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School Nurse
One Shot In Each Arm! Protect your student against illness and missing school (and protect your community as well)! Make their appointments to get both the flu shot and their next Covid booster (now giving new bivalent version effective against variants). Many pediatrician’s offices and most pharmacies have them available.
COVID Please call in your student’s absence to the Attendance Recorder and continue to follow the district’s Covid guidance. The school is not notifying teachers, so students should access Canvas as much as possible and stay in contact with their teachers to communicate their remote progress in their classes. Here is a California COVID-19 Isolation & Quarantine Calculator. And here is additional information about staying up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines and boosters.
One Pill Can Kill LA Times article
THIS is an excellent resource for prevention and early action.
Please see my website for more information on medications, health issues, forms, etc.
Weekly Nutrition Tips:
Look for seasonal fall fruits and vegetables (pumpkin?) and start integrating them into your meals (muffins, stews, etc). Use pomegranate seeds to flavor yogurt, cereal, salads.
Dvora Citron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org
925-280-2970 x7128
IG: acalanesschoolnurse -
Wellness Center
With SATs and AP Tests right around the corner, it may be beneficial to discuss test anxiety with your student. Test anxiety is actually a form of performance anxiety which affects 25-40% of students. While it’s perfectly normal for a student to feel nervous before a test, test anxiety can be overwhelming for students and disrupt their concentration and ability. Here are a couple steps you can take to support your student in combating their test anxiety:- Positive self-talk can go a long way in altering one’s perception of their ability. Encourage your student to talk to themselves about how they would talk to a friend or loved one experiencing the same anxiety. We are often our own worst critic and, in many instances, we talk to ourselves more negatively than we would ever talk to someone else.
- Acceptance of mistakes can also shift your student’s mindset around their ability. First, remind your student that trying their best is realistically the most they can do. Even when trying our absolute best, people still make mistakes. Second, model this behavior for your students. Are you shaming your student when their best effort isn’t “good enough” or beating yourself up when you make a mistake? Offer grace in the face of mistakes. We’re all human after all.
- Teach test taking basics to your student so they might feel more confident when the time comes to take a test. Believe it or not, study skills and test taking strategies are learned. Just because students have to take tests, doesn’t mean they are actually equipped to do so successfully.
Source: kidshealth.org
Kiara Thomas- Wellness Intake Specialist -
Performing Arts
Mark your October calendar for the widely popular Acalanes Pops Concert! Directors Lauren Gibson and Meredith Hawkins will lead their talented students in performing beloved music from various soundtracks. Don't miss this fun-filled evening!
Date: Wednesday, October 19, 2022
Time: 7:00-8:30pm
Location: AHS Performing Arts Center
Music Groups: Acalanes Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Orchestra and Choir
Admission: Free ($5 donation suggested for adults)
Click here for full flyer
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LPIE
Thank you for supporting LPIE as we strive to reach our goal of 100% participation. We are very pleased to announce the following September Sweepstakes winners:
Jagged Little Pill - Mike Zawadski (Acalanes)
Frozen - Camille Tsao (Acalanes)
Giants - Lisa Goeller (Stanley)
Questions? Please contact Andrea Hilsabeck or Michele Colaco
www.lpie.org, Follow us on Instagram -
Sports
This week’s can’t miss events!
Girls Golf
Monday, Oct 3 Campolindo HS at Contra Costa CC at 3:30pm.
Girls Volleyball
Tuesday, Oct 4 at Northgate HS. Frosh at 4pm, JV at 5pm and Varsity at 6:30pm.
Thursday, Oct 6 host Las Lomas HS. Frosh at 4pm, JV at 5 pm and Varsity at 6:30pm.
Saturday, Oct 8 Stockton Classic
Girls Tennis
Tuesday, Oct 4 College Park HS at 4pm. Varsity is home and JV is away.
Thursday, Oct 6 Campolindo HS at 4pm. Varsity is away and JV is home.
Girls Water Polo
Wednesday, Oct 5 host Campolindo HS. JV at 4pm and Varsity at 5pm.
Thursday, Oct 6 at Amador Valley HS. Varsity at 4:30pm and JV at 5:30pm.
Boys Water Polo
Wednesday, Oct 5 host Campolindo HS. Varsity at 6pm and JV at 7pm.
Friday, Oct 7 and Saturday, Oct 8 Jesuit Classic.
Football
Friday, Oct 7 host Las Lomas HS. JV at 4:30pm, varsity at 7pm.
Cross Country
Saturday, Oct 8 Crystal Springs Invitational
The fall sport schedules will be found on the Acalanes High School website by clicking here.
If you have any questions, please contact Randy Takahashi at rtakahashi@auhsdschools.org or Haley Walsh at hwalsh@auhsdschools.org. -
APC in Action
If you are not receiving class specific emails from your class liaisons, register for your class here on our website.
Follow Acalanes Parents Club on Instagram. Contact APC here with any questions. -
Parent’s Club Pro-Tip
ATTENDANCE Q&A
How do I excuse my student for an appointment during the day?
Call the 24-hour attendance line at 925-280-3973 and leave a message. The messages are checked frequently. If your student needs to leave right away, please call the office directly at 925-280-3970 ext. 7126.
Can tardies be excused? Yes, with a medical or dental note and a student sign in. Otherwise, parents cannot excuse tardies. -
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)
Shanah Tovah! The Jewish High Holidays begin this weekend. Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, starts today at sunset and ends at nightfall on Tuesday, Sept 27. Yom Kippur, the “Day of Atonement” and holiest day of the year in Judaism, starts on Tuesday, Oct 4 at sundown and ends at nightfall on Oct 5. After Yom Kippur, the festive holidays of Sukkot and Simchat Torah follow, concluding the fall holiday celebrations. Click here to learn more about the High Holidays.
As we continue to honor Latine Heritage month, we discovered more about its origins through the National Archives primary sources. Hispanic Heritage Week started in 1968 and was expanded to a 30-day period in 1988. U.S.. Representatives from California played key roles in drafting the legislation that became law.
Join us on Thursday, Oct 6 at 5pm to celebrate Latine Heritage Month with a live performance and food. Sign up to bring a dish to the Latine Potluck.
Last, thanks to Arshay Cooper for sharing his wisdom and positivity this past Monday night. We appreciate the hundreds of students and parents who showed up to listen and contribute to the conversation. Read about it in Blueprint. #donsshowup
Stay current: Add us to your Instagram at @acalanesdei
Have something to contribute or a question? Contact us -
Student Activities
Homecoming 2022 U.S. Cities Begins TODAY!
Homecoming is always one of the most talked about and favorite weeks at Acalanes - the camaraderie amongst classes, the friendly competition, the hallways, STUDENT DODGEBALL, class skits and the culminating NIGHT OUT! Students are excited- please encourage your student to opt in and participate in some aspect of the week. Here is an overview:- Today 10am-3pm Hallway Decorating Students can drop in anytime to help- there is a job for everyone so please encourage your student to come by! Seniors decorate the 200 wing, Juniors decorate the 100 wing, Sophomores decorate the 300 wing and Frosh decorate the 400 wing. Come for an hour or the whole day! Parents are also invited to see the finished hallways- stop by Acalanes today anytime after 3pm to see the magic that gets created!
- Monday
- Dress-up: Anything but a backpack
- Lunchtime activity: obstacle course on the field
- Tuesday
- Dress-up: Wall Street (fancy attire)
- Lunchtime activity: card games in the front quad
- Wednesday
- Dress-up: Beach Day
- Lunchtime activity: Innertube water polo
- 7:30pm: A student favorite- Student Dodgeball (students can come to play or just watch). Must bring Student ID to play.
