• Parent Ed

    February 27, 2021

    Wednesday, March 10 at 7pm - Dr. Michael Rich, "The Mediatrician"
    Join us online for an informative talk with Dr. Michael Rich, Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School and Director of the Center of Media and Child Health. He will focus on understanding and responding to the ways in which teens and families are affected by the interactive media we use and how we use them. Dr. Rich will also reframe the issue of screen use in adolescents from the values-based “right vs wrong” debate that has prevailed since the earliest days of television to an evidence-based public health issue - how we are changed by our media use, in positive and negative ways, so that parents, teachers, clinicians, and society at large can make critical decisions in raising the next generations to be healthy, happy, and kind.

    • No advanced registration is required. Click here to join the event! 

  • LPIE

    February 27, 2021

    Project LPIE Is Here!

    Project LPIE is an annual competition that celebrates Acalanes High School students for their project-based learning, both inside and outside the classroom, with opportunities for entry in 10 different categories. This event is open to all Acalanes High School students. Cash prizes are awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. Students must let LPIE know they want to submit a project by completing the online registration form here. For more details visit lpie.org.

    • March 22 Register for Project LPIE 
    • April 12 Projects due 
    • May 6 Winners will be announced and notified by LPIE 

    Laura-Kate Rurka & Jennifer Palmer
    Acalanes LPIE School Chairs

    www.lpie.org

    Follow us on Instagram

  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)

    February 27, 2021

    Thank you to everyone who helped shine light on, and honor, the contributions and experiences of black people during Black History Month. Students, teachers, and parents partook in an array of events highlighting Black excellence, suffering, and the need to lean in to the uncomfortable work of becoming antiracists. Here again is a useful link if you are unsure where to start on that journey.

    March is Women’s History Month, dedicated to reflect upon and remember achievements of women in our society, culture and history. 

    Last week the Acalanes community had the pleasure to host in conversation the activist, chef, rower, and author of “A Most Beautiful Thing,” Arshay Cooper. The event was enjoyed by well over 200 people, as Mr. Cooper shared his story of poverty, fear, chance opportunities seized, grueling hard work, and success. He offered true inspiration and insight to all of us through his storytelling, reminding us that “there is talent everywhere,” asking us to consider “what is on the other side of this event/experience/moment,” encouraging us “to become a school that is a voice not an echo,” and during all of this “to give what hurts to get better.” Discomfort is part of the journey to becoming better. Thank you to our student and adult moderators, and to the Acalanes administration for helping bring this event to us.

    • If you attended the Arshay Cooper Zoom event, please take this 5 minute survey to help us enhance our programming.

    Thursday Mar 25 from 6-7:30pm
    The last AUHSD Book Club Event of the year will be hosted by Las Lomas High School. The book selection is “Becoming” by Michelle Obama (adapted for young readers). RSVP     here. Las Lomas is encouraging purchase from Marcus Books in Oakland to support a local black business.

    Wednesday March 3, from 7-8:30pm Racial Equity Series, Session 5
    Reminder to join Dr. Lori Watson for a discussion on “Children and Race” this Wednesday. Zoom link will be sent out to all those registered prior to the meeting.

    Order by March 14! “Stand Together” DEI Lawn Sign
    $14 on the webstore.

    Lastly, we invite you to join our committee!
    If you have ideas or questions, or you want more information,     email us! Stay current by visiting our webpage, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

  • Membership & Fundraising

    February 27, 2021

    Fly your Acalanes flag on March 15th!
    We are all beyond excited to see this day finally come!  Show your Acalanes spirit and fly your “A” flag on the first day of in-person school.  Don’t have a flag?  No problem!  Flags are still available on the webstore. Flags purchased before March 9 will be available for pick up in the front quad at Acalanes on Friday, March 12 from 4-5pm. Don’t miss out!

    If you have any questions, please contact VP Fundraising Kelly Daggs.



  • From the Activities Director

    February 27, 2021

    ACA Strong Shirts
    Missed buying a grey ACA Strong shirt at our drive through? You can purchase now for $10 via the Acalanes webstore and pick up from Acalanes after you receive your confirmation email. 

    Deadline Sunday, March 14 Acalanes Spirit Wear
    We have spirit wear available for the last time this school year! We added a couple new items including a tribute t-shirt to Mr. Huber and proceeds donated to the Parkinson’s Foundation in his name. Check out our spiritwear on the Acalanes webstore. Items can be either picked up at Acalanes or delivered beginning April 6. 

    April 18 Deadline To Order Frosh Spirit Packs!
    Know an 8th grader? Frosh spirit packs are a great promotion gift and kick off to a career at Acalanes! Each pack is $53 and features a hooded sweatshirt, car magnet & cinch backpack. Proceeds go to the Class of 2025. Order deadline is April 18 and packs will be delivered to your house beginning May 7. Order here.

    April 5 Acalanes Leadership Applications Available
    Is your 8th grader interested in joining student government at Acalanes? Applications will be available electronically beginning April 5th. If you have any questions don't hesitate to reach out to Katherine Walton.

    2020-2021 Clubs
    Club meetings continue. Check out our 49 clubs! Clubs continue to be one of the best ways for students to connect. We will be pushing out more information about clubs at the end of the week. Please encourage your student to check Canvas to learn more.

    If I can ever do anything to help you or your student, don’t hesitate to reach out!

    Katherine Walton, Student Activities Director

  • Wellness Center

    February 27, 2021

    Monday’s cohort academy will support students envisioning return to school in the context of mental health and in particular, how to work with the anxiety that may accompany re-conditioning to a new and very different school environment. There will be an exercise on resilience which some mistake as a personality characteristic or innate capacity. In fact, resilience can only be acquired by facing challenges. This has certainly been a year to build resilience! In the presentation, cohort teachers will share their own perspectives on their return to school and then lead students in an exercise that comes from the field of expressive arts therapy. Students will reflect on what they’ve experienced and what they’ve learned about themselves over the last year. They’ll also do some dreaming about the future, including some realistic visioning on what it will be like to be back at school in a new and different way. We know how important it is to have something to look forward to and at the same time to anticipate accurately. Please engage with your students about their journey so far--what was hard; what they learned about themselves; what habits they might want to retain and which ones they’d like to let go. As we eagerly anticipate their return, know that we believe in your students and we are here to help them succeed.

    Allen Choi, Wellness Coordinator
    Casey Sasner, Intake Specialist

    For updates, tips and advice, follow Wellness on Social Media: Instagram @acalaneswellness