General Announcements

APC Sends a Heartfelt Thank You to Katherine Walton!
A big thank you to Katherine Walton and the Leadership students for organizing an incredible Homecoming week! This year’s celebration was one for the books! Close to half of the student body participated in HOCO skits, over 1,100 students attended the dance, and together we raised $23,260 and filled up the entire student store with nonperishable items for the Contra Costa Food Bank. What an amazing community effort!

Katherine’s passion, dedication, and school spirit help make Acalanes such an enthusiastic, inclusive, and connected community. We’re so grateful for all she does to make Acalanes a special place for our students!

 
Thank you to our amazing custodians!
National Custodian Appreciation Day was on October 2, and we had a lot to celebrate! We celebrated our incredible Custodial Team with some Dons swag and tasty treats!  We want to say a huge THANK YOU to our wonderful custodians for ALL they do to support our students and school!  We are so grateful!!
 
And a big thank you to Stacey Hastings and Jocelyn Birrell for making this day a special one!


FRIDAY, OCT 10 WAS A SNACK ATTACK DAY FOR THE ACALANES STAFF!
Thank you to our Staff Appreciation team, Dominique Mickelson and Stacey Hastings, for creating this yummy snack bar for all our Acalanes Staff. Your generous donations to APC allow us to make sure the staff know how much we appreciate all they do to support our students.

 
DONS DIALOGUE – FRIDAY AT 8:45AM
Please join us on Friday, Oct 17, at 8:45am in the Collaboration Center for our October Dons Dialogue. APC will provide coffee and treats. All parents/caregivers welcome.

Community Service Update
Good news! Helper Helper is now approved to work with your school email addresses. Any existing accounts will stay with the current email address on your account, so there is no need to change anything. If you do not have an existing Helper Helper account already, you can email the below email address with your name, personal email, birthdate, and graduation year, and we can set one up for you. Please make sure that you are logging your volunteer hours within 30 days of the event. Also, as a reminder, there will no longer be the Presidential Volunteer Service Award. You can still complete your 30+ hours of community service for Acalanes, and will receive an Acalanes Service Award in May, and you may still log 300+ hours during your 4 years at Acalanes for the Excellence in Community Service Award. Those completing that will receive a cord to wear at graduation. Please reach out to communityservice@acalanesparentsclub.com with any questions.

Stay Connected:  Follow the Acalanes Parents Club on Instagram to keep up to date on what’s happening at Acalanes and reminders for important dates. Please reach out to APC here with any questions.

Community Service Update
Good news! Helper Helper is now approved to work with your school email addresses. Any existing accounts will stay with the current email address on your account, so there is no need to change anything. If you do not have an existing Helper Helper account already, you can email the below email address with your name, personal email, birthdate, and graduation year, and we can set one up for you. Please make sure that you are logging your volunteer hours within 30 days of the event. Also, as a reminder, there will no longer be the Presidential Volunteer Service Award. You can still complete your 30+ hours of community service for Acalanes, and will receive an Acalanes Service Award in May, and you may still log 300+ hours during your 4 years at Acalanes for the Excellence in Community Service Award. Those completing that will receive a cord to wear at graduation. Please reach out to communityservice@acalanesparentsclub.com with any questions.
 
Preparing for a Teen Driver – Free Parent Information Night
We know that the process of teaching your teen how to drive and earn their license can feel daunting. That’s why we are excited to offer an informative presentation by driving experts and Greenlight Simulation founders. Their team will lay out the steps to acquire a license and provide some foundational tips on how to approach behind-the-wheel driver training with your teen. *Flyer to follow.

• What: Parent Pit Stop – A Guide To Getting Your Teen Behind The Wheel
• When: Tuesday, Oct 7, 6:30-8:00pm
• Where: Acalanes High School Library

We hope you can join us, space is limited so please be sure to RSVP here.

Stay Connected:  Follow the Acalanes Parents Club on Instagram to keep up to date on what’s happening at Acalanes and reminders for important dates. Please reach out to APC here with any questions.

SEPTEMBER APC DONS DIALOGUE – Slides!
Thank you to all who attended our September Dons Dialogue on Friday, we had a packed room. We kicked off the meeting with a brief General APC meeting with approval of the 2025-26 budget. This Dons Dialogue topics included: LPIE “In the Know”, Transitioning to “By-Trustee-Area” Elections for Governing Board, ACA Friday Nights Committee, Homecoming, and ASB Activities Update and Q&A w/ Principal Shawn. If you were not able to attend, here are the slides from the discussion.

Thank you again 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, Oct 17.  Click here for the full schedule of upcoming Dons Dialogues.
 
Fall 2025 Grants Applications: Deadline extended one more week!
Have you seen the giant blue Adirondack chair? How could you miss it?! Thanks to an APC grant, Dan Appel and his students built it last year – turning a fun woodworking project into a great team effort and a heartfelt way to honor Amin.
 
