Weekly News & Announcements

General Administration Announcements

We are searching for parents to help with proctoring AP exams from May 5 - May 23. Exams start everyday at either 8am or 12pm. Students know to show up 30 minutes prior to start time for check in. Proctors for morning exams are needed starting at 7:15am and for afternoon exams starting at 11:15am. Exams can range from 2- 4 hours - please plan to stay for the longest amount of time possible. Restriction: Parents are NOT allowed to proctor an exam that their own child is taking.

If you are interested in learning more about proctoring AP exams, please contact the Acalanes Testing Coordinator, Jamielle McDonald.

APC in Action

ACA Service Awards Deadline: Apr 18 - Your student should check that their hours have been approved!!
If your student is working towards an AHS or Presidential Service Award, make sure their volunteer hours are entered and validated in Helper Helper by their supervisor by Apr 18! To check supervisor validation of volunteer hours:

• Log into Helper Helper → “My Commitments” → “Past” → click an entry.
• If it says “Your attendance is pending approval”, their supervisor hasn’t validated it. Make sure your student follows up with their supervisor (and make sure the supervisor checks their spam folder for an email from Helper Helper).

To check final APC approval of volunteer hours:
Once validated, we review the hours to confirm they meet our guidelines. If approved, your student will see a blue star next to the entry under "Past Commitments.” If validated but not approved within a few days, please have your student check their AUHSD email (and spam) for an email from us. We likely have questions about their service. If we don’t hear back from them, their hours may be rejected.
Need help with your Helper Helper account, have questions about what qualifies as community service, or need info on additional requirements for a Presidential Service Award? Visit our volunteer website or email communityservice@acalanesparentsclub.com.

APC Membership & Fundraising

Looking for a GREAT graduation gift? Or a lasting end of year gift?
Say it in stone!
 
Leave a lasting tribute to your Acalanes student by purchasing a custom engraved brick on the Dons Legacy Wall (located by the front office). Your $300 donation covers the cost of your personally engraved brick while also supporting the Acalanes Parents Club. 

What better way to leave a legacy? Graduates will return to Acalanes year after year… and with heartfelt nostalgia, feel right at home seeing their name and personalized message on their very own brick as part of the Dons Legacy Wall. This is also a great way to honor your favorite teacher, staff member or Acalanes program or class.

You can purchase your brick here. Contact Legacy Brick Coordinator Leanne Zimmerman at leanne.zimm@gmail.com with any questions.
 
Congratulations to the class of 2025!

Acalanes Community Always (ACA)

Welcome Class of 2029
Acalanes Athletics & Activities Night
May 1, 2025 | Acalanes Front Quad | 5-6pm
 
It’s time for incoming Acalanes freshmen & families to connect! Students/families can check out the following during this evening on May 1:

• Student Clubs: Acalanes has over 90 student clubs. Club leaders will be at tables and happy to share information. Some of the clubs present will be ACA Buddies, Children's Hospital, Feminist Club, Finance Club, Jewish Student Union, Black Student Union, Queer Straight Alliance, Latinos Unidos, Asian American Student Union, SAGE Club and many more!
• Athletics:  Acalanes is home to twenty-five competitive sports teams. Tables will be set up around the quad alphabetically.
• Athletic Directors and Clearance Information: Athletic Directors Randy Takahashi and Haley Walsh will be available to meet and share more about mandatory athletic clearance for next year.
• Parent Volunteer Opportunities: Acalanes parents play a vital role in supporting and enriching our school activities and events! Thank you in advance for donating your time. More information can be found at our partner tables and Acalanes support organizations at the entrance:
  • Acalanes Athletic Boosters
  • Acalanes Parents Club
  • Acalanes Performing Arts Boosters
  • Lafayette Partners in Education
• Acalanes SWAG: Pick up your pre-ordered Acalanes frosh spirit pack and/or purchase some new Acalanes gear! In addition, ALL incoming class of 2029 students can pick up a special goodie bag.

The Acalanes Community Outreach and Improvement Club is hosting a fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) from March 18 - April 30. LLS’s mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families by funding research and much more! Please donate as any and every donation makes a difference! Please check and see if your company does matching gifts when donating to double your impact! Thank you!

Campus Culture Committee

Upcoming Important Dates:

• April is Autism Acceptance Month
• April is Arab American Heritage Month
• Apr 12 - Apr 20 Passover
• Apr 20 Easter
• Apr 21 Campus Culture Committee Meeting
• Apr 23 Holocaust Remembrance Day

Autism Acceptance Month celebrates and honors the experiences and identities of autistic individuals. It emphasizes understanding, inclusion, and support, moving beyond awareness towards meaningful acceptance.

