Weekly News & Announcements

Counseling

Counselor assignments are by student last name: 
A-F               Anne Schonauer
G-Hul           Erika Vasquez on campus Tues/Fri
Hum-Pla       Marissa Meadows
Ple-Z            Susan Martin

Please note new Counselor Alpha Breakdown above 
Erika Vasquez will be split 40% at Acalanes and 60% at Las Lomas High School this year. She will be on the AHS campus Tuesdays and Fridays, but will be available by email Monday through Friday.

Senior Appointments 
Counselors will be calling in all 12th graders to discuss post-high school plans starting in early September. We will look at Maia Learning, discuss deadlines, documents needed for applications, and answer questions.

Senior Parent Night - Wednesday, September 9th at 6:30pm in the AHS Library
Come hear from College and Career Advisor Debbie Levy and Counselor Anne Schonauer about all things post-high school and what you can do to prepare and support your student through the application process! 

CSF application period is now open!   California Scholarship Federation (CSF) is an honor society for high school students.  Current juniors and seniors should apply this month.  Students who are members for at least 4 semesters during high school get a gold sash to wear at graduation and it's an award to put on college applications. Students need to re-apply every semester.  Please read the application carefully for eligibility requirements and instructions.  The deadline is Wednesday, Sept 30.

Wellness Center

The Acalanes Wellness Center is open and ready to support students throughout the school year. Wellness staff will be pushing into classes to introduce wellness services to all grade levels Tuesday, Sept 8 - Friday, Sept 11. Additionally please encourage your students to come to Wellness during academy for study hall and Wellness presentations.

What We Do
The Wellness Center aims to support the needs of all students. This includes those who may be feeling overwhelmed, lonely, anxious, stressed, sad, or confused, as well as anyone experiencing other challenging emotions. We offer both ongoing and drop-in counseling services, Wellness breaks, information about community resources, and opportunities to join clubs and student programs. We also host a variety of educational events during lunchtime and Academy throughout the school year.

Get Connected

• If you have questions about Wellness, please email us at AHS Wellness coordinator.
• To refer a student to Wellness, please use this form: AHSWellnessReferral. Please remember that all Wellness Center services are confidential and completely voluntary.
• Follow us on Instagram @acalaneswellness  to find out more about what we're doing to support Acalanes students. There is also additional information about our program on the Acalanes High School website.

We look forward to supporting our students throughout another great school year.

Performing & Visual Arts

Come experience the award-winning San Francisco brass band at their opening season concert on Saturday, Sept 12 in the Acalanes High School Performing Arts Center at 7:00 PM. The Acalanes High School brass ensemble will join the brass band during their final selection for a side-by-side performance!

Friday Night Lights! Mark your calendars to hear the Acalanes Pep Band! 
Mark your calendars! The Acalanes Pep Band will be performing at the following home football games on Fridays: 9/18, 9/25, 10/16 and 11/6. Come out to support the Dons and our talented musicians!

Sports

Wednesday, September 9, the Boosters will have a pop-up sale so you can gear up for the upcoming Spirit Nights. We'll be selling the Everyone Watches Women's Sports shirts, Fear the Blue shirts, blue hats and blue sweatshirts, and USA/ACA shirts for our Friday Night Lights USA night on September 18. 

• September 9, @ Nutrition - come find us in the Frosh Quad
• September 9, @ Lunch - come find us at the flag pole. 

*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 tennis
Tuesday, Sept 8 Bishop O’Dowd HS at 4:00pm.  Varsity at Merritt College and JV is home.
Thursday, Sept 10 Varsity hosts San Ramon Valley HS at 4:00pm.
 
Girls golf
Tuesday, Sept 8 Campolindo HS at Contra Costa CC at 3:30pm.
Wednesday, Sept 9 Las Lomas HS at Boundary Oak GC at 3:30pm.
 
Flag football
Wednesday, Sept 9 host College Park HS.  JV at 6:00pm and Varsity at 7:30pm.
 
Tackle football
Friday, Sept 11 hosts St. Ignatius HS.  JV at 4:30pm and Varsity at 7:00pm.
Saturday, Sept 12 v. Freshmen at St. Ignatius HS at 10:00am.
 
Girls volleyball
Friday, Sept 11 hosts St. Mary’s HS.  JV at 4:30pm and Varsity at 6:00pm.
Saturday, Sept 12 JV in Sonoma Valley Tournament.
 
Girls water polo
Friday, September 11 and Saturday, September 12  Varsity and JV host Acalanes Invitational.

General Announcements

We are searching for adults to help with proctoring PSAT and SAT exams on Monday, Oct 5.  Restrictions: Parents, you are NOT allowed to proctor an exam that your own child is taking.
 
You can volunteer your time (unpaid), or receive pay of $25/hr.  This is a perfect opportunity for recent high school/college graduates, stay-at-home parents, retirees, and those searching for employment.  If you are interested in learning more about proctoring, please contact the Acalanes Testing Coordinator, Jamielle McDonald at jmcdonald@auhsdschools.org.

APC in Action

Thank You for a Special Evening!
It was wonderful to see so many of you at Back to School Night this past Thursday!  We would like to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to our teachers, staff, and administration for sharing their evening with us and making this event a huge success.  We also want to give a special thanks to Susan Corkery and Maxine Fisher, our Hospitality Chairs, for providing refreshments and a warm welcome to our ACA families.  We are so grateful for this incredible school community!


Fall 2026 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 AHS student experience in new and innovative ways. Teachers, staff, and students are encouraged to submit ideas for meaningful programs, projects, and equipment that will benefit our school community.
Applications are due by Friday, Sep 18.
Click here to read more and access the application!

APC Membership & Fundraising

Acalanes Parents Club has committed $200,000+ to Acalanes this school year, which will provide vital services for our entire AHS community. As of today, we have yet to reach that goal and we need your help!

We are tremendously grateful for your support, which funds the following programs for all Acalanes students and staff:

*Peer Tutoring        
*Campus Enhancements
*Grants Program   
*Staff & Teacher Development   
*Parent Ed
*Communications  
*Volunteer Opportunities            
*and more...

If you haven’t had a chance to donate, please consider doing so here. The suggested amount is $450 per student, but any amount is needed and greatly appreciated.

Another important source of funds is making your donations go twice as far with Corporate Matching. Please check if your company has a matching program and reach out to samira.abrams@gmail.com.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Parents Club Pro-Tip