Weekly News & Announcements

Wellness Center

f your student identifies as AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) please be sure they are aware of the Monday district-wide 1pm event “Student and Staff Community Gathering”. This drop-in space will be held by Wellness Coordinators Allen Cho of AHS and Andie Nishimi from Miramonte. Your student can find login information on Canvas or gmail. 

Wednesday, March 24 at 6pm - AUHSD Wellness Workshop “Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression - Affirming and Expansive Approaches” Presenters from the Rainbow Community Center include Kiku Johnson, Executive Director, and Laura Cartwright, Training and Curriculum Manager. Register here to attend the SOGIE seminar. 

Allen Choi, Wellness Coordinator
Casey Sasner, Intake Specialist

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

College & Career

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 join the Acalanes community with an extensive education background, including college counseling, teaching, test preparation, application and essay writing, and K-12 publishing sales. For most of my career, I’ve focused on helping students discover and pursue their passions as they navigate their high school path and beyond. Volunteering and working in the community is such an integral way for kids to feel connected and inspired. My goal is to continue to offer students a plethora of ideas to help them get involved. 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. 

Please remind your seniors to join my Academy or Zoom sessions to discuss college and career decisions. Towards the end of the school year, I will be also reaching out to our Freshmen and Sophomores. I look forward to offering parent information events as well as working with you and your students throughout their high school journey.

Seniors

• DVC Applications - It’s time to apply to DVC or many of our state’s large network of other Community Colleges. The registration deadline for signing up for the best selection of courses is MAY 8. I can help students navigate the registration system if they join my Academy on Teachmore and/or they can join these very informative upcoming Webinars led by DVC staff and students on March 24 at 3:30pm or 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. 

• Update Naviance with College Decisions - Congratulations to all seniors who have heard from schools already!!! These are such exciting times. It is very helpful for everyone to log into Naviance and update the decisions. 

• Scholarships - There are still scholarships available. Naviance has many listed under the colleges section. Some deadlines are quickly approaching. Some applications require essays, so students should plan ahead. Here are some links to other scholarship sites:
  • https://student.naviance.com/acalanes 
  • https://www.niche.com/colleges/scholarships/ 
  • https://www.fastweb.com/college-scholarships
  • https://www.scholarships.com/financial-aid/college-scholarships/scholarship-directory/school-year/high-school-senior
  • https://scholarships360.org/scholarships/top-scholarships-for-high-school-seniors/ 

Virtual College Visits for Juniors & Seniors
It’s usually popular to visit colleges over spring break; however, as you might have guessed, most campuses are recommending virtual visits. Before you cringe at the thought of more video presentations, check out these humorous tips from Tufts University near Boston, Massachusetts. As a popcorn lover myself and no theaters available to munch my corn, I enjoyed the popcorn suggestion! Please stop by the College & Career Center to let me know what inspired you.  

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 6 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.

All Students
Please feel free to call me at 925-280-3975, or 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 you! 

Resources:

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

Counseling

3rd Quarter Grades 
The third quarter ended March 12 and teachers have been updating grades this past week.  Quarter grades will be in Aeries on Tuesday.

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

Legislative News

The American Rescue Plan which President Biden signed on March 11th will send significant amounts of one-time funding to schools and colleges nationwide. In California, $15.3 billion will be allocated to K-12 schools, while another $5 billion is going to California’s colleges and universities. For more specific information on how much funding our district will receive and how it compares to other districts around the state, see here: Find out how much California school districts and charter schools will get in Covid relief | Database

Questions? Email our APC Legislative Representative.

School Nurse

• All students should complete screening online BEFORE leaving home for school in the morning. 
• If your student has any symptoms that fall within the COVID symptom list, please keep them at home and call in their absence to the Attendance Recorder.
• Please connect with me ASAP if your student has COVID, a known exposure to COVID, or is experiencing COVID symptoms. I will be in touch as soon as possible to discuss next steps.

Performing & Visual Arts

Acalanes Performing Arts Booster Scholarship Available

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

This week’s can’t miss events:

Girls Golf
Monday, March 22 - Las Lomas HS and Northgate HS at Contra Costa CC 3pm.

Boys Golf
Tuesday, March 23 - Las Lomas HS and Northgate HS at Boundary Oak CC 3pm.

Softball
Monday, March 22 - Varsity and JV at Pinole Valley HS at 4:30pm.
Tuesday, March 23 - Varsity at Miramonte HS at 4:30pm.
Thursday, March 25 - Varsity hosts Las Lomas HS at 4:30pm.

