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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.
CANINE STRESS BUSTERS
Tuesday, Dec 10 during lunch in the front quad
Come hug it out with your favorite four-legged friends. Therapy dogs will be on campus to provide smiles and tail wags to help reduce stress and provide a general sense of connection to our students.
FROSH FINALS INFORMATIONAL MEETING
Tuesday, Dec 10 during lunch in the library
Come hear from teachers in English, math, world history, living earth and world language about best practices to prepare 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 200 frosh thanks to APC!
EXAM JAM
Wednesday, Dec 11 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, to support and answer questions. It is a great opportunity to finish up study guides, begin to study while enjoying delicious snacks and enjoy a quiet environment. Exam Jam is open to all students.
WELLNESS WINTER WORKSHOP
Wednesday, Dec 11 and Friday, Dec 13 during academy
Our Wellness in the Winter sessions are a space to gather together and practice coping skills to thrive during finals and a long break with family. Sign up for this academy.
And don’t forget to encourage your student to take advantage of these additional resources:- Peer Tutoring during every academy, lunch, 7th period, and every day for 1 hour after the final school bell.
- The Wellness Center is open for students to drop in Monday through Friday from 8am - 4pm (with teacher approval during class hours).
- Acalanes library is open from 7:30am to 5pm daily.
Check out our Finals Prep Webpage for more information and resources!
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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 13. Sign up here to contribute to this fun event for our staff!
Contact Stacey Hastings or Dominique Mickelson with any questions.
FINALS FUEL for EXAM WEEK - Get Involved
Finals are just around the corner…..and that means FINALS FUEL is back! During finals week, we provide snacks for the students during brunch period. You can help refuel and recharge our Dons in several ways:- Purchase snacks prior to finals week and deliver to a residence near AHS
- Purchase snacks from our Amazon wish list and items will be sent directly to a residence for transport to AHS
- Donate money and we’ll shop for you: Venmo @Stephanie-Asadorian (any amount is welcome and appreciated)
- Volunteer to hand out snacks on campus Wednesday, Dec 18 - Friday, Dec 20
Please click on the SignUpGenius and/or Amazon Wish List to help.
Contact Regan Scovic and Stephanie Asadorian with any questions. Thank you in advance for your support!
PEER TUTORING SEMINAR
Is your student nervous for finals? Please encourage them to attend Peer Tutoring’s seminar with our very own Mr. Stewart for some reassurance going into finals week. Mr. Stewart will provide some time-tested tips to reduce anxiety and strengthen your student’s agency to be better prepared. This will take place on Wednesday, Dec 11 during academy in room 107.
Follow Acalanes Parents Club on Instagram. Please reach out to APC here with any questions. -
Acalanes Community Always (ACA)
Attention High School Students Interested in Travel
Erin Barth, Tina Gullberg, and ACIS are hosting a trip to Japan from Jun 8-16! Any Lamorinda high school student is welcome to join.Some of the sites and activities you will experience are:
- Tokyo Tour with Guide
- Meiji Shrine
- Lake Ashi Boat Ride
- Hakone Komagatake Ropeway
- Mount Fuji Kawaguchiko 5th Station
- Toyota Motor Company Kaikan Museum
- Atsuta Jingu Shrine
- Kiyomizu-dera Temple
- Japanese Tea Ceremony
- Kinkakuji Temple
- Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
- Nara Park
- Todaiji Temple
- Osaka Castle
- CupNoodles Museum Osaka Ikeda
The deadline to sign up is rapidly approaching, so be sure to take advantage of this incredible opportunity! Please click here for more information and to sign up.
Calling all AHS and Miramonte students who have completed Spanish 3 (or higher): Spanish Immersion Trip to Spain: Jun 7-19, 2025*
Facilitated by Edu-Culture Immersion and led by AHS Spanish teacher Señora Holland and Miramonte High School teacher Señora Frank- See link for flyer
- Contact Maya Ramdihal at Edu-Culture Immersion Study Abroad Programs for more information: maya@educulture.com (reference Acalanes-Miramonte trip to Spain) or see QR code on flyer
*Please note that this is a private tour and not affiliated with AUHSD
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Campus Culture Committee
Important December Dates
- Dec 10 Human Rights Day
- Dec 21 Winter Solstice
- Dec 25 Christmas
- Dec 25-Jan 2 Hanukkah
- Dec 26-Jan 8 Kwanzaa
Human Rights Day (HRD) is celebrated annually around the world on Dec 10 every year. The date was chosen to honor the United Nations General Assembly's adoption and proclamation, on Dec 10 1948, of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the first global enunciation of human rights and one of the first major achievements of the new United Nations. Because the UDHR holds the world record as the most translated document (except for the Bible), organizations around the globe use the day to focus on helping people everywhere learn about their rights.
