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General Administration Announcements
ACALANES HIGH SCHOOL HOSTS SONG FOR CHARLIE
What Students Need to Know About Fentanyl to Protect Themselves and Others
Wednesday, March 13, 2024 | Academy
Acalanes Performing Arts Center (PAC)
Song For Charlie joined us this past fall for a presentation to our current juniors and seniors. Because of its impact, we are partnering with Song For Charlie again to provide this valuable opportunity to our sophomore students.
All Sophomores will join Song For Charlie, HSD Staff, and the Acalanes Administration as they present What Students Need to Know About Fentanyl to Protect Themselves and Others. This is an opportunity for our students to come together to learn the facts about fentanyl and take empowered action to protect themselves and their loved ones.
This presentation will be given to all Sophomores during Academy on Wednesday, March 13th. All school support will be available to answer questions and provide support. This includes our HSD staff, counselors, wellness center, and administration.
PARENTS, WE NEED YOU!
Acalanes Parents/Guardians, here is where you can play an important part in the incredible things happening at Acalanes!- Job Fair: If your business hires high school students (or you know someone who does) please reach out to Katherine Walton to be part of the Job Fair on Wednesday, Mar 20. We can help you recruit some incredible employees!
- Creative Arts and Design Career Academy: Parents, alumni, and community members are invited to talk with students about their career experiences/pathways in the creative arts and design fields. Please email Debbie Levy for more info about this event on Wednesday, Apr 10 at 10am.
- Trade Fair: The College & Career Center is hosting a Trade Fair for Roofing, Electrical, Plumbing, Linesman, Cosmetology, Automotive, and more during lunch on Apr 24. We are looking for more organizations to be represented so please email Debbie Levy with any suggestions.
STATE TESTING IS HERE!
CAASPP testing begins tomorrow, Monday, Mar 11. All juniors will take the math, English, and science tests over the three weeks prior to spring break.
We greatly appreciate our parents and community's encouragement of our students to do their absolute best, participate, and show up for our school in taking these tests seriously. Don't stress, but please do your best!
Our school has outstanding achievement, and these test scores are critical as a public measurement of our students' progress. Students will also receive their score reports, which are included in their academic file. CAASPP scores are also used by colleges for course placement. -
APC in Action
ACALANES SERVICE AWARDS DEADLINE APPROACHING: Friday, Apr 19
Thanks to APC, the Acalanes and Presidential Service Awards have gone digital. New this year, APC funded the Helper Helper app where students can find and record volunteer hours and earn a community service award. To qualify, all hours must be entered AND validated by the student’s supervisor by Thursday, Apr 19, 2024 so please encourage your students to get their hours entered now!!
Since April, over 250 students have created Helper Helper accounts and logged over 6,900 volunteer service hours and we’re hoping that number will keep increasing!
Students who volunteer at least 30 hours by Thursday, Apr 19, 2024, will get an Acalanes Service Award so please encourage your students to get those hours entered as that deadline is quickly approaching!
DON'T MISS THE COLOR RUN!
Acalanes is having its Annual Color Run on Sunday, Mar 24 at 9 am. This is a super fun 1 or 2-mile run around the Acalanes campus with stations of different colored powders scattered throughout the course.
This event is inspired by the traditions of Holi, the Hindu Festival of Color. Holi celebrates the arrival of spring and its beautiful harvests and colors with festivals involving colored powder.
The Color Run is a community wide event and we want to encourage you to run or walk! You can purchase your registration on Go Fan which includes a t-shirt, gift from Zoonie's and snacks at the end of the race.
This is a great event for all ages so please encourage others to come as well! Hope to see you there!
SPRING CAMPUS CLEAN UP: Sunday, Apr 14, 11am - 2pm
Help us make our campus shine! Earn volunteer service hours, connect with your Acalanes community, and share in our Dons pride! All are welcome. Students can sign up on the Helper Helper app (click HERE for instructions) and adults can volunteer through the Sign Up Genius. Thanks for your help and GO DONS! -
Acalanes Community Always (ACA)
DONS SHOWED UP FOR THE PRINCESS PROJECT DRESS DRIVE!
