• Legislative News

    March 16, 2025

    Volunteers Needed for Yes on Measure T!
    Measure T seeks to provide $4.5 million annually to maintain our quality high school instruction and help recruit and retain our top teachers. Measure T is on the May 6 special election ballot, and we need your help getting the word out to voters during this off-year election. Turning out parent voters will be critical to our success. Here’s how you can help:

    1. Join us for a neighborhood walk: Knocking on doors is one of the most effective ways to reach voters. Our first walk is planned for Saturday, Mar 22. We’ll be training you on everything you need to know to have a successful canvas on Thursday, Mar 20, at 7pm. You can sign up using this link. Can’t make it? Request a recording of the training here.
    2. Endorse the campaign: Join local leaders, teachers, and parents by adding your name to our growing list of supporters. Endorse Measure T using this link.
    3. Display a lawn sign: Help us spread awareness about the campaign by displaying a lawn sign. You can request one here!

  • APC in Action

    March 16, 2025

    MARCH DONS DIALOGUE - This Friday at 8:45am!
    Join us on Friday, Mar 21 in the Collaboration Center for coffee, treats, great company and dialogue!  This month our agenda includes;

    • College Acceptances with Debbie Levy
    • Climate and Culture TOSA with Katherine Walton
    • Math Intervention & Inclusion with Jennifer Gilson
    • Updates from APs & End of Year with Andrea Powers & Jeanne Johnson
    • Student Activities Report with Heloisa Mateus
    • Q&A with APs and APC Board

    Grab a friend and join us. We hope to see you there! 

    PEER TUTORING: Spring Self-Talk Seminar
    If you are currently playing a spring sport or are a student who wants to improve strategies to use your thinking as an ally rather than a foe, Peer Tutoring will be sponsoring a seminar to improve one’s self-talk. Boys' basketball coach Joey Hewitt will be conducting the seminar during Academy on Wednesday, Mar 19 at 10:10am in room 107. (NOTE: If the RSVP’s warrant a room change, we will notify teams/students.) Coach Hewitt currently works with pro athletes, college and high school teams and players, and middle school athletes. Some areas that will be covered are:

    • Developing next-play speed and mentality
    • Identifying triggers
    • Staying present rather than past and future

    If your student will attend, please RSVP bpowers@auhsdschools.org. We are excited about this opportunity for our Dons!
     
    Bill Powers & Angela Ketcham
    Peer Tutoring Co Directors

  • Acalanes Community Always (ACA)

    March 16, 2025

    Acalanes Campus Clean-Up Saturday, Mar 22, 9am-12pm!
    Students can earn service hours before the Apr 18 deadline, connect with their Acalanes community, and share in Don’s pride by signing up for the Spring Don’s Day Campus Clean-Up! Trash clean-up, weeding, and gardening will make our campus shine. There are two shifts and students can sign up via Helper Helper:

    • Shift 1: 9-10:30am
    • Shift 2: 10:30am-12pm

    What to bring? Weeding tools and gloves if available. We’ll provide instructions once people arrive, as well as water and treats!
     
    Parents and teachers are also welcome and can just show up at either 9am or 10:30am, but students need to sign up via the Helper Helper link. If all the spots are filled, students can put their name on the waitlist and plan on joining that morning. Thank you for your help!

     

  • Campus Culture Committee

    March 16, 2025

    Upcoming Important Dates:

    • Women’s History Month (March)
    • Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (March)
    • Gender Equality Month (March)
    • Feb 28-Mar 29 Ramadan
    • Mar 20 Nowruz - Persian New Year
    • Mar 31 Trans Day of Visibility

    Nowruz (lit: "New Day") is the Iranian New Year or Persian New Year. The roots of Nowruz lie in Zoroastrianism, and it has been celebrated by many peoples across West Asia, Central Asia, the Caucasus and the Black Sea Basin, the Balkans, and South Asia for over 3,000 years. In the modern era, while it is observed as a secular holiday by most celebrants, Nowruz remains a holy day for Zoroastrians, Baháʼís, and Ismaʿili Shia Muslims. Customs for the festival include various fire and water rituals, celebratory dances, gift exchanges, and poetry recitations, among others; these observances differ between the cultures of the diverse communities that celebrate it.

