Weekly News & Announcements

Counseling

AP Exams
From our testing coordinator: 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

Legislative News

Did you attend Advocacy Day 2021? If you missed it, videos of all the panel discussions are on YouTube. This year the legislator panel featured State Senator Steve Glazer and State Assemblyperson Rebecca Bauer-Kahan rapidly running through a wide array of proposed bills, as well as providing a close-up view of how legislators actually got work done this year. The health and equity panels featured “Finding Balance During a Pandemic and Beyond” and “Building Competence for Equity”. Finally, the superintendent panel provided an opportunity for these busy leaders to discuss current education issues in depth.  

Advocacy Day takes a lot of planning and effort by dedicated parents in our community - many thanks to them for an excellent job!  

Questions? Email our APC Legislative Representative.

School Nurse

1.  Your student is exhibiting symptoms that fall within possible signs and symptoms of COVID (which is almost everything!).  
   1. 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).
   2. 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:

• Monday, May 10 at 7pm Concert, Orchestra
• Wednesday, May 12 at 7pm Symphonic, Woodwinds, Jazz

Spring Concert Program

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 11 v. Campolindo HS at 4pm. Varsity is away, JV is home.
• Thursday, May 13 v. Campolindo HS at 4pm. Varsity is home, JV is away.
• Friday, May 14 v. Campolindo HS at 4pm. Varsity is away, JV is home.

Girls soccer

• Tuesday, May 11 host Alhambra HS. JV at 5:30pm, Varsity at 7:30pm.
• Thursday, May 13 at Northgate HS.  JV at 5:30pm, Varsity at 7:30pm.

 Boys lacrosse

•  Tuesday, May 11 at Alhambra HS.  JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7:30pm.
• Thursday, May 13 host Northgate HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7:30pm.
• Friday, May 14 at Piedmont HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.

Girls water polo

• Wednesday, May 12 host Campolindo HS. Varsity at 6:10pm and JV at 7:30pm. 

Boys water polo

• Wednesday, May 12 host Campolindo HS. JV at 3:30pm and Varsity at 4:50pm.

Boys basketball

• Wednesday, May 12 host College Park HS. Freshman at 4pm, JV at 5:15pm and Varsity at 8pm.
• Thursday, May 13 at Northgate HS. JV at 4pm, Freshman at 5:15pm and Varsity at 6:30pm.

Girls basketball

• Wednesday, May 12 Varsity host Alhambra HS at 6:30pm.
• Thursday, May 13 Varsity at Northgate HS at 8pm.

Boys volleyball

• Wednesday, May 12 Varsity at Alhambra HS. JV at 4pm, Varsity at 5pm.
• Thursday, May 13 host Northgate HS. JV at 6:30pm, Varsity at 7:30 pm.

Girls volleyball

• Wednesday, May 12 at Alhambra HS. JV at 6:30pm, Varsity at 7:30pm.
• Thursday, May 13 host Northgate HS. JV at 4pm, Varsity at 5pm.

Competitive sport cheer

• Friday, May 14 host Concord HS at 5pm.

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

Acalanes Community Always (ACA)

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! 

**EVENT FOR INCOMING FRESHMEN & THEIR FAMILIES** This 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. Incoming Freshmen and their parents can meet coaches and athletes from all the 22 Acalanes sports, connect with student leaders, and learn more about the numerous clubs on campus. Last names A-L are scheduled from 5:30-6pm and M-Z from 6-6:30pm. Share this information with new ACA families! Questions? Email here

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

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

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)

There are a number of events happening for our students in May as we commemorate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month and celebrate the communities who have helped shape this country. Check in with them to encourage participation and growth! 

• AAPI is a broad term for a hugely diverse community of people. This article will help you understand quite how large and diverse! 

• “I refuse to hate a police officer.” Please watch Tyler Perry’s plea to humanity, as he accepts the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the 93rd Oscars last Sunday.
  
