Weekly News & Announcements

Grad Night 2020

 Come aboard a Commodore Cruise to celebrate graduation! 

Acalanes High School parents have a proud tradition of offering a safe, alcohol and drug-free event for our graduating seniors. This year’s Grad Night is held Friday, May 29, 2020 immediately following the Graduation Ceremony at Acalanes.  The event includes transportation to and from the Commodore Cruise harbor in Alameda, dinner, snacks, security and fabulous entertainment.

Tickets are now $200 per student but the price increases on November 30.  You may purchase a ticket on the Web Store.  Not sure if you already have?  Login, go to MyAccount, MySettings and see your purchase history.  

Note: Grad night scholarships are available so ALL seniors can attend. Your School Counselor can provide information regarding scholarships. 

Download the Senior Grad Night Waiver

Co-Presidents’ Message

We are looking forward to the APC Campus Clean-Up later today from 1-4pm. Students and parents are still able to drop by for an hour or two to help our campus shine. Meet in the Acalanes Main Quad (bring work gloves & a refillable water bottle) for your volunteer assignment. We hope you all notice a difference on campus this week.

A shout out to our APC Teacher Appreciation team led by veteran volunteer Emma Bishopp & Renee Kerns for kicking off the school year with a fun welcome back lunch for teachers and staff. Special thanks to Acalanes parents Julie & Robert Pancoast for providing a tremendous discount on yummy pizza.

You may be hearing about the new Dons Show Up campaign on campus or from your students. To help explain this messaging, check out the General Announcements below.  We plan to run a Dons Show Up section from time to time in our newsletter, focused on ways that students and parents can “show up” for one another on and off campus. 

We had a TREMENDOUS turn-out at our first APC Dons Dialogue and our next one will be held this Friday, September 20, at 8:45am, in the Collaboration Center. Principal Bell and our associate principals will share information about key programs and activities on campus. Check out more details in the APC in Action section below. We hope you will join us!

Dawn Brightbill & Sarah Cusumano

DONS SHOW UP

Perhaps you’ve seen the new hashtag #DonsShowUp around campus and wondered exactly what it is. This year, Acalanes is kicking off a new campaign asking students, parents, teachers, and staff to “show up” for each other to help build community.

Showing up could be as simple as going to an event that a student might not usually attend; athletes showing up for plays, theater students going to concerts or someone from the orchestra attending a game.

Showing up also means students reaching out and being there for another student; taking the extra step to ask a fellow student if they are OK, checking in on someone eating lunch alone or simply saying hi to another student whom they don’t already know.

The goal is for all students at Acalanes to be supported and seen. 

Dons Dialogue 9/20

Friday, Sept 20, 8:45-10am

APC’s second Dons Dialogue of the year is this Friday morning in the Collaboration Center.  Following a quick approval of the APC Budget, Principal Travis Bell and Associate Principals Andrea Powers and Mike Plant have a full agenda, so you won’t want to miss it!  Dons Dialogue will include:

• Acalanes High School Safety Protocols
• Sandy Hook Promise Anonymous Reporting System
• Academy Update 
• Recap of the Recent Mike Smith Student Assembly Presentation & Workshop 
• ASB and Leadership Update

As always, parking will be reserved in the parking lot south of the Main Gym. Coffee and treats will be served.

See you there!

HELP HELP HELP!

We still have quite a few afternoon slots to fill in the Lafayette Art & Wine Festival Ticket Booth next Saturday, September 21.  (The Junior class receives $1,000 for staffing the booth!)  Grab a couple of friends, enjoy the festival and then work a quick 2 hour shift to help our class!  Sign up here.

HOMECOMING HALLWAY DECORATING

Just one week from today! Please please please encourage your Junior to attend one of these VERY IMPORTANT work parties!  The Juniors would LOVE to win this contest!  

(All work parties are at Luke Watson’s house at 3186 Kinglsey Place in Lafayette.  Snacks, pizzas and drinks provided!)

Sunday, Sept 15 (TODAY!): 1 - 5pm

Tuesday, Sept 17: 1:30 - 4:30pm

Thursday, Sept 19: 1:30 - 4:30pm

Saturday, Sept 21: 10 AM - 5pm (our last push before setup!)

Also, we could still use your donations/loans for the Junior Hallway.  All items can be dropped off to the Caprios at 582 Silverado Drive in Lafayette.  Please label anything you would like to have returned!  

Items To Be LOANED and RETURNED TO OWNER

• Tiki Bar
• Surfboards
• Boogie Boards
• Straw Hats
• String Lights

Items To Be DONATED

• Old flip flops
• Old Pool Noodles
• Plastic Leis
• Beach Balls
• Newspaper
• Cardboard
• Plywood (large sheet)
• Chicken Wire
• Spray Paint

ADDITIONAL HOMECOMING HELP

We STILL have slots available  for the following Homecoming Events.  Again, parents, we would LOVE your help if you can spare the time!!!

Click on the date to sign up.

Sept 22 Homecoming Hallway Decorating Snacks
Sept 27 Homecoming Football Game Snack Shack

Not too late to buy ASB Cards

Parents: It is not too late to purchase an ASB (Associated Student Body) Card for your student. By purchasing an ASB Card, you are funding all student activities on the Acalanes campus and your student gets free entrance to any sporting event (non NCS) plus discounts on dances. Buy it today!

We Need Dance Chaperones

We are in need of 20 parents (currently have 8) for the Homecoming dance. We really need to ensure student safety and thus the importance of adults throughout the dance. Please consider chaperoning. We would be so grateful. Email Katherine Walton.

Cyber High is starting tomorrow September 16.

Students who need to take a class for credit recovery need to talk to a counselor to get signed up. Cyber High is only for credit recovery in required courses for juniors and seniors.  A teacher is available for supervision and assistance after school.

“Dons in the Workforce” Bullet Board

We have many students working at local businesses and we want to celebrate that!  The College & Career Center is creating a “Dons in the Workforce” bulletin board. Please have your student bring me a picture of them at work!

Two weeks left! 2019-2020 APC Grant Program!

Acalanes Parents Club will continue its APC Grant Program this year with a focus on ideas that will enhance the educational and campus experience of AHS students in new and innovative ways. Teachers, students and parents are welcome to submit a grant proposal.

The application and grant criteria can be found on the APC web site.

Email completed applications to Laura White or deliver to the APC box in the office.

Grant applications are due by noon on Friday, September 27

Homecoming Week Events

Sunday, the 22nd @ 10 am

Hallway Decorating

Monday, the 23rd

Dress-up: Earth, Wind & Fire
Lunch: Unified Soccer & tailgate

Tuesday, the 24th

Dress-up: Country vs Rock
Lunch: Tie Dye

 Wednesday, the 25th 

Dress-up: 70's (hippie)
Lunch: Student vs. Staff Dodgeball
7 pm: Student vs. Student Dodgeball (class vs. class)

Thursday, the 26th

Dress-up: Subthemes
Lunch: Karaoke
Last DAY of canned food drive

Friday, the 27th

Dress-up: Class Shirts or Class Color (12: black, 11: grey, 10: blue, 9: white)
Academy: Homecoming Rally (Students only)
Lunch: Carnival
5:30 pm: Pre Game Tailgate for the Lafayette Community
7 pm: Homecoming Game (Wear Blue!)

Saturday, the 28th at 7 pm
Homecoming Dance
Tickets are now on sale via the Web Store or starting at lunch on Sept 16. Ticket prices are:

$15 with ASB
$30 without ASB
$45 for guests*

Prices increase by $5 at the door.

*Want to bring a guest? Fill out the guest contract (found in room 314) and submit to the main office by September 25th.