• Campus Culture Committee

    February 2, 2025

    Upcoming Important Dates

    • February: Black Excellence Month
    • Jan29 - Feb 16: Lunar New Year
    • Feb 28 - Mar 29: Ramadan

    Black History Month is an annually observed commemorative month originating in the United States, where it is also known as African American History Month. It began as a way of remembering important people and events in the history of the African diaspora, initially lasting a week before becoming a month-long observation in 1970. Our school district recognizes it as Black Excellence Month to celebrate not only the history, but the present excellence in the Black community. Students from the Black Student Union (BSU) will be holding events throughout the month. Please support them by encouraging your students to attend the club’s events, including the Quad City Dance at the end of the month.

    Chinese New Year/Lunar New Year, or the Spring Festival, celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. Marking the end of winter and the beginning of spring, this festival takes place from Chinese New Year's Eve (the evening preceding the first day of the year) to the Lantern Festival, held on the 15th day of the year. It is one of the most important holidays in Chinese culture.

    If you’d like to help with any celebrations or join in our cultural discussions please contact the Campus Culture Committee here.

    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

    February 2, 2025

    SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEK

    • Monday 4-9pm: Grab dinner from Chipotle & mention you are from Acalanes!
    • Tuesday: Leadership applications due (current AHS students)
    • Wednesday @ lunch: Black Excellence kick-off event in room 314
    • Thursday @ 7pm: Big 10 event - boys soccer vs. Campolindo
    • Friday @ lunch: ACA Buddies

    2025-2026 Leadership
    Leadership applications for the 2025-2026 school year are now available for current 9th, 10th and 11th graders and due this coming Tuesday. Leadership is open to all grades and drives student programming on campus. There are 16 different committees and an interest for everyone. Current 8th graders at Stanley have an informational meeting at lunch on Monday in Ms. Shegoian’s room and apps are due Feb 20.
     
    BIG 10 in January
    Students have designed the BIG 10 as a way for our community to SHOW UP & SHOW OUT to these 10 events that take place across campus. THIS WEEK: Thursday, Feb 6 at 7pm, boys soccer vs. Campolindo.
     
    Introducing the 2nd Annual Contra Costa Shark Tank Youth Competition
    Win $2,000 to launch or grow your business! No idea is too small! This competition is a fun way to promote youth entrepreneurship among K-12 students in Contra Costa County. When young people succeed as entrepreneurs, they improve their own lives while also contributing to the economic development of their local communities. Visit www.contracostasharktank.org to learn more and apply. Finalists will be selected by the Campolindo High School Entrepreneurship Club, and winners selected by a panel of judges on May 1 at the Lafayette Library. Deadline to apply is Mar 15!

     
    Acalanes Gives Back
    Acalanes is collecting shampoo, soap, and conditioner starting Monday, Feb 3 through Thursday, Feb 13 in front of the main office. Your donations will support local families in need, including newly arrived refugees and unhoused individuals.
     
    Maya Smith, a Lafayette resident and community leader, has relaunched the Lamorinda Care Collective (LCC), a local resource providing essential items free of charge. All donations stay within our community, directly helping those in need. Please consider contributing and making a difference!
     
    February is Black Excellence Month
    As a community, we will celebrate Black Excellence throughout the month of February.
    Potluck + Movie Night
    In honor of Black Excellence Month, BSU will be hosting a potluck before a showing of Hidden Figures in the front quad. The potluck will be on Feb 21 at 5pm and the movie will start at 5:30pm. Please sign up to bring food.

    One event to put in your calendar is the Quad City Dance on Feb 28 at 7:30pm at Las Lomas. It is a district wide dance open to all and is $10 on Go Fan.

    The annual 3v3 basketball sign ups are now open and we cannot wait to see you on the court. Sign up with another friend and your favorite staff person to battle it out and see who will win the championship. Last year Mr. Buchel won so let's see who will be the 2025 reigning champion! Basketball will run through February/early March.
    Support the Garden Club and buy Acalanes grown succulents! Plants are purchased through the Acalanes webstore for $5.25. Once purchased, you will receive an email with pick up instructions. Thanks for your support!
     
    KEY 2ND SEMESTER DATES:
    Mar 13: 1st ever community rally
    Mar 16: Color Run
    Mar 18: Talent show
    Apr 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

    February 2, 2025

    Senior Scholarships

    • AAUW Scholarship for a female senior with significant community service - applications are due Feb 12.
    • Seniors- Please update your admissions’ updates on MaiaLearning. This is important!
    • DVC will be visiting to discuss admissions during Academy on February 19 in the College and Career Center

    Juniors: During the following academy sessions, juniors will be called into the library by last name to learn how to use our college planning tool, MaiaLearning. Feb 21(Rh-Z) , Feb 26 (G-Ka), Feb 28 (Ke-Re) , and March 7 (A-F).

  • Counseling

    February 2, 2025

    Counselor assignments are by student last name:
    A-F Anne Schonauer  
    G-Ka Erika Vasquez
    Ke-Re Marissa Meadows 
    Rh-Z Susan Martin

    Individual Appointments with Counselors Feb 3-11: Students will be assigned an appointment time with their counselor to turn in their course selection form and review their course selections for next year. This appointment time will be on a label on the front of their course selection sheet. Students may leave class prior to their appointment time and return to class after they have met with their counselor.

  • School Nurse

    February 2, 2025

    Focusing on the Positive! Modeling a positive mindset contributes to our students’ health and well-being, as well as their academic success. Try using the practice of affirmations with your kids to focus on the positive. An affirmation is a positive statement you say to yourself about a positive characteristic you embody (I know, I’m using the word positive a lot!). The VIA Classification of 24 Character Strengths is a great tool to use for this practice. Try it and let me know how it goes!

    Please reach out to me for any support your students or family might need.

    My office hours are:
    Tuesdays, Wednesdays and some* Thursdays
    Tuesdays & Thursdays:  8am - 3:50pm
    Wednesdays:  7:30am - 3:20pm

    Always Your School Nurse,
    Dvora Citron, RN, MS
    dcitron@auhsdschools.org, 925-280-2970 x7128
    IG: acalanesschoolnurse, ​School Nurse Website

  • Wellness Center

    February 2, 2025

    Mindfulness and meditation are both invaluable skills to develop during a mental health journey. Mindfulness based interventions have been shown to reduce anxiety and depression. There’s also evidence that mindfulness can lower blood pressure and improve sleep. It may even help people cope with physical pain.

    The Wellness Center is now hosting Tranquil Tuesdays every week during lunch to practice meditation and mindfulness as well as encourage students to prioritize their self-care. Encourage your AHS student to drop by the Wellness Center to learn more about mindfulness and reap the benefits that mindfulness can offer.
     
    Source: NIH.gov

  • LPIE

    February 2, 2025


    7th Annual
    LPIE SPRING GALA
    Saturday, Mar 22, 2025
    The Palace Hotel
    San Francisco
     
    LAST CALL FOR TICKETS!
    Please visit our gala webpage to purchase the final VIP table or the last few individual tickets. The evening will feature silent and live auctions, a delicious dinner, dancing and live music from Mustache Harbor.
     
    All proceeds will support programs and experiences in our schools, funding the teachers, instructors and supplies that make them possible.

  • Sports

    February 2, 2025



    *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
    Tuesday, Feb 4 Varsity host Miramonte HS at 7pm.
    Saturday, Feb 8 at Vanden HS. JV at 3:30pm and Varsity at 5pm.
     
    Boys basketball
    Tuesday, Feb 4 at Miramonte HS. Frosh at 4pm, JV at 6pm and Varsity at 7:30pm.
    Thursday, Feb 6 host Concord HS. JV at 6pm and Varsity at 7:30pm.
    Thursday, Feb 6 Frosh host De La Salle HS at 4:30pm.
     
    Girls soccer
    Tuesday, Feb 4 host Alhambra HS. JV at 5pm, Varsity at 7pm.
    Thursday, Feb 6 at Campolindo HS. JV at 5pm, Varsity at 7pm.
    Saturday, Feb 8 Frosh-soph hosts Berkeley HS at 9am.
    Saturday, Feb 8 at Miramonte HS. Frosh-soph at 2pm, JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
     
    Boys soccer
    Tuesday, Feb 4 at Clayton Valley Charter HS. JV at 5pm, Varsity at 7pm.
    Thursday, Feb 6 host Campolindo HS. Frosh at 4pm, JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7:15pm.
    Sat, Feb 8 JV host Emerald HS at 12pm.
    Sat, Feb 8 Frosh at James Logan HS at 11am.
     
    Wrestling
    Wednesday, Feb 5 host Concord HS at 6pm.
    Saturday, Feb 8 NCS Dual Meet Championship at Liberty HS.

    You may view the full 2024-2025 Athletic Schedule by clicking HERE.

