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Campus Culture Committee
Important December Dates
- Dec 21 Winter Solstice
- Dec 25 Christmas
- Dec 25-Jan 2 Hanukkah
- Dec 26-Jan 8 Kwanzaa
The winter solstice, also called the hibernal solstice, occurs when either of earth's poles reaches its maximum tilt away from the sun. Since prehistory, the winter solstice has been a significant time of year in many cultures and has been marked by festivals and rites. This is because it is the point when the shortening of daylight hours is reversed and daytime begins to lengthen again. In parts of Europe it was seen as the symbolic death and rebirth of the sun. Some ancient monuments such as Newgrange, Stonehenge, Cahokia Woodhenge and Ahu Tongariki are aligned with the sunrise or sunset on the winter solstice.
Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa will all be celebrated during our winter break and we wish all who celebrate times full of joy and peace. To learn more about each celebration please click on the holiday above.
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
I am so proud of our students and our community - what an incredible first semester! There is a long (and I do mean long) list of why our community ROCKS and YOU are one of those reasons. Thank you for your support of so many things on our campus!
This semester has truly been wonderful and makes us all very excited to come back and kick off 2nd semester Jan 7, 2025. There are some pretty awesome things in store. For a small taste, see the list below and mark those calendars!
KEY 2ND SEMESTER DATES:
Jan 24: Senior Breakfast + All School Rally + Boys Basketball vs. Campo
Jan 29 @ lunch: Spring Club Day
Jan 30: Open House
March: 1st ever community rally (date TBD)
Mar 18: Talent Show
Ap 18: Special Olympics
Apr 19: Junior & Senior Prom
Apr 23-26: School Musical
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
- Tri Counties Bank scholarship for seniors with financial need or merit
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.
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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.
Juniors ONLY SAT in March - REGISTER NOW: The webstore link is now live/activated to pay for SAT fees for juniors only. The price per exam is $60 and is scheduled during the school day on Wednesday, Mar 5, 2025. The deadline to submit payment through the webstore is Monday, Jan 6, 2025. Your webstore receipt is your confirmation of your registration. If you have any questions, please contact our Testing Coordinator, Jamielle McDonald by email jmcdonald@auhsdschools.org. -
School Nurse
SUPPORTING YOUR STUDENTS DURING FINALS
Sometimes less is more, which doesn’t always feel intuitive. Support your students in taking breaks when studying. Go for a walk, have a healthy snack (keep those available), stay well hydrated and do a mindfulness practice (try the CALM app). Making sure to have family meals also gives your students a chance to connect with you while eating healthy food, have downtime from studying, and to “release”.
Also, this is a good time to think about making appointments for regular MD check-ups for the upcoming year. Fostering your student’s connection with their pediatrician cultivates their sense of support and commitment to health and well-being.
My office hours are:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and some* Thursdays
Tuesdays & Thursdays: 8am - 3:50pm
Wednesdays: 7:30am - 3:20pmAlways Your School Nurse,
Dvora Citron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org, 925-280-2970 x7128
IG: acalanesschoolnurse, School Nurse Website -
Wellness Center
The Acalanes Wellness Center wishes you a happy holiday season! We will be open for students needing support during finals with a modified schedule:
Monday: Regular Hours
Tuesday-Friday: 8am-1:30pm
While winter break is a great time for self-care and connection, this time of year can also be difficult for many. Thankfully, the CCCOE Wellness In Schools Program(WISP) has done the heavy lifting on compiling a list of easy to access local and national resources should you find your AHS student in need while away from school.
As always, dialing 211 will connect you with a database of community resources including Contra Costa Crisis Center and dialing 988 will connect you to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. -
Performing & Visual Arts
Acalanes Performing Arts Boosters would like to recognize the 16 Acalanes musicians who were selected for the prestigious Contra Costa County Honor Band. Acalanes Instrumental Music Dons made a record showing this year and we look forward to their concert in February!
Koto Watanabe, Flute*
Serina Eun, Clarinet*
Monique Khouw, Clarinet*
Noah Frankel, Clarinet
Claire George, Clarinet
Melina Galacatos, Bass Clarinet*
Emme Young, Bass Clarinet
Aya Watanabe, Bassoon
Jonathan Judson, Tenor Saxophone
Bennett George, Trumpet
Emerson Boudreau, Horn
Harrison Mrachek, Horn
Emmett Brummel, Trombone*
Leah Dong, Tuba
Jake Rennie, Percussion
Naoto Watanabe, Percussion
Asterisk indicates 1st Chair - Principal -
LPIE
Pinstripes in Walnut Creek is OPEN and the LPIE Bowling Tournament is ON!
Kick-off Super Bowl weekend on Friday, Feb 7, 2025 at 6pm by joining us for some bowling fun! We will take over the 2nd floor of Pinstripes, enjoy an evening filled with bowling, drinks, a delicious buffet-style dinner from Pinstripes’ scratch kitchen, and vie for a chance to be the LPIE bowling champ! Tickets go on sale Tuesday, Dec 17 at 9am. Grab a friend and check out the new Pinstripes while raising money for our schools!
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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 basketball
Friday, Dec 20 Varsity at Benicia HS at 7pm.
Saturday, Dec 21 host Sacred Heart Cathedral HS. JV at 1:30pm and Varsity at 3pm.
Boys soccer
Saturday, Dec 21 host Terra Linda HS. JV at 2pm and Varsity at 4pm.
Saturday, Dec 21 Frosh host James Logan HS at 12pm.
Wrestling
Saturday, Dec 21 Varsity in the Bill Martell Invitational at Northgate HS.
Saturday, Dec 21 Girls in the Castro Valley Invitational.
Saturday, Dec 21 JV in the Brett Fafard Tournament at Will C. Wood HS.
You may view the full 2024-2025 Athletic Schedule by clicking HERE. -
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.
Social Media
