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APC Membership & Fundraising
Buy a Brick, Leave a Legacy! There’s no better way to honor a Don than with a customized 2022 Legacy Brick on our Dons Legacy Wall. Prominently displayed in the Main Quad, our Dons Legacy Wall provides families a lasting way to recognize their special student, teacher, coach, team, performance group, club, and more. Purchase your brick through the Acalanes Web Store for $250. Contact Legacy Brick Coordinator Leanne Zimmerman with any questions.
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Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
Does your family celebrate Easter, Orthodox Easter, or Passover? Turns out these holidays have much in common. In fact, Easter’s roots canbe traced to Judaism by its original Greek name, Pascha.
Michael W. Twitty, food historian and author says he likes to bring his full identity as a Black Jew to the symbolic food of the seder meal during Passover. He will make his haroseth to symbolize the Egyptians’ enslavement of Israelites as well as sweet potato, signifying hope and renewal.
If you missed Technology and Civil Liberties Attorney Matt Cagle’s acclaimed documentary film Coded Bias last month, you can watch it here for free! The film follows an MIT researcher’s push for the first-ever legislation against bias in algorithms after she reveals how facial recognition software does not see dark-skinned faces accurately. -
Student Activities
It’s Earth Week! Monday, Apr 18 through Friday, Apr 22. We have fun, environmentally-based events everyday so make sure to participate! Below is an overview of everything that is happening during the week. Go DONS!
Monday- Enviro Jeopardy at lunch in room 314
- Dress Up Arctic- wear coats, gloves, beanies, and white/ blue
- Sneaker drive starts. Drop off used sneakers in the front quad before school
Tuesday
- Garden Club Event at lunch in TBD
- Dress Up Desert- wear hats, sunglasses, orange/ yellow/ tan
Wednesday
- Bring a Reusable Water Bottle to lunch in all quads
- Recycle Smart Enviro Council at Academy in room 314
- Dress up Mountain- bucket hats, cargo pants, green/ brown/ grey
Thursday
- Succulent Planting at lunch in Front Quad
- Dress Up Jungle- Animal print, camo, green
Friday
- Costa Sunglasses Presentation at Academy in room 314
- Dressup Ocean/beach- flip flops, Hawaiian shirts, sunglasses, tropical print, blue/ yellow
Saturday
- Tree-Plenish Planting Event at 9am to 12pm on campus. If you ordered a sapling, please come pick it up.
Sneaker Drive this week Monday, Apr 18 to Friday, Apr 22 in the Front Quad. Drop off your used shoes before school everyday during the week. The shoes will be recycled and used to help environmental initiatives.
Acalanes High school is hosting the Special Olympics on Friday, April 22nd from 10 am to 1pm. Come out to the track to support the community and cheer on different schools!
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 Virtual Enrollment Support - Click here for help. This process takes some time. Start now! Please send your student in for 1:1 help in the CCC.
- Recycle Smart Scholarship available for seniors due Monday, Apr 18.
- Acalanes Performing Arts Booster Scholarship will award one $1,000 scholarship to a Senior who participates in either Choral Music, Drama or Instrumental Music with an intent to major or minor in performing arts at a two or four-year college, university, or performing arts school. Applications are available now and must be submitted by Sunday, May 1. Click here for the scholarship instructions and application.
Juniors
- Parent Night in the Library Wednesday, Apr 20 from 6 to 7pm. Come and meet Debbie Levy in person to learn Naviance tips/list making strategies, and ideas for summer activities.
- Practice ACT and SAT exams - Click here to register for online practice tests on Saturday, Apr 23 and Saturday, Apr 30 with Revolution Prep
- 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
- Teen Volunteer Jobs Here is a great website with teen volunteer opportunities.
Resources:
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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.
Geometry for Advancement - Summer School
If your 9th grader is doing well in Algebra 1 and wants to advance in math, we offer a summer Geometry class that enables students to enroll at the Algebra 2 level in 10th grade. Please contact your counselor for more information.
Junior Meetings
Starting late-March, counselors will be meeting individually with all juniors to review graduation requirements and talk about post-high school options. Students interested in 4-year college are encouraged to also make an appointment with Debbie Levy, the College and Career Advisor. -
School Nurse
Parenting Teens in Uncertain Times
Monday, April 25 to Wednesday, May 4. This is a 10-day free summit for parents, caregivers and anyone who wants to create a better future for our teens.
April is Alcohol Responsibility Month.
To be quite honest, I rarely see much attention paid to Under-age Drinking these days. This is an important topic to discuss regularly with our adolescents and we need to remember that it is dangerous to normalize any unhealthy behavior. Please see resources at responsibility.org for more information.
COVID-19 Information:- 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.
Concussions
If there is any possibility that your student has had a head injury/concussion, please make sure that your student is evaluated as soon as possible by a physician experienced in evaluating and treating concussion. Here is the concussion packet families need if their student has a concussion, and here are some very informative podcasts from Concussion Legacy Foundation (CLF).
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
The Acalanes Drama Dons are proud to present Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare nightly from Tuesday, April 26 through Friday, April 29 in the Acalanes Little Theater. All shows start at 7pm and doors open at 6:30pm. Purchase tickets here.
Acalanes Performing Arts Booster Scholarship
APAB will award one $1,000 scholarship to a Senior in the Acalanes Class of 2022 who participates in either Choral Music, Drama or Instrumental Music with an intent to major or minor in a performing arts at a two or four-year college, university, or performing arts school. Applications are available now and must be submitted by May 1. Click here for the scholarship instructions and application.
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LPIE
Have you checked out the LPIE Gala Online Auction yet? Don’t miss these amazing Acalanes items now through Friday, Apr 22:- 4 Reserved Seats for Graduation 2022
- Reserved Parking Space for Events (Dons Day, Back to School Night, Open House, Graduation 2023)
- 4 Tickets & Reserved Seating for DramaDons Fall Play
- 4 Tickets & Reserved Seating for Instrumental Music Concert
- Acalanes Spirit Bag of Swag
200+ other items, including vacations, restaurant meals, tutoring sessions, local retail items, and so much more. Browse & Bid here!
New date for Project LPIE Awards Ceremony! Postponed until Tuesday, May 3 at 3:30 pm in the PAC Students and Parents are invited to join us for the Project LPIE Awards Ceremony to celebrate all of our incredibly talented Acalanes students.
Jennifer Palmer and Michele Colaco, Acalanes LPIE School Chairs
www.lpie.org, Follow us on Instagram
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Sports
This week’s can’t miss events:
Boys golf
Monday, Apr 18 Las Lomas HS at Contra Costa CC 3:30 pm.
Wednesday, Apr 20 Clayton Valley Charter HS at Oakhurst CC at 3:30 pm.
Softball
Monday, Apr 18 Varsity and JV at Albany HS at 4pm.
Tuesday, Apr 19 host Mt. Diablo HS at 4:30 pm.
Baseball
Tuesday, Apr 19 Miramonte HS at 4pm. Varsity is home and JV is away.
Thursday, Apr 21 Miramonte HS at 4pm. Varsity is away and JV is home.
Boys tennis
Tuesday, Apr 19 Las Lomas HS at 4pm. Varsity is away and JV is home.
Thursday, Apr 21 Campolindo HS at 4pm. Varsity is home and JV is away.
Boys volleyball
Tuesday, Apr 19 at Las Lomas HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 6pm.
Boys lacrosse
Tuesday, Apr 19 host Piedmont HS at 7:30 pm.
Friday, Apr 22 at Miramonte HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Girls lacrosse
Tuesday, Apr 19 at Piedmont HS. JV at 5:30 pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Friday, Apr 22 host Miramonte HS. JV at 5:30 pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Track & field
Wednesday, Apr 20 host Campolindo HS 3:30 pm.
Competitive sport cheer
Thursday, Apr 21 host Clayton Valley Charter HS at 5:30 pm and Mt. Diablo HS at 7:30 pm.
Swimming
Friday, Apr 22 Northgate HS & Ygnacio Valley HS at Northgate HS at 4pm. -
APC in Action
Campus Clean Up Saturday, Apr 16 from 11am to 2pm
It’s time for the Acalanes Spring Campus Clean Up! This is a great opportunity to get some last minute hours for the Acalanes Volunteer Service Award before the April 18 deadline, all while beautifying our campus! Everyone is welcome - students, parents, teachers, staff, and community members. Click here to sign up. Email Denise Cain with questions or for more information.
Log Volunteer Service Hours for Award Applications due Monday, Apr 18
It’s not too late to encourage your student to volunteer and get service hours towards the Acalanes Volunteer Service Award (20 hours). Applications for the award are due by Monday, Apr 18. You can find more details about the Award Instructions and qualifications here and the application/verification forms here. For questions or more information, email here.
APC Spring Grants Have Been Awarded
Thank you to the parents and staff who submitted proposals for an APC Grant. APC Grants are funded through parent donations. We are pleased to announce three grants have been awarded.- The Physical Education department will receive funds to improve the weight room’s experience with the addition of large banners promoting the Acalanes Community Always motto, and the addition of signage that is representative of every sport at Acalanes. The weight room is a community space open and available to all Acalanes students. All Freshmen PE students utilize the weight room their first year at Acalanes.
- Acalanes Leadership students will receive funds to purchase a Cricut Machine, a needed addition to their classroom that will allow for the creation of customized materials to better promote the Acalanes spirit and promote school-wide events.
- Supports the purchase of artificial greenery for campus enhancement during special events throughout the year. A sustainable choice, the artificial greenery will be used year to year during Graduations, Dons Days, Parent nights, dances, awards nights, and more.
Thank you to the 2022 Nominating Committee for your hard work and dedication to filling our APC Executive Board positions. We are proud to announce our slate of nominees for the 2022-2023 school year. The formal vote by the general Parents Club membership will take place at the May 13th Dons Dialogue and APC General Meeting. Thank you!
2022-2023 Parents Club Executive Board Nominees
President: Veronique Kuhner
VP Communications: Michele Colaco
VP Community Partners: Natasha Acuna
VP Fundraising: Lori MacLeod
VP Services: Raina Foster
VP Special Projects: Kelly Daggs
Co-Head Liaison & ACA Liaisons: Jen Dodge and Heidi Hambidge
Secretary: Nicole Long
Treasurer: Katharine Wallace
Assistant Treasurer: Eng Young
Auditor: Nina Ruebner
Past President/Parliamentarian: Kristen Labrosse -
APC Membership & Fundraising
Buy a Brick, Leave a Legacy! There’s no better way to honor a Don than with a customized 2022 Legacy Brick on our Dons Legacy Wall. Prominently displayed in the Main Quad, our Dons Legacy Wall provides families a lasting way to recognize their special student, teacher, coach, team, performance group, club, and more. Purchase your brick through the Acalanes Web Store for $250. Contact Legacy Brick Coordinator Leanne Zimmerman with any questions.
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Acalanes Community Always (ACA)
Acalanes is expanding its student recognition program with the introduction of two new awards that will be integrated into the campus culture.
The Acalanes Silver A Award, which replaces the former underclass department awards, will be based on teacher nominations each semester. The principal’s ACA Blue Heart Award, will allow students, teachers, and staff members to nominate deserving students. An awards oversight committee, made up of a cross-section of teachers, staff members and students, will oversee the selection process. Award recipients will be notified in May.
Nominations are now open for the principal’s ACA Blue Heart Award! Students are invited to use this easy form to nominate their friends and peers who exhibit: - Engagement: Show up for peers
- Spirit: Foster spirit on campus
- Inclusion: Connect with peers on campus
- Care: Show care for peers, teachers, staff, & our campus
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Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
Did you know there is a moon sighting committee that determines the start of the holy month of Ramadan? This Muslim holy month begins in April when the moon is spotted, which can sometimes be tricky because it’s hard to see and only lasts about 20 minutes! Ramadan is a time for praying, reflecting, and fasting. At the end of the daily fast Muslims share meals with family and friends.
Ask your kids: what do DJ Khaled, Shaquille O'Neal, and Dave Chappelle have in common? Aside from being famous for their music, basketball, and comedy, they are just a small number of Americans who practice the Muslim faith. Curious about who else does?
Facts corner: According to the World Health Organization, over 1 billion people live with some form of disability around the world. This includes about 10% of Americans who have an invisible disability including vision and hearing loss, or learning differences. Sadly mostpeople with unseen chronic medical conditions experience stigma and discrimination as a result of their disability.
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