General Announcements

Acalanes Student Job Fair on Wednesday, Mar 15 from 12:45-1:30pm in the Main Quad (front of campus by Flag Pole)
Acalanes is sponsoring a student Job Fair aimed at bringing our local business partners and services onto campus to connect students with employment opportunities. If you and your business would like to participate, there is no fee for the event, however businesses must RSVP and receive approval to attend in advance.
 
To sign up, please email Associate Principal Andrea Powers at apowers@auhsdschools.org and Nicole Singleterry at nsingleterry@auhsdschools.org

Business and Event Details

• 12pm:  Business check in and table set up
• 12:45-1:30pm:  Student Job Fair
• 1:30-2pm:  Clean up

Career Academies: Would You Like to Share Your Experience?
The Acalanes College and Career Center will host Career Academies from 10:10-11:05am during March and April and we’d like to invite interested parents, alumni, and community members to share their career experiences/pathways with our students.
 
At Acalanes, we encourage our students to begin investigating the great number of career options available and the many different career pathways that people take to find their chosen career. Here are the Academy dates:

• Mar 15: Engineering Career Academy
• Mar 22: Business Career Academy
• Mar 29: Computer Science Career Academy
• Apr 12  : Alumni Academy- Young professionals who recently graduated from Acalanes sharing their pathways/experiences
• Apr 14 : Trade Academy- Roofing, Electrical, Plumbing, Automotive, and more
• Apr 26 : Health Academy

If you would like to be a presenter or know someone who would be a good fit, please email Debbie Levy, dlevy@auhsdschools.org. Please provide your name, industry, and phone number. We will follow up with all contacts. Thank you for your support in helping our students explore careers.
 
Our AP Students need YOUR help!
We are searching for parents to help with Proctoring AP Exams the first two weeks of May. Exam dates: May 1- May 5 and May 8 – May 12. Exams start everyday at either 8am or 12pm. Students know to show up 30 minutes prior to start time for check in. Proctors for morning exams would be needed starting at 7:15am and afternoon exams starting at 11:15am. Exams can range from 2-4 hours, please plan to stay for the longest amount of time possible. Restrictions: Parents, you are NOT allowed to proctor an exam that your own child is taking.
If you are interested in learning more about proctoring AP exams, please contact the Acalanes Testing Coordinator, Nicole Singleterry at nsingleterry@auhsdschools.org.

Be sure to read Principal Shawn’s email regarding “Upcoming Course Selection Events at Acalanes”. Click here to read the email on Parent Square.
 
Policies & Procedures Reminder
As we move further along into our second semester, we want to share a few friendly reminders regarding the day to day policies and procedures outlined in our StudentHandbook.

1. Students must have a hall pass when leaving class at any time. 
   • Students repeatedly in the hallways without a pass will be followed up with.
   • Students are not to be leaving class and roaming campus, the pass should be used respectfully.
2. The parking lot is off limits to students during the school day. This includes eating lunch in their cars. Only cars with AHS parking permits are allowed to park in  student designated parking spots.
3. Acalanes is not an open campus, which means students are not allowed to leave during brunch, lunch, or Academy.
4. Please review the AUHSD Attendance Policies  as outlined in the StudentHandbook.

Course selections for the 2023-2024 are due Friday, Feb 8! Acalanes has a wealth of resources available to assist you and your students in the process.
 
OPEN HOUSE & COURSE PREVIEW



A detailed program for the evening will be available on the 26th. The planned breakout session timing is;
Session 1:  6:35-7:00pm
Session 2:  7:05-7:30pm
Session 3:  7:35-8:00pm*
Open Session (drop in any time): 6:15-8:00pm
 
*Please note, new this year, is a required session for all students planning to take 2+ AP/Honors Classes. This important session will be held during Open House & Course Preview from 7:35-8pm in the PAC. Parents are invited to attend with your students at Open House! There will also be a makeup session (for students only) during Academy on Friday, Jan 27.
 
