• Performing & Visual Arts

    April 9, 2021

    Acalanes Performing Arts Booster Scholarship
    APAB will award one $1,000 scholarship to a Senior in the Acalanes Class of 2021 who participates in either Choral Music, Drama or Instrumental Music with an intent to major or minor in a performing art at a two or four-year college, university, or performing arts school. Applications are available now and must be submitted by May 1. Click here for the application.

  • Sports

    April 9, 2021

    This week’s can’t miss events!

    Softball

    • Tuesday, April 13 Varsity at Las Lomas HS at 4:30pm.
    • Thursday, April 15 Varsity at Mt. Diablo HS at 4:30pm.
    • Friday, April 16 Varsity and JV at Dougherty Valley HS at 4pm.

    Girls lacrosse

    • Tuesday, April 13 at College Park HS. JV at 5:30pm, Varsity at 7:30pm.
    • Thursday, April 15 Varsity at Alhambra HS at 7:30pm.

    Boys soccer

    • Tuesday, April 13 host Northgate HS. JV at 5:30pm, Varsity at 7:30pm.
    • Thursday, April 15 host Ygnacio Valley HS. JV at 5:30pm, Varsity at 7:30pm.

    Football

    • Saturday, April 17 host California HS. Freshman at 1pm, JV at 4pm and Varsity at 7pm.

    Track & field

    • Saturday, April 17 at Miramonte HS at 8am.

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

  • Return to Hybrid Update

    April 1, 2021

    This Week’s Hybrid School Schedule
    Welcome back! Students return to the now-familiar Hybrid School Schedule.

    Free Breakfast and Lunch Cafe Meals
    Free breakfast and lunch meals are available during school days to all AUHSD students. These meals are "grab and go" in order to minimize lines. Meals include an entree, fruit, and milk. To ensure accurate meal counts, student IDs are scanned at meal pick-up. These free meals are courtesy of a USDA waiver. No a la carte food items will be offered at this time. Please direct any questions about this program     here.

    AUHSD COVID and Antibody Testing
    Take advantage of AUHSD weekly testing services scheduled each Monday at one of the district’s high school campuses. Watch your email for weekly reminders and a link to make your appointment. 

    Reminder: Required Health Screening
    All students and all school visitors are required to complete a COVID-19 screening every day they come to school. Health screenings should be completed in the morning prior to arriving on campus. AHS recommends that students use the cell/mobile set up as it allows for a daily text reminder. Email registration is also available. 

    • Pro tip: Students should screen shot their “all clear” page and use it as their home screen. This “all clear” page is required to enter campus, but the page disappears from the website after logging off.

    Additional Resources

    • Refer to the District website for your student’s specific schedule as determined by their Cohort.
    • Visit this District webpage for the latest details regarding hybrid instruction including student schedules, FAQs, and more. 
    • View the AUHSD COVID-19 Dashboard for data regarding positive cases and exposure.
    • View Contra Costa County tier metrics here.

  • APC in Action

    April 1, 2021

    APC Grants Awarded!
    We are pleased to announce that five 2021 APC Spring Grants have been awarded - these projects encourage self-regulation and wellness, celebrate school community spirit, improve our campus experience, and drive thoughtful conversations around diversity and equity. Specifically, the grants were awarded in these areas: 

    • A guest speaker for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in May 
    • Wellness tools for each classroom to promote self regulation concerning anxiety and stress
    • Signage to celebrate ACA and return to campus for in-person 
    • User-friendly bulletin boards across campus to encourage easier communication from clubs, class events, and school-wide happenings 
    • Refresh of our Senior Deck (a special spot on campus to celebrate all graduating seniors) to accompany the beautiful new mural that was a gift from the graduating class of 2020

    Peer Tutoring: In Person and Remote
    AHS Peer Tutors are ready to help their classmates in all academic subjects! The schedule for this free service is as follows:

    • Mondays: all remote anytime from 10am to 3:35pm
    • Tuesdays through Fridays: from 11:30am to 12:35pm and 2:05-3:20pm
      • These sessions have tutors in-person in the Peer Tutoring Room (6), as well as remote tutors. Students can stop by during the times listed below, or sign onto Zoom via the links sent on Mondays, or posted on TeachMore.

    Our tutors are excited to "see" you again!

