• APC Membership & Fundraising

    March 27, 2022

    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.

  • Acalanes Community Always (ACA)

    March 27, 2022

    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

  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)

    March 27, 2022

    Madeleine Albright, who died on Wednesday, was the first woman to become US Secretary of State. She paved the way for the next two women to serve in that role, Condoleezza Rice, the first Black woman to serve, and Hillary Clinton. Albright’s family fled to the US as refugees in 1949 to escape the political strife in Europe from (then) Czechoslovakia (now Czech Republic). “Becoming a U.S. citizen is the most important thing that ever happened to me," she said at the U.N. Refugee Summit in 2016. She was described by her peers as a “trailblazer,” receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012.

    And the Oscar goes to…Here’s a bit of trivia if you watched the 93rd Academy Awards. The very first Oscar to go to an African-American went to actress, singer-songwriter, and comedian Hattie McDaniel. She earned the award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Mammy in Gone with the Wind in 1939.

    Facts corner: The popularity of women’s soccer has grown exponentially since the U.S. won the first Women’s World Cup in 1991, but it wasn’t until 1996 that the U.S. women’s national soccer team was allowed to compete at the summer Olympics in Atlanta. That was the first year women’s soccer was introduced as an Olympic sport, bringing home a historic win against China for the team’s first gold medal while a record-breaking 76,000 fans watched.

  • Parent Education

    March 27, 2022

    Don’t be preoccupied with your child’s academic ability, but instead teach them to sit with those sitting alone. Teach them to be kind. Teach them to offer help. Teach them to be a friend to the lonely. Teach them to encourage others. Teach them to think about other people. Teach them to share. Teach them to look for the good. This is how they will change the world. #parentingteensandtweens

    Hope you were able to join us for Alternatives to College and College Prep presented by Cindy Muchnick, MA!
     
    If you want further guidance about screen time for your teens, here is an article from Common Sense Media that can help!
     
    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 WellnessCenter. Feel free to reach out and connect with us with ideas for future topics, shareable resources, or thoughts at parented@acalanesparentsclub.com.

  • Student Activities

    March 27, 2022

    Acalanes Spiritwear Looking for Acalanes gear or a welcome gift for the Class of 2026? Two options:

    • We have created a spirit pack geared for the Class of 2026 which includes a hooded black sweatshirt, car magnet, cinch pack and flag to fly at your house for $68.00. Proceeds generated from the spirit packs will benefit the Class of 2026. Last  day to order is Monday, Apr 11 and pick-up will be Wednesday, May 4.
    • Spiritwear is available for purchase on the Acalanes webstore. You can purchase here and once purchased, you will receive an email with directions for pick-up.

    Saturday, Apr 30 Junior & Senior Prom at Lake Chalet in Oakland

    • Tickets are live on the webstore
    • Wednesday, Mar 30 at lunch Bus Assignments begin. In order to get a bus assignment, students need to show their webstore receipt & permission form. Permission forms can be found on the webstore and on the door of room 314.
    • Tickets are $85 for current 11th and 12th graders; $125 for outside guests and current 9th/10th.
    • Ticket price includes transportation to/from the event, buffet dinner, dancing, karaoke, silent disco, games & photo booth.

    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

    March 27, 2022

    Seniors

    • DVC Virtual Enrollment Support - Click here for help. This process takes some time. Start now!
    • Recycle Smart Scholarship available for seniors. Due April 18.

    Juniors

    • Practice ACT and SAT exams - Click here to register for online practice tests on Saturday, Apr 23 and Saturday, Apr 30
    • Revolution Prep - We are coordinating with this company to offer free virtual practice tests for 6 AP subjects: AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP US History, AP Physics 1-Algebra-Based. The practice AP tests are live online, proctored by professional tutors, and will be offered on upcoming Saturdays through Apr 9. Students will receive a score report immediately following the practice exam, just like our other practice tests. Your students can register for one or more of thepractice tests here.

    Sophomores/Freshmen

    Resources:

    New leadership/volunteer opportunity! The Lafayette School District is looking for high school students to volunteer April 11 to April 15 or  April 18 to April 22 for 100 volunteer hours. If your student enjoys the outdoors, natural science, and community service and loved the field trips of their elementary school days this opportunity is for them. Apply today to be a Cabin Leader for 5th Grade Outdoor Education (Camp) for LAFSD elementary students. Completed applications due to Ms. Dolphin by Thursday, March 31. Applicant must be a fully-vaccinated high schooler (freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior) with a G.P.A. of 2.0 or higher.

