Weekly News & Announcements

Sports

This week’s can’t miss events:
 
Baseball
Tuesday, May 17 NCS first round playoff at 5pm.
Friday, May 20 NCS Quarterfinal at 5pm.
 
Softball
Tuesday, May 17 or Wednesday, May 18 NCS first round playoff at 5pm.
Friday, May 20 or Saturday, May 21 NCS Quarterfinal at 5pm.
 
Track & field
Friday, May 20 and Saturday, May 21 NCS Meet of Champions at UC Berkeley Edwards Stadium.
 
Boys volleyball
Tuesday, May 17 CIF NorCal Quarterfinals at 6pm.
Thursday, May 19 CIF NorCal Semifinals at 6pm.
Thursday, May 21 CIF NorCal Championship at 6pm.
 
Boys tennis
Tuesday, May 17 CIF NorCal team playoffs.
Friday, May 20 and Saturday, May 21 CIF NorCal Team Championships at Broadstone Racket Club in Folsom.

General Administration Announcements

A few housekeeping items for the end of the year:
 
Finals Schedule
There was an error in our Student Planner with the Finals Week Schedule. Please access the current Finals Schedule by clicking here.
 
Books
If your student has any books they are not currently using, please have them turn them in. They do not need to wait until the end of the year! 
 
Devices
Acalanes will collect all school-owned chromebooks, chargers, and other devices. These electronics can be returned to the library anytime during the week before Finals (May 16-20).
 
Should your student(s) want to keep their device, etc. to study for finals, the last chance to drop these items off is during Finals week, from 12:30 - 1:30pm on the following days:
12th grade - Monday 5/23
11th grade - Tuesday 5/24
10th grade - Wednesday 5/25
9th grade - Thursday 5/26
 
On Friday 5/27, the library will be open all day (8:00am - 4:00pm) in case a student misses their assigned day for any reason.

APC in Action

Acalanes and President’s Volunteer Service Awards
Congrats to over 140 dedicated students who volunteered this past school year to provide a vast array of services to our community! Acalanes students made a difference by volunteering over 7,500 hours. Students can pick up their award certificates and celebratory ice cream on Wednesday, May 18th, at lunch in the Main Quad. Any unclaimed certificates can be picked up at the College and Career Center.
 
Congrats to Principal’s ACA Blue Heart & Acalanes Silver A Award Recipients!
Over 125 students were nominated by their friends and peers for the ACA Blue Heart Award that highlights students who show up for their peers, foster spirit on campus, and show care for peers, teachers, staff, & our campus. Acalanes Silver A Award recipients were nominated by teachers recognizing students who exhibit subject matter passion through engagement and curiosity, create a sense of community and inclusion in the classroom, actively engage in a diverse exchange of ideas with their classmates and teachers, and/or find ways to extend their learning beyond the classroom. Award recipients can be found here.
 
APC is proud to provide financial and volunteer support for these awards programs!

APC General Meeting  APC will hold a general meeting during the first few minutes of Dons Dialogue on Friday, May 13 to hold a formal vote on the APC Board of Directors slate (below) and approve our new Bylaws.  All members are invited and encouraged to come!

Finals Fuel Spring Finals are quickly approaching and that means FINALS FUEL is back!  You can help refuel and recharge our Dons in several ways:

• Purchase from our Amazon wish list and have snacks shipped directly to us
• Donate $ for our Costco shopping trip
• Purchase items yourself & deliver to the College & Career Center at your convenience
• Volunteer to hand out treats and offer words of encouragement on Tues/Wed/Thus of finals week

Please click here to access the Sign-Up Genius link, and for more detailed information! Thanks in advance for your support. Go Dons! 

Acalanes Community Always (ACA)

Mark your calendar for the AHS Senior Car Rally! Friday, May 20 at 5pm, Downtown Lafayette Come one, come all! This community-wide celebration is a great way to cheer on Acalanes seniors and their families. Spectators will line Mt. Diablo Blvd. from Oakwood to the Lafayette Library. Groups (AHS teams, clubs, etc) can reserve an area on the route to watch the Car Rally together by emailing Car Rally Co-Chair Linda Choi. It’s a great night to stay and dine in Lafayette!
 
Volunteers needed for AHS Senior Car Rally! Join one of the best volunteering events of the year. Please consider signing up for a slot to help celebrate our graduates.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)

Wednesday, May 11 from 6:30 to 8:00pm via Zoom - Social Emotional Wellness and Mental Health for Asian American Tweens/Teens, hosted by Moraga School District, Campolindo Parent DNI and JM DEI Committee. Click to Register.