• Congratulations to the first woman of color and of Asian descent to win an Oscar for Directing, Chloe Zhao! Read, though, how China censored her win.

Thursday, May 6 from 7-8:30pm Final session of Dr. Lori Watson’s Racial Equity Seminar
An email with a zoom link has been sent to all those registered. We thank you for putting yourself into this often uncomfortable space in order to do this important work. 

Wednesday, May 12 at 6pm
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! 

Membership & Fundraising

Buy a Brick, Leave a Legacy
Honor a graduating Senior or favorite teacher, or write a special memory on a brick on the Dons Legacy Wall! On sale now on the Acalanes webstore, or print a mail-in form. Mail-in forms may also be picked up in the AHS Main Office.

Acalanes Flags
The perfect gift for incoming students, graduating students and students in between, who are enjoying their highschool journey -- Acalanes Flags! Flags are available in two sizes on the Acalanes webstore. They can be enjoyed indoors (think bedroom wall!) as well as outside. Get yours today and share your school spirit. Go Dons!

LPIE

We are excited to announce the Project LPIE winners! For the last eight years, Project LPIE has encouraged our Acalanes students to dream big and create at their highest level. Participants submit work that is judged by professionals in the designated field with cash prizes awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners. Congratulations to this year’s winners! 

The last installment of the LPIE Podcast Series is a conversation with Richard Whitmore and John Nickerson, the superintendents of Lafayette and Acalanes school districts. Richard and John reflect on the highlights and lowlights of this extraordinary year. They also explain the history behind the decline in California school funding, and why foundations like LPIE are essential. What would our schools look like without LPIE? And, bonus, what do these superintendents anticipate our schools to look like when our children return in August 2021? 

Laura-Kate Rurka & Jennifer Palmer
Acalanes LPIE School Chairs

www.lpie.org

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From the Activities Director

What a great week we had celebrating the decades! Students did a wonderful job with class skits, hallway decorating and all the fun opportunities to connect at lunch and after school. 

• Missed the Homecoming rally or want to watch it again? Our students are so incredibly talented. Set aside some time and watch the rally here.

We continue moving into the home stretch of the year & the weeks are jam-packed with programming and celebration. 

May 7 Deadline! Student Applications for New Crew Leaders Due!
If your student is a current Sophomore or Junior and are looking to take a bigger role on campus, they should sign up to be a New Crew leader! New Crew leaders are responsible for welcoming Frosh to campus during Frosh orientation and the beginning of school. Also, New Crew leaders consistently help with making the Frosh experience better and lead events that are targeted for the new incoming students. New Crew leaders are not just for the Class of 2025; they are also here to help make the transfer student experience a whole lot better. If your student is interested in applying to be a New Crew leader for the 2021-2022 school year, have them fill out the Google form by May 7.

Speaker Series
Each May, we intentionally bring in speakers to speak to our Seniors but open it up to all. Check out the Senior Section to learn more and register. It all kicks off tomorrow!

Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month
There are opportunities to learn, engage in dialogue and celebrate. We are encouraging students to opt in to at least 1 opportunity. Take a peek at the calendar of events, with a spotlight on:

• 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.  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 to be one of the best ways for students to connect as we enter the fourth quarter. 

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

With AP exams coming up next week and finals on the horizon, please encourage your kids to seek us out by email or by popping in if they’re on campus. Many of us vacillate between being healthy strivers and perfectionists and unhealthy ones. Distressing thoughts are one of the markers of unhealthy perfectionism. These include negative thinking, distorted thoughts, and being stuck in worrying about the future mode. That type of thinking can lead to avoidance of duties or harmful coping mechanisms such as substance abuse or even self-harm.  All of this runs counter to being focused--the thing students most need to succeed in finishing out the school year. If you see your child grappling with these unhealthy thoughts or harmful behaviors, encourage them to visit the Wellness Center or email Casey or Allen.

Allen Choi, Wellness Coordinator
Casey Sasner, Intake Specialist

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