Weekly News & Announcements

College & Career

Seniors

• Update Naviance with College Decisions/Exit Survey Congratulations to all seniors!  Please 1) log into Naviance 2) Click on About Me 3) Choose Surveys from Your School 4) Click Senior Exit Survey to update the decisions. This is how your students’ final transcripts will be sent!
  
  
• Thursday, May 20 at 6pm Senior Awards Night - This will be live-streamed, as space will be limited this year. Seniors receiving awards will be notified next week.

Juniors

• Stay in the loop  - Please follow the CCC instagram to keep up-to-date with college timeline details. Share this with your students too. @ahs_college_career.  
  
  
• Job Opportunities - Encourage your child to come to the CCC to learn about local job opportunities.

• Resume Support - Please let your student know that Mrs. Levy enjoys helping students build their resumes. Naviance is also a great spot to work on resumes. 

Sophomores/Freshman

• Activity Building - Drop by the CCC to learn how to add activities into Naviance.

Latest News
Please follow the CCC instagram to keep up-to-date. Share this with your students too. @ahs_college_career

Resources:

• CCC Website 
• How to request a transcript
• College 101
• Internships and Volunteering Ideas
• Scholarships

Counseling

AP Exams
From our testing coordinator: AP Exams are fast approaching. It is EXTREMELY important that students check their College Board AP Classroom account to verify their AP Exam dates/times as some have been changed by the College Board due to schedule conflicts or non payment of exams. Students are either taking Admin 1, Admin 2, or Admin 3. It is the responsibility of each individual student to check their AP Exam dates/times and be prepared for their exam day. Each exam administration has very specific instructions, all students need to review the details of their exams entirely. Exam specific details can be found on the AHS TESTING HOMEPAGE. All exam formats are final.

June 7 through July 15 - AUHSD Summer School
Summer school is for students who need to repeat a required course after earning a D or F grade. Email your counselor for an application.   

Counselor Appointments
We love talking to our students! Email is the best way to reach us. Counselors have appointment slots for students and will email them a link for signing up. 

A- Ed  Anne Schonauer
Ee-Kr  Christine Todd
Ku-Ros  Marissa Meadows
Rot-Z  Susan Martin

School Nurse

1.  Your student is exhibiting symptoms that fall within possible signs and symptoms of COVID (which is almost everything!).  
   • Without COVID testing, your student can return to school after 10 days and after the symptoms have been resolved for at least 24 hours (without fever-reducing medication).
   • With a negative COVID test result, your student can return to school after the symptoms have been resolved for at least 24 hours (without fever-reducing medication).
2. Your student has been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID.  In this case, your student must stay home for 10 days, even if without symptoms or even with a negative test result.

Performing & Visual Arts

Acalanes Instrumental Music Program is excited to present two Spring Concerts live in May, featuring our fabulous Acalanes Bands and Orchestra! Director Lauren Gibson will be showcasing the following groups:

• May 10th (Monday - 7:00 pm) Concert, Orchestra
• May 12th (Wednesday - 7:00 pm) Symphonic, Woodwinds, Jazz

Both performances will be held at the Acalanes HS Stadium and will be live-streamed (link will be posted next week). Due to COVID-19 safety guidelines, only Instrumental Music families are invited to attend in person. We look forward to having you join us for our first live music concerts of the year!

Go to ahsperformingarts.org for more Performing & Visual Arts information!

Sports

This week’s can’t miss events:

Baseball 

• Tuesday, May 4 v. Miramonte HS at 4 pm. Varsity is home, JV is away.
• Thursday, May 6 v. Miramonte HS at 4pm. Varsity is away, JV is home.
• Friday, May 7 v. De La Salle HS at 4pm. Varsity is home, JV is away.

Girls soccer

• Thursday, May 6 host Las Lomas HS. JV at 5:30pm, Varsity at 7:30 pm.
• Friday, May 7 at Clayton Valley Charter HS. JV at 5:30pm, Varsity at 7:30pm.

Girls tennis

• Thursday, May 6 host Campolindo HS at 3:30pm.  Varsity is home, JV is away.
• Friday, May 7 at Miramonte HS at 3:30pm. Varsity is away, JV is home.

Boys lacrosse

• Thursday, May 6 at Las Lomas HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7:30pm.
• Friday, May 7 host Clayton Valley Charter HS. JV at 5:30 pm, Varsity at 7:30pm.

Boys water polo

• • Wednesday, May 5 - Acalanes hosts Las Lomas HS. JV at 3:30pm, Varsity at 4:50pm
  • Saturday, May 8 - Acalanes hosts Monte Vista HS. Varsity at 12:40pm, JV at 2:00pm. 