    Established in 1987 by President Ronald Reagan, Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month highlights the importance of fostering a society where people with disabilities are empowered to contribute to their communities. This month reminds us that individuals with developmental disabilities are valuable members of our communities and deserve full participation in all aspects of life, including education, employment, recreation, and civic engagement. While March provides an opportunity for heightened awareness, true awareness happens when we commit to creating accessible environments and productive opportunities year-round.

    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.

    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

    March 16, 2025
    •  

    SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEK:

    • Tuesday @ lunch in 314: Movie watching “The Lorax”
    • Tuesday at 7pm in the APC: Talent Show
    • Wednesday @ lunch: Class Cup indoor soccer + disability awareness month kahoot in room 314
    • FRIDAY: Crazy Sock Day for Down Syndrome Awareness
    • Friday academy in 314: Service event- make cards for hospitalized children
    • Friday lunch in 314: Spring kick-off- seed planting + indoor soccer in the gym

    UPCOMING:

    • Junior & Senior Prom: Apr 19
      • Purchase your ticket on Go Fan now before prices go up on Mar 28
      • Bus assignments start Mar 26 at lunch
    • Special Olympics @ Acalanes: Apr 25
      • Volunteer opportunities are now open in room 314! Please encourage your student to volunteer for this incredible day.

    Come to the annual Talent Show this TUESDAY at 7pm in the PAC, hosted by seniors Jake Colaco and Brady Quinn! There will be ten awesome different acts, food, and fun!

    New Crew Leader Applications are available now and open to current sophomores and juniors! Being a New Crew Leader is a super fun way to be involved in the campus community and support next year's frosh! Students can click here to apply! Applications are due March 24th!
     
    Black Excellence recap video: Take a few minutes to watch this highlight video featuring all the fun things that happened in February, such as the making of the BEM Doordecks, Dr. Ty, the Quad City Dance and more ! Check it out.
     
    Encourage your student to sign up to create motivational cards that spread hope, joy, and magic to hospitalized children across America! They can join us on Mar 21 in room 314 during academy to make a difference. The cards will be sent to Cards for Hospitalized Kids, a non-profit organization that distributes them to children every month. Plus, you can earn a volunteer hour on Helper Helper if you attend!
     
    The Enviro board is holding a prom dress drive this year through Mar 29. There are two locations with bins where people can drop off prom dresses and accessories: the Lafayette Community Center and in front of the Acalanes attendance office. The dresses will go to the San Francisco Princess Project which distributes the prom dresses to people who need them.
     
    Hey Acalanes Parents! We're super excited to be hosting our annual Special Olympics on Apr 25! We are looking for parent volunteers to help manage parking. The time slot is from 8-10am and you can sign up here to sign up. We can't wait to see you all there, thank you for helping out! Go Dons!
     
    SALE- Support the Garden Club and buy Acalanes grown succulents! Plants are purchased through the Acalanes webstore for $3.25. Once purchased you will receive an email with pick up instructions. Thanks for your support!

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

  • College & Career

    March 16, 2025

    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.
     
    Junior Academy: Mar 21 Essay Brainstorming Workshop. Sign up for Levy academy for this junior only session.

  • Counseling

    March 16, 2025

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

    8th grade appointments: Counselors will be meeting with current 8th graders during the month of March to discuss transition to high school.
     
    3rd quarter ended on Friday, Mar 14: The third quarter of the school year ended last week! Continued eligibility for spring sports will be determined by the quarter grades during this week. Report cards should be available in Aeries on Friday, Mar 21.  

  • School Nurse

    March 16, 2025

    Nourishing Our Students (and our planet!)
    Protein is a popular topic in Health and Nutrition dialogue. My bias is admittedly in the plant-based camp, so I focus on plant sources of protein, especially legumes. I love this chocolate smoothie recipe (contains nuts)--don’t tell your kids the secret ingredient!
     
    In regard to global health, consider that the food choices we make have a big impact.  Plant-based sources of protein use a fraction of the greenhouse gas emissions that animal agriculture does. Consider increasing your family’s intake of beans and legumes! Making this Irish white bean and cabbage Soup for St. Patrick’s Day is a great way to nourish your family with these nutritious and yummy ingredients.

    Please reach out to me for any support your students or family might need.

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

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