• Parent Education

    January 28, 2024

    COLLEGE COUNSELING & COLLEGE ALTERNATIVES FOR STUDENTS WITH IEPs
    Wednesday, Feb 7 at 7pm in the Acalanes Library
    This parent workshop will be presented by Education Consultant, Melissa Masland, on post high school education options and the college application process for students receiving special education services.

  • Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)

    January 28, 2024

    Upcoming Important Dates:

    • Black History/Excellence Month (February)
    • Feb 6 AUHSD Parent/Caregiver Workshop Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth
    • Feb 10-24 Lunar New Year
    • Feb 19 Day of Remembrance
    • Feb 23 BSU Dance at Miramonte

    Black History/Excellence Month is HERE and PARENTS we NEED your help. Please use this link to sign up to help us decorate a few doors around campus as we celebrate the achievements of Black Americans that have shaped our culture.
     
    Black History/Excellence Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating Black history. You can learn so much more here.
     
    Do you have a recommendation or highlight to share about Black Excellence Month? Please chime in and we will do our best to share!
     
    On Tuesday, Feb 6 from 6-7:30pm in the AHS library, the Contra Costa Office of Education Wellness in Schools Program will share more on how to support the LGBTQ Youth in your family and community. Learn about being an adult ally and how to create a culture of acceptance. Stay informed about common terminology. Learn about gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation. Learn about the important role that families play in promoting well being for LGBTQ young people. Register here.

    And follow us on Instagram and Facebook!

  • Performing & Visual Arts

    January 28, 2024

    Acalanes Bands Participate in District Festivals!
    Come join the talented Acalanes musicians as they perform with instrumental bands from local elementary schools and Stanley Middle School! The upcoming concerts are all free:

    DISTRICT FESTIVAL II
    Monday, Jan 29 @ 7pm - Stanley Gym
    Burton Valley & Lafayette Elementary Bands
    Stanley Cadet Band & Symphonic Band
    Acalanes Symphonic Band & Wind Ensemble
     
    DISTRICT FESTIVAL III
    Tuesday, Jan 30 @ 7pm - Stanley Gym
    Happy Valley & Springhill Elementary Bands
    Stanley Bronze Band & Silver Band
    Acalanes Wind Ensemble
     
    DISTRICT FESTIVAL IV
    Wednesday, Jan 31 @ 7pm - Stanley Gym
    Combined Elementary Strings
    Stanley Strings Intermezzo & String Orchestra
     
    We hope to see you there!

  • Student Activities

    January 28, 2024

    Students are hosting staff-student trivia at lunch on Wednesday in the big gym.Reminder your student to come see 10 teachers compete and let’s see who the winner will be!
     
    Student Government (leadership) 2024-2025
    Current Acalanes Students: Applications for the leadership program will be available beginning tomorrow. There is a place for everyone in leadership and the program drives student activities at Acalanes. Applications are due Tuesday, Feb 6.
    9th grade? Applications will be available Feb 1 and due Feb 22.
    Come see Leadership at Open House! Any questions, please contact Katherine Walton.
     
    Valentine's Grams are now available for purchase online for $4 on the Acalanes web store. You can also buy one in person at lunch on Feb 6, 7, 8, 9, and 12 in the frosh and sophomore quads. Anyone can purchase, including teachers and parents. Gram recipients will receive them in their 5th period class on Feb 14. The grams include candy, flower, eraser, and a note. Happy Valentine's Day!
     
    The Community Outreach and Improvement Program is hosting a drive for White Pony Express from through Feb 2! Please donate pantry/canned goods to the bins outside the front office and check out our website for more information and donation options! Thank you!
     
    There is a blanket making drive that is happening on Friday, Feb 9 during academy in room 314 and counts towards volunteer hourkets will be donated to the Bay Area Rescue Mission Emergency Shelter in Richmond. Sign up via Walton’s academy.
     
    February is Black Excellence Month! Stay tuned for the whole month of events. There is a district wide Mardi Gras dance on Friday, Feb 23 from 7-9 pm at Miramonte High School! Along with dancing and an awesome DJ, there will be food, a 360 open-air video booth, a place to hang out with friends, and an airbrush tattoo artist! Tickets will be $10 and available on your school's website/GoFan. We are excited to see your students there!
     
    Acalanes Spiritwear Available for Purchase!
    Looking for Acalanes gear? Our spring webstore is now open featuring new sweatshirts, shirts, sweatpants and a lanyard. The spring webstore closes on Monday, Feb 26 and items will be available for pick-up in late March. All proceeds benefit the classes of 2025, 2026 and 2027.
     
    We also have 2028 frosh spirit packs available for purchase. Spirit packs feature a limited edition 2028 hoodie, string backpack and lanyard. The last day to order these is Thursday, Apr 18 and items will be available for pick-up beginning May 1. All proceeds benefit the class of 2028.
     
    There is a Dress Drive happening from Jan 22 to Mar 1. Bring any kind/type of dress (all will be accepted) to AHS (outside the front office) or to the Lafayette Community Center. Donations will be going to the Princess Project in San Francisco.
     
    Is your student looking for a BLUE CREW shirt and didn’t get one? Have them stop by room 314 with $2 to get their shirt!

  • College & Career

    January 28, 2024

    Seniors:

    • Community College Support: Send your student to discuss community college opportunities and majors. DVC will be visiting on Wednesday, Feb 7 for an admissions presentation during academy in the library.
    • Scholarship: Calling senior women with a 3.5+ GPA interested in a local community service scholarship through AAUW - the American Association of University Women. Deadline for application is Wednesday, Feb 14.
    • Blackhawk Scholarship Fund: Senior women can apply here for a scholarship.

    Frosh, Sophomores, Juniors:
     
    Military Academy: Interested in learning more about the 4 military branches? Have your student sign up for Levy or Takahashi academy on Wednesday, Feb 21 in Mr. Takahashi’s classroom. Representatives from all the branches will be on campus to discuss opportunities to serve our country.
     
    Leadership Opportunity for Girls: Apply for the free annual Young Women’s Leadership Summit (YWLS) held at Stanford University on Mar 2 from 9:30am - 4:00pm.  T​he theme is “Preparing to be a Disruptor in Business,” with key pillars​ in Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Personal Growth. ​The application deadline for priority consideration is​ Jan 31 and the regular deadline is​ Feb 11.
     
    Please visit our College & Career Counseling website any time for additional information and support.

  • Counseling

    January 28, 2024

    Counselor assignments are by last name:
    A-Em Anne Schonauer  
    En-Kr Erika Vasquez
    Ku-Rog Marissa Meadows 
    Roh-Z Susan Martin

    Course selection for the 2024-2025 school year is happening! Counselors visited 11th and 9th grade classes last week and will be visiting 10th grade classes this week to go over the course selection process and to hand out forms:

    • 10th grade English classes will be visited on Tuesday, Jan 30 and Wednesday, Jan 31

    Course Preview Open House Night is Thursday, Feb 1. Please come with your students to see what they are doing in their current classes and check out potential classes for next year!

    Individual counseling appointments with all 9th, 10th and 11th graders to discuss and collect their course requests will happen the week of Feb 5 - 9.