Weekly News & Announcements

General Announcements

We are searching for adults to help with proctoring PSAT and SAT exams on Monday, Oct 5.  Restrictions: Parents, you are NOT allowed to proctor an exam that your own child is taking.
 
You can volunteer your time (unpaid), or receive pay of $25/hr.  This is a perfect opportunity for recent high school/college graduates, stay-at-home parents, retirees, and those searching for employment.  If you are interested in learning more about proctoring, please contact the Acalanes Testing Coordinator, Jamielle McDonald at jmcdonald@auhsdschools.org.

APC in Action

Thank You for a Special Evening!
It was wonderful to see so many of you at Back to School Night this past Thursday!  We would like to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to our teachers, staff, and administration for sharing their evening with us and making this event a huge success.  We also want to give a special thanks to Susan Corkery and Maxine Fisher, our Hospitality Chairs, for providing refreshments and a warm welcome to our ACA families.  We are so grateful for this incredible school community!


Fall 2026 Grants Application Now Available!
Calling all teachers, parents, and students in the Acalanes community!
Acalanes Parents Club is looking to award grants that will enhance and enrich the AHS student experience in new and innovative ways. Teachers, staff, and students are encouraged to submit ideas for meaningful programs, projects, and equipment that will benefit our school community.
Applications are due by Friday, Sep 18.
Click here to read more and access the application!

APC Membership & Fundraising

Acalanes Parents Club has committed $200,000+ to Acalanes this school year, which will provide vital services for our entire AHS community. As of today, we have yet to reach that goal and we need your help!

We are tremendously grateful for your support, which funds the following programs for all Acalanes students and staff:

*Peer Tutoring        
*Campus Enhancements
*Grants Program   
*Staff & Teacher Development   
*Parent Ed
*Communications  
*Volunteer Opportunities            
*and more...

If you haven’t had a chance to donate, please consider doing so here. The suggested amount is $450 per student, but any amount is needed and greatly appreciated.

Another important source of funds is making your donations go twice as far with Corporate Matching. Please check if your company has a matching program and reach out to samira.abrams@gmail.com.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Parents Club Pro-Tip

Campus Culture Committee

Our First Cross-Campus Opportunity!
The Campolindo DEIB Parents invite parents and guardians from all AUHSD schools to join them for an evening of connection and community. All AUHSD parents and guardians are welcome!
This is just the beginning of what we hope will be more opportunities for families across our schools to connect, learn from one another, build relationships, and work together to support all students throughout AUHSD.
We hope to see some of our Acalanes families there!
📅 Wednesday, Sep 30
 ⏰ 6:00–8:00pm
 📍 Campolindo High School Library

Join Us for Our First CCC Meeting!
September 21 | 6:30–7:30pm | Acalanes High School
We hope you will join us for our 2026–2027 CCC Kickoff Meeting!

2026–2027 CCC Meeting Schedule | 6:30–7:30pm

• Sept 21 – CCC Kickoff Meeting | In Person
• Dec 14 – Wellness Workshop with Patrick Turner | In Person
• Jan 11 – CCC Meeting | Virtual
• May – CCC Year-End Retreat | In Person, Date TBD

🖤 Black Student Union (BSU)
 BSU students will have several opportunities to connect, learn, and build community throughout the year, including:

• Friday, Sep 18 – HBCU College Fair
• Monday, Oct 19 – BSU Summit
• November 16–18 – State BSU Conference
• February – Districtwide BSU Dance/Social

🏳️‍🌈 LGBTQ Council will continue to meet quarterly with student leaders, advisors, and district staff to collaborate on activities and opportunities that support LGBTQ+ students across AUHSD.

♿ Special Education Parent Advisory Committee meets monthly to provide families with an opportunity to connect, share information, and support the needs and experiences of students receiving special education services.

🌎 DELAC – District English Learner Advisory Committee provides an important opportunity for families of English Learner students to participate in district conversations and provide input regarding programs and services. Meetings are held at Las Lomas High School (LLHS).