Girls water polo

• Saturday, May 8 host Monte Vista HS. JV at 3:30pm, Varsity at 4:50pm.

Boys basketball

• Wednesday, May 5 host Las Lomas HS. Frosh at 4pm, JV at 5:15pm, Varsity at 8pm.
• Thursday, May 6 at Clayton Valley Charter HS. JV at 4pm, Frosh at 5:15pm,  Varsity at 6:30pm.
• Saturday, May 8 host Pittsburg HS. JV at 3:30pm, Varsity at 5pm.

Girls basketball

• Wednesday, May 5 Varsity host Las Lomas HS at 6:30pm.
• Thursday, May 6 Varsity at Clayton Valley Charter HS at 8pm.
• Saturday, May 8 Varsity host Concord HS at 11am.

Boys volleyball

• Wednesday, May 5 Varsity at Las Lomas HS. JV at 4pm, Varsity at 5pm.
• Thursday, May 6 host Clayton Valley Charter HS. JV at 6:30pm, Varsity at 7:30pm.

Girls volleyball

• Wednesday, May 5 Varsity at Las Lomas HS. JV at 6:30pm, Varsity at 7:30pm.
• Thursday, May 6 host Clayton Valley Charter HS. JV at 4pm, Varsity at 5pm. 

Competitive sport cheer

• Friday, May 7 v. Ygnacio Valley HS at College Park HS at 7pm.

Click this link to see a list of current sports and their full schedules.

APC in Action

The slate for the incoming members of the 2021-22 Acalanes Parents Club Board was approved by this year’s board. The next step is for APC General Membership to approve it on Friday, May 21, prior to the final Dons Dialogue of the school year. Contract APC Parliamentarians Dawn Brightbill & Sarah Cusumano at parliamentarian@acalanesparentsclub.com for more information. 

*proposed

Applications Due Saturday, May 1! Acalanes Volunteer Service Awards Program
Submit your applications NOW! After applications have been reviewed and qualified, all students will be notified, via email, of their award level (Acalanes or President’s).

Acalanes Community Always (ACA)

ACA Dog Days are Over Drive Through
What a fun afternoon! It was amazing to see so many spirited Dogs on campus. Check out Leadership’s ahs_dons Instagram for photos of the winning dogs!

ACA Celebrates the Last 25 Days of the 2020-21 School Year
Encourage your students to check out all the ways they can connect each day before the school year comes to a close. Here’s the link to the 25 Days of ACA. Let’s finish the year ACA Strong! 

**INCOMING FRESHMEN & THEIR FAMILIES** Tuesday, May 4 from 5:30-6:30pm Acalanes Athletics & Activities Night, Acalanes Main Quad
This is a “not to miss" event geared towards new Freshmen and their families highlighting ways to get involved at Acalanes. Please share this information with new ACA families! Questions? Email here.  

Goods Donations for Las Lomas
Our fellow AUHSD school Las Lomas is grappling with the recent loss of two students. A community effort is underway to show our love and support to their grieving community. Acalanes will be collecting donations of journals, colored pens, snacks, popcorns, travel size sanitizers, wipes, gift bags, etc. to create student care packages. Donations can be dropped off at the AHS Front Office by Friday, April 30th. Email here for more information.  

Shop Local for Mother’s Day Gifts
Lafayette businesses would LOVE our support for your Mother’s Day gift purchases. Check out the Lafayette’s Chambers Gift Guide for Mothers Day. Let them know you’re an Acalanes family when you shop!

Questions, comments, or feedback, email aca@acalanesparentsclub.com.

LPIE

LPIE Survey
You took the time, and we are grateful. Thank you for completing the LPIE survey. We read every comment and there was feedback that will inform our efforts in the future. Please visit lpie.org/2021surveyresponse to see the responses.

Outdoor Art Scavenger Hunt
Let's celebrate art! Do you want to have a fun adventure while learning about local art in Lafayette? Gather your family and head outdoors for LPIE's Outdoor Art Scavenger Hunt created for ALL ages! Click here for a Scavenger Hunt Map. Clues have been provided by LPIE's very own Art Instructors to help lead you to their favorite art pieces around town.  Post a photo of your outdoor adventure here! To learn more about LPIE's amazing Art Instructors and Outdoor Scavenger Hunt, click here.

Laura-Kate Rurka & Jennifer Palmer
Acalanes LPIE School Chairs

www.lpie.org

Follow us on Instagram

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)

We continue Celebrating Diversity throughout the month of April, but first we acknowledge that following a year of racial protests after the murder of George Floyd, Derek Chauvin was finally convicted on all three counts. Read about this historic trial and conviction here. While thousands expressed relief after the verdicts, many felt anger and sadness — because greater racial justice and equity are not attained by a single case. People remember that Martin Luther King Jr. said the arc of the moral universe bends toward justice. But they forget that he also said that arc is long — sometimes far, far too long.

