• Return to Hybrid Update

    March 7, 2021

    This Week’s School Schedule
    As AHS prepares to open for hybrid instruction, the following calendar is in effect for March 8 through March 12

    • Monday, March 8: Non-school day for all students
    • Tuesday, March 9 through Friday, March 12:
      • In-person student orientation (see schedule below) 
      • Asynchronous schedule. Students must check in each day at 9am with their Cohort Academy teacher. 
      • On Tuesday & Wednesday, students will have required modules in Canvas regarding health and safety during hybrid learning. 
      • On Thursday and Friday, teachers will assign regular coursework.

    Tuesday through Friday from 10a to 12n Student Orientation
    Student orientation is required for all students attending in-person school; students not attending school in person are welcome but it is not mandatory. Orientation is approximately 40 minutes for grades 10 through 12; 60 minutes for 9th graders. Refer to this online document for event details and specific times by last name.

    • Tuesday, March 9 - Seniors
    • Wednesday, March 10 - Juniors
    • Thursday, March 11 - Sophomores
    • Friday, March 12 - Frosh

    Required Health Screening
    All students are required to complete a COVID-19 screening every day that they come to school, including next week’s orientation. Health screenings should be completed in the morning prior to arriving at school. AHS recommends that students use the cell/mobile set up as it allows for a daily text reminder. Email registration is also available. 

    Student Cohort Reminder
    All students have been assigned a group based on their selection of either in-person hybrid or fully-remote learning. Please log in to Aeries     PASS parent portal to confirm your student’s group. Refer to the district website for your student’s specific schedule as determined by their group.

    Additional Resources

    • ICYMI: Read Principal Bell’s email from March 2 detailing AHS projected return to hybrid guide and checklist
    • Visit this District online document 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

    March 7, 2021

    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. 

    APC Spring Grants Deadline Extended One Week to Friday, 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. Click here to learn more about past grants and program guidelines, and fill out an application. Email completed applications to Catherine Habas at or drop in the APC box in the office. 

    Application Deadline Extended to May 1, 2021 - Acalanes & President's
    Volunteer Service Awards Program
    Due to the continued challenges of identifying and completing volunteer work during COVID, we extended the deadline so students can finish service hours and submit applications. Visit the     website for details and encourage your student to participate! 

  • Acalanes Community Always (ACA)

    March 7, 2021

    ACA Back to School “March Madness”
    It’s almost time to welcome hybrid students back on campus!! With a return to Hybrid date of March 16, it’s time to pump up the ACA spirit to new levels! Here are some ways to do so:

    • Fly your ACA flag!! Don’t have one? Buy one on the webstore! (See Fundraising section for details.)
    • Decorate your student’s mailbox for the first day of Hybrid (decoration kits will be available during “Back to School” hybrid orientation)
    • Get your students ready to wear ACA STRONG shirts on Hybrid Day 1, March 16. Students who didn’t pick up an ACA Strong shirt at the last ACA Day can pick one up at Back to School Hybrid Orientation.
    • Senior & Junior Car Painting - March 14th 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. 

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

  • Parent Ed

    March 7, 2021

    New Start Time! Wednesday, March 10 from 6-7:30pm Dr. Michael Rich, "The Mediatrician"
    Join us online for an informative talk with Dr. Michael Rich, Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School and Director of the Center of Media and Child Health. He will focus on understanding and responding to the ways in which teens and families are affected by the interactive media we use and how we use them. Dr. Rich will also reframe the issue of screen use in adolescents from the values-based “right vs wrong” debate that has prevailed since the earliest days of television to an evidence-based public health issue - how we are changed by our media use, in positive and negative ways, so that parents, teachers, clinicians, and society at large can make critical decisions in raising the next generations to be healthy, happy, and kind.

    • No advanced registration is required. Click here to join the event! 

  • LPIE

    March 7, 2021

    Project LPIE Is Here!
    Project LPIE is an annual competition that celebrates Acalanes High School students for their project-based learning, both inside and outside the classroom, with opportunities for entry in 10 different categories. This event is open to all Acalanes High School students. Cash prizes are awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. Students must let LPIE know they want to submit a project by completing the online registration form here. For more details visit lpie.org.

    • March 22 - Register for Project LPIE 
    • April 12 - Projects due 
    • May 6 - Winners will be announced and notified by LPIE 

    This week, during LPIE’s “It’s Up to All of Us” video series, parent Eli Chan sheds light on the value of “people” funded by LPIE, which makes up 72% of the support LPIE gives to our schools. These are skilled individuals who provide instruction, expanded learning opportunities, mental health services, and so much more for our students. Imagine what our children’s educational experience would be like without these people. These positions are not “extra”; they are essential.

    Laura-Kate Rurka & Jennifer Palmer
    Acalanes LPIE School Chairs

    www.lpie.org

    Follow us on Instagram

  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)

    March 7, 2021

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

    Monday, March 8 International Women’s Day
    This year's theme is “Women in Leadership: Achieving an Equal Future in a COVID-19 World.” The crisis has highlighted both the centrality of their contributions and the disproportionate burdens that women carry.

    Wednesday, March 10 Harriet Tubman Day honors the life of the anti-slavery activist. Read more about Tubman's work in the Underground Railroad. 

    Thursday, March 25 from 6-7:30pm AUHSD Book Club
    The last AUHSD Book Club Event of the year will be 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.

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

    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 are passionate about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and enjoy writing, are a social media wizard or a webmaster, come join us!

  • Membership & Fundraising

    March 7, 2021

    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

    March 7, 2021

    March Madness Activities - Return to Campus!

    • Decorate your student’s home mailbox for the first day of Hybrid (decoration kits will be available during “Back to School” hybrid orientation)
    • Get your students ready to wear ACA STRONG shirts on Hybrid Day 1, March 16 and March 17. Students who didn’t pick up an ACA Strong shirt at the last ACA Day can pick one up at Back to School Hybrid Orientation.
    • Sunday, March 14 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.

    • Beginning March 8, 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. Ms. Glimme has an incredible story to share and is an inspiring female leader in our community. Mark your calendar and look for the Zoom link next week!

    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 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. 

    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.

    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

  • Wellness Center

    March 7, 2021

    Tuesday, March 30 at 5:30pm Alcohol, Cannabis & Prescription Drug Expert Panel
    This week, we are sharing an announcement from our partners at TUPE (Tobacco Use and Prevention Education at Contra Costa Office of Education). The fourth virtual TUPE parent/family engagement event, Alcohol, Cannabis & Prescription Drug Expert Panel, is scheduled for Tuesday, March 30 at 5:30 pm. This live webinar will focus on a panel of local adult and youth experts to discuss the impact of alcohol, cannabis, and prescription drugs on young people in our communities and share resources for youth and adults. Special guest speakers include April Rovero, Founder/Executive Director of National Coalition Against Prescription Drug Abuse; Brian Gleason, Program Manager for Mothers Against Drunk Driving; Richard Ceballos, Project Co-Director of Stanford Tobacco Prevention Toolkit and Cannabis Awareness & Prevention Toolkit, and CourAGE Youth Health Coalition members. 

    You may register here. This will be simultaneously interpreted in Spanish. 

    Allen Choi, Wellness Coordinator
    Casey Sasner, Intake Specialist

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

  • College & Career

    March 7, 2021

    Seniors

    • DVC Registration (for graduating students only) Enrollment presentations sign up
    • This is a busy time for admissions decisions to roll out. Remember to check ALL emails from schools to make sure you don’t miss anything. If you have any questions about an admission decision or financial aid reach out directly to the university. 
    • 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. 
    • Sonoma State is still accepting applications if you are still interested in applying. 

    Juniors

    • Sunday, March 14 Virtual College Fair - St. Mary’s usually hosts a huge fair with over 100 colleges; this year it is virtual. This is a great time to connect with schools you want to get more information about and a great way to connect with admissions reps. 

    Resources:

  • Counseling

    March 7, 2021

    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 who participate in Acalanes sports, while 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

    March 7, 2021

    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. Now Governor Newsom and state legislators have reached a deal which should accelerate the process by providing hefty incentives to reopen and removing some of the obstacles about which school districts had complained. Meanwhile, the federal government has confirmed that standardized testing must resume this year, meaning students still in remote learning in California would be asked to take standardized tests at home. The state is applying for a waiver to give California some flexibility on how and when the tests are administered within the 2020-2021 school year. 

    Questions? Email our APC Legislative Representative.