Saturday, May 14 at 7:30pm at the Lafayette Library - Gold Coast Chamber Players’ Cultural Crossroads: Black and Indigenous influences on Dvořák in America Pre-concert interview at 7:00pm. Tickets online: $15-45. Their short “About Us” video features our very own (soon-to-be-retired) Stanley music teacher extraordinaire Bob Athayde.

And speaking of music… Ever hear an amazing song and you can’t get it out of your head? Filipino American musician Toro y Moi’s just-released music video “The Loop” is one of those songs. In this fun San Francisco video he rides on various modes of transportation including in a jeepney, those little yellow GoCars, even skateboards.

Parent Education

“Keep trying to catch your kid in the act of doing something right.  Teens struggle with self-confidence.  When they aren’t dumping on themselves, their peers may do it for them.  Don’t add your voice to the chorus of negativity.  Actively look for things your kids are doing right.  Your praise shows you notice more than their faults.”  Annie Fox
 
In light of the tragedies that have occurred recently in our community, and in line with other recent Parent Education posts, we want to introduce a digital platform called BeMe for teens that can provide further coaching and crisis support both asynchronously and in real time. Tech is a large part of our teens’ reality, so this could be one app in their arsenal that could help them through tough times and provide education on self-care.
 
Finally, if your teen is struggling with academics or feeling down or frustrated about school, don’t forget to connect with our Counselors, our Nurse, and our Wellness Center. Connection and belonging are critical to a teen’s well-being, as well as ours, and will help us all feel more resilient.

Student Activities

An Aca Leader is a role model that shows leadership and plays a big role throughout our school community. Each week, one student who stands out is chosen to be our week's Aca Leader. This week we are proud to have chosen Scarlett Pappalardo, a senior on the Varsity Softball team. Our Aca Leader has made such an impact on their team and represents what an Aca Leader is!
 
Thank you for your enthusiasm & support for student activities. Katherine Walton, the Student Activities Director, is out on maternity leave. For any student activity questions, please contact Kat Bautista.

College & Career

Seniors

• DVC Done-in-one-Day Registration Rocks Saturday, May 7. Get everything done for DVC by registering for this event.

Juniors

• College Essay Workshops at Acalanes Mark your calendars for Wednesday, June 15 and Wednesday, June 22 in the am. Details to follow, but students will brainstorm and create outlines for their college essays.
• Additionally, the College Essay Guy offers insightful sessions on the college essay process. Students leave with tangible ideas and drafts too! Our school is registeredand courses are FREE! I highly recommend checking some of these out! They are a fun and simple way to start/finish essays.
• Community College Summer Classes Open: Enrollment for summer courses at California Community Colleges has begun. You can likely take them asynchronously at many schools. If you’d like to explore a subject you are passionate about, click here.  

Sophomores/Freshmen

• Junior Achievement Stock Market Challenge:  Virtual event on Wednesday, May 4 at 4pm to 6pm. Student Registration Link Click Here and Adults & TeacherRegistration Link Click Here

Resources:  CCC Website

Counseling

Counselor assignments are by last name.
A-Dr Anne Schonauer  
Du-Kr Christine Todd  
Ku-Rog Marissa Meadows 
Roh-Z Susan Martin
 
Summer School Applications Available
If your student has D or F grades currently or from past semesters and they want to make them up, they can enroll in our SummerSchool program. F grades in required classes need to be made up, D grades can be made up to stay 4-year college-eligible. Please have your student see their counselor to sign up.
 
Junior Meetings
Counselors recently presented to juniors in their USH classes and provided information about post-high school planning and Naviance. Counselors are calling in juniors individually to review graduation requirements and discuss summer/fall plans regarding college application prep. Students interested in 4-year colleges are encouraged to also make an individual appointment with Debbie Levy, our College and Career Advisor.

