Weekly News & Announcements

Finals Prep

We have your students covered as they prepare to finish the semester strong! Please be sure to visit our APC website for even more information on all events planned to support our students through finals.



And don’t forget to encourage your student to take advantage of these resources:

• Peer Tutoring on Monday, Dec 15, regular hours (lunch, 7th period and after school until 4:00pm); and Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (Dec 16-18) from 12:50-3:00pm.
• The Wellness Center is open for students to drop in Monday, Dec 15, regular hours (8:00am to 4:00pm); and Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday (Dec 16-19) from 8:00am to 1:00pm
• The Acalanes library's hours during Finals Week are modifed:
  • Tuesday, 12/16, 7:30-3:00 pm
  • Wednesday, 12/17, 7:30-3:00 pm
  • Thursday, 12/18, 7:30-1:00 pm
  • Friday, 12/19, 7:30-1:00 pm

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

Parents Club Pro-Tip

Here are some valuable pro-tips from seasoned student leaders that we want to share:

• Check in with your students about finals. Encourage them to take advantage of the many resources available to help study and de-stress. Visit the APC website for a reminder of resources available.
• Encourage your student to visit the RogerHub website to utilize their Final Grade Calculator. Some students find it helpful to calculate what score they need to achieve on their final exam in order to get the semester grade they desire in the class.

Let’s face it, finals can be a stressful time not only for our students, but also us parents, so hang in there!

Acalanes Community Always (ACA)

Donation Drive for Grateful Gatherings
We are collecting new or like new kitchen items for Grateful Gatherings, a nonprofit that helps furnish homes for families transitioning out of homelessness or crisis. Collection bins will be in front of the main office all day from Dec 8 through Dec 19. If you have any questions, please email Molly Aldrich at molly.aldrich26@auhsdschools.org 

Campus Culture Committee

Acalanes Parent Club – Campus Culture Committee (CCC) Update
As we continue the 2025–2026 school year, the Campus Culture Committee (CCC) is focused on building a stronger parent support system for all student groups on campus. We’re also working closely with staff on issues that impact our students.

 
🌟 December Days of Recognition & Celebration

• Dec 14–22 – Hanukkah
• Dec 25 – Christmas
• Dec 26–Jan 1 – Kwanzaa

 
Join Us Monthly! (In-Person & Virtual Meetings)
Meeting Schedule | 6:00–7:30pm

• Dec – No Meeting
• Jan 12 – Virtual
• Feb 9 – In-Person
• Mar 16 – Virtual
• Apr 20 – In-Person (Final Meeting)
• May – No Meeting

Student Activities

It has been a wonderful 1st semester! Thank you for your support of student activities on this campus. We are really proud of our students, their engagement, their spirit, and their commitment to one another & our Acalanes community.
 
Acalanes Winter Spiritwear pick-up!
If you ordered Acalanes spiritwear via the winter webstore, it is available for pick-up beginning tomorrow before school, brunch & lunch in room 314. If you have any questions, please email Katherine Walton
 
ADOPT-A-FAMILY:  Thank you!
This year we supported 64 families in our community and dropped all the gifts off Friday at our partner organization in Concord. Thank you for all your support!
 
When we return for 2nd semester, here are a few highlights to look forward to:

• Jan 12-16: Senior Portraits
• Jan 21: Spring Club Day
• Jan 23: Senior Breakfast
• Jan 29: Club Day
• Feb 27: All district dance at Acalanes; Acalanes rally
• Apr 25: Junior & Senior prom

If you ever have any questions or are looking for ways for your student to get involved, please reach out!

Happy Holidays & let’s have a great start in the New Year!

Counseling

Counselor assignments are by student last name:
A-F Anne Schonauer  
G-Ka Erika Vasquez on campus MWTh
Ke-Re Marissa Meadows 
Rh-Z Susan Martin

Final Exam Week and Final Grades GOOD LUCK ON FINALS! Finals take place Tuesday, Dec 16 through Friday, Dec 19, with Periods 0 & 4 on Tuesday, 1 & 2 on Wednesday, 3 & 7 on Thursday and 6 & 5 on Friday.  Final semester grades will be available on Friday, Jan 9.  
 
Mid-Year Reports for Colleges Counselors will send Mid-Year Reports to all Common Application schools once grades have been finalized and transcripts have been updated— the week of Jan 12.

Wellness Center

As we approach first semester finals, the Acalanes Wellness team is pleased to offer opportunities for students to relax and prepare themselves for both finals and winter break.
Finals Week Hours:

• Monday, Dec 15, regular hours (8:00am to 4:00pm).
• Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday (Dec 16-19) from 8:00am to 1:00pm.

If your student is unable to attend or looking for a quick and easy coping strategy they can use today, practice these skills with them!

Listen to Music- Put on your favorite song, but pretend you’re listening to it for the first time. Focus on the melody and lyrics (if there are any). Does the song give you chills or create any other physical sensations? Pay attention to the parts that stand out most to you.

