Weekly News & Announcements

APC in Action

An October Snack Attack for Our Wonderful Staff!
We are so grateful for our Acalanes staff, and last Friday our staff was treated to an assortment of fun snacks!  Thank you to our Staff Appreciation Co-Chair, Heddy Botic, for creating such an amazing and delicious snack bar for all our staff.  Your generous donations to APC allow us to show our staff just how much we appreciate their endless support of our students.

Parents Club Pro-Tip

Does your student love to travel? Are they interested in traveling with peers? Erin Field and Tina Gullberg take students in Lamorinda on international trips every summer. This year we are going to Italy, Austria, and the Czech Republic! I know that many of you travel frequently, but trips like this allow students to become more independent and make lasting memories with their friends.
Any student at Acalanes (or any of the other schools in our district) is invited to join us! They do not need to be in my class or have ever had Ms. Field as a teacher. All are welcome on this trip!
And here is the link to view the trip itinerary and cost:
https://acis.com/tripsite-trip-overview/?key=MjAyN3wxNjA1NA==
Sign ups are happening now, so if your student is interested, please register ASAP.
You can also check out our Instagram page to see past trips: @ACIS_Lafayette Travel Club
 **This is not a school-sponsored trip.

Summer Spanish Language Immersion Trip
This summer Spanish teachers from our district are again offering an incredible opportunity to travel abroad for a Spanish language immersion trip.  This has been such a fabulous experience for our students and they have built memories and lasting friendships, along with greatly improving their communicative skills in Spanish.  The link below has more information and you can contact the company ECI directly.  We will also hold an information session meeting on Tuesday, October 20th at 5:30pm in Room 408.  Hope to see you there. https://educulture.com/programs/southern-spain-group-immersion2027/ 

Community Service - Helper Helper
If students would like to set up a Helper Helper account to log their service hours, please email from their personal email account to communityservice@acalanesparentsclub.comand include their personal email, name, birthdate, and graduation year.

Volunteer Opportunities 
Recurring volunteer roles require the new District process for volunteer validation (e.g. driving for field trips, sporting events, etc).  Standalone volunteer opportunities (e.g. Football, Snack Shack) on campus do not require the new/latest rigorous training required by the district this year. 
Click HERE to access the AUHSD volunteer portal.
Click HERE to explore volunteer opportunities. 
 
Order School Photos - If you would like to order your student’s school photos, you can contact Studio1.  There is also a QR code on the back of your student’s school ID card to support ordering. 

Campus Culture Committee

October 2026 Update | Building Community & Moving Into Action!
Thank you to everyone who attended our first Campus Culture Committee (CCC) meeting in September! It was wonderful to connect with parents and caregivers, share ideas, and begin planning ways to support our students, staff, and school community throughout the year.
This year, our CCC is focused on action, connection, and belonging—creating meaningful opportunities for families to support student clubs, campus activities, and special events while also building stronger relationships with one another.

 
🤝 Get Involved! CCC Volunteer Opportunities
Our CCC SignUpGenius is now available!
We invite parents and caregivers to sign up to support student clubs, staff, campus activities, and special events in meaningful and creative ways.
Whether you can volunteer your time, donate supplies, or help with a special event, every contribution helps strengthen our Acalanes community.
👉 Sign Up to Support Our Acalanes Community!

 
🍂 You're Invited! FRIENDSGIVING with Principal Colin Malcolm
📅 Thursday, Nov. 19
 ⏰ 5:30–7:00pm
 📍 Location: To Be Announced
Please join us for a special CCC FRIENDSGIVING Social with Principal Colin Malcolm!
This gathering will be an opportunity for Acalanes parents and caregivers to:

• Hear updates from Principal Malcolm about the exciting work and initiatives happening at Acalanes.
• Share ideas, ask questions, and connect directly with our Principal.
• Build relationships with other parents and caregivers.
• Enjoy a little time together as we continue strengthening our school community.

Light refreshments will be served.
We hope you will join us for this opportunity to connect, collaborate, and celebrate our Acalanes community!

 
💚 Parent Wellness Workshop & Spring CCC Updates
📅 Monday, Dec. 14
 ⏰ 6:00–7:30pm
 💻 Virtual Meeting
Please join us for our Parent Wellness Workshop and Spring CCC Planning Updates!
We will spend time focusing on parent and caregiver wellness while also sharing updates on upcoming CCC activities and opportunities to get involved during the spring semester.

 
🏫 A Note About Participation in School Events
During our September CCC meeting, questions were raised regarding participation by community members in school-based activities and events intended for parents and guardians.
We encourage families to review the Acalanes Parent Club bylaws, which provide guidance regarding participation and membership. Please refer to the attached bylaws for the relevant language.