  • Acalanes Community Always (ACA)

    April 1, 2021

    Thank you ACA Spring Campus Volunteers!
    Over 60 students, parents, and community members showed up to clean up campus prior to spring break. A special thank you to event coordinator Denise Cain for ALL her work in making it such a successful event. The painting, weeding, trash pick-up, and more made a HUGE difference on campus. THANKS AGAIN!

    Thursday, April 22, 3:30-5pm “Dog Days are Over” - Celebrate the last 25 Days of ACA
    Our last ACA Day drive-through will be all about our ACA dogs! Get your students ready to dress up your family dog in their best Don’s blue. There will be a series of awards and treats given out to dogs who join the drive-through and we’ll be posting pictures on our social channels. Start thinking of costumes for your pooch. More details to come regarding the 25 Days of ACA celebrating each day until the end of the school year. Let’s finish the year ACA Strong! 

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

  • General Announcements

    April 1, 2021

    Attendance Procedures for All Students
    Here’s a refresher about attendance processes for students and parents:

    • Students attending in person:
      • If your student is arriving late to campus or leaving early, they MUST come to the Attendance Office to sign in and/or sign out.  
      • Parents/guardians need to call the 24-hour attendance line at 925-280-3973 regarding any student absence, including all day absences, late arrivals or early departures.
    • Students attending remotely:
      • Parents/guardians need to call the 24-hour attendance line at 925-280-3973 regarding any student absence, including all day absences, late arrivals or early departures.

    A copy of AHS Attendance Procedures can be found online here.

  • LPIE

    April 1, 2021

    In its fourth week of LPIE’s “It’s Up to All of Us” video series, parents Yukie Fujimoto and Peter Marchetti share why they value the depth and breadth of classes available to our children. LPIE funds 15 electives at Acalanes that provide expanded learning opportunities so that your student can discover and explore different interests. 

    49% of Acalanes parents have donated this year. Every gift is matched dollar-for-dollar in March. Will you take advantage of the matching gift and donate today? It’s up to all of us. 

    Laura-Kate Rurka & Jennifer Palmer
    Acalanes LPIE School Chairs

    www.lpie.org

    Follow us on Instagram

  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)

    April 1, 2021

    The DEI committee invites you to Celebrate Diversity throughout the month of April! Our country and our world is filled with a rainbow of races, religions, and stories…some of which we understand and some we don’t. This month alone we celebrate our Arab-American history, Scottish-American history, Jews celebrate Passover this week (do you know what a seder is?), Christians celebrate Easter next (do you know where the word Easter comes from?), Muslims celebrate Ramadan (do you know what Eid al-Fitr is?), we recognize Autism Awareness month, and we focus on National Child Abuse Prevention month. 

    Try to take the time to involve yourself in culture, religion, and language that you don’t usually hear about in your daily life. Get creative with food, watch a documentary or movie that you might know nothing about, listen to music you haven’t heard, hug your children and help them learn to not judge “otherness.” This is our work as people of this Earth. Did we mention that it’s Earth Month too?!

    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! 

  • Membership & Fundraising

    April 1, 2021

    Buy a Brick, Leave a Legacy!
    There’s no better way to honor a Don than with a customized 2021 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 $200 until May 15; after that, the price increases to $250. Questions? Contact Legacy Brick Coordinator Melissa Arends.

    If you have any questions, please contact VP Fundraising Kelly Daggs.

  • Parent Education

    April 1, 2021

    Tuesday, April 20 at 7pm “Angst” Film Screening
    Save the date for our next Parent Ed event when we will be co-hosting an interactive screening of the film “Angst,” an exploration of teen mental health.

  • From the Activities Director

    April 1, 2021

    Here we go! Let’s make the most of April & May together-we are ACA Strong!

    April 25-30 Homecoming Week 2021 Let’s enter the DECADES together! 

    • Class of 2021 - The 1980’s
    • Class of 2022 - The 1990’s
    • Class of 2023 - The 1970’s
    • Class of 2024 - The 2000’s

    There will be many ways for students to get involved in Homecoming Week, both virtually and on campus. Look out for the calendar of events next week. But in the meantime, get excited for two long-standing Acalanes traditions & mark your calendars:

    • Sunday, April 25th Hallway Decorating

    Students will sign up to work shifts to decorate their class hallway. It is transformational, and our students have fun and do a wonderful job.