National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM) takes place in April. It celebrates the Arab American heritage and culture and pays tribute to the contributions of Arab Americans and Arabic-speaking Americans.

ALL ARE WELCOME HERE t-shirts are for sale! For just $20 you can support the Campus Culture Committee of APC while wearing a stylish black tee that lets everyone know what the Dons are all about. Reach out here for payment information and how to get your shirt. Available in M and L only at this time.

If you’d like to help with any celebrations or join in our cultural discussions, please contact the Campus Culture Committee here and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook to keep up to date with what the students are doing to celebrate all of these wonderful cultures and special dates.

Student Activities

Schedule for the week:
Monday @ lunch: Bus sign-ups + candy kabobs in the frosh quad
Tuesday @ lunch: Bus sign-ups + tye dye in the front quad
Wednesday@ academy: Puppy yoga
Wednesday @ lunch: Bus sign-ups + staff/student ping pong + therapy dogs in between the gyms
Thursday @ lunch: Bus sign-ups + staff/student ping pong + cookie decorating in the front quad
Friday @ lunch: Bus sign-ups + staff/student ping pong + bouquet making in 314
Saturday: Garden Work Party
 
UPCOMING:

• Junior & Senior Prom: Apr 19
  • Purchase your ticket on Go Fan. Friday is the LAST day to get a ticket (by 3pm) and a bus assignment.
  • Bus assignments continue this week everyday at lunch.
• Special Olympics @ Acalanes: Apr 25

Principal’s ACA Blue Heart Award
Each year, Principal Shawn will recognize a handful of  students in each grade who emulate the spirit of Acalanes Community Always (ACA) outside the classroom. Nominations will be solicited by adults, along with student peer-to-peer nominations. All nominations should be made through a google form. Award criteria includes one or more of the following:

The nomination form is open until Apr 15.
 
Cultural Fair Wednesday Apr 23!
The cultural fair is a unique event and opportunity to celebrate diverse cultures. This is the time to share traditions and educate our community through interactive displays. Students will be able to experience amazing performances, enjoy food and activities. We want to highlight authentic cultural experiences while fostering appreciation and learning. The fair is on Wednesday, Apr 23 in the Chris Huber gym during academy.
 
If your student would like to represent a culture and share its traditions, they can sign up now! Booths are on a first come first serve basis and if your student would like to collaborate on a booth with a friend, that is also welcome!

Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.
 
Katherine Walton, Activities Director

College & Career

Seniors should log into MaiaLearning and fill out their 2025 senior exit survey on their dashboard. This is important, as it’s the only way our registrar knows where to send your student’s final transcripts.
 
Juniors can access college planning support at the following academy sessions (Levy academy):

• Apr 9 Building a great college list - Love your List!
• Apr 16 Common App Essay Workshop
• Apr 23 UC tips for writing your PIQs ( Personal Insight Questions)
• Apr 30 Filling out your activity list for UCs and the Common App         

 
Free Practice Tests: Interested in having your student take a free online practice SAT or ACT? Sign up here for either exam on Apr 26 at 9am with our testing partner, Revolution Prep.

Counseling

Counselor assignments are by student last name:
A-F Anne Schonauer  
G-Ka Erika Vasquez
Ke-Re Marissa Meadows 
Rh-Z Susan Martin

8 weeks left of school! Keep grades up, submit all outstanding work, check finals schedule, finish strong! 
 
Seniors and graduation: Counselors are monitoring seniors in danger of not graduating - letters will be sent home and meetings will be scheduled. 
 
Summer school: If your student has a D/F grade to make up, they can enroll in AUHSD Summer School.  Las Lomas High School will be hosting summer school this year, and will run from Jun 9 to Jul 10. Students must attend summer school twice a week, but they can work through the class on the online platform any time during the week and potentially finish before Jul 10. 

School Nurse

Welcome back from spring break! I hope you and your family had fun and got rested and rejuvenated. We are in the “home stretch” and have less than 2 months of school left (what???). No worries, there is still time to support your student with healthy habits so they can finish up the semester with good health AND good grades. It always helps to ground ourselves in the “pillars” of optimal health”:

• Sleep
  • 8-10 hours of quality sleep
  • TIP: keep digital devices out of bedroom or at least away from bed
• Nutrition
  • FIBER: include AS MANY whole foods high in fiber as possible
  • TIP: Instead of processed foods, look for health alternative choices
• Physical Activity
  • Encourage your student to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity at least 5 days per week
  • TIP: Go on walks together
• Avoid smoking, alcohol and substance use
  • Talk to your students about strategies to avoid
  • TIP: Model healthy behavior
• Stress Management
  • Find something fun away from the “work” of being productive
  • TIP: Try a new “shared” experience like doing a craft together, pulling out a board game, or having a “joke-sharing break”
• Social Connection
  • Family dinner (or some regular time where your household members gather, ideally to eat together)
  • TIP: Even silent time together can foster connection (personal share: when my kids were teens, I’d “drag” them out for a walk. Sometimes they’d talk and sometimes not. But we were spending time together and I was there if they needed me).