GRADE LEVEL STUDENT PRESENTATIONS
All 9th, 10th and 11th grade students recently attended grade specific presentations on course options with counselors, admin and teachers. The presentations are available below for parents to review and discuss with students. We encourage you to take a look, there is a lot of good information! 
Rising Sophomores (Current Frosh) In–House Course Preview Presentation
Rising Juniors (Current Sophomores) In–House Course Preview Presentation
Rising Seniors (Current Juniors) In–House Course Preview Presentation
 
9th & 10th GRADE PARENT NIGHT SLIDES
The library was packed with Frosh/Soph parents on Jan 12! If you missed the evening or want additional access to all the valuable information shared, please see these slides below. Thank you to the parents and counselors for a great session! 
Frosh/Soph Parent Night Slides

AUHSD Curriculum Survey
On Jan 19 and 20, all Acalanes students will take a survey about the English and Social Science curriculum. Our district has engaged in work around our curriculum and would like to hear input from our students. Student feedback will be valuable as we strengthen the curriculum and refine our Ethnic Studies course.

Course selections for the 2023-2024 are due Friday, Feb 3! Acalanes has a wealth of resources available to assist you and your students in the process.
 
OPEN HOUSE & COURSE PREVIEW

Open House & Course Preview is back in person this year! A detailed program for the evening will be available next week. Please note, new this year, is a strongly recommended session for all students planning to take 2+ Honors/AP Classes. This important session will be held during Open House & Course Preview from 7:35-8:00pm, with a makeup session during Academy on Friday, Jan 27.
 
GRADE LEVEL STUDENT PRESENTATIONS
All 9th, 10th and 11th grade students recently attended grade specific presentations on course options with counselors, admin and teachers. The presentations are available below for parents to review and discuss with students. We encourage you to take a look, there is a lot of good information!
Rising Sophomores (Current Frosh) In–House Course Preview Presentation
Rising Juniors (Current Sophomores) In–House Course Preview Presentation
Rising Seniors (Current Juniors) In–House Course Preview Presentation
 
9th & 10th GRADE PARENT NIGHT
The library was packed with Frosh/Soph parents this past Thursday night! If you missed the evening or want additional access to all the valuable information shared, please see these slides below. Thank you to the parents and counselors for a great session!
Frosh/Soph Parent Night Slides

Attention Senior Parents/Guardians: Graduation will be here before you know it! In preparation, we will be ordering diplomas by the end of January and want to make sure all student names are accurately reflected in our Aeries database. Your student can check the name postings on the window of the Counseling Office, or you/your student can check your Aeries portal (select Student Information, then Demographics). For any changes, please contact Emily Finn (efinn@auhsdschools.org) in the Counseling Office by Friday, Jan 20. Thank you, and we hope your student has an excellent last semester at Acalanes!

2023-2024 Academic Calendar: The AUHSD Governing Board recently approved the Academic Calendar for next school year, view here.

Congratulations! We are happy to announce that our very own Ava Freeman has been awarded the Contra Costa County Student Humanitarian of the Year! Contra Costa County proudly honors a high school student each year who is an inspiration to fellow students. Ava was nominated by Mr. Robert Porter, her Studio Art teacher, and was selected by the county for setting an example for others and living Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s dream of equality, peace, justice, non-violence, leadership and inspiration. We are incredibly proud of her!
 
Ava will be recognized at the 45th Annual Ceremony celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. King on Tuesday, Jan 17 at 11am. To learn more about this ceremony, visit www.contracosta.ca.gov/5307 on the Contra Costa County website.
 
Congrats Ava!

Calling all creative minds! AHS is proud to announce a student competition to design our newly adopted mission and vision classroom posters, sponsored by Project LPIE.
 
Check out past designs and poster requirement here: Poster Design Contest Details
 
Competition Winners: A committee of students, staff and LPIE Board Members will review all submissions. Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 designs and the top design will be printed and displayed in every classroom and in the office at AHS.
 
Students should submit their design to Principal Shawn at eshawn@auhsdschools.org or drop physical designs at the main office.
 
Deadline for Submissions: Jan 27. Parents, please encourage your students to participate!
 

Our AP Students need YOUR help! We are searching for parents to help with proctoring AP Exams the first two weeks of May. Exam dates are May 1-5 and May 8-12.
 
