Weekly News & Announcements

Legislative News

Learn How to Walk for Measure T!
Measure T, a $130 parcel tax measure, on the May 6 special election mailed ballot would enhance locally controlled funding to continue to attract and retain great teachers, keep class sizes manageable and provide a wide range of challenging and enriching course offerings for students. Measure T seeks to provide $4.5 million annually, will expire in 8 years, and has an optional exemption for seniors aged 65 and over.

Every vote counts in a special election, and we need your help reaching local voters. We’re in our first big canvassing push to identify supportive voters before ballots are mailed on Monday, Apr 7 and we’re door-knocking in our district to let voters know about this election. Walking is one of the most effective ways to reach voters! Here are the steps:

• Learn how to walk: Click here to request a recording of the walk training and learn how to talk to your neighbors about Measure T!
• Request your turf: Email dlagmay@teamcivx.com to request a neighborhood to walk. In your email, please provide:
  • the school site you're representing
  • the town you want to walk in
  • your address
  • if you're walking with a partner, please provide their name

• Get walking: Grab some comfortable shoes and finish your turf before ballots are mailed on Monday, Apr 7!

Acalanes Community Always (ACA)

The Acalanes Community Outreach and Improvement Club is hosting a fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) from March 18 - April 30. LLS’s mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families by funding research and much more! Please donate as any and every donation makes a difference! Please check and see if your company does matching gifts when donating to double your impact! Thank you!

Campus Culture Committee

Upcoming Important Dates:

• Women’s History Month (March)
• Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (March)
• Gender Equality Month (March)
• Feb 28-Mar 29 Ramadan
• Mar 31 Trans Day of Visibility

International Transgender Day of Visibility (often referred to as TDOV or Trans Day of Visibility) is an annual event occurring on Mar 31 dedicated to celebrating transgender people and raising awareness of discrimination faced by transgender people worldwide, as well as a celebration of their contributions to society.

ALL ARE WELCOME HERE t-shirts are for sale! For just $20 you can support the Campus Culture Committee of APC while wearing a stylish black tee that lets everyone know what the Dons are all about. Reach out here for payment information and how to get your shirt. Available in M and L only at this time.

If you’d like to help with any celebrations or join in our cultural discussions, please contact the Campus Culture Committee here and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook to keep up to date with what the students are doing to celebrate all of these wonderful cultures and special dates.

College & Career

Free Practice Tests: Interested in having your student take a free online practice SAT or ACT? Sign up here for either exam on Apr 26 at 9am with our testing partner, Revolution Prep.

Counseling

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

8th grade appointments: Counselors will be meeting with current 8th graders during the month of March to discuss transition to high school.

School Nurse

Nourishing Our Students for Great Health and Academic Success
Give your kids the breakfast of champions! Oatmeal + berries, avocado toast, a green protein smoothie and other healthy choices will set them up for success. Key strategies include getting their input, keeping choices available, and helping them stay organized so they have enough time for breakfast (or remember to take it with them on the way out!).
 
Last week I shared this Irish white bean and cabbage Soup for St. Patrick’s Day. This week I want to add another “green”--- this split pea soup. It’s easy to make, nutritious and cheap. It’s vegan but you might not miss the meat (did you know that smoked paprika is an excellent substitute for ham?). In regards to global health, consider that the food choices we make have a big impact. Plant-based sources of protein use a fraction of the greenhouse gas emissions that animal agriculture does. Consider increasing your family’s intake of beans and legumes!

Please reach out to me for any support your students or family might need.

My office hours are:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and some* Thursdays
Tuesdays & Thursdays:  8am - 3:50pm
Wednesdays:  7:30am - 3:20pmAlways Your School Nurse,

Dvora Citron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org, 925-280-2970 x7128
IG: acalanesschoolnurse, ​School Nurse Website

Performing & Visual Arts

Acalanes Choir Chapel Concert
Please join us for an evening of choral music performed in the beautiful St. Mary’s Chapel on Wednesday, Mar 26 at 7:30pm. We hope to see you there!
 

Accept It…Or Not: The 2024 The Acalanes DramaDons Short Plays Festival
Come see eight short plays written and directed by The DramaDons themselves on
Thursday, Mar 27 and Friday, Mar 28 at 7pm in the AHS Little Theatre. Admission is free. Donations accepted at the door.



Please join us at the Acalanes Symphony Orchestra Chicago “Send-Off” Concert on Mar 28 at 5pm in the AHS PAC. The Symphony Orchestra will travel over spring break to perform in the 2025 Chicago International Music Festival! Admission is free.
 

The SpongeBob Musical! Apr 24-26, 7pm & Apr 27, 2pm in the AHS PAC
When Bikini Bottom faces disaster, SpongeBob and friends must band together to save their home—through friendship, courage, and epic songs! A must-see for all ages! Tickets on sale NOW at ahsperformingarts.org

Congratulations to the Wind Ensemble and Orchestra for their lovely performances at the Sonoma Wind Band and Orchestra Invitational!
 
Kudos also to the Acalanes String Quartet (Maor Ziskind, Lauren Anderson, Miela Hsu and Nathan Feng) which received a superior rating at the CMEA Solo and Ensemble festival at San Jose State University.