The month of December is a time set aside by many to celebrate a variety of traditions and enjoy time with family, friends and community. If you have some information you feel is important for our committee to share about a celebration you partake in, please let us know.
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. -
Student Activities
FINALS PREP WEEK
Frosh Finals Informational Meeting: Please encourage ALL 9th graders to come to the frosh finals info meeting on Tuesday at lunch in the library. Teachers from math, English, living earth, social science and world language will be there to talk about finals & finals preparation.
Exam Jam: Wednesday from 3-5pm in the library
Students can kick start their studying while getting support from teachers and peer tutors.
Adopt-A-Family
It is delivery week! Please drop off your wrapped (and labeled) gifts in front of the small gym this Friday either between 7:15-8:15am or 10:15-10:45am. Check your email for further instructions. We rent a U-Haul and take all the gifts to the organization Friday afternoon. Our community is amazing - thank you for all your support of this program!
Volunteer Opportunity
Consider volunteering at the Lamorinda Care Collective. It is a pop-up kindness experiment, dedicated to meeting unmet needs of families and non-profits and they are looking for volunteers throughout the next few weeks. You and/or your student can sign up here.
Donate
The Acalanes Leadership Enviro Board is collecting gently used items to promote sustainability. Through Friday, Dec 13, please donate clothes, shoes, accessories (such as jewelry, handbags, scarves, and belts), bedding, books, CDs, DVDs, pots, pans, kitchen items, kids’ toys, games, and stuffed animals in good condition. Donations can be dropped off in the bins located outside the main office and in the front quad. We aim to promote reusing items and diverting materials from landfills, giving them a second life to reduce waste. If you have any questions email estelle.block26@auhsdschools.org.
RecycleSmart 5 R’s Truck Art Contest
Your student can create an art piece that highlights the 5 R’s (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rot) to help raise awareness and encourage everyone to prevent and reduce waste, compost, organize and sort the three material streams (recycling, organic and trash) properly. Three winners will be chosen and the pieces will be on the Republic Services trucks throughout the Contra Costa community for one year. Eligible participants are from 3rd to 12th grade and submissions must be in before Jan 12. Visit the RecycleSmart website for more details.
Ordering holiday cards and gifts? Shop at Minted and not only do YOU get 20% off, Acalanes gets 15% of all sales. Use the code FUNDRAISEACALANES. We’ve raised over $700 so far and all money raised goes to off setting the cost of prom tickets.Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.
Katherine Walton, Activities Director -
College & Career
Senior Scholarships
Outstanding musician scholarship with a disability (deadline Jan 8)
AAUW scholarship for a female senior with significant community service
Frosh/Sophomores: Parents, please join us for our 9th and 10th Grade Parent Night on Thursday, Jan 16 from 6:30-7:30pm in the library. We will cover essential information on course selection, graduation/4 year college requirements, and provide a brief overview of course offerings. We will also introduce our College and Career Center and highlight the resources available to support your student’s academic and career planning. Looking forward to seeing all of you. -
Counseling
Counselor assignments are by student last name:
A-F Anne Schonauer
G-Ka Erika Vasquez
Ke-Re Marissa Meadows
Rh-Z Susan MartinWishing everyone the best of luck with final exams! Here is the finals schedule.
Final semester grades will be available on Friday, Jan 10. Transcripts will be updated, and mid-year reports for Common Application schools will be sent for seniors’ college applications. -
Wellness Center
The Wellness Center will be hosting two workshops this week to support students in this final stretch before winter break. These Wellness in the Winter sessions are a space to gather together and practice coping skills to thrive during finals and a long break with family. Students can sign up for these during academy on Wednesday, Dec 11 and Friday, Dec 13.
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Performing & Visual Arts
Choral Winter Concert
Please join us in celebrating the season at the Acalanes Choir Winter Concert featuring the Harmonix, Octet and more!