Exams start everyday at either 8am or 12pm. Students know to show up 30 minutes prior to start time for check in. Proctors for morning exams would be needed starting at 7:15am and afternoon exams starting at 11:15am. Exams can range from 2-4 hours and we ask that you please plan to stay for the longest amount of time possible. Restrictions: Parents, you are NOT allowed to proctor an exam that your own child is taking.
 
If you are interested in learning more about proctoring AP exams, please contact the Acalanes Testing Coordinator, Nicole Singleterry at nsingleterry@auhsdschools.org

FINALS SCHEDULE: May 23 – 26
Parents take note of this week’s finals schedule. Tomorrow is a regular, see-all Monday and Finals start Tuesday. A great way to help support our students during finals is to help out with Finals Fuel (see below).


During Finals, Peer Tutoring will be open Tuesday-Thursday from 12:50-2:50pm. The Library will be open from 7:30am to 3:00pm Tuesday & Thursday and from 7:30am to 1:00pm Wednesday & Friday. 
 
IMPORTANT INFO FOR ALL SENIOR FAMILIES
Here is all the information senior families need to know to close out the year.

1. Senior Wrap–Up & To–Do List – print this off and use the to-do list as you wrap up senior year.
2. Senior Graduation Information – anything and everything senior families need to know for graduation and all leading up to it.
3. Graduation field map for families – please share this with your family and friends that will be attending graduation. Remind your students to let all family members know which side of the stadium they will be sitting in (they find out at rehearsal) so you can have a better view of  your senior walking the stage.
4. AHS Senior Survey – seniors need to take a few minutes to fill out your final AHS survey.

Congratulations Class of 2023!

Mission and Vision Poster Design Contest
Calling all creative minds! AHS is proud to announce a student competition to design our newly adopted mission and vision classroom posters, sponsored by Project LPIE.

Check out past designs and poster requirement here: Poster Design Contest Details
 
Competition Winners: A committee of students, staff and LPIE Board Members will review all submissions. Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 designs and the top design will be printed and displayed in every classroom and in the office at AHS.
 
Students should submit their design to Principal Shawn at eshawn@auhsdschools.org or drop physical designs at the main office. Deadline for Submissions: January 27, 2023
Parents, please encourage your students to participate (after exams)!

AP Exam Proctors Needed – Great Volunteer Opportunity
Our AP Students need YOUR help! We are searching for parents to help with proctoring AP Exams the first two weeks of May 2023. Exam dates are May 1-5 and May 8-12.
 
Exams start everyday at either 8am or 12pm. Students know to show up 30 minutes prior to start time for check in. Proctors for morning exams would be needed starting at 7:15am and afternoon exams starting at 11:15am. Exams can range from 2-4 hours and we ask that you please plan to stay for the longest amount of time possible. Restrictions: Parents, you are NOT allowed to proctor an exam that your own child is taking.
 
If you are interested in learning more about proctoring AP exams, please contact the Acalanes Testing Coordinator, Nicole Singleterry at nsingleterry@auhsdschools.org

We have your students covered as they prepare to finish the semester strong! Please be sure to visit our website for even more information on all the events planned to support our students through finals.
 
Tuesday, Dec 6 Frosh Finals Informational Meeting at Lunch in the Library
Come hear from teachers in English, Math, World History, Living Earth & World Language about best practices to prep for finals. They will not only share information on finals, but best ways to study as well.

Finals goodie bags will be given to the first 150 Frosh thanks to APC!
 
Wednesday, Dec 7 ‘Wellness in the Winter’ Session during Academy
Our Wellness in the Winter session is a space to gather together and practice coping skills to thrive during finals and a long break with family.
 
Wednesday, Dec 7 Exam Jam from 3-5pm in the Library
Kick start your finals studying and preparation during exam jam. We will have teachers from each department, along with peer tutors, on hand to support and answer questions. It is a great opportunity to finish up study guides, begin to study while enjoying delicious snacks and a quiet environment. See you there!
And don’t forget to encourage your student to take advantage of these additional resources this week:

• Peer Tutoring during every academy, lunch, 7th period, and every day 1 hour after the final school bell.
• Wellness Center will be open for students to drop in Monday through Friday from 8am – 4pm (with teacher approval during class hours).
• Acalanes library will be open from 7:30am to 5pm daily.

Check out our Finals Prep Webpage for more information and resources!