We collected 183 very nice prom dresses which will go to very deserving young ladies. The Huskins family is delivering them on Saturday on behalf of Acalanes, with a lot of pride and appreciation for our awesome ACA community! Thank you ACA for always SHOWING UP!
BOOK DRIVE FOR THE LAFAYETTE LIBRARY
The Community Outreach and Improvement Program is hosting a drive for the Friends of the Lafayette Library and Learning Center from Mar 4-15!
Please donate gently used books, DVDs, puzzles, and games to the bins outside the Acalanes front office!
Donations help fund programs and other parts of the Lafayette Library and Learning Center! Please check out our website for more information and donation options. Thank you in advance!
SEED HIGH SCHOOL FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE: Where our special needs high schoolers hang out with their typical peers.
Upcoming regular meeting dates:- Thursday, Mar 21: 5-6:30pm
- Thursday, Apr 18: 5-6:30pm
- Thursday, May 16: 5-6:30pm
Volunteers and participants should RSVP here (volunteers get 2-hour community service validation per session).
To receive SEED High School updates, sign up to the High School newsletter here. -
Parent Education
POWERFUL COMMUNITY EDUCATION EVENT TUESDAY, MAR 19
Students, parents and community members are encouraged to attend “Paralyzed to Powerful” with Robert Paylor on Tuesday, Mar 19 at 7pm. This event will take place in the Acalanes Performing Arts Center (PAC) and while the event is free, we ask that you RSVP so we can plan accordingly.
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Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)
Upcoming Important Dates:
- Women’s History Month (March)
- Disability Awareness Month (March)
- Gender Equality Month (March)
- Mar 11 Ramadan Begins
- Mar 19 Nowruz - Persian New Year
- Feb 14 - Mar 28 Lent
- Mar 25 Holi Celebrated
- Mar 31 Easter and Trans Day of Visibility
Did you know Women’s History Month began as a local celebration in Santa Rosa, California?? It began as a week surrounding International Women’s Day (Mar 8 this year) to “celebrate the achievements, leadership, courage, strength and love of the women who built America” (President Jimmy Carter). Find out more here.
One special woman to highlight this week is Tammy Duckworth. She is a disabled female combat veteran who is now a Senator from Illinois. Duckworth is the first Thai American woman elected to Congress, the first person born in Thailand elected to Congress, the first woman with a disability elected to Congress, the first female double amputee in the Senate, and the first senator to give birth while in office. She is the second Asian American woman to serve in the Senate, after Mazie Hirono.
The month of Ramadan begins at sunset on Mar 11. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting (sawm), prayer, reflection, and community. A commemoration of Muhammad's first revelation, the annual observance of Ramadan is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam and lasts twenty-nine to thirty days, from one sighting of the crescent moon to the next.Please check out the new AUHSD DEIB website for many great resources and events! And follow us on Instagram and Facebook
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Student Activities
TODAY, 130 student players and 20 student coaches will play in the Annual POWERpuff Tournament beginning at 3pm in the Acalanes stadium. Come out and watch! It will run until 7:30pm.
Join us on Tuesday, Mar 12 at 6:30pm in the library for our Feminism and Black Student Union collaboration speaker event! Listen to Regan Bradley-Brown talk about her experience and work as a Supervising Attorney at Children's East Bay Law Office since 2019.
Brown Bag Lunch Day is on Sunday, Mar 17 at 12pm when volunteers will distribute packed lunch to the homeless in San Francisco. If your student is interested, they can drop off their permission form by Friday, Mar 15 in room 314. Students can click here to sign up and/or for more information! We will send permission forms to volunteers who signed up through email or they can pick one up in 314.
Acalanes's Annual Talent Show is happening Thursday, Apr 18 and hosts and acts are needed! If your student is interested in being a senior host or performing at the event, please encourage them to fill out the following forms below by Wednesday, Mar 27!
