• Course request confirmation letters

    March 11, 2020

    Course request confirmation letters were recently mailed to all students for the 2020-2021 school year.  Please review course selections with your student for accuracy. Acalanes faculty is currently building class schedules based on this information.  Keep in mind that the school works hard to accommodate preferred schedules, but can make no guarantees. Final course schedules are distributed at Dons Day in August. 

     

  • Membership & Fundraising

    March 11, 2020

    Looking for a unique graduation gift? Give a Legacy Brick and help leave a lasting impression on the Dons Legacy Wall! Families can pay tribute to your upcoming graduate, past graduates, a favorite teacher, or anyone who has contributed to your time at Acalanes.  You can even dedicate a brick to your AHS sports team, performance group or favorite club. To order your personalized brick before the May 1 deadline, make your $250 tax deductible donation to Acalanes Parents Club on the AHS Web Store.

    Questions? Please contact Melissa Arends. 

     

  • School Nurse

    March 11, 2020

    Take the same steps you would take to stay healthy during cold and flu season.

    • Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds, particularly after coughing or sneezing. If you don’t have access to running water, use an alcohol-based hand cleanser.
    • Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
    • Stay away from people who are sick.
    • Don’t share makeup, food, dishes or eating utensils.
    • Wearing a surgical mask will not protect you from getting sick. 

    When to keep your student home from school? HERE

    CDC Information on Coronavirus

     

  • Transitions Workshop for Senior Parents

    March 11, 2020

    Tuesday, March 10  from 7-8:30pm in the Acalanes Library

    Led by Joe Ianora, certified educational coach and licensed marriage and family therapist, this workshop focuses on the issues surrounding families as they enter the new, post-graduation phase of their lives. This workshop is free and no registration is required. 

     

  • How to Successfully Engage with Homework

    March 11, 2020

    Wednesday, Mar 11 at 7pm in the Acalanes Library

    Acalanes Union High School District (AUHSD) welcomes parents to a discussion on best practices related to homework. Administrative staff will review the updated 2019-2020 homework policy and share highlights, successes, challenges and next steps. This event is open to all AUHSD school parents; no advance registration is required.

     

  • Sports

    March 11, 2020

    Thursday, April 9 from 7-8:30pm in the Acalanes Library. 

    Wrapping up the 2019-2020 Speaker Series, we have David Solo, President of Special Olympics Northern California along with a special guest.  They will present a unique program to our community about inclusion in diverse circumstances. Please click here to reserve your seat. 

     

  • Co-Presidents’ Message

    February 18, 2020

    We hope all Acalanes families enjoyed the 4-day weekend! February is shaping up to be a busy month for Dons’ parents. We hope you will mark your calendar for the following upcoming events:

    • Dons Dialogue: February 21
    • APC Sponsored Just Mercy Screening for Black History Month: February 24
    • APC Parent Education Event with Parent Expert Dr. Dan Peters: February 27

    We are in the early stages of filling APC Exec Board and volunteer positions for the 2020-2021 school year. There are numerous ways to get involved and put your talents to good use! Take a look at all of the possibilities on the APC Job Descriptions page. If you’re interested in volunteering, please contact APC Parliamentarian Meg Fellner who is heading up the Nominating Committee.
     
    Dawn Brightbill and Sarah Cusumano

  • Friday, Feb 21 APC Dons Dialogue

    February 18, 2020

    Friday, Feb 21, 8:45-10am, Acalanes Collaboration Center

    Join us for another Dons Dialogue this Friday. Topics include:

    • Department updates from Math, Special Education and Career Tech Ed
    • California State (CAASPP) Math Assessment Report
    • Restorative Practices as a Response to Student Discipline

    As always, parking will be reserved in the small lot adjacent to the gym, and refreshments will be served. See you there.

     

  • Friday, Feb 21: Last Call for APC Spring Grant Program Applications!

    February 17, 2020

    The deadline for submission is this Friday, Feb 21 at noon. Teachers, students and parents are welcome to submit a grant proposal, utilizing the application form. Guidelines for grant submissions are also available. Email completed applications to Laura White or deliver to the APC box in the office.