    • Thursday, April 29th (evening) Live-streamed Virtual Rally

    An event for the whole family! Complete with class skits, live performances by incredible students, and more. 

    Encourage your student to participate! Let’s do the decades, Acalanes! 

    Join the fun & buy an ACA Parent/Sibling Strong Shirt. This is a grey version of the student/staff ACA Strong shirt. You can purchase now via the Acalanes webstore for $10 and pick up from Acalanes after you receive your confirmation email. 

    Monday, April 5 Acalanes Leadership Applications Available
    Is your 8th grader interested in joining student government at Acalanes? Applications will be available electronically on the Acalanes home page or by emailing Katherine Walton beginning tomorrow and are due April 16th. If you have any questions don't hesitate to reach out to Katherine Walton.

    Sunday, April 18 Deadline To Order Frosh Spirit Packs!
    Know an 8th grader? Frosh spirit packs are a great promotion gift and kick off to a career at Acalanes! Each pack is $53 and features a hooded sweatshirt, car magnet & cinch backpack. Proceeds go to the Class of 2025. Order deadline is April 18 and packs will be delivered to your house beginning May 7. Order here.

    Monday, April 26 (morning) District Diversity Summit
    Know a student who is interested in equity work or already engaged in it? On April 26th the district will host the district diversity summit which is a chance to hear a keynote speaker and connect with other student leaders. Email Katherine Walton if interested in attending.

    2020-2021 Clubs
    Club meetings continue. Check out our 49 clubs! Clubs continue to be one of the best ways for students to connect as we enter quarter 4. 

    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

    April 1, 2021

    It’s been such a weird year with so many struggles. Whether your student is back on campus for hybrid or in distance learning, it’s tempting to focus on the light at the end of the tunnel, especially with the vaccine on the horizon for some adolescents. In the meantime for students, challenges remain--including doing this latest iteration of school. And we’re learning that there’s a lot they don’t know how to put into words. Some “postponed” their grief and sense of loss over the last year and find it hitting them now, all at once. Others have hit a wall of this going on too long and feel they can no longer imagine things going “back to normal”. Creating a non-judgmental, no advice space for them to talk about how it feels to be them right now is a good idea. For them to deny, or judge, their feelings will not support their mental health. And chances are, you may be feeling the exact same way having hit “the pandemic wall” yourself. You can find a great article on the subject here.

    Allen Choi, Wellness Coordinator
    Casey Sasner, Intake Specialist

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

  • College & Career

    April 1, 2021

    Welcome Debbie Levy: A New Face in the College & Career Center!
    I’m very excited to be the new AHS College & Career Center advisor. I work actively with the Acalanes counselors to support your students and look forward to meeting with the Juniors before school ends to ensure they understand how to use Naviance effectively. 

    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!
    • DVC Applications - It’s time to apply to DVC or other community colleges. The registration deadline is May 8. I can help students if they join my Academy and/or they can sign up for this very informative upcoming Webinar led by DVC staff and students April 8 at 2:30pm.
    • Admission Decisions - This is a busy time for admissions decisions to roll out. Remind your students to check ALL emails from schools to make sure they don’t miss anything. If you have any questions about an admission decision or financial aid, reach out directly to the university. 

    Juniors

    • 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.  
    • “Junior Jump Start” College Visits for six small liberal arts colleges on April 22 at 5pm. This is an interesting opportunity to get to know Williams, Carleton, Amherst College, Swarthmore, Pomona College, and Bowdoin. Tell your friends! Click here for the sign up.
    • More Virtual College Visits - Check out these informative Virtual College Visits on April 14 & April 28 from 5:00-7:45pm. Students will have the opportunity to interact and ask questions of a large group of college admissions officers from very popular colleges. The program will also include sessions on topics such as finding a college that fits, paying for college, and writing a college essay presented by college admission counselors.
    • First-Generation Students - The district has excellent resources to help students who are first in their family to go to college. Sessions on Deciphering Financial Aid Award Letters: Zoom- April 6th @ 4:30PM & Post High School Options:  Zoom- April 13th @ 4:30PM.

    All Students
    Please feel free to call me at 925-280-3975, email me at dlevy@auhsdschools.org. I’m available for Academy visits for six students from 11:30am-noon Tuesday-Friday. You can also reach me for appointments on Mondays with your students by clicking here. I look forward to working with your families! 

    Resources: