th
Friday, April 17th is the last day to submit and get hours validated for this year’s Community Service Awards. The award period is from April 19, 2025 through April 17, 2026. Anyone accruing at least 30 hours during this awards period will receive an award. Anyone accruing 300+ hours during their 4 years at Acalanes will receive an Excellence in Community Service Award and receive a cord to wear at graduation. Any hours not validated on the Helper Helper app by the volunteer coordinator of any hours you have inputted by April 17th, will not count. Please follow up with the coordinators of your volunteer hours to get them approved by April 17th. Please reach out to communityservice@acalanesparentsclub.com with any questions.

APC Grants Have Been Awarded, Spring ‘26
A heartfelt thank-you to all the teachers, students and staff who submitted proposals for an APC Spring Grant! These grants are made possible through the generous annual donations of our Acalanes parents. We are truly grateful for your continued support!
We are pleased to announce the following grants have been awarded:

• A new ball bin for lunchtime will make it easier for students to access equipment, encouraging active play and connection during breaks.
• We’re also funding banner frames for the front fence, helping showcase school spirit, student achievements, and important community messaging in a more visible and polished way.
• A new 3D printer for the Science department will expand hands-on learning opportunities, allowing students to create materials for labs and projects while supporting innovation.
• To support sustainable transportation and student safety, APC has funded the installation of two new wave-style bike racks, accommodating up to 18 bikes, including larger e-bikes. This addition will help reduce congestion at the front of the gym and create a safer, more organized space for student riders.
• Finally, we’re excited to invest in our student leaders through a Peer Tutoring Training and Team-Building Event. This off-site experience will help tutors refine their skills, collaborate more effectively, and strengthen problem-solving abilities, all while celebrating their dedication and service to our school community.

Congratulations to all of our Spring APC Grant recipients for their creativity, innovation, and dedication to enriching the Acalanes student experience!
 

Proposed 2026-2027 APC Board Slate 
Please see the proposed slate for the 2026-2027 APC Board. Join us for our APC General Meeting (held at the start of the April Dons Dialogue on Friday, April 24) to vote on this proposed slate. 

2026-2027 Parents Club Board Nominees
President: Jocelyn Birrell
VP Special Projects: Jennie Dobies
VP Communications: Jen Ruhl
VP Community Partners: Lynna McPhatter-Harris
VP Fundraising: Samira Abrams
VP Services: Ali Krick
Co-Head Liaisons: Sarah Cusumano & Amy Lewis
Secretary: Liz Keyser
Treasurer: Rick Phillips
Assistant Treasurer: Fredi Gorham
Auditor: Courtney Griffin
Past President/Parliamentarian: Michele Colaco 

If you have any questions, please contact APC Parliamentarians, Andrea Hilsabeck or Michele Colaco.

Helper Helper Update for Community Service Hours
Please continue to log your volunteer service hours in the Helper Helper app. If you see that you have some hours that have not been validated, it is up to you to contact the coordinator for the volunteer event and ask them to please validate them. Hours validated before April 17, 2026 will be counted in this awards period. Anything not validated by then will not be counted.

As a reminder, you will receive the Acalanes Service Award for completing at least 30 hours between the dates of April 19, 2025 and April 17th, 2026. Any student completing 300 hours or more during their time at Acalanes is eligible for the Excellence Award and will receive a cord to wear at graduation.

Please reach out to communityservice@acalanesparentsclub.org with any questions.

Helper Helper Update for Community Service Hours
Please continue to log your volunteer service hours in the Helper Helper app. If you see that you have some hours that have not been validated, it is up to you to contact the coordinator for the volunteer event and ask them to please validate them. Hours validated before April 17, 2026 will be counted in this awards period. Anything not validated by then will not be counted.

As a reminder, you will receive the Acalanes Service Award for completing at least 30 hours between the dates of April 19, 2025 and April 17th, 2026. Any student completing 300 hours or more during their time at Acalanes is eligible for the Excellence Award and will receive a cord to wear at graduation.
Please reach out to communityservice@acalanesparentsclub.org with any questions.

February APC Dons Dialogue
Thank you to all who attended our Dons Dialogue on Friday, Feb 20. It was a good turnout. This month’s topics included Project LPIE, CAASPP Testing review, the new digital hallpass system, and Q&A with Principal Shawn. If you were not able to attend, here are the slides.
 
Thank you to our APC Hospitality Co-Chairs, Mia Heglie and Monica Stassi, for providing the welcoming coffee and treats! The next Dons Dialogue will be on Friday, March 20.  Click here for the full schedule of upcoming Dons Dialogues.
 
Spring 2026 Grants Application Deadline Extended Again!
Calling all teachers, parents, students in the Acalanes community! 
Acalanes Parents Club is looking to award grants that will enhance and enrich the educational experience of AHS students in new and innovative ways. Teachers, staff and students are encouraged to submit ideas for meaningful programs and educational equipment. Applications are now due by Friday, Feb 27. Click here to read more and access the application!

February Dons Dialogue – this Friday at 8:45am
Join us on Friday, Feb 20 in the Collaboration Center for coffee, treats and informative dialogue!  This month’s topics include;

• Project LPIE
• CAASPP testing information
• New digital hallpass system
• Q&A with Principal Shawn

The APC Dons Dialogues are the best way to stay in the loop with what is happening on campus, ask any questions you may have or just connect with the Acalanes community.
We hope to see you Friday!

Community Service- Helper Helper Hours
Please continue to log your volunteer service hours in the Helper Helper app. If you see that you have some hours that have not been validated, it is up to you to contact the coordinator for the volunteer event and ask them to please validate them. Hours validated before April 17, 2026 will be counted in this awards period. Anything not validated by then will not be counted.
 
As a reminder, you will receive the Acalanes Service Award for completing at least 30 hours between the dates of Apr 19, 2025 and Apr 17, 2026. Any student completing 300 hours or more during their time at Acalanes is eligible for the Excellence Award and will receive a cord to wear at graduation. Please reach out to communityservice@acalanesparentsclub.org with any questions.

Spring 2026 Grants Application Deadline Extended!
Calling all teachers, parents, students in the Acalanes community! 
Acalanes Parents Club is looking to award grants that will enhance and enrich the educational experience of AHS students in new and innovative ways. Teachers, staff and students are encouraged to submit ideas for meaningful programs and educational equipment. Applications are due by Friday, Feb 29. Click here to read more and access the application!

Community Service- Helper Helper Hours
Please continue to log your volunteer service hours in the Helper Helper app. If you see that you have some hours that have not been validated, it is up to you to contact the coordinator for the volunteer event and ask them to please validate them. Hours validated before April 17, 2026 will be counted in this awards period. Anything not validated by then will not be counted.
 
As a reminder, you will receive the Acalanes Service Award for completing at least 30 hours between the dates of Apr 19, 2025 and Apr 17, 2026. Any student completing 300 hours or more during their time at Acalanes is eligible for the Excellence Award and will receive a cord to wear at graduation. Please reach out to communityservice@acalanesparentsclub.org with any questions.

Spring 2026 Grants Application Now Available!
Calling all teachers, parents, students in the Acalanes community! 
Acalanes Parents Club is looking to award grants that will enhance and enrich the educational experience of AHS students in new and innovative ways. Teachers, staff and students are encouraged to submit ideas for meaningful programs and educational equipment. Applications are due by Friday, Feb 13. Click here to read more and access the application!

Spring 2026 Grants Application Now Available!
Calling all teachers, parents, students in the Acalanes community! 
Acalanes Parents Club is looking to award grants that will enhance and enrich the educational experience of AHS students in new and innovative ways. Teachers, staff and students are encouraged to submit ideas for meaningful programs and educational equipment. Applications are due by Friday, Feb 13. Click here to read more and access the application!