Girls Lacrosse
Tuesday, March 23 - Varsity at Las Lomas HS at 7:30pm.
Thursday, March 25 - Varsity hosts Las Lomas HS at 7:30pm.

Football
Friday, March 26 at Campolindo HS. JV at 4pm, Varsity at 7pm.
Saturday, March 27 - Freshman host Campolindo HS at 1pm.

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

Return to Hybrid Update

This Week’s School Schedule
Here is the school schedule this week based on the return to Hybrid Learning on Tuesday. Please watch your email for further information or updates.

• Monday, March 15 - Non-school day for students

• Tuesday, March 16 through Friday, March 19 - Hybrid Learning Schedule for all students
  • Refer to the district schedule for details based on your student’s Cohort

Academy Reminder
Students participating in either the Hybrid In-Person Model or Fully Remote Model will both have access to Academy. 

• Hybrid In-Person students will have 30-minute Academy during extended lunch on the days students are on campus. Acalanes will divide the on-campus population so while one group is eating, the other group will attend Academy and vice versa.
• Fully Remote students follow a different Academy schedule; details can be found here.

Reminder: Required Health Screening
All students and all school visitors are required to complete a COVID-19 screening every day that 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 app if you log off.

Additional Resources

• Log in to Aeries PASS parent portal to confirm your student’s cohort; 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 the return to hybrid instruction including student schedules, FAQs, timelines and more. 
• View Contra Costa County tier metrics here

APC in Action

Friday, March 19 from 10-11:30am Dons Dialogue with Principal Bell Join Principal Bell to hear about the following topics: 

• Hybrid Return Update
• District and School Budget Review
  • Learn how our education foundation (LPIE) is essential to providing a high quality education experience for our students
• Department Updates from English, Social Studies, and World Language

Register in advance here to attend this webinar.

Friday Deadline! APC Spring Grants Due March 19!
Now is the chance to submit your ideas to enhance the educational experience of AHS students. Teachers, students, staff, and parents are welcome to submit a grant proposal. Visit our website to learn more about past grants and program guidelines, and to fill out an application. Email completed applications to Catherine Habas or drop in the APC box in the office. 

2021-2022 Looking for Volunteers for the APC Board and Committees
The nominating process for the upcoming APC board and related volunteer positions is underway. The APC Nominating Committee is looking for volunteers to fill a handful of positions. Job descriptions can be found here. If you’re interested in getting involved in a small (or large) role with APC, please reach out to APC Parliamentarians Dawn Brightbill &Sarah Cusumano at parliamentarian@acalanesparentsclub.com. 

Application Deadline Extended to May 1, 2021 Acalanes & President's Volunteer Service Awards Program
Visit the website for details and encourage your student to participate! 

• Students that sign up for Spring Campus Clean Up Sunday, March 21 receive hours toward the Acalanes Volunteer Service Award! See ACA section below for details.

Acalanes Community Always (ACA)

ACA Back to School “March Madness”
Whether your student is returning in-person or is remaining in distance learning, let’s ALL show our ACA spirit as we move into this new phase of our school year this week. Here are some ways to do so:

• Fly your ACA flag!! Don’t have one? Stop by Sideboard to pick one up and grab a coffee or meal while you’re there.
• Decorate your Student’s Mailbox! Decoration kits were distributed to all students during student campus orientation last week. Tape an Acalanes “A” & blue balloons to your mailbox!
• Encourage Students to Wear ACA STRONG Shirts on March 16 and 17
• Senior & Junior Car Painting March 14 from 1-2:30 in the Acalanes parking lot. We will provide the paint!
• 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.

Sunday, March 21 from 12-3pm - Spring Campus Clean Up
Let's reconnect, share school spirit, and spruce up our school! All are welcome - students, parents, teachers, staff and community members. This is a great opportunity for friends, family members, clubs and teams to work together in socially-distanced zones. Participation hours count towards the Acalanes Volunteer Service Award. Click here to sign up. Questions? Email aca@acalanesparentsclub.com

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

LPIE

We Need Your Participation!
Just 50% of the parent community has supported our students with a donation to LPIE this year. Participation is key to fund school-based mental health which is essential to educate and help the whole child. This year, Lafayette schools have pivoted to ensure access to students and parents so they have a place to turn to for support. Your LPIE donation will fund the Wellness Center at Acalanes, a vital student service on our campus. Will you take 60 seconds to hear why Lulu and Scott Braunstein value wellness in our schools?  It’s up to all of us to give students a soft place to land when things get difficult. Participate and make 2x the impact with a matched donation today!