  • General Administration Announcements

    January 26, 2025

    It’s course section time for the 2025-2026 school year! Course selections (and alternates) should be entered into Aeries by Monday, Feb 3 (although students are able to make changes through Feb 10)! Acalanes has a wealth of resources available to assist you and your students in the process.
     
    Overview of Acalanes course registration can be found here, including forms and course catalog.

    Course Preview Resources for Students We encourage students to view our course preview videos to familiarize themselves with the courses available to them. 

    Counselor Class Visits | Jan 21-30
    School counselors will visit students in their classes to discuss the course selection process, how to submit course requests on the Aeries portal, and how to review the registration packet. Counselors will share the course video resources with students.
     
    Course Preview & Open House | Jan 30 @ 5:30pm
    This night is a valuable resource for current frosh, sophomores and juniors who are mapping out their future courses, as well as an excellent way for incoming 9th grade students to experience all that Acalanes has to offer. It's also a great way to connect with fellow Acalanes parents. See below for more information and break-out timing.
     
    Counselor Appointments | Feb 3-11
    All students will meet with their counselor for a pre-assigned 5-minute appointment during the school day to discuss their course selection and alternate choices. This meeting is to confirm that students have submitted their courses and alternates into the Aeries portal.

    • Frosh counselor appointments - Feb 3 - 4
    • Sophomore counselor appointments - Feb 4 - 6
    • Junior counselor appointments - Feb 6 - 11

    COURSE PREVIEW & OPEN HOUSE - for students and parents
    Thursday, Jan 30:

    • 5:30pm | Acalanes Parents Club hosted reception
    • 5:45pm | Incoming 9th grade family meeting
    • 6:15 - 8pm | Drop-in opportunities
    • 6:35 - 7pm | Breakout session 1
    • 7:05 - 7:30pm | Breakout session 2
    • 7:35 - 8pm | Breakout session 3

  • APC in Action

    January 26, 2025

    Spring 2025 Grants Application Now Available!
    Calling all teachers, parents and students in the Acalanes community! Acalanes Parents Club is looking to award grants that will enhance and enrich the educational experience of AHS students in new and innovative ways. Teachers, staff and students are encouraged to submit ideas for meaningful programs and educational equipment. Click here to read more and access the application! Applications are due by Friday, Feb 14.

    Follow Acalanes Parents Club on Instagram. Please reach out to APC here with any questions.

     

  • Parent Education

    January 26, 2025

    Preparing for a Teen Driver – Free Parent Information Night
    We know that the process of teaching your teen how to drive and earn their license can feel daunting. That’s why we are excited to offer an informative presentation by driving experts and Greenlight Simulation founders Jason Zimmerman and Josh Hurley. They will lay out the steps to acquire a license and provide some foundational tips on how to approach behind-the-wheel driver training with your teen.

    • What: Parent Pit Stop - A Guide To Getting Your Teen Behind The Wheel
    • When: Thursday, Feb 6 - 6:30-7:30pm
    • Where: Acalanes High School Library

    Click here for more information and to RSVP (space is limited).

  • Campus Culture Committee

    January 26, 2025

    Important January Dates

    • Jan 27: APC Campus Culture Committee meeting
    • Jan 27: International Holocaust Remembrance Day
    • Jan 29 - Feb 16: Lunar New Year

    T-shirts are coming!! The Open House/Course Preview is this Thursday, Jan 30 and we will be at a table near the PAC with our new “All are Welcome” t-shirts for sale. Please stop by and pick one up along with a free sticker.

    Our next Campus Culture Committee meeting is tomorrow, Jan 27. Parents and caregivers of currently enrolled students are invited to attend at 6pm online. Please email us to be added to the event.

    The International Holocaust Remembrance Day is an international memorial day that commemorates the victims of the Holocaust, which resulted in the genocide of one third of the Jewish people, along with countless members of other minorities, by Nazi Germany between 1933 and 1945.

    Lunar New Year is the beginning of a new year based on lunar calendars or, informally but more widely, lunisolar calendars. Lunar calendars follow the lunar phase while lunisolar calendars follow both the lunar phase and the time of the solar year. The event is celebrated by numerous cultures in various ways at diverse dates. Over the next few weeks we will highlight some of them here. We hope you encourage your students to join in some of the celebrations that will be happening on campus.

    If you’d like to be a part of the upcoming 2025 celebrations, such as Black Excellence Month and Lunar New Year, please contact the DEIB committee here.

    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.