Weekly News & Announcements

Membership & Fundraising

Fly your Acalanes flag on March 15th!
We are all beyond excited to see this day finally come!  Show your Acalanes spirit and fly your “A” flag on the first day of in-person school.  Don’t have a flag?  No problem!  Flags are still available on the webstore. Flags purchased before March 9 will be available for pick up in the front quad at Acalanes on Friday, March 12 from 4-5pm. Don’t miss out!

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

From the Activities Director

ACA Strong Shirts
Missed buying a grey ACA Strong shirt at our drive through? You can purchase now for $10 via the Acalanes webstore and pick up from Acalanes after you receive your confirmation email. 

Deadline Sunday, March 14 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 and 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 beginning April 6. 

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.

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.

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 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

Wellness Center

Monday’s cohort academy will support students envisioning return to school in the context of mental health and in particular, how to work with the anxiety that may accompany re-conditioning to a new and very different school environment. There will be an exercise on resilience which some mistake as a personality characteristic or innate capacity. In fact, resilience can only be acquired by facing challenges. This has certainly been a year to build resilience! In the presentation, cohort teachers will share their own perspectives on their return to school and then lead students in an exercise that comes from the field of expressive arts therapy. Students will reflect on what they’ve experienced and what they’ve learned about themselves over the last year. They’ll also do some dreaming about the future, including some realistic visioning on what it will be like to be back at school in a new and different way. We know how important it is to have something to look forward to and at the same time to anticipate accurately. Please engage with your students about their journey so far--what was hard; what they learned about themselves; what habits they might want to retain and which ones they’d like to let go. As we eagerly anticipate their return, know that we believe in your students and we are here to help them succeed.

Allen Choi, Wellness Coordinator
Casey Sasner, Intake Specialist

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

College & Career

DVC Registration (for graduating students only)

• Enrollment presentations sign up

Seniors 

• Be sure to check each college admissions portal for results
• Update college application results in Naviance.  
• Follow up on any scholarship or financial aid needs.

Resources:

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

Counseling

Class of 2023 PE Credit Options
Current Sophomores can earn PE credits through both Athletic PE and Independent PE options as well as yoga and weight training classes during the 2021-2022 school year (their junior year). Athletic PE is for students in Acalanes sport and Independent PE can include activities outside of school sports teams. Students will need to sign up at the beginning of a semester next school year and will need to provide weekly documentation of activity to earn credit. Please see your counselor for more detail. 

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.   

Geometry for Advancement
The District is also planning to offer a summer geometry class for those who want to advance more quickly through the math curriculum. This course is only open to students who are currently enrolled in Algebra 1 in 9th grade and have strong performance in Algebra 1. Email your student’s counselor if interested. 

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. We are trying to reserve the limited slots outside of class time for students. Parents can schedule a time when students are in class. 

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

Legislative News

Our school district has an agreement in place to re-open, but other school districts, especially the largest ones in the state, have not been able to achieve this. Legislators and school officials continue to argue over how to re-open the schools as Senate Bill 86, the latest proposed solution, remains in limbo. Rising tensions, heated words add pressure to reach a deal soon on reopening California schools. Meanwhile, the federal government has confirmed that standardized testing must resume this year despite the pandemic, meaning that unless a waiver is issued, millions of children who are still in remote learning in California will be asked to take standardized tests at home. Schools must give standardized tests this year, Biden administration says

Questions? Email our APC Legislative Representative.

School Nurse

• Please note the types of masks that are NOT acceptable.
• Make sure to wear a CLEAN mask every day.
• Please wear your mask so that the top covers the bridge of your nose and the bottom goes under your chin. If you are constantly readjusting, it does not fit properly.

Sports

This week’s can’t miss events:

Boys Tennis

• Wednesday, March 3 at Heritage HS.  Varsity 3:30 pm and JV 4:45 pm.
• Thursday, March 4 Northgate HS at 3:30.  Varsity is home and JV is away.