New Role at AUHSD, Director of Student Support, Equity and Inclusion
This is especially relevant to our Diversity and Inclusion work. The position’s focus includes "a strategic approach to combating racism, discrimination and exclusion, in our academic, athletic and club settings, as well as within the local community." Please share the job listing with your professional networks! Application deadline is 4/30. The job posting can be found here.

Thursday, May 6 from 7-8:30pm Final Racial Equity Seminar with Dr. Lori Watson
An email with a zoom link will be sent to all those registered prior to May 6th. Thank you for putting yourself into this often uncomfortable space in order to do this important work.

Wednesday, May 12 at 6pm Rap Poetry Storytelling
Los Angeles based actor, performer & speaker Shaan Dasani brings his rap poetry storytelling piece I GOT A STORY TO TELL YA to Acalanes High School, to deliver a powerful message about growing up, self-acceptance and rising above hate. Register for this event here. 

Volunteer opportunities for Acalanes DEI - get involved!
We are looking for new people to join our efforts and get in on the highly relevant work of DEI. Email us! If you believe in the need for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and enjoy writing, are a social media wizard or interested in web content creation, come join us!

From the Activities Director

This week is all about the Decades: Homecoming 2021!

The students have planned a fun, jam-packed week with activities at school and virtually. Each day has dress-up days completed via the goosechase app. All events are for class points to determine overall winner of the week!

Below is the Homecoming schedule of events:

TOMORROW from 12-4:30pm: Hallway decorating (date change due to projected rain today). There are still a few open slots. Encourage your student to sign up!

Monday at 7:30pm: On campus movie night in the frosh quad watching Back to the Future. Sign up here!

Tuesday Activities

• At lunch: Record painting in the quads OR Scribbl.io via zoom
• 4:30pm: Ping pong tournament in between the gyms
• 7pm: Boys soccer senior night

Wednesday Activities

• Lunch: Spikeball in the quads OR among us via zoom
• 5pm: Tie dye in between the gyms

Thursday Activities

• Lunch: Decades Kahoot in 314 OR via zoom
• 6pm: Virtual Rally Youtube link

Friday Activities

• Lunch: Hula Hooping competition OR 100 questions via zoom
• 6pm: Drama tailgate & play watch party (play starts at 7 PM)

Spotlight on the Live-Streamed Virtual Rally (Thursday 6pm)
An event for the whole family! It is complete with class skits, 6 live performances by our talented students, a staff dance number with live voting via instagram & a surprise for one of our very own seniors. Youtube link.

A peek at May:

Monday, May 3

• 1pm: Speaker Series with the Eat. Learn. Play CEO (Steph & Ayesha Curry’s non-profit) Chris Helfrich Register here
• 6pm: Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage month movie night

Thursday, May 6 at 6:30pm: Women in Leadership Series with Pac-12 Chief Marketing Officer Dannette Leighton Register here

Monday, May 10 at 1pm: Speaker Series with Bank of America executive vice-chairman Jill Schwartz Register here

Wednesday, May 12 at 6pm: AAPI Speaker Shaan Dasani
Register here to attend! Los Angeles based actor, performer & speaker Shaan Dasani brings his rap poetry storytelling piece I GOT A STORY TO TELL YA to Acalanes High School, to deliver a powerful message about growing up, self-acceptance and rising above hate. As a South-Asian transgender man, Shaan works to blaze trails in the entertainment industry.  He's been covered by the NEW YORK TIMES in their piece "THE TRANS ACTORS CHALLENGING OUTMODED IDEAS OF MASCULINITY," and in 2018, the BONOBOS brand picked Shaan as a representative for their #EvolveTheDefinition campaign which sought to jumpstart a conversation around broadening ideas of masculinity.  Despite this, his work doesn't center around masculinity, but rather, humanity, as his experience has taught him that if we want to live our best lives, we have to start by giving people the room to live theirs. After the performance, there will be opportunity for questions, conversations and thoughts.

2020-2021 Clubs
Club meetings continue. Check out our 49 clubs! Clubs continue

If I can ever do anything to help you or your student, don’t hesitate to reach out!