When: Thursday, Dec 12, 7pm
Where: AHS Performing Arts Center
Acalanes Performing Arts Boosters would like to give a big shout out to the Acalanes musicians who were selected for the California All State Jazz Band and California Honor Orchestra. The All State review panel selects only one jazz piano player from the entire state and APAB is very proud of Nathan Joseph for his accomplishment. Nathan is a talented multi-instrumentalist and will perform with the All State Jazz Band in Sacramento in January. Props also go to violist Miela Hsu and cellist Nathan Feng for earning seats in the California Honor Orchestra and for representing the Acalanes Union High School District at a performance in Santa Monica next month. -
LPIE
Thank you for making educational dreams a reality this Giving Tuesday!
Because of the amazing support of 247 donors, we unlocked our full match and DOUBLED the impact of every gift!
We are deeply grateful to our donors and friends who came together to champion LPIE’s mission. Thanks to you, students across our community will gain access to enriched educational experiences, paving the way for brighter futures and expanded opportunities for all. -
Sports
SAVE THE DATE for fun night celebrating sports at Acalanes!
*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 soccer
Monday, Dec 9 host Bishop O’Dowd HS. JV at 5pm, Varsity at 7pm.
Wednesday, Dec 11 at Maria Carrillo HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Saturday, Dec 14 Frosh-soph host Northgate HS at 9am and at College Park HS at 2pm.
Boys soccer
Tuesday, Dec 10 host San Marin HS. Frosh at 4pm, JV at 5:30pm, Varsity at 7:15pm.
Saturday, Dec 14 host Petaluma HS. Frosh at 12pm, JV at 2pm and Varsity at 4pm.
Girls basketball
Tuesday, Dec 10 host Christian Brothers HS. JV at 5:30pm and varsity at 7pm.
Thursday, Dec 12 at Redwood HS. JV at 4:30pm and varsity at 6pm.
Saturday, Dec 14 Recognize the Game at Merritt College.
Boys basketball
Thursday, Dec 5 through Saturday, Dec 7 Varsity hosts the Chris Huber Memorial Invitational.
Thursday, Dec 5 through Saturday, Dec 7 JV in the Alameda Classic.
Thursday, Dec 5 through Saturday, Dec 7 Frosh in the Ken Nelson Memorial Tournament at Campolindo HS.
Football
Friday, Dec 13 or Saturday, Dec 14 CIF bowl championship game.
Wrestling
Saturday, Dec 7 Varsity in the Bay Area Invitational at Castro Valley HS.
Saturday, Dec 7 Girls in the San Leandro Invitational.
Saturday, Dec 7 JV in the Foothill tournament.
You may view the full 2024-2025 Athletic Schedule by clicking HERE. -
General Administration Announcements
Important Attendance Reminder
If a student is leaving early during the day for any reason, it is their responsibility to pick up their "off campus pass" from the main office (after a parent has called). They can pick it up in the morning, during brunch/lunch or between periods. It must be picked up before they attend the class they are leaving early from. -
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 13. Sign up here to contribute to this fun event for our staff!
Contact Stacey Hastings or Dominique Mickelson with any questions.
FINALS FUEL for EXAM WEEK - Get Involved
Finals are just around the corner…..and that means FINALS FUEL is back! During finals week, we provide snacks for the students during brunch period. You can help refuel and recharge our Dons in several ways:- Purchase snacks prior to finals week and deliver to a residence near AHS
- Purchase snacks from our Amazon wish list and items will be sent directly to a residence for transport to AHS
- Donate money and we’ll shop for you: Venmo @Stephanie-Asadorian (any amount is welcome and appreciated)
- Volunteer to hand out snacks on campus Wednesday, Dec 18 - Friday, Dec 20
Please click on the SignUpGenius and/or Amazon Wish List to help.
Contact Regan Scovic and Stephanie Asadorian with any questions. Thank you in advance for your support!
Follow Acalanes Parents Club on Instagram. Please reach out to APC here with any questions. -
APC Membership & Fundraising
APC Fundraiser at Local Kitchens
There will be an APC fundraiser at Local Kitchens all day on Dec 5 Please enter the coupon code APC24 when ordering online or in store, and the Acalanes Parents Club will receive 25% of your order. Support APC while enjoying a delicious and easy lunch or dinner!.
Social Media