Describe a Common Task- Think of an activity you do often or can do very well, such as making coffee, locking up your office, or tuning a guitar. Go through the process step-by-step, as if you’re giving someone else instructions on how to do it.

Deep breathing-  Inhale slowly through your nose and exhale slowly through your mouth. You can also try "square breathing," where you inhale for a count, hold for a count, exhale for a count, and hold for a count.

LPIE

Click Here to Donate or Pledge! 

Sports

*The game schedule reflects dates and times as of last Friday. Games may change for several reasons, including weather. If you have questions or comments, please contact Acalanes Sports Boosters.

This week's cant miss events:

Girls basketball
Friday, Dec 19 host Benicia HS.  JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7:00pm.
Saturday, Dec 20 at California HS.  JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7:00pm.
Saturday, Dec 27 through Tuesday, Dec 30 Varsity in West Coast Jamboree.
Friday, Jan 2 or Saturday, Jan 3 Varsity in S120 at Carondelet HS.
 
Boys basketball
Friday, Dec 19 at Benicia HS.  Freshmen at 4:30pm, JV at 6:00pm and Varsity at 7:30pm.
Saturday, Dec 20 host Archie Williams HS.  Freshmen at 1:00pm, JV at 2:30pm and Varsity at 4:00pm.
Friday, Dec 26 through Tuesday, Dec 30 Bambauer Invitational at Marin Catholic HS.
Friday, Jan 2 at Granada HS.  Freshmen at 4:00pm and JV at 5:30pm.
Saturday, Jan 3 at Foothill, Sacramento HS.  JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7:00pm.
 
Boys soccer
Friday, Dec 19 Varsity v. Lowell HS in University Showcase at 7:30pm.
Saturday, Dec 20 Varsity v. Tamalpais HS in University Showcase at 3:30pm.
Friday, Dec 26 Alumni Game at 3:00pm.
 
Wrestling
Saturday, Dec 20 Varsity Bill Martell Invitational at Northgate HS.
Saturday, Dec 20 Girls Castro Valley Invitational.
Saturday, Dec 20 JV Ygnacio Valley Tournament.
Friday, Jan 2 Girls Contest of Champions at Concord HS.
Saturday, Jan 3 Boys Contest of Champions at Concord HS.
 
You may view the full 2025-2026 Athletic Schedule by clicking HERE.

Finals Prep

We have your students covered as they prepare to finish the semester strong! Please be sure to visit our APC website for even more information on all events planned to support our students through finals.



And don’t forget to encourage your student to take advantage of these resources:

• Peer Tutoring on Monday, Dec 15, regular hours (lunch, 7th period and after school until 4:00pm); and Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (Dec 16-18) from 12:50-3:00pm.
• The Wellness Center is open for students to drop in Monday, Dec 15, regular hours (8:00am to 4:00pm); and Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday (Dec 16-19) from 8:00am to 1:00pm
• The Acalanes library's hours during Finals Week are modifed:
  • Tuesday, 12/16, 7:30-3:00 pm
  • Wednesday, 12/17, 7:30-3:00 pm
  • Thursday, 12/18, 7:30-1:00 pm
  • Friday, 12/19, 7:30-1:00 pm

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

General Announcements

Acalanes High School Seeks Qualified Instructional Assistants!
Our high school is looking for caring, energetic people to join our team as Special Education Instructional Assistants—and we’d love your help spreading the word! This is a great opportunity for anyone who enjoys working with young people and wants to make a direct impact in our classrooms. Instructional Assistants work closely with teachers to support students with special learning needs, helping them grow academically, socially, and emotionally in an inclusive school environment. We especially want to reach out to local alumni who may be back in the area after college and are looking for meaningful, hands-on experience before their next career or graduate program—this is a wonderful way to give back to your community and gain valuable skills in education, psychology, or human services. If you or someone you know would be a great fit, we’d love to hear from you! Apply here!

APC in Action

Staff Appreciation Opportunity!
Calling all bakers for one of our favorite Acalanes traditions!  The APC Staff Appreciation Holiday Cookie Exchange is on Friday, Dec 12.  Sign up here to contribute to this fun event for our staff!
 
Please Contact Stacey Hastings or Dominique Mikelson with any questions.
 
Finals Fuel - Volunteers & Snacks
Finals are just around the corner…..and that means FINALS FUEL is back!  During finals week the APC provides snacks for the students during brunch period. We need your help to refuel and recharge our Dons, here are three ways to help:

1. Purchase snacks from the Amazon Wish list here.  Items will be sent from Amazon directly to a residence for transport to AHS, no need to deliver anything.
2. Don’t want to purchase via Amazon? No problem! Sign up to purchase snacks yourself from the SignUpGenius here and you deliver to a private residence in Lafayette.
3. Volunteer to hand out snacks on campus (Wednesday, Dec 17 - Friday, Dec 19). Sign up for shifts here.

Still not sure what to do? Reach out with any questions: reganscovic@gmail.com, we’ll help point you in the right direction. Thank you in advance for your support,