     

  • Volunteer Service Awards Program

    February 17, 2020

    With the support of the APC, Acalanes recognizes students for their volunteerism through the nationally recognized President’s Volunteer Service Award and the Acalanes Volunteer Service Award. All program information, including application and tracking forms, can be picked up in the Counseling office or downloaded from the Acalanes website (under College & Career Center). Quick links below.

  • APC Sponsored: “Just Mercy” FREE Screening

    February 17, 2020

    Monday, Feb 24 at 7pm in the Orinda Theater. Hosted by Acalanes BSU & ASB Leadership.

    In celebration of Black History Month, the Acalanes Black Student Union (BSU) is hosting this highly acclaimed film. Acalanes Parents Club bought out the theater so the event for parents and students is free! Donations to the Acalanes Black Student Union will be accepted. 

    Film overview: In this adaptation of a true story, idealistic young lawyer Bryan Stevenson (Michael B. Jordan) takes on cases of death row inmates, but he risks being crushed by his biggest challenge yet when he tries to represent convicted murderer Walter ‘Johnny D’ McMillan (Jamie Foxx). 

     

  • College & Career

    February 9, 2020

    Tuesday, Feb 11 DVC Enrollment Event During 2nd Period
    Seniors planning to attend DVC will meet in the Collaboration Center (504/IEP) or in the library with DVC counselors to register for fall of 2020. Students must have their social security number and sign up here so we can prepare a transcript.

    Job Opportunity: Teaching Assistant, MCVT Glee Club Enrichment Classes
    MCVT Glee Club is a popular singing performance class taught daily after school at local Lafayette/Orinda schools. Facilitate games/activities, assist with special events, performances, caretaking of children. Must be energetic and good with children. Experience in performing arts a plus. Pay is $20/class. Contact Myeve Capozzi .

    Sunday, Feb 23 Gap Year Fair from 1-4p at Athenian High School
    Register here.

    Thursday, Feb 27 Out of State College Fair at 6:30p, Miramonte HS
    No sign up needed.

    Saturday, Feb 29 SAT Mock Exam at 9am in CCC
    Cost is $35.00. Sign up here.

    Seniors
    Please update Naviance as you continue to hear results from your college applications. Stop by the CCC to share your successes and add a marble to the jar for each accepted application. When you have committed to your school, you can also make a flag for our board!

    Juniors
    Sign up for academy to learn how to research colleges and start personal assessments. You must attend one academy before setting up a 1:1 appointment. Please stop by the CCC with any questions.

    Freshman College Planning
    Sophomore College Planning
    Junior College Planning
    Senior Checklist

  • Co-Associate Principals’ Message

    February 9, 2020

    The month of January was a busy one at the home of the Dons with the second semester kicking off with a flurry of activity. One of the highlights was our annual Open House Course Preview night last week. The Dons community showed up in droves for an excellent event with a kick off address by Principal Bell and followed by three breakout sessions, where students and parents could self-select into offerings of individual interest. Teachers and staff organized and facilitated sessions about course pathways, class curriculum overviews and expectations, and assorted other informational offerings.

    Continuing the class selection theme, counselors have spent this week, and will continue next, meeting with all 9th, 10th and 11th graders for individual sessions based around students selecting their classes for next year. With graduation requirements, a huge array of exciting electives and an intriguing peppering of new classes, there are choices aplenty at every level. Our counselors' expertise, and recommendations from current teachers, is of great value and these individual 5-10 minute meetings have been a great way to clarify those challenging decisions.

    Our final mention for this month is to reference the current #QuitLying campaign, orchestrated by our Leadership class in partnership with a nation-wide campaign. The purpose of this initiative is to spark curiosity amongst our youngsters to unearth some of the unethical and morally corrupt lies that big vape and tobacco companies are using to market vaping as a low-risk endeavor. Placards around campus exposing some of the myths, misconceptions and falsehoods, along with a slogan-adorned T-shirt and factual videos distributed by Ms Walton and the Leadership class are all parts of the campaign. This educational, factual approach, along with recent campus-wide policy changes designed to limit opportunities for our students to make bad choices, is all part of our school community;s response to combat the plague of vaping that is an issue on high-school campuses nation-wide.

    As always, we want to state what a pleasure it is to work at Acalanes on a daily basis. Our exceptional staff and faculty, our engaging and kind students and our wonderful, supportive community all serve to make us proud and happy Dons.

    All the best,
    Andrea Powers and Mike Plant