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Acalanes Community Always (ACA)
Shop Local For the Holidays
Help Lafayette business owners during this challenging economic time by shopping local! A bonus is that sales tax from your purchases will be funneled back into our local economy. Visit here for more ways to support Lafayette businesses.Questions, comments or feedback, email aca@acalanesparentsclub.com.
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LPIE
Tell them LPIE sent you! Shop Honey Bear Trees across from Acalanes if you are in the market for a Christmas tree and holiday decor! Bring this flyer, and Honey Bear will donate 20% of your purchase price back to LPIE.Thanks to the generosity of two anonymous families, there is a dollar-for-dollar $60,000 match for all donations made in December. LPIE recognizes the sacrifices families are facing, and knows that the ask to donate is a big one. Therefore, we hope this matching gift opportunity encourages you to support at the level that is meaningful to you. Participate here.
Laura-Kate Rurka & Jennifer Palmer
Acalanes LPIE School Chairs -
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
Week FIFTEEN in the Challenge to Build Habits Supporting Racial Equity
Winter is here and what is better than cozying up with a good read? This week’s challenge is to save the date for our next district-wide book discussion, Thursday, Feb 4 at 6:30pm! The groups are teacher-moderated and discussions are informative and interesting. This time, the book is the critically-acclaimed “Between the World and Me” by Ta-Nehisi Coates. Order your copy from Orinda Books and receive it in time for holiday gift giving! And, HBO adapted the book into a movie and a podcast, available until Sunday Dec 27.- Sign up to attend here.
December 10-18 - Hanukkah is coming!
Also written as Chanukah, this is the Jewish eight-day, wintertime “festival of lights,” celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers, and foods. If you are so inclined, try this recipe for delicious latkes.Speaking of holidays, the DEI group at Acalanes would like to recognize all the cultures represented at our school. Please let us know any special events that we can learn about and honor throughout the year. For starters, how do you celebrate your winter holidays? Email us!
Join the Grassroots Law Project (AUHSD) for Students and Parents
The group aims to bridge the gap between grassroots organizing and legal expertise in criminal justice reform. With over 75 student volunteers, backed by parent and teacher allies, GLP functions as a unit with members in each school. The group is not a club affiliated with individual schools, but a district-wide chapter powered by students and supported by parents and teachers. To get involved, fill out this Google Form. Check them out on Instagram too!More information or questions?
Email us! Stay current by visiting our webpage, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. -
Membership & Fundraising
Acalanes Flags
‘Tis the season for giving - and receiving - the perfect gift: Acalanes Flags! Flags are available in two sizes on the Acalanes webstore. Get yours today and share your school spirit. Go Dons!
If you have any questions, please contact VP Fundraising Kelly Daggs.
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From the Activities Director
Dec 17 and 18 - Spirit Wear Pick-Up
If you ordered spirit wear, we will have pick up days the afternoon of December 17th and the morning of December 18th.Dec 11 from 3:15-4:30 - Adopt-a-Family Gift Drop-Off
Thanks to our community’s generosity and support, we adopted 26 families! If you opted in, check your email for all the information you need. Coordinate with Katherine Walton if you cannot drop off the gifts on Dec. 11. Sign-up genius can be found here.Dec 8-10 - Frosh In-Person Study Groups
We want to support the Class of 2024 as they approach their 1st set of final exams. We are holding in person study groups led by teachers. Freshmen can sign up here.Equity Club Docu-Series: Queer Straight Alliance Video
Take some time today to watch this incredible video featuring members of our QSA. Listen, engage, and educate.Channel Kindness Book Club
We have partnered with the Born this Way Foundation to read Lady Gaga’s newest book, Channel Kindness. Students can sign up, be given the book to read, and then in late January, attend a book club meeting where several of the authors of the book will join us to dialogue. The book encompasses themes around mental health, physical health, giving back to the community & kindness. Link to sign up.Take a minute to read the November issue of the Diversity newsletter:
Next week is our annual winter week! A fun way to end the first semester with multiple opportunities to engage. Here is an overview:
Monday, Dec 7
- Dress-up: No Mirror Monday (wear PJ’s)
Tuesday, Dec 8
- Dress-up: Tie Dye Tuesday
- 3:15-4:45pm: In-person study groups for Class of 2024
Wednesday, Dec 9
- Dress-up: Wild Wednesday
- Lunch: Staff/Student Bonding
- 3:15-4:45pm: In-person study groups for Class of 2024
- 7pm: DramaDons Performance
Thursday, Dec 10
- Dress-up: Time Travel Thursday
- 3:15-4:45pm: In-person study groups for Class of 2024
- 7pm: Choir Concert
Friday, Dec 11
- Dress-up: Face-off Friday
- Lunch: Scribblio Lunchtime activity
- 3:15-4:30pm: Adopt-a-Family gift drop off in front of school
2020-2021 Clubs Club meetings continue. Check out our 45 clubs!
If I can ever do anything to help you or your student, don’t hesitate to reach out!
Katherine Walton, Student Activities Director
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Wellness Center
Periodically, we facilitate round table discussions on big issues, and this week, we had an important talk with student facilitators and attendees, featuring Contra Costa County District Attorney Colleen Gleason, who runs the County Sexual Assault/Child Molestation and Abuse Unit. The focus of the conversation was on supporting victims in getting help when they’ve suffered abuse. Students were able to ask questions and learn new perspectives on what “support” and the process of getting justice looks like. Most importantly, DA Gleason shared advice you can give your kids: if they go to a party, use the buddy system AND if they get assaulted, tell someone (and assure your child that they will not “get in trouble” for doing so). Finally, it’s important that the individual go to the hospital as soon as possible following an assault.
Here is a fantastic resource with videos on consent and other important topics: Community Violence Solutions. These conversations are so important and we think you’ll find that if you lean into them, you - and your student - will be happy you did.
Allen Choi, Wellness Coordinator
Casey Sasner, Intake SpecialistFor updates, tips and advice, follow Wellness on Social Media: Instagram @acalaneswellness
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College & Career
Monday, Dec 14 from 7-8pm - Sophomore Student/Parent College Check-in
Join Acalanes College & Career Advisor Wendy Reicher for an informal check-in regarding college planning for sophomores. Learn about summer opportunities, Naviance overview, College & Career website resources, and more! RSVP to attend.For Juniors: Upcoming College Planning Academy Sessions
Students use Ms. Reicher’s Zoom link to attend.- Wednesday, Jan 13: Things to Do
- Wednesday, Jan 20: About Me/Personal Assessments
- Wednesday, Jan 27: Building Your List
AAUW Scholarship Application Opportunity
$2000 awarded to a Senior woman who demonstrates a sustained commitment to community service as well as a grade point average of at least 3.0. Apply now!One-on-One Appointments
Students can book an individual meeting with Ms. Reicher here. Please encourage your student to take advantage regardless of where they are in the process.Helpful Links:
Freshman College Planning
Sophomore College Planning
Junior College Planning
Senior Checklist- CCC Website
- Follow us on Instagram: @acalanesccc
- Facebook Page for Students Have your senior or junior join the College and Career Student FB page
Keep up the good work!
Wendy Reicher/College and Career Advisor: wreicher@auhsdschools.org -
Counseling
Senior Transcripts
Seniors who need official transcripts for college apps due Jan 1 should order them on the webstore before winter break. Documents will be sent electronically through Naviance whenever possible. Please contact Mrs. Finn with questions. Students can review unofficial transcripts in Aeries.Friday, Dec 18 End of First Semester
Official transcripts will not be updated until after the winter break. Mid-year reports (transcripts) with first semester grades will be available the second week of January.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 -
School Nurse
Staying Safe During The Holidays
Be Covid Proactive!
See update on my google site. Stay healthy by keeping this symptom checklist in mind.Improve Mental Health- Cook meals together as a family!
It doesn’t have to be complicated; it can be as easy as arranging a fruit platter or putting a salad together.This is a perfect opportunity with the upcoming holidays and our plans to STAY HOME. There are so many benefits - more to come!
Dvora Citron, RN, MS
Acalanes School Nurse Google Site
dcitron@auhsdschools.org
IG: acalanesschoolnurse -
Performing & Visual Arts
Tuesday, Dec 15 at 7pm - 2020 Choral Music Virtual Winter Concert, “Together, from a Distance”
This streamed concert will feature music from the Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque and Classical eras, as well as some solo acts. Look for the YouTube link on the Acalanes Performing Arts website on the day of the concert.
Thursday, Dec 17 at 7pm - AHS Instrumental Virtual Winter Concert
Enjoy the amazing musical talents of the Acalanes Instrumental Bands. Instrumental Music Director Ms. Lauren Gibson will be showcasing performances by each ensemble (Jazz Ensemble, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, and Orchestra) as well as chamber music. Best of all, you can hear all this beautiful music safely from the comfort of your home via Zoom video conference. Look for the Zoom link at http://acalanesinstrumentalmusic.com or on our website.
Tuesday, Dec 22 at 7 pm - DramaDons Holiday Special
Happy Holidays from the DramaDons! The DramaDons have a present for you! The premiere of our Holiday Special will include selections of work that the DramaDons have created over this past semester. Pieces include original puppet stories, dialect monologues, an 8-minute Zoom movie adaptation, and an original children's theatre Zoom play. YouTube link to the Holiday Special will be available on the day of the performance on our website as well as on Instagram @ahs_dramadons. -
Sports
The California Department of Public Health has postponed the issuance of its updated youth sports guidance. The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) does not expect the CDPH will issue any guidance allowing for schools to return to full practice and competition until after January 1, 2021, at the earliest. All full practice and competition start dates are officially on hold until updated guidance is issued. Read the full press release here.
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General Announcements
No Newsletter Next Week… See you on Sunday, Dec 6!
Dec 1 Giving Tuesday
Please consider showing your support to LPIE as they work hard toward making their 2020-2021 goal! Click here to make a donation.Hybrid School Schedule
Acalanes School Board approved the second semester hybrid schedule last Wednesday. Click here to review the plan in preparation for the District parent forum on November 30. Parents are asked to commit to either the Hybrid or 100% Distance Learning model by December 2. -
Acalanes Community Always (ACA)
Give Thanks by Shopping Local
Help local Lafayette business owners during this challenging economic time by shopping local for the holidays! A bonus is that sales tax from your purchases will be funneled back into our local economy. Now is a great time to express gratitude with gifts purchased locally. Visit here for more ways to support Lafayette businesses.Questions, comments or feedback, email aca@acalanesparentsclub.com.
Social Media