Acts: https://forms.gle/62tZWkLhE5tYQDAKA
Senior hosts: https://forms.gle/5M6A3cvysTWDynEG7
Tree Planting Event
This month, Acalanes is hosting a sapling planting event. We are working with Tree-Plenish, a non-profit organization that works with high schools to help offset the amount of paper used during the school year by planting saplings. You can get more information and purchase your own sapling by clicking here. The deadline to purchase is Thursday, Mar 14 - each tree is the low price of $5, with a variety to choose from. Your contributions will go towards helping plant more trees to make communities greener.
The Special Olympics is just around the corner. Acalanes is hosting this all day event on Friday, Apr 19 and volunteer sign-ups are available in room 314 if your student would like to help. A permission form also needs to be completed. Some of the volunteer opportunities include working as a torch runner, working at the ribbon station, handing out signs, helping with the parade, and helping with events such as the turbo-jav, the standing long jump, and much more. Adults are also welcome to help as parking monitors and you can sign up here if you’re interested.
We still have 2028 frosh spirit packs available for purchase. Spirit packs feature a limited edition 2028 hoodie, string backpack and lanyard. The last day to order these is Thursday, Apr 18 and items will be available for pick-up beginning Wednesday, May 1. All proceeds benefit the class of 2028.Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.
Katherine Walton, Activities Director -
College & Career
CAREER ACADEMY & TRADE FAIR!
The Acalanes College and Career Center will host a Creative Arts and Design Career academy at 10am on Wednesday, Apr 10. One of our committed speakers is Joel Flory, the co-founder of VSCO. We would like to invite other interested parents, alumni, and community members to share their career pathways in graphic design, film/screenwriting, animation, sculpture, painting, fashion, photography, graphic design, etc. with our students. If you would like to be a presenter or know someone who would be a good fit, please email Debbie Levy and provide your name, industry, and phone number. We will follow up with all contacts.
In addition, we are hosting a Trade Fair during lunch on Wednesday, Apr 24 and are looking for more organizations to be represented. Please email Debbie Levy with any suggestions for us and we will follow up.
SENIORS:
Water Polo Scholarship: The Lafayette Water Polo Foundation is accepting applications for seniors who play water polo.
The Matt Lynn Memorial Scholarship is now available. It will be awarded to college-bound seniors from Acalanes who have participated in a high school varsity sport(s) and who intend to continue playing a varsity or club sport in college.
Diablo Valley Assistance League is offering a $6000 need-based scholarship for students attending a 4 year university and $4000 for those going to community college.
JUNIORS, SOPHOMORES, FROSH:
SAT/ACT Free Practice Exams: Practice ACT and digital SAT exams are available with Revolution Prep. Click here to register. The ACT practice exam is on Saturday, Apr 20 from 9am - 1pm. The SAT practice exam is on Saturday, Apr 20 from 9am - 12pm.
Google Doodle Scholarship: This is a creative scholarship opportunity to create a google doodle and win $50k.
Camp Venture is a business leadership program sponsored by the Rotary Club and runs from June 19-23. You can email dlevy@auhsdschools.org for submission details.
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Please visit our College & Career Counseling website any time for additional information and support.The Acalanes College and Career Center will host a Creative Arts and Design Career academy at 10am on Wednesday, Apr 10. One of our committed speakers is Joel Flory, the co-founder of VSCO. We would like to invite other interested parents, alumni, and community members to share their career experiences/pathways in graphic design, film/screenwriting, animation, sculpture, painting, fashion, photography, graphic design, etc. with our students. If you would like to be a presenter or know someone who would be a good fit, please email Debbie Levy, dlevy@auhsdschools.org and provide your name, industry, and phone number. We will follow up with all contacts.
In addition, we are hosting a Trade Fair during lunch on Wednesday, Apr 24 and we are looking for more organizations to be represented. Please email Debbie Levy, dlevy@auhsdschools.org with any suggestions for us and we will follow up.
SENIORS:
The Matt Lynn Memorial Scholarship is now available. It will be awarded to college-bound seniors from Acalanes who have participated in a high school varsity sport(s) and who intend to continue playing a varsity or club sport in college. Student athletes who expect to receive an athletic scholarship from a NCAA Division I school are not eligible for this award. The award will be $2500 - $3000.