Boys & Girls Golf

• Friday, March 5 Las Lomas HS and Northgate HS at Rossmoor GC 3:30 pm.

Please remember, the beginning of each sport may come quickly. Do not wait to complete your athletic clearance. Get it done now. You may access detailed instructions to complete the athletic clearance on Sportsnet here.

APC in Action

ICYMI: Here’s a replay of Friday’s Dons Dialogue with Principal Bell
Topics included a PE update, Hybrid Instructional update, department news from Performing Arts and Career Tech, and news on student activities (approx 90 min).

APC Spring 2021 Grants Proposals Are Open!
Acalanes Parents Club is excited to announce its spring grant program is now accepting proposals to enhance the educational experience of AHS students during the current distance learning model and the anticipated return to in-person hybrid model. Teachers, students, staff and parents are welcome to submit a grant proposal. Contact APC Grants Coordinator Catherine Habas to receive the application submission guidelines or click here. Email completed applications to Catherine Habas at or drop in the APC box in the office. Grant applications are due by noon on Friday, March 12, 2021.  

Acalanes Community Always (ACA)

ACA Strong Shirts
Missed buying a grey ACA Strong shirt at our drive through? You can purchase now via the Acalanes webstore for $10 and pick up from Acalanes after you receive your confirmation email. 

ACA STRONG Blue Heart Displays of Spirit
Show your ACA Spirit by showing how much “heart” you have for Acalanes and our Lafayette community. Chalk your driveway with a BIG BLUE heart, hang blue hearts in your windows & look out for ACA STRONG posters throughout Lafayette. Check out @ahs_dons on instagram to see pictures & to submit yours! 

Buy and Eat Local: Support Lafayette Businesses & Restaurants!
Local businesses and restaurants need our support more than ever! Restaurants are welcoming outside dining again and would appreciate patronage by Acalanes families in their outdoor seating areas or via take-out. Two local businesses have agreed to help our classes with dine out fundraising. Mark your calendar to support these businesses AND our Dons!

• Class of 2023: Wednesday, Feb 24 for lunch and dinner at Pan Coast Pizza
• Class of 2024: Tuesday, March 3 from 10a to 7p at Sideboard 

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

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)

Rising Assault Within AAPI Communities
Our hearts are with families who have lost loved ones and continue to live with the trauma of rising anti-AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) sentiment this past year with the start of COVID. Explore this topic further in this article. Many AAPI organizations have organized a community foot patrol  to escort the elderly in Oakland Chinatown. If you would like to know ways to help support the AAPI communities, and for other resources please use this list.  

• As we continue to do our part in diversity, equity and inclusion work as a community, we hold hope as people from different cultures and communities rise together to condemn hate. If you are unsure where to start on a journey of antiracism, try here.

Black History Month 

• AUHSD continues highlighting “Black Heroes”
• Full calendar of AHS student events here
• Be sure to follow us on Instagram, where prominent Black Americans are featured daily through Black History Month; also follow Acalanes Diversity Board for student updates

Tuesday Feb 23 from 6:30-7:30pm Private Virtual Speaker Event with Arshay Cooper, author of the novel “A Most Beautiful Thing” and co-star of the movie with the same name. This event is almost sold-out, so don’t wait to sign up! Purchase the book here, and watch the movie on Amazon Prime or Xfinity. 

Thursday Feb 25 at 6pm Student Poetry Night
Encourage your student to register their entry for the ACA BHM Poetry night here. Join via Zoom – all are welcome!

Wednesday March 3, from 7-8:30pm Racial Equity Series, Session 5
Join Dr. Lori Watson for a discussion on “Children and Race.” Zoom link will be sent out to all those registered prior to the meeting.

Order by March 14! “Stand Together” DEI Lawn Sign
$14 on the webstore.

Lastly, we invite you to join our committee!
If you have ideas or questions, or you want more information, email us! Stay current by visiting our webpage, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

From the Activities Director

Applications Due Friday, Feb 26 for Student Government 2020-2021
If your student is interested or might be interested in joining student government next year, applications will be available beginning Wednesday. All the information including the link will be sent out via Canvas. We know that student government operates best when it has a variety of voices and experiences! Opt in! There are various entry points. Check out an overview of the various committees. 