💙 Have Something You'd Like Us to Bring Forward?
These districtwide parent meetings are also an opportunity for Acalanes families to have their voices represented at the district level. If there is a topic, concern, student need, or idea related to school culture, climate, inclusion, belonging, or student support that you would like us to bring forward, please reach out:
📧 diversityandinclusion@acalanesparentsclub.com

Acalanes is a No Hate Zone 
At Acalanes, we are committed to maintaining a campus where every student feels safe, respected, and valued. If your student experiences or witnesses an incident involving hate or bias, please encourage them to use the Bias Incident Reporting Tool (BIRT) BiasIncident Reporting Tool (BIRT) available on the Acalanes High School website. Reporting helps our school respond appropriately and continue fostering a culture of belonging for all.

Student Activities

We have a fun week planned as we kick off our staff-student events along with our Fall Club Day. HOCO skit practices are also in full swing and we just love seeing the classes create memories with one another.  💙💙💙

 



PEEK AT THE WEEK:
Monday @ Lunch: Staff vs. Student Spelling Bee in the big gym
Wednesday @ Academy: Equity Club Leadership Team workshop in room 314
Friday @ Academy: Fall Club Day in the front quad.
Friday @ Lunch: ACA Buddies in room 314

2026-2027 Clubs
We are excited about our new & returning clubs this school year! Clubs are a great way for students to get involved, pursue a passion and spend a lunchtime with peers. Club Day is the BEST WAY for students to express interest so please encourage them to spend part of their academy browsing our clubs at Club Day. Check out the 2026-2027 clubs!

Homecoming: All roads lead to Acalanes
September 20-26
We are in the midst of preparing for HOCO 2026 and encourage your students to get involved! Hallway decorating work parties are happening every weekend (see above), students can still opt into class skits & HOCO Night Out tickets go on sale this week via Go Fan! For a complete overview of HOCO 2026, check out this document.
​Frosh sign-up link
Sophomore sign-up link
Junior skit interest form
Junior groupme  for hallways
Senior skit interest form

In order to make HOCO Night Out safe for all, we are looking for volunteers! Please consider signing up to chaperone. Thank you so much!!!!

Class shirt & Spiritwear delivery
If your student ordered a class shirt, we plan to hand them out at lunch on Wednesday, Sep 9. Spiritwear should arrive the week of Sep 14 and we will send an email with pick-up instructions.

It’s NOT too late to purchase your ASB Sticker
Please consider supporting student activities at Acalanes by purchasing an ASB sticker. They can be purchased on the webstore. Thank you in advance for your support of student programming. If your student didn’t get their WHITE ASB Shirt, please send them to room 314.
 
ASB stickers cost $115 and support all student activities at Acalanes, support athletics ($30 of every card sale goes directly to athletics), and help to pay for AHS' finance tech's salary. It also provides students discounts/free entry to the following:
-Home athletic events (Except playoffs). This year we have 5 home football games (totaling $30 without ASB).
-Free or discounted tickets to dances (For Homecoming, you will save at least $25 with ASB)
-Free Acalanes t-shirt at Dons Day (worth $15)
-Discounts at 12 local businesses when you show your ASB sticker on your ID card. 2026-2027 Businesses are:
 
Millie’s American Kitchen - Free coffee with a minimum purchase of $35
Johnny’s Donuts - One regular donut w/ the purchase of a dozen regular donuts or 1 donut hole w/ purchase of 1 donut
Pizza Antica - 15% off an order
Sideboard - Free non-alcoholic beverage w/ purchase of an entree
Tutu’s - One complimentary non alcoholic beverage with the purchase of one entree. (Dine in only, not valid on to-go orders or purchases in the market)
Local Kitchens - Class Fundraisers
Vitality Bowls - $1 off
Pinkies Nail Salon - 10% off
Fabletics - 20% off @ Broadway Plaza location
360 Burrito - 10% off
Oasis Cafe - 10% off
Diablo Foods - 20% off a lunch with sandwich purchase
 
SAVE THE DATE:
Friday, Sep 11: COMMUNITY BLUE OUT-Girls Waterpolo (lunch), Girls Volleyball (6:00pm), Friday Night Lights (7:00pm)
Sep 20-26: Homecoming 2026
                   Sunday, Sep 20: Hallway Decorating
                   Friday, Sep 25: Homecoming rally + Friday Night Lights
                   Saturday, Sep 26: HOCO Night Out
Saturday, May 15: Junior & Senior Prom
 
If you ever have any questions about student activities, you are always welcome to reach out to Katherine Walton, activities director. We are happy to help!
 