 
📅 Upcoming CCC Events at a Glance

• October – December: CCC Volunteer Opportunities – SignUpGenius Open
• November 19 | 5:30–7:00pm: FRIENDSGIVING Social with Principal Colin Malcolm – Location TBD
• December 14 | 6:00–7:30pm: Parent Wellness Workshop & Spring CCC Updates – Virtual
• January 11 | 6:30–7:30pm: CCC Meeting – Virtual
• May | Date TBD: CCC Year-End Retreat – In Person

📅 October Dates & Observances
🌎 September 15–October 15 – National Hispanic Heritage Month
National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the histories, cultures, achievements, and contributions of Americans whose heritage traces to Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. The observance begins on September 15, which coincides with the independence anniversaries of several Latin American countries.
October – LGBTQ+ History Month
LGBTQ+ History Month is observed throughout October and provides an opportunity to learn about and recognize the history, achievements, experiences, and civil rights movements of LGBTQ+ people.
October – Filipino American History Month
Filipino American History Month is celebrated throughout October and recognizes the history, culture, experiences, and contributions of Filipino Americans to the United States.
The 2026 national theme established by the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) is “Beyond the Margins: Centering Intersectional Filipino American Histories.”
October 12 – Indigenous Peoples' Day

 
💚 Wellness Center Reminder
As we move further into the school year, we want to remind families that the Acalanes Wellness Center is here to support our students.

 
💙 Stay Connected & Get Involved
Our CCC continues to work alongside students, staff, families, and school leadership to help create an Acalanes community where all students and families feel seen, heard, valued, supported, and that they belong.
📧 diversityandinclusion@acalanesparentsclub.com
And remember to keep an eye out for our upcoming Signup Genius and details about our November gathering with our Principal!

Student Activities

Peek at the Week:
Tuesday @ 7:30am: Equity Council in room 314
Wednesday @ lunch: Latinos Unidos x Women in Sports
Wednesday @ 7:00pm: BIG 10: Girls Volleyball vs. Campolindo (wear pink!)
Thursday @ 6:30pm: Pops Concert
Friday @ academy: Latino Heritage potluck in room 314
 
Latino Heritage Month
Acalanes High School acknowledges Latino Heritage month, honoring the culture, history, and the successes of Latinos globally. Be on the lookout for alerts on Academy and Lunch events between September 15 – October 15. Happy Latino Heritage month from Acalanes!
Women in Sports COLLAB
Come to room 314 on Wednesday, Oct. 7 during lunch to learn about and celebrate our Latina Athletes with our Women in Sports club and our Latinos Unidos club! There will be food and a fun game. We’re looking forward to it!
POTLUCK
A potluck will be held Friday, Oct. 9 to celebrate Latino Heritage Month! There will be lots of good food to try and learn about and music! In order to attend you must bring a dish to share, click this link to sign up! We can’t wait to see you there!
Zumba
Come to room 314 on Friday, Oct. 16 during lunch to learn and participate in Zumba! It will be a fun learning experience to enjoy with friends. We hope to see you then!
Pick up your spiritwear! The summer webstore spiritwear is finally here! Have your student stop by room 314 or email Ms. Walton and she can leave it in attendance. Thanks for your patience!
Acalanes Fall Blood Drive-October 27th
Our fall blood drive is almost here and we are looking for 44 donors. Please consider signing up to donate. You can sign up here.
 
Watch the HOCO Rally here!!!!

Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.

College & Career

COLLEGE NIGHT FOR JUNIOR PARENTS: Junior Parents, we will host a college night just for you on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 6:30pm in the Acalanes Library. Come hear College and Career Advisor Debbie Levy and Counselor Susan Martin talk about all things college and what you can do to support your junior as they prepare and plan for this next important step in their lives!

Counseling

Counselor assignments are by student last name:
A-F               Anne Schonauer
G-Hul           Erika Vasquez on campus Tues/Fri
Hum-Pla       Marissa Meadows
Ple-Z            Susan Martin

End of First Quarter! The first quarter of the school year ended on October 9th. Quarter report cards should be sent out on Friday, Oct. 16. These grades are used to determine athletic eligibility for the remainder of the fall season and the beginning of the winter season. Students need at least a 2.0 GPA with no more than one F grade to be eligible for sports. 
 
Junior Parent Night - Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 6:30pm in the Library All junior parents are invited to spend an evening with College and Career Advisor Debbie Levy and Counselor Susan Martin as they discuss preparing the Class of 2028 for their college search. 
 
Letters of Recommendation - Counselors typically spend the month of October writing letters of recommendation for college applications for seniors. If your senior needs a Counselor Letter of Recommendation, please make sure to fill out the Student and Parent Surveys on Maia Learning, and send your student’s counselor a copy of their resume or brag sheet one month in advance of their first deadline.  Thank you!

Wellness Center

The Acalanes Wellness Center is open and ready to support students throughout the school year. We will also be continuing to do table activities during lunch.

Wellness will be presenting suicide awareness presentations during Academy, along with tabling events during lunch. These efforts are meant to increase awareness, encourage open conversation about mental health, and connect students with available resources. Our goal is to remind students that they don’t have to navigate difficult moments alone and that reaching out for support is an important step. We encourage students to visit the Wellness Center or connect with a trusted adult if they or someone they know may need additional support. We will also be introducing art therapy and coping skills. We will have painting materials in the Wellness Center for student use.
 
