Weekly News & Announcements

It’s Not Too Late to Give Back: AHS & President’s Volunteer Service Awards Applications due May 1

The goal of the program is to recognize students for their efforts in giving back. Get ideas on how you can give back during Shelter in Place and see our AHS program qualification changes here including a reduction of required hours from 30 hours to 20 hours.

Learn more about these efforts and more:

• Subscribe to Blueprint online so you can keep up with all the current news and views from our student community. They’ve been busy.
• If you’re not already following Acalanes leadership on Instagram @ahs_dons, now is the time. Their creative content reminds us why it’s good to be a Don. 
• Check out the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce’s website for more information on how you can support local businesses and restaurants. They are one of the key community partners collaborating on this campaign. 

Dons Dialogue Webinar

Join Principal Bell virtually for an update on Distance Learning and Student Activities, as well as time dedicated to your Q&A. Watch your email for details on how to participate. 

Distance Learning Student Communications

Families: please remind your student to check both School Loop and their AUHSD gmail accounts for communications from their teachers. Teachers are finding that students who only look at the assignments portion of School Loop are missing out on critical information.

Peer Tutoring is Up and Running

For students interested in peer tutoring, simply send an email to program coordinators Mrs. Taylor and Mrs. McCosker outlining the academic need. Students will be connected with the appropriate tutor; tutors will communicate directly with the student to set up a time to collaborate. Tutors will confirm their work with Mrs. Taylor and Mrs. McCosker, and provide proof of work to teachers as needed. Peer Tutoring is funded 100% by Acalanes Parents Club.

Wellness Center

Be sure to check out the Wellness section below for all the real-time, online programming to support and connect students to Wellness Staff and peers during distance learning. And help get the word out by following @acalaneswellness on Instagram.

Food Service – For All Students!

Two school sites in our District, Las Lomas High School and Campolindo High School, will be providing food to all community members Monday through Friday from 11am to 1pm.  Meals can be picked up at the cafeteria windows. 

Wellness Center

We are providing real-time, online programming to support and connect students to Wellness Staff and peers but we need your help to get the word out. Students can access the Zoom programs by checking their School loop mail or news. We’re helping the students by creating space for them to process the experiences and emotions that come with this difficult transition.  Our weekly programs will evolve to meet student needs and interests. They take place at noon each day as follows:

• Tuesday: Tea with Wellness
• Wednesday: Journaling through the Pandemic
• Thursday: Quarantine Cooking
• Friday: “Friday Focus” Mindfulness practices to manage stress

Parents can find important resources on Wellbeing and Mental Health here at the district website. You can continue to reach us during school hours at acalaneswellness@auhsdschools.org.  (CS @5:30 4/10)

Counseling

Summer School
Will be held at Acalanes this year and applications are available.  Summer school is for students who need to repeat a required class because they have a D or F grade for the semester.  Dates, times and more info is available here. Turn in application forms to your student’s counselor.

We want to remind you of some valuable community resources: 

Resource Reminder
For non-life threatening mental health support: Contra Costa Crisis Center:  call 211 or text HOPE to 20121 available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for mental health needs.  www.211cc.org   can help you reach other community resources. 

In the event of a mental health emergency, please contact 911.  

As a reminder, here are the counselor assignments and emails.  Counselors prefer using the auhsdschools.org email but School Loop messages are also fine.

College & Career

The CCC is alive and well, just remote!

Join me:
Fridays from 10:15-11am Zoom Academy “Things To Do for Juniors” Check school loop for invitation link.

Facebook Page for Students
Have your senior or junior join the College and Career Student FB page to post where they are going to college and share information about the process with each other.

Scholarships
This is a great time for seniors to look into scholarship options to support their college educations. Following are some to consider though there are hundreds to review online via a quick google search:

•  Matt Lynn Scholarship, email Ms. Reicher for details. Deadline April 10, 2020
• PB&J Scholarship Fund
• Wa Sung Community Service Club

Naviance Portal
Update Senior parents: now that many more decisions have come out, please ask your senior to update all college results on their Naviance Portal so that we can complete the senior survey and juniors can use the data in critical research.

Student Meetings
I will be available via School Loop or email: Wendy Reicher to support all students. Seniors and Juniors: meet with me on the phone! To schedule appointments use this Calendly link. We can discuss application acceptances and rejections for seniors; for juniors, let’s talk about application prep questions, list development, use of Naviance and more.

Internships
Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan is seeking summer interns. Rising juniors and seniors submit a resume and cover letter to RebeccaBauer-Kahan@assembly.ca.gov with “Summer Internship Application” in the subject line of your email.