The APC grant application deadline has been extended! Teachers, parents, and students are invited to submit ideas for innovative programs or equipment that will enrich learning and build school spirit at AHS. Applications are due Friday, Sept 26.

Click the link for more information and to access the application.

 
Preparing for a Teen Driver – Free Parent Information Night
We know that the process of teaching your teen how to drive and earn their license can feel daunting. That’s why we are excited to offer an informative presentation by driving experts and Greenlight Simulation founders. Their team will lay out the steps to acquire a license and provide some foundational tips on how to approach behind-the-wheel driver training with your teen. *Flyer to follow.

• What: Parent Pit Stop – A Guide To Getting Your Teen Behind The Wheel
• When: Tuesday, Oct 7, 6:30-8:00pm
• Where: Acalanes High School Library

We hope you can join us, space is limited so please be sure to RSVP here.

Stay Connected:  Follow the Acalanes Parents Club on Instagram to keep up to date on what’s happening at Acalanes and reminders for important dates. Please reach out to APC here with any questions.

Peer Tutoring
The 2025-2026 Peer Tutoring Program is off to a great start!

Peer Tutoring aims to better the educational, social and emotional well-being of all Acalanes High School students and support them in developing the skills necessary to succeed in academics and life post high school.

We are open and ready to welcome students in Room 107. Students can drop in to receive help from junior and senior student tutors in any AHS academic subject, or just come in to do homework, read or study.

We are thankful to the Acalanes Parents Club for continuing to fully fund and support this program.

Hours of operation: Everyday @ lunch, Monday & Wednesday @ Academy, 7th period, and Monday through Thursday after school for 1 hour after the last school bell rings.

We look forward to seeing your students! Follow us on our new Instagram page: @acalanespeertutoring
 
Fall 2025 Grants Application Now Available!
Calling all teachers, parents, and 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, Sept 19.
 
Click here to read more and access the application!

Lunchtime Volunteer Opportunity!
We have an amazing opportunity to volunteer on campus!  We are looking for volunteers to help oversee the student lunch line in the cafeteria and keep it running smoothly on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Volunteer shifts are less than an hour, and there are a lot of dates to choose from. Sign up once or for multiple shifts!  Volunteer with a friend! This is a super easy and fun way to volunteer on campus during lunch and support our students. Click here to learn more and to sign up!  Please check in at the front office when you arrive for your volunteer shift.  Go Dons!!
 
Preparing for a Teen Driver– Free Parent Information Night
We know that the process of teaching your teen how to drive and earn their license can feel daunting. That’s why we are excited to offer an informative presentation by driving experts and Greenlight Simulation founders. Their team will lay out the steps to acquire a license and provide some foundational tips on how to approach behind-the-wheel driver training with your teen. *Flyer to follow.

• What: Parent Pit Stop – A Guide To Getting Your Teen Behind The Wheel
• When: Tuesday, Oct 7, 6:30-8:00pm
• Where: Acalanes High School Library

Stay Connected:  Follow the Acalanes Parents Club on Instagram to keep up to date on what’s happening at Acalanes and reminders for important dates. Please reach out to APC here with any questions.

Peer Tutoring
The 2025-2026 Peer Tutoring Program is off to a great start!

Peer Tutoring aims to better the educational, social and emotional well-being of all Acalanes High School students and support them in developing the skills necessary to succeed in academics and life post high school.

We are open and ready to welcome students in Room 107. Students can drop in to receive help from junior and senior student tutors in any AHS academic subject, or just come in to do homework, read or study.

We are thankful to the Acalanes Parents Club for continuing to fully fund and support this program.

Hours of operation: Everyday @ lunch, Monday & Wednesday @ Academy, 7th period, and Monday through Thursday after school for 1 hour after the last school bell rings.

We look forward to seeing your students!
Follow us on our new Instagram page: @acalanespeertutoring
 
Fall 2025 Grants Application Now Available!
Calling all teachers, parents, and 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, Sept 19.
 
Click here to read more and access the application!
 
Community Service
Anyone wishing to set up a Helper Helper account to log their community service hours should be using their personal email address. If you’d like to set up an account, please email from your personal email account to: communityservice@acalanesparentsclub.comand include your personal email, name, birthdate, and graduation year.
 
If you have an existing account linked to your school email, please be patient as we work through a solution to change this. Any communication to the above email address should come from your personal email address.
 
Please Consider Volunteering!
If you are looking for fun, easy ways to support our Dons, APC has a wide variety of events throughout the calendar year. The snack shack during football games, community support at the Lafayette Food & Wine Fest and ResRun, passing out snacks during finals weeks, and new volunteer events geared for Dons Dads only are just a few of the APC volunteer opportunities. Please check out our full list and sign up today – and don’t forget to invite your friends to join you!
 
Stay Connected:  Follow the Acalanes Parents Club on Instagram to keep up to date on what’s happening at Acalanes and reminders for important dates. Please reach out to APC here with any questions.