 My office hours are:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and some* Thursdays
Tuesdays & Thursdays:  8am - 3:50pm
Wednesdays:  7:30am - 3:20pm

Dvora Citron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org, 925-280-2970 x7128
IG: acalanesschoolnurse, ​School Nurse Website

Performing & Visual Arts

The SpongeBob Musical! Apr 24-26, 7pm & Apr 27, 2pm in the AHS PAC
When Bikini Bottom faces disaster, SpongeBob and friends must band together to save their home—through friendship, courage, and epic songs! A must-see for all ages! Tickets on sale NOW at ahsperformingarts.org

LPIE

Project LPIE winners will be announced and celebrated at the Lafayette Library this Friday, Apr 11 at 5pm. Join us for a public reception featuring all the creative entries as we announce our 2025 winners.
 
This annual event showcases and acknowledges Acalanes High School students for their project-based learning. Prizes will be awarded in 15 categories in order to recognize students' skills both within and outside the curriculum (Journalism, Digital Design, Vocal/Instrumental music and Science to name a few). We look forward to seeing you there!

Sports

Ticket sales for the 2025 Booster Bash are LIVE! Remember to text the friends you huddled with in the cold while cheering on our Dons athletes so you all buy tickets to the Booster event of the year - April 26 at the Circle G Ranch! https://acalanesboosters.ejoinme.org/PurchaseTickets

*The game schedule below reflects dates and times as of last Friday. Games may change for several reasons, including weather. If you have questions or comments, please contact Acalanes Sports Boosters.

This week’s can’t miss events:
 
Boys golf
Monday, Apr 7 Varsity v. Northgate HS at Contra Costa CC 3:30pm.
Wednesday, Apr 9 JV v. Campolindo HS at Moraga CC 3:30pm.
 
Boys tennis
Monday, Apr 7 Bishop O’Dowd HS at 3:30pm. Varsity is away and JV is home.
 
Baseball
Tuesday, Apr 8 Benicia HS at 4pm. Varsity away and JV home.
Thursday, Apr 10 Benicia HS at 4pm. Varsity home and JV away.
Saturday, Apr 12 Freshmen host Las Lomas HS at 10am and 1pm.
 
Softball
Tuesday, Apr 8 Benicia HS at 4:30pm. Varsity home and JV away.
Friday, Apr 11 De Anza HS at 4:30pm. Varsity is away and JV is home.
 
Boys lacrosse
Tuesday, Apr 8 Varsity hosts Urban HS at 7:00 pm.
 
Girls lacrosse
Tuesday, Apr 8 at California HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Friday, Apr 11 host Granada HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Saturday, Apr 12 Frosh-soph v. Campolindo HS, Las Lomas HS and Miramonte HS at Campolindo HS at 9am.
 
Beach volleyball
Wednesday, Apr 9 at Northgate HS at 4pm.
 
Track & field
Friday, Apr 11 and Saturday, Apr 12 Arcadia Invitational.
 
Swimming
Friday, Apr 11 at Campolindo HS at 4pm.

You may view the full 2024-2025 Athletic Schedule by clicking HERE.

Legislative News

Learn How to Walk for Measure T!
Measure T, a $130 parcel tax measure, on the May 6 special election mailed ballot would enhance locally controlled funding to continue to attract and retain great teachers, keep class sizes manageable and provide a wide range of challenging and enriching course offerings for students. Measure T seeks to provide $4.5 million annually, will expire in 8 years, and has an optional exemption for seniors aged 65 and over.

Every vote counts in a special election, and we need your help reaching local voters. We’re in our first big canvassing push to identify supportive voters before ballots are mailed on Monday, Apr 7 and we’re door-knocking in our district to let voters know about this election. Walking is one of the most effective ways to reach voters! Here are the steps:

• Learn how to walk: Click here to request a recording of the walk training and learn how to talk to your neighbors about Measure T!
• Request your turf: Email dlagmay@teamcivx.com to request a neighborhood to walk. In your email, please provide:
  • the school site you're representing
  • the town you want to walk in
  • your address
  • if you're walking with a partner, please provide their name

• Get walking: Grab some comfortable shoes and finish your turf before ballots are mailed on Monday, Apr 7!