The Bose Lamont Scholarship is available for $1500. To apply, your student needs a 3.0+ GPA and the essay question is “how have you been brave”? Email dlevy@auhsdschools.org for submission details.
JUNIORS, SOPHOMORES, FROSH:
SAT/ACT Free Practice Exams: Practice ACT and digital SAT exams are available with Revolution Prep. Click here to register. The ACT practice exam is on Saturday, Apr 20 from 9am - 1pm. The SAT practice exam is on Saturday, Apr 20 from 9am - 12pm.
Google Doodle Scholarship: This is a creative scholarship opportunity to create a google doodle and win $50k.
Camp Venture is a business leadership program sponsored by the Rotary Club and runs from June 19-23. You can email dlevy@auhsdschools.org for submission details.
Please visit our College & Career Counseling website any time for additional information and support. -
Counseling
Counselor assignments are by last name:
A-Em Anne Schonauer
En-Kr Erika Vasquez
Ku-Rog Marissa Meadows
Roh-Z Susan MartinCourse Selection for 2024-2025 School Year
Students may still ask to change their course requests for next school year. Counselors are keeping a wish list of student requests and will fill these requests as we are able.
3rd Quarter Ends on Friday, Mar 15
This is the last week of Q3! Friday, Mar 15 is the drop deadline as well - if students want to drop a class, they may do so until that date. After that, any drop will be an automatic F on the transcript. This deadline is also the cut off for continued athletic eligibility for all spring sports. Students need a 2.0 average or higher to remain eligible for their sports. 3rd quarter grades will be used for this purpose. -
School Nurse
WHAT ARE UPFs?
UPFs are ultra-processed foods, which are so readily available and consumed by most Americans. In guiding your family towards optimal health and well-being, consider what options you might have for substituting just one UPF you regularly consume with a healthier option.
How many servings of fruits and vegetables do you eat each day?
I ask this question to many of the students I meet with. Some of them barely have one of each per day. I ask them to consider where in their day they might be able to include an extra fruit and vegetable at each meal. Do you have fruits and vegetables readily available for your students? HERE is a great resource I found on seasonal produce that also has great educational information for each fruit and vegetable.FUN FACT: Did you know that broccoli has 3gm of protein per serving?
What is your favorite bean? Mine is GARBANZOS! Try putting out a platter of fresh vegetables with a bowl of hummus in the center and see what happens…See my website for more information.
Always Your School Nurse,
Dvora Citron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org, 925-280-2970 x7128
IG: acalanesschoolnurse, School Nurse Website -
Wellness Center
The Wellness team will run a six-week mindfulness group during academy on Wednesdays starting Mar 13. We are partnering with Dr. Kristen Freeman (St. Mary's professor and parent of Acalanes students) in facilitating the group. The purpose of this group is twofold: first, to introduce mindfulness breathing techniques to help students improve anxiety and stress-related symptoms; and second, to explore the potential positive impact on students’ academic performance. These sessions will focus on developing coping strategies and tools to manage stress and anxiety in the school environment, ultimately aiming to enhance classroom performance and attention.
If you have any students that are interested, please email Patrick Turner (Wellness Coordinator). A pass will be sent to students to inform them and provide consent forms to complete and return.
If you have any questions or concerns and or want more information on what mindfulness is, feel free to reach out to Patrick Turner as well. -
LPIE
LPIE ANNUAL GIVING CAMPAIGN
We aim to honor and celebrate the generous donors who have contributed to the Annual Giving Campaign this year by including their names in an advertisement in the Lamorinda Weekly, as well as LPIE’s 2023-24 annual report. If you haven’t had a chance to contribute but wish to be included, there’s still time. By making a donation here before midnight on Sunday, Mar 17, your name will be included in both publications. Please help us reach our 90+% participation goal and join this incredible community of supporters by making a donation TODAY!