School Nurse

Is it too early to start supporting students for FINALS?  Just a reminder that parents can help support their students by:

• Encouraging sufficient sleep:  Help support your students prioritizing getting at least 8-10 hours of sleep per night
• Optimal Nutrition:  provide an abundance and variety of “nutrient-dense” food choices, meals and snacks
• Positive emotional connection:  build in regular (even if brief) opportunities to connect together as a family (without “checking in”/evaluating how school academics are going). 
• Physical activity:  encourage healthy opportunities for physical activity and fresh air
• Support them in having a dedicated study space that has minimal distractions and is decluttered

COVID-19 Information is essential the same:

• New Masking Mandate  As of Saturday, Mar 12, the state masking mandate has transitioned from “required” to “strongly recommended”. While masks will no longer be required,  “masks remain one of the most effective and simplest safety mitigation layers to prevent transmission of COVID-19 infections” (CDPH). Masks will still be available to those who need or want one. Students who return after Day 5 of Covid infection must mask through Day 10.
• Remain Alert to COVID symptoms, continue to report COVID+ cases to us (especially Attendance) and keep your students home when they are ill.
• COVID Isolation, Quarantines and Test Kits The current guidelines for return to school after COVID illness require a negative COVID test (if returning before 10 days). Please see Principal Shawn’s COVID FAQ’s for more details. We continue to update policy based on the County Health Department guidance.

Please be in touch with me to discuss any medical, health, or wellness concerns.

Stay healthy and be well,
Dvora Citron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org
925-280-2970 x7128
Acalanes School Nurse Google Site
IG:  acalanesschoolnurse

Performing Arts

Mark your May calendars because you don't want to miss any of these upcoming musical events!

Join Music Director Lauren Gibson as she hosts two concerts:

• Tuesday, May 10 at 7pm in the AHS Performing Arts Center. Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble are performing. Admission is free, $5 donation suggested for adults.

• Thursday, May 12 at 7pm in the AHS Performing Arts Center. Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Band are performing. Admission is free, $5 donation suggested for adults.

Concert at the Res (Lafayette Reservoir) Saturday, May 14 from 11am to 12:30pm at Lafayette Reservoir, Outdoor Stage. Lafayette Rotarians are hosting an afternoon of wonderful music featuring local bands including Acalanes High School Wind Ensemble, Stanley Middle School, Bentley School and the Rossmoor Big Band.This annual concert helps to raise money to supply Lamorinda and Bay Area Schools with new instruments for their music programs. Live entertainment and food and drinks for purchase. Free admission.

Jazz Cafe 2022 Friday, May 20 from 5:30 to 9pm in Stanley Middle School, Multi-Use Room. Always a popular community event, this year’s Jazz Cafe will feature talented Jazz Bands from Acalanes, Stanley Middle School, Campolindo and more. All will be coming together for an evening of music and to honor Mr. Bob Athayde after 35 years of inspirational service to the Lamorinda Community.
 
The APAB Board is seeking New Board Members. Are you interested in volunteering for a role that can make a difference in Acalanes’ performing arts? Acalanes Performing ArtsBoosters (APAB) is looking to fill open roles for next year. This is a great opportunity to get involved and connected to our performing arts community!
Open 2022-23 APAB roles:

• President
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Publicity & Communications   

In addition, Instrumental Music has the following board openings for the coming year (must have a student enrolled in Instrumental Music):

• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Reception Committee

Please contact Paulie Proffett or Mary Beth Towery for more information.

LPIE

Last week we held a festive awards ceremony to announce the winners for Project LPIE.
 
Click here to view the complete list of all Project LPIE Winners!
 
Congratulations to all our talented Acalanes students who participated in Project LPIE 2022. It's not too early to start thinking about projects for 2023.

Jennifer Palmer and Michele Colaco, Acalanes LPIE School Chairs
www.lpie.org, Follow us on Instagram

Sports

This week’s can’t miss events:

Baseball
Tuesday, May 10 Clayton Valley Charter HS at 4:00pm. Varsity is away and JV is home.
Thursday, May 12 Clayton Valley Charter HS at 4:00pm. Varsity is home and JV is away.
 
Softball
Tuesday, May 10 Campolindo HS at 4:30pm. Varsity is home and JV is away.
Thursday, May 12 Varsity at Ygnacio Valley HS at 4:30pm.
Friday, May 13 Varsity at Skyline HS at 4:00pm.
 
Boys Volleyball
Tuesday, May 10 NCS Semifinals
May 12 NCS Championship
 
Boys Lacrosse
Tuesday, May 10 NCS Semifinals
Thursday, May 12 NCS Championship
 
Boys Tennis
Tuesday, May 10, Thursday, May 12 and Saturday, May 14 NCS Team Championships
 
Swimming
Friday, May 13 CIF Trials at Clovis West HS.
Saturday, May 14 CIF Finals at Clovis West HS.
 
Track & Field
Saturday, May 14 NCS Tri-Valley Championships at Freedom HS.