Go Dons! 💙
Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.

College & Career

ALT FAIR, Thursday, September 24th, 5-8 pm at Lafayette Library and Learning Center
Are you interested in educational alternatives beyond traditional college? Meet reps and learn about GAP year, trade school programs and others. RSVP here
 
Give your student a Free PSAT, SAT or Digital ACT practice run with Revolution Prep
Digital ACT Practice Exam
Saturday, Sept 12 –9:00am -12:30pm | Proctored online via Zoom
 
SAT Practice Exam
Saturday, Sept 19 – 9:00am -12:00pm | Proctored online via Zoom
 
Register for the live practice exam & book your score review: www.revolutionprep.com/partners/acalaneshighschool/ 

Cornell University, Emory University, Pomona College, Rice University and Washington University in St. Louis are proud to present LAUNCH (Linking Access, Unity, Networking, Collaboration and Higher Education). You'll virtually meet admission officers from all five partner institutions and learn more about what unites us.
LAUNCH Virtual Student Event
Wednesday, Sep 16 at 5:00pm

Counseling

Counselor assignments are by student last name:
A-F               Anne Schonauer
G-Hul           Erika Vasquez on campus Tues/Fri
Hum-Pla       Marissa Meadows
Ple-Z            Susan Martin

Please note new Counselor Alpha Breakdown above
Erika Vasquez will be split 40% at Acalanes and 60% at Las Lomas High School this year. She will be on the AHS campus Tuesdays and Fridays, but will be available by email Monday through Friday.
 
Senior Appointments
Counselors will be calling in all 12th graders to discuss post-high school plans starting in early September. We will look at Maia Learning, discuss deadlines, documents needed for applications, and answer questions.
 
Senior Parent Night - Wednesday, September 9th at 6:30pm in the AHS Library
Come hear from College and Career Advisor Debbie Levy and Counselor Anne Schonauer about all things post-high school and what you can do to prepare and support your student through the application process! 

Wellness Center

The Acalanes Wellness Center is open and ready to support students throughout the school year. Our Wellness Center provides a welcoming, confidential space where students can receive emotional support, connect with resources, or simply take a moment to regroup during the school day.

If you are ever concerned about your child or one of their peers, we encourage you to submit a Wellness Referral. Our team will follow up with each referred student within one week.

Please remember that all Wellness Center services are confidential and completely voluntary.

Performing & Visual Arts

Friday Night Lights! Mark your calendars to hear the Acalanes Pep Band!
Mark your calendars! The Acalanes Pep Band will be performing at the following home football games on Fridays: 9/18, 9/25, 10/16 and 11/6. Come out to support the Dons and our talented musicians!

LPIE

Stress-Free Parking While Supporting Our Schools
LPIE has just 25 ParkSmart Annual Passes through an exclusive Buy It Now opportunity. These passes are only available through LPIE, and once they're gone, they're gone. Best of all, 100% of proceeds go directly to LPIE to support Lafayette students.

• Unlimited access to more than 100 participating ParkSmart parking lots (viewparticipating locations here).
• Skip parking apps, meters, and kiosks
• Never worry about expired parking sessions or surprise parking tickets
• One flat annual price of just $1,000 (about $83 per month)
• Every purchase directly supports LPIE and Lafayette students 

With only 25 passes available, we don't expect them to last long. Secure yours todaybefore they sell out.
 

Your investment in LPIE directly supports your child's Acalanes classroom, teachers, and overall educational experience:

• Expanded AP and elective course offerings
• Smaller class sizes and academic intervention programs
• The College & Career Center and college counseling services
• Wellness Center resources and student support staff
• STEM, world language, visual and performing arts, journalism, and hands-on learning programs
• Student clubs including Mock Trial, Model UN, Robotics, and other academic clubs
• Leadership opportunities and student engagement programs
• Classroom resources and supplies

These opportunities have become part of the exceptional educational experience that generations of Lafayette families have worked together to build for our students.
 
Our goal is 100% participation. Whether your family gives $100, $500, $2,000, or any amount in between, every gift makes a meaningful difference for our students.
 
Your child benefits from LPIE every single day. Join our community in investing in our students and helping keep Acalanes High School exceptional.
 Give Today