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.

ACA Strong Shirts
Missed buying a grey ACA Strong shirt at our drive through? You can purchase now via the Acalanes webstore for $10 and pick up from Acalanes after you receive your confirmation email. 

Deadline Sunday, March 14 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 & 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 beginning April 6. 

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.

Adopt-a-Senior! Community Opt-In!
We want to celebrate our Senior students and show them just how much they are loved. One way is through the Adopt-a-Senior program. We have 120 Seniors who are participating. Community members can opt-in to "adopt" a Senior. You can help our Seniors feel appreciated in such trying times through special acts, or even give gifts to show that they are loved. The program will run until the start of spring break. If you opt in, we are asking that you give your Senior one item a week and we will provide you with some ideas. We have designed the program so very little money is spent and instead it is focused on love, support & guidance! Interested? Fill out this google form to join the fun. 

Black History Month Culminates This Week!
There is a lot to celebrate, and a lot of dialogue in which to engage. Our challenge to the Acalanes community is to engage in at least one event and we encouraged students to do this in last week’s cohort. Check out the calendar of events here. Two community events this week-opt in:

• Tuesday, Feb 23 at 6:30pm Arshay Cooper Dialogue - Join us in conversation with author Arshay Cooper. The dialogue will be facilitated by AHS parent Dan Meade, along with three AHS student panelists: Ava Freeman, Franny Daughters, and Miles Burger. Arshay will share more about his life, trauma, police brutality, film career, experience as a rower, and more. The novel and film chronicles the first African American high school rowing team in this country (made up of young men, many of whom were in rival gangs from the West Side of Chicago, coming together to row in the same boat). Please register in advance here. 

• Thursday, Feb 25 at 6pm Student Poetry Night - Join us for a Zoom night of poetry and spoken word in celebration of Black History, Black heritage and Black excellence! Listen or virtually perform for your Lamorinda community. Recited works can be original or written by your favorite Black author. This event is free and inclusive for everyone. Zoom link
• Friday, Feb 26 During Academy Acalanes Equity Council -Encourage your student to join the dialogue about equity at Acalanes. Staff, administration & students will dialogue about Women’s History Month, equity classes, curriculum and more. Zoom link will be sent via canvas.

Share your kindness story to promote positivity and a community of kindness! We will be compiling them all together in the end to create our own book of kindness! 

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 Canvas to learn more.

Feb 23-25 Frosh Study Groups
In an effort to support ninth graders, we will be hosting study sessions the last week of every month. These are general study sessions and will have upperclassmen present along with the teacher to support you. You do not need to have the teacher to sign up for that session. You are signing up for the subject matter. Sign-up here. BRING CHROMEBOOKS AND READING/CLASS MATERIALS. All study groups will follow safety protocols including a COVID screening (completed through phone), physically distanced desks, mask wearing, and cleaning protocols. 

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

We’ll continue to talk about anxiety management over the coming weeks in the interest of encouraging preparation for return to school. Remember that anxiety is sometimes a good thing-- especially as it pertains to telling us to be safe! As students return to a truly social environment, students will have to re-socialize because they have largely been isolated. Instead of more intimate interactions enjoyed in the family setting, they will be negotiating bigger spaces with more people. Some social norms will have to be relearned and others will have to be developed. This includes following new rules and sometimes making sure friends are as well, communicating in masks (hearing and being heard!), and limiting physical contact in spite of our very human desire to be close to each other. Understanding and anticipating these changes will help. If your student hasn’t already done so, encourage them to come on campus to see the arrows that direct foot traffic and to get familiar with the signage that communicates expectations. That way, they’ll feel like they’ve done some preparation. In the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing not only tips but also the specifics on the types of support we’ll be providing.

Allen Choi, Wellness Coordinator
Casey Sasner, Intake Specialist

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