  • Counseling

    March 27, 2022

    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

    March 27, 2022

    Tuesday, Apr 12 from 7pm ET to 8:30pm ET Mindfulness and Media Webinar to learn the steps you can take to help teens navigate technology in a savvy and healthy way.

    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).

    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.
    • Please 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

  • Wellness Center

    March 27, 2022

    It seems as if the stressors of the world never stop coming. The pandemic and the fallout for the past two years have been at the forefront of our collective consciousness. Only three months into 2022 and we are now faced with issues arising from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Even though it's times like these in which we feel out of control, I am here to remind you that no challenge in this life is permanent, no matter how daunting it may seem. Here are a few simple changes you and your AHS student can make to support your sense of control when times get tough:

    • Less screen time - while it is good to be informed of what is going on in the world, it is not healthy to be constantly connected to information. Consider the fact that you, personally, are not responsible for the woes of the world. Take  a break from your screen and do something fun instead.
    • Spend more time outdoors - sometimes the best way to ground yourself is with a shift in perspective. Tap into the times in which you are able to get in touch with your natural state by moving your body, breathing fresh air and basking in the beautiful landscape the world provides us naturally.
    • Take things one step at a time - by breaking challenges into smaller pieces they become a bit more manageable. Whether it is day by day or moment by moment, being present allows us the opportunity to face what is directly in front of us opposed to seeing things from an intimidating, larger scale.

  • Performing Arts

    March 27, 2022

    Here are some exciting results from our fabulous Acalanes instrumental groups from their recent participation in local events.

    • The Acalanes Wind Ensemble performed at the Sonoma Invitational Festival on March 11, where the band received high praise from their post-performance clinician Dr. Caslor from Arizona State.
    • The Acalanes Jazz Ensemble performed at Santa Cruz Jazz Festival on March 19, receiving well-deserved perfect(!!) scores from all the adjudicators. 
    • A big congratulations to our students who made Contra Costa County Honor Band: Riley Bonner, Nathan Joseph, Cole Rubener, Spencer Tantameng, Aya Watanabe, Koto Watanabe, Naoto Watanabe
    • A big congratulations to our students who made Contra Costa County Honor Jazz Band: Riley Bonner, Tommy Gallagher, Spencer Tantameng


    The Acalanes Jazz Ensemble at the Santa Cruz Jazz Festival

    ahsperformingarts.org

  • LPIE

    March 27, 2022

    Please join us for a special presentation Wednesday, Mar 30 at 6pm (PLEASE NOTE NEW TIME) with Karen Hyun, Ph.D., Chief of Staff at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Register here for the Zoom presentation.
     
    Prior to joining NOAA in January 2021, Dr. Hyun spent four years at the National Audubon Society where she served as the Vice President for Coastal Conservation, as well as Director of Water and Coastal Policy. She has championed conservation issues across the Executive Branch, including the Fish, Wildlife, and Parks at the Department of the Interior, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Natural Resources Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives.

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

  • Sports

    March 27, 2022

    This week’s can’t miss events:
     
    Boys golf
    Monday, Mar 28 Campolindo HS at Contra Costa CC 3:30 pm.
    Wednesday, Mar 30 Benicia HS at Rossmoor GC at 3:30 pm.
    Thursday, Mar 31 Las Lomas HS at Boundary Oak CC at 3:30 pm.
     
    Boys tennis
    Tuesday, Mar 29 Northgate HS at 3:30 pm. Varsity is away and JV is home.
    Thursday, Mar 31 College Park HS at 3:30 pm. Varsity is away and JV is home.
     
    Boys lacrosse
    Tuesday, Mar 29 host Miramonte HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
    Thursday, Mar 31 at Marin Academy HS at 5pm.
     
    Girls lacrosse
    Tuesday, Mar 30 at California HS. JV at 5:30 pm and Varsity at 7pm.
    Thursday, Mar 31 at College Park HS. JV at 5:30 pm and Varsity at 7pm.
     
    Softball
    Tuesday, Mar 29 at Miramonte HS at 4:30 pm.
    Thursday, Mar 31 Las Lomas HS at 4:30 am. Varsity is home and JV is away.
     
    Baseball
    Wednesday, Mar 30 Las Lomas HS at 4pm. Varsity is home and JV is away.
     
    Boys volleyball
    Thursday, Mar 31 host College Park HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 6pm.
    Saturday, Apr 2 Granite Bay Invitational.
     
    Competitive sport cheer
    Thursday, Mar 31 Miramonte HS at 5:30 pm and Concord HS at 7:30 pm at Miramonte HS.
     
    Track & field
    Wednesday, Mar 30 host Miramonte HS 3:30 pm.
    Friday, Apr 1 and Saturday, Apr 2 Stanford Invitational.