A giant THANK YOU to everyone who participated in this year’s Gala! Whether you bid in the online auction, purchased a raffle ticket, or attended the Gala, your participation in this event ultimately provides funding that enhances and enriches the education of every Lafayette student. If you missed out on the online auction or attending the Gala, it’s not too late to show your support! -
Sports
This weeks can't miss events
Boys Tennis
Monday, Mar 11 Varsity hosts Lick-Wilmerding HS at 4:30pm.
Tuesday, Mar 12 College Park HS at 3:30pm. Varsity is home and JV is away.
Thursday, Mar 14 Campolindo HS at 3:30pm. Varsity is home and JV is away.
Boys Golf
Monday, Mar 11 Wildcat Varsity Invitational at Meadow GC.
Wednesday, Mar 13 JV v. Las Lomas HS at Rossmoor GC at 3:30pm.
Friday, Mar 15 Varsity v. Athenian HS at Rossmoor GC at 3:30pm.
Swimming
Monday, Mar 11 host Miramonte HS at 4pm.
Friday, Mar 15 and Saturday, Mar 16 Mission Viejo Invitational.
Baseball
Tuesday, Mar 12 Las Lomas HS at 3:30pm. Varsity is home and JV is away.
Wednesday, Mar 13 Frosh at Clayton Valley Charter HS at 4pm.
Saturday, Mar 16 Frosh host Alhambra HS doubleheader at 10am and 12pm.
Softball
Tuesday, Mar 12 Concord HS at 4:30pm. Varsity is home and JV is away.
Thursday, Mar 14 Northgate HS at 4:30pm. Varsity is home and JV is away.
Saturday, Mar 16 Encinal HS at 4:30pm. Varsity is away and JV is home.
Boys Volleyball
Tuesday, Mar 12 v. Alameda HS at Encinal HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 6:30pm.
Wednesday, Mar 13 host Monte Vista HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 6:30pm.
Thursday, Mar 14 at Las Lomas HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 6:30pm.
Girls Lacrosse
Tuesday, Mar 12 host Monte Vista HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Friday, Mar 15 host Campolindo HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Boys Lacrosse
Tuesday, Mar 12 at Berkeley HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Friday, Mar 15 at Campolindo HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Track & field
Wednesday, Mar 13 at Las Lomas HS at 4pm.
Friday, Mar 15 and Saturday, Mar 16 Dublin Distance Fiesta.
Competitive Sport Cheer
Friday, Mar 15 Alhambra HS at 5:30pm and Clayton Valley Charter HS at 6:30pm at Alhambra HS.
Diving
Saturday, Mar 16 Las Positas Invitational.You may view the full 2023-2024 Athletic Schedule by clicking HERE.
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General Administration Announcements
PARENTS, IT'S YOUR TIME TO JUMP IN!
Acalanes Parents/Guardians, here is where you can play an important part in the incredible opportunities happening at Acalanes!- Job Fair: If your business hires high school students (or you know someone who does) please reach out to Katherine Walton at kwalton@auhsdschools.org to be part of the Job Fair on Wednesday, Mar 20. We can help you recruit some incredible employees!
- Creative Arts and Design Career Academy: Parents, alumni, and community members are invited to talk with students about their career experiences/pathways in the creative arts and design fields. Please email Debbie Levy, dlevy@auhsdschools.org for more info about this event on Wednesday, Apr 10 at 10am.
- Classroom Instructional Aides: The District is seeking applicants for classroom Instructional Aides. No previous training required, just a willingness to learn new skills and help students succeed. Applications should be submitted on Edjoin.com.
- Trade Fair: The College & Career Center is hosting a Trade Fair for Roofing, Electrical, Plumbing, Linesman, Cosmetology, Automotive, and more during lunch on April 24th. We are looking for more organizations to be represented. Please email Debbie Levy, dlevy@auhsdschools.org with any suggestions.
STATE TESTING IS COMING!
CAASPP testing will begin on Monday, March 11, and all Juniors will take the Math, English, and Science tests over the three weeks prior to Springbreak.
To prepare and fire up our students, Principal Shawn is visiting all