LPIE

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in the 7th Annual LPIE Gala! Whether you attended, bid in the auction, volunteered, or supported from afar—we are truly grateful for your generosity and dedication to our schools. Your support helps fund vital programs in science, art, music, world languages, expanded elective and AP classes, and more, ensuring every Lafayette student receives an exceptional public education.

We were also proud to present the Tom Mulvaney Legacy Award to Meredith Meade in recognition of her outstanding service and unwavering commitment to LPIE and our community. Meredith has been a steadfast champion of education—a two-term LPIE president and longtime member of the Lafayette School District Governing Board. Her leadership and advocacy have left a lasting impact on our schools and students, and we are honored to recognize her contributions.

Thank you for being part of this special event and for helping LPIE continue to support every student, at every school, every day.

Sports

Ticket sales for the 2025 Booster Bash are LIVE! Remember to text the friends you huddled with in the cold while cheering on our Dons athletes so you all buy tickets to the Booster event of the year - April 26 at the Circle G Ranch! https://acalanesboosters.ejoinme.org/PurchaseTickets

*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:
 
Boys golf
Monday, Mar 24 Spring Classic at Monarch Bay GC 1:00 pm.
 
Boys tennis
Tuesday, Mar 25 College Park HS at 3:30pm. Varsity home and JV away.
Thursday, Mar 27 Varsity at Las Lomas HS at 3:30pm.
Thursday, Mar 27 JV host San Ramon Valley HS at 4pm.
 
Boys lacrosse
Tuesday, Mar 25 host Northgate HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Friday, Mar 28 at Alhambra HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Saturday, Mar 29 host Piedmont HS. JV at 10am and Varsity at 12pm.
 
Baseball
Tuesday, Mar 25 Miramonte HS at 4pm. Varsity away and JV home.
Friday, Mar 28 Liberty HS at 4pm. Varsity away and JV home.
Saturday, March 22 Frosh at Liberty HS at 10am and 1pm.
 
Boys volleyball
Tuesday, Mar 25 host College Park HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 6:30pm.
 
Track & field
Tuesday, Mar 25 at Miramonte HS at 3:30pm.
 
Stunt
Wednesday, Mar 26 at Campolindo HS at 8pm.
Friday, Mar 28 Clayton Valley Charter HS at Miramonte HS at 7pm.
 
Swimming
Wednesday, Mar 26 at Benicia HS at 4pm.
 
Beach volleyball
Wednesday, Mar 26 Las Lomas HS at Heather Farms at 4pm.
 
Softball
Thursday, Mar 27 Las Lomas HS at 4:30pm. Varsity home and JV away.
 
Girls lacrosse
Friday, Mar 28 at Campolindo HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Saturday, Mar 29 Frosh-soph host Bishop O’Dowd HS and Clayton Valley Charter HS at 9am.

You may view the full 2024-2025 Athletic Schedule by clicking HERE.

Legislative News

Volunteers Needed for Yes on Measure T!
Measure T seeks to provide $4.5 million annually to maintain our quality high school instruction and help recruit and retain our top teachers. Measure T is on the May 6 special election ballot, and we need your help getting the word out to voters during this off-year election. Turning out parent voters will be critical to our success. Here’s how you can help:

1. Join us for a neighborhood walk: Knocking on doors is one of the most effective ways to reach voters. Our first walk is planned for Saturday, Mar 22. We’ll be training you on everything you need to know to have a successful canvas on Thursday, Mar 20, at 7pm. You can sign up using this link. Can’t make it? Request a recording of the training here.
2. Endorse the campaign: Join local leaders, teachers, and parents by adding your name to our growing list of supporters. Endorse Measure T using this link.
3. Display a lawn sign: Help us spread awareness about the campaign by displaying a lawn sign. You can request one here!

APC in Action

MARCH DONS DIALOGUE - This Friday at 8:45am!
Join us on Friday, Mar 21 in the Collaboration Center for coffee, treats, great company and dialogue!  This month our agenda includes;

• College Acceptances with Debbie Levy
• Climate and Culture TOSA with Katherine Walton
• Math Intervention & Inclusion with Jennifer Gilson
• Updates from APs & End of Year with Andrea Powers & Jeanne Johnson
• Student Activities Report with Heloisa Mateus
• Q&A with APs and APC Board

Grab a friend and join us. We hope to see you there! 

PEER TUTORING: Spring Self-Talk Seminar
If you are currently playing a spring sport or are a student who wants to improve strategies to use your thinking as an ally rather than a foe, Peer Tutoring will be sponsoring a seminar to improve one’s self-talk. Boys' basketball coach Joey Hewitt will be conducting the seminar during Academy on Wednesday, Mar 19 at 10:10am in room 107. (NOTE: If the RSVP’s warrant a room change, we will notify teams/students.) Coach Hewitt currently works with pro athletes, college and high school teams and players, and middle school athletes. Some areas that will be covered are:

• Developing next-play speed and mentality
• Identifying triggers
• Staying present rather than past and future

If your student will attend, please RSVP bpowers@auhsdschools.org. We are excited about this opportunity for our Dons!
 
Bill Powers & Angela Ketcham
Peer Tutoring Co Directors