What We Do
The Wellness Center aims to support the needs of all students. This includes those who may be feeling overwhelmed, lonely, anxious, stressed, sad, or confused, as well as anyone experiencing other challenging emotions. We offer both ongoing and drop-in counseling services, Wellness breaks, information about community resources, and opportunities to join clubs and student programs. We also host a variety of educational events during lunchtime and Academy throughout the school year.
 
Get Connected

• If you have questions about Wellness, please email us at AHS Wellness coordinator
• To refer a student to Wellness, please use this form: AHSWellnessReferral 
• Please remember that all Wellness Center services are confidential and completely voluntary.
• Follow us on Instagram @acalaneswellness  to find out more about what we're doing to support Acalanes students. There is also additional information about our program on the Acalanes High School website.

We look forward to supporting our students throughout another great school year.

Performing & Visual Arts

Congratulations to all of the performers and directors for another fantastic Pops Concert! The PAC was packed, and the music was incredible. Missed the show? Catch the streaming version and enjoy our talented musicians and singers! 
https://youtube.com/live/sOeP13C2FOM?feature=share
 
Dons show up! The Acalanes Pep Band will be performing at our final two home football games on Friday, Oct 16 and Friday, Nov 6. Go Dons!
Something wickedly entertaining this way comes! The Acalanes DramaDons are proud to present Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, on Oct. 21, 22, 23, and 24 in the Acalanes Little Theater.

All shows start at 7:00pm and doors open at 6:30pm.
Admission: General $15.00  Students/Seniors $7.00
Tickets and information are available at tickets.ahsparts.org


Maya Bhatia is our Choir’s Singer of the Month for September! We’re so lucky to have her – congrats to all the nominees!

LPIE

Ask anyone why they moved to Lafayette and you’ll hear the same answer: the schools.
Here's what many families don't know: state funding doesn't cover all of it. Our districts are among the lower-funded in California, and the basic funding they receive falls thousands of dollars short per student of what our schools actually cost to run.
Lafayette's education is built on three streams. State funding provides the foundation. Local parcel taxes and community giving through LPIE make up the difference — and both of those exist because this community invested in them.
Take away any one stream, and the education our kids receive changes.
Over the next three weeks, we’ll take the local pieces one at a time — what each does, what it doesn’t do, and why our schools need all of them. Two minutes each, no jargon.
……………………...
Support Your School — Donate Today

 Saddle Up for the Holiday Hoedown Benefiting LPIE
Saturday, Nov. 7, 6:00-9:00pm | Balestrieri Family Farm
Dust off your boots and celebrate the season at a Holiday Hoedown! Join us for a festive night of line dancing and holiday cheer at the beautiful Balestrieri Family Farm. Gather your friends, meet some new ones, and enjoy a fun-filled evening while making a difference for our schools.
Get your tickets HERE. $100 per person gets you a night on the dance floor with a DJ and line dancing instructor, plus two drinks to toast the occasion. If you work up an appetite, dinner will be available for purchase.
Thanks to the generosity of parent sponsors, every dollar from ticket sales will go to LPIE to support our schools and students.

Sports

*The game schedule below 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 can’t miss events:

Girls volleyball
Tuesday, Oct. 13 hosts Northgate HS.  Freshmen at 4:30pm, JV at 5:30 pm and Varsity at 7:00pm.
Thursday, Oct. 15 at Las Lomas HS.  Freshmen at 4:30pm, JV at 5:30 pm and Varsity at 7:00pm.
 
Girls tennis
Tuesday, Oct. 13 Campolindo HS at 4:00pm.  Varsity is away and JV is home.
Thursday, Oct. 15 College Park HS at 4:00pm.  Varsity is home and JV is away.
 
Girls golf
Tuesday, Oct. 13 Miramonte HS at Rossmoor GC at 3:30 pm.
 
Flag football
Wednesday, Oct. 14 hosts Alhambra HS.  JV at 6:00pm and Varsity at 7:30pm.
Thursday, Oct. 15 hosts Concord HS.  JV at 6:00pm and Varsity at 7:30pm.
 
Boys water polo
Wednesday, Oct. 14 at Miramonte HS.  JV at 4:00pm and Varsity at 5:00pm.
Thursday, Oct. 15 hosts Berkeley HS.  Varsity at 6:00pm and JV at 7:00pm.
Friday, Oct. 16 and Saturday, Oct. 17 JV Jet Blast Tournament at Encinal HS.
 
Girls water polo
Wednesday, Oct. 14 at Miramonte HS.  Varsity at 6:00pm and JV at 7:00pm.
Friday, Oct. 16 and Saturday, Oct. 17 JV Soquel NorCal Tournament.
 
Tackle football
Thursday, Oct. 15 Freshmen at Miramonte HS at 5:00pm.
Friday, Oct. 16 hosts Miramonte HS.  JV at 4:30pm and Varsity at 7:00pm.