Treat yourself to a wonderful podcast with LPIE Diamond Business Partners and frequent school volunteers, Julie Del Santo and Tina Frechman of Dudum Real Estate Group. 
Julie and Tina give the listeners insight into what makes this community so attractive to families, and why kids who grew up in Lafayette keep coming back to raise their own families here. Julie and Tina also discuss with Adam why it’s so important to donate to LPIE, and the variety of ways to support LPIE as a business, parent and/or community member. If you are looking for some affirmation why you made the right choice to live in Lafayette, this is the podcast to check out! Click here to listen.

Laura-Kate Rurka & Jennifer Palmer
Acalanes LPIE School Chairs

www.lpie.org

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Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)

In March, we continue to celebrate Women’s History Month (WHM) and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. 

• Chicago Tribune’s celebration of WHM - stream the best movies directed by women!
• Enjoy this TedX talk ADHD sucks, but not really.

Monday, Mar 22 from 1pm - AUHSD Asian Student and Staff Gathering
We acknowledge the rise in anti-Asian sentiment covered in the news over the past several weeks. Wellness Coordinators from Acalanes and Miramonte, Allen and Andie, will host a drop-in space for any Asian-identifying student or staff person who wants to process these experiences and tackle topics such as the model minority myth. Zoom information is available via Canvas, or contact the Wellness Center.

Thursday, Mar 25 from 6-7:30pm - Final AUHSD Book Club of the Year hosted by Las Lomas High School.
The book selection is “Becoming” by Michelle Obama (adapted for young readers). RSVP here. Las Lomas is encouraging purchase from Marcus Books in Oakland to support a local black business.

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! Several subcommittees are looking for help, including the Communications team. If you believe in the need for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and enjoy writing, are a social media wizard or a webmaster, come join us!  

From the Activities Director

March Madness Activities - Return to Campus!

• Decorate your student’s home mailbox for the first day of Hybrid Learning
• Get your students ready to wear ACA STRONG shirts on Hybrid Day 1, March 16 and March 17. 
• TODAY from 1-2:30pm Senior & Junior Car Painting - Meet us in the Acalanes parking lot. We will provide the paint!
• 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. 

March is Women’s History Month!
Opt in to the various learning opportunities, dialogues & celebration.

• Check out Canvas for the daily spotlight of excellent women. It will run through the end of the month.
• Thursday, March 18 at 7pm Women in Leadership Series with our associate superintendent Aida Glimme. Aida Glimme is the Associate Superintendent of Educational Services and oversees all items related to curriculum development and instructional practices in the Acalanes Union High School District. This year, she has overseen the implementation of schedule and program changes due to the COVID pandemic, including the shift to distance learning and now to hybrid. Aida was a Principal of Acalanes High School and is a former science teacher. She is a war refugee and immigrated to the United States with some of her family members as a result of a civil war in former Yugoslavia. She started high school in San Mateo not speaking English and fought to learn English and the "American way." Aida currently resides in Danville, where she lives with her husband, daughter, and their 4-legged child, a Boxer named Cash. Register here to attend.

Deadline TODAY! Purchase Acalanes Spirit Wear
We have spirit wear available for the last time this school year! We added a couple new items including a tribute t-shirt to Mr. Huber with proceeds donated to the Parkinson’s Foundation in his name. Check out our spiritwear on the Acalanes webstore. Items can be either picked up at Acalanes or delivered to your home beginning April 6. 

Wednesday, March 24 - Equity Curriculum Site Meeting
Is your student interested in hearing updates and engaging in dialogue about Social Science and English curriculum with an equity focus? Encourage them to attend this lunchtime roundtable. More information will be sent via Canvas.

Monday, April 5 - Acalanes Leadership Applications Available
Is your 8th grader interested in joining student government at Acalanes? Applications will be available electronically beginning April 5th. 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.

Homecoming 2021 is happening at the end of April! Although it will look a bit different, we are excited to celebrate different decades with skits and hallway decorations; encourage your student to get involved. Skit information will go out through Canvas!

2020-2021 Clubs
Club meetings continue. Check out our 49 clubs! Clubs continue to be one of the best ways for students to connect. We will be pushing out more information about clubs at the end of the week. Please encourage your student to check out Canvas to learn more.

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

Katherine Walton, Student Activities Director