Fall 2025 Grants Application Now Available!
Calling all teachers, parents, and 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, Sept 19.
 
Click here to read more and access the application!

Community Service
Anyone wishing to set up a Helper Helper account to log their community service hours should be using their personal email address. If you’d like to set up an account, please email from your personal email account to: communityservice@acalanesparentsclub.com and include your personal email, name, birthdate and graduation year.
 
If you have an existing account linked to your school email, please be patient as we work through a solution to change this. Any communication to the above email address should come from your personal email address.
 
Please Consider Volunteering!
If you are looking for fun, easy ways to support our Dons, APC has a wide variety of events throughout the calendar year. The snack shack during football games, community support at the Lafayette Food & Wine Fest and ResRun, passing out snacks during finals weeks, and new volunteer events geared for Dons Dads only are just a few of the APC volunteer opportunities. Please check out our full list and sign up today – and don’t forget to invite your friends to join you!

Stay Connected:  Follow the Acalanes Parents Club on Instagram to keep up to date on what’s happening at Acalanes and reminders for important dates. Please reach out to APC here with any questions.

Acalanes Back to School Night (BTSN) is Thursday, August 28 from 5:15-8pm! Please plan to join at 5:15pm in the front quad for a Parent and Staff Reception hosted by the Acalanes Parents Club (APC). Principal Shawn will share some remarks around 5:30pm and classroom visits start at 6pm.
 
This evening is for us, the parents/caregivers, to experience what our students experience each and every school day – you don’t want to miss it!
 
A full program, including details about classroom sessions will be available in the APC newsletter next weekend.

See the APC in Action section below for more important dates.

Join us for the Dons Dialogue Friday, Aug 22 at 8:45am!
Acalanes Parents Club is pleased to invite you to our first Dons Dialogue of the 2025-2026 school year! Dons Dialogues are the best way to find out what’s going on at Acalanes!

These monthly forums provide parents with the opportunity to hear directly from Principal Eric Shawn and other AHS faculty regarding academics, student activities, department information, hot topics on campus, plus open Q&A. APC will provide coffee and treats. All parents/caregivers welcome. This month’s topics include:

• Welcome & New Admin Team
• ACA Strong Values
• Student Expectations Review
  • Cellphone & AI Expectations
  • New Email Protocols & Safety (Move to Personal Email)
  • Academic Honesty & Cheating
  • Academy Expectations
  • Campus Expectations
• Athletic PE Update
• BTSN Reminders
• Leadership Activities Update

Please reach out to APC here with any questions.
 
Thank you Dons Day Volunteers!
It was wonderful to see everyone at Dons Day this past Monday!  We want to give a HUGE thank you to our amazing Dons Day Planning Team: Amber Harley, Ashley Matter, Jess Phillips, Jill Sammons and Ali Krick for making it such an incredible day!!  And THANK YOU to all the parents and students who volunteered that day!  We could not have done it without all of you!  Go Dons!!
 

 
Thank you APC Staff Appreciation Team!
APC welcomed AHS staff back to school with coffee and bagels – with all the toppings – to kick off the school year. A huge shout out to Stacey Hastings and Dominique Mickelson, our Staff Appreciation Coordinators, for organizing such a great event for our staff! We also want to thank Jocelyn Werner for bringing in homemade muffins! There will be many more staff appreciation events throughout the year so look for ways you can help donate or bake. It is YOUR donations to APC that help make these staff appreciation events possible. Thank you!!!


 
Please Consider Volunteering!
If you are looking for fun, easy ways to support our Dons, APC has a wide variety of events throughout the calendar year. The snack shack during football games, community support at the Lafayette Food & Wine Fest and ResRun, passing out snacks during finals weeks, and new volunteer events geared for Dons Dads only are just a few APC volunteer opportunities. Please check out our full list and sign up today – and don’t forget to invite your friends to join you!
 
Stay Connected:  Follow the Acalanes Parents Club on Instagram to keep up to date on what’s happening at Acalanes and reminders for important dates. Please reach out to APC here with any questions.

First Week of School Schedule
We have an adjusted bell schedule for the first week of school. Please share with your students. Tuesday and Wednesday are Anchor Days (aka “see all days”), Thursday and Friday will follow the regular block schedule.

Student Parking Permits
The Acalanes Parking Pass is $85.00 per student for our 25-26 school year.  Payment is at checkout on the web store with your registration. permits are ONLY for current 11th & 12th grade students with a valid driver’s license. 

To Pick Up Your Pass At Dons Day:

1. Prior to Dons Day, please complete the Acalanes Parking Permit Google Form indicating you have read and agreed to AHS Parking Expectations.  Pay for your permit through the web store.
2. On Dons Day YOU MUST bring and show your  CURRENT AND VALID DRIVERS LICENSE.

See the APC in Action section below for more important dates.