Katherine Walton, Student Activities Director

Wellness Center

The last month of school always presents stress for students. We’ve been curious about what’s different for students in this current context. There’s good news and less good news. As you may have noticed in yourself, family, friends, or co-workers, internal reserves are low! There’s the sense of “enough is enough” with the pandemic as well as the pressure to “be happy! Things are finally shaping up!”. And yet, there’s the stress of re-entering the normalcy of more commitments, more traffic, more noise and crowds. Our nervous systems are adjusting but it’s going to take some time. What’s required is more self-kindness and that comes in many different forms-- more sleep, less judgment, more downtime and time with friends and family. Now for the good news, it’s so wonderful to hear how students are thinking about next year and how excited they are for a fresh start-- planning, goal-setting, and dreaming are essential to wellbeing!

Please encourage your students to stop by Wellness when they’re on campus if only to introduce themselves and see what we have to offer. Thanks to LPIE and parents Club we’ve made an exciting investment in all kinds of supplies that will benefit student wellbeing! 

Allen Choi, Wellness Coordinator
Casey Sasner, Intake Specialist

For updates, tips and advice, follow Wellness on Social Media: Instagram @acalaneswellness

College & Career

Seniors

• Update Naviance with College Decisions/Exit Survey Congratulations to all seniors!  Please 1) log into Naviance 2) Click on About Me 3) Choose Surveys from Your School 4) Click Senior Exit Survey to update the decisions. This is how your students’ final transcripts will be sent!
• Thursday, May 20 at 6pm Senior Awards Night - All Seniors will be invited to the Large Gym to celebrate as fellow students receive awards and scholarships. This will be live-streamed, as space will be limited to students only this year.

Juniors

• Applications due Friday, April 23 Healthcare Internship Opportunity - Junior Achievement is offering a 4 week internship for students interested in medical careers. 
• Stay in the loop - Please follow the CCC instagram to keep up-to-date with college timeline details. Share this with your students too. @ahs_college_career
• SAT Testing Reminder - Although many schools are test-optional, there are 2 upcoming SAT dates for students who may have prepared for these exams already.  Locations are limited, but do check the College Board website to register for the May 8 or June 5 SAT administrations. Deadlines are soon.  
• Wednesday, April 28 from 5-7:45pm Virtual College Visits - Join a Virtual College Visit with your student. Students can interact and ask questions of a large group of college admissions officers. This is a great way to connect and show a college your child is interested! Sessions included on topics such as finding a college that fits, paying for college, and writing a college essay presented by college admission counselors.
• Job Opportunities - Encourage your child to check out Indeed.com for jobs this summer. Enter Lafayette Teen in the search box and see the possibilities!
• Resume Support - Please let your student know that Mrs. Levy enjoys helping students build their resumes. Naviance is also a great spot to work on resumes. 

Sophomores

• Healthcare Internship Opportunity - Junior Achievement is offering a 4 week internship for students interested in medical careers. Application Due 4/23

All Students
Zoom Nights every Monday and Tuesday during the month of April with your new advisor, Debbie Levy, to learn more and ask questions! Both students and parents are invited. We can set more in depth follow-up appointments too! CLICK ON THE LINK on Monday or Tuesday

Freshmen & Parents - 7-7:30pm Monday  April 19
Sophomores & Parents - 7-7:30pm Tuesday April 20
Juniors & Parents - 7:35-8:05pm Monday April 19
Seniors & Parents - 7:35-8:05pm Tuesday April 20

Please follow the CCC instagram to keep up-to-date. Share this with your students too. @ahs_college_career

Resources:

• CCC Website 
• How to request a transcript
• College 101
• Internships and Volunteering Ideas
• Scholarships

Counseling

April 27-30: “Pop by to Say Hi to your Counselor” During Lunch
Freshmen and Sophomores are invited to pick up an Otter Pop from their school counselors during lunch. Freshmen can say hi to their counselors during lunch on April 27-28 in the Freshman Quad while Sophomores can drop by on April 29-30 in the Main Quad.

AP Exams
From our testing coordinator: AP Exams are fast approaching. It is EXTREMELY important that students check their College Board AP Classroom account to verify their AP Exam dates/times as some have been changed by the College Board due to schedule conflicts or non payment of exams. Students are either taking Admin 1, Admin 2, or Admin 3. It is the responsibility of each individual student to check their AP Exam dates/times and be prepared for their exam day. Each exam administration has very specific instructions, all students need to review the details of their exams entirely. Exam specific details can be found on the AHS TESTING HOMEPAGE. All exam formats are final.

June 7 through July 15 AUHSD Summer School
Summer school is for students who need to repeat a required course after earning a D or F grade. Email your counselor for an application.   

Counselor Appointments
We love talking to our students! Email is the best way to reach us. Counselors have appointment slots for students and will email them a link for signing up.  

A- Ed  Anne Schonauer
Ee-Kr  Christine Todd
Ku-Ros  Marissa Meadows
Rot-Z  Susan Martin