- Thursday
- Dress-up: Neon
- Lunchtime activity: Capture the flag on the field
- FAB Night Out: Girls Water Polo at 5pm; Girls Volleyball at 6:30pm
- Friday
- Dress-up: Class shirt or color (9: white, 10: blue, 11: grey, 12: black)
- Academy: Homecoming Rally with class skits
- Lunchtime activity: Staff vs. student dodgeball
- 5:30pm: Homecoming tailgate
- 7pm: Football game + halftime show (wear white); each class will do one dance from their skit and the winner will be announced. There will also be a powder toss in the student section.
- Saturday, Oct 1 from 7-10pm HOCO: A Night Out in our stadium. The night has a full arcade, full casino, silent disco, food vendors, tattoo artist, henna, 2 photo experiences and a pretty incredible dance floor and DJ. Tickets are on sale via GoFan and if you have ASB, the promo code is your Student ID number. If students want to bring a guest, they must fill out a guest contract and return it by TOMORROW. Contracts are on the door of room 314. Looking forward to our community celebrating Homecoming all together!
- We still need parent chaperones for the evening so please consider signing up.
As part of Homecoming, we also host a community canned food drive. It has begun and we are making progress towards our goal of 22,000 cans! It ends this Friday, Sept 30. Please bring cans or money to the flag pole before school or at lunch in the various quads. $1= 3 cans. We also added virtual drives through the food bank if you would like to donate directly:
Class of 2023
Class of 2024
Class of 2025
Class of 2026
The class competition is worth 600 points to the winner and as a community, we are feeding families in our county. Please donate!
For an up-to-date look at all the plans with detailed information, check out the 2022 HOCOOverview!
Equity Events
Latine Heritage Month kicked off Sept 15 and lasts through Oct 15. We have several events planned throughout the month to celebrate and educate and two are open to our community:- Thursday, Oct 6: Community Potluck- sign up to bring a dish!
- Wednesday, Oct 12 at 6:30pm via zoom: Doris Anahi Munoz
As always, if there is anything we can do for you or your student, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here to connect students with activities and interests.
Katherine Walton, Leadership Teacher -
College & Career
Testing Update: Acalanes has canceled all weekend SAT exams and will only be holding school day SAT exams. We will be hosting a Senior only SAT school day on Oct 27 and a Junior only SAT school day in March. Information regarding test dates and registration will go out in the Daily Don so please keep an eye out for it. The College Board should notify and refund any students signed up for weekend SAT exams that were originally scheduled at Acalanes. Thank you for your understanding in regards to this change.
SENIORS
Financial Aid 101: In coordination with the three other high schools in the district, we are inviting Senior parents ONLY to a Financial Aid 101 webinar led by a representative from the California Student Aid Commission:- Monday, Oct 3 from 6:30-7:30pm
- Register in advance for this webinar
- After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Essay Workshops: Essay writing will continue for all Levy academy sessions.
College Visits This Week in the CCC Office: Sign up on the Naviance home page or email to register at least 24 hours in advance. Have your students speak with their teachers to get permission. Follow the CCC instagram @ahs_college_career for timing each week.- Monday, Sept 26: Saint Mary’s College, Savannah College of Art & Design, Miami University of Ohio, Vanderbilt, Southeastern
- Tuesday, Sept. 27: Southern Methodist University, Colorado State, Hawaii Pacific University
- Wednesday, Sept 28: DigiPen Institute of Technology, Western Washington University, St. John’s College
- Thursday, Sept. 29: University of Rochester, Lehigh University
- Friday, Sept 30: Santa Clara University, San Diego State, University of Nevada-Reno
College Application Support: Your student can click here to make an appointment to work on essays or get help with the entire process.
JUNIORS
Internship available: Recycle Smart has student internship opportunities available now for those interested in sustainability. They are seeking Acalanes students!
Volunteer Opportunity: Encourage your child to check out these great places to give back!
SOPHOMORES/FROSH
Volunteer Opportunity: This is also a good site to search for teen volunteer work.
Please visit our College & Career Counseling website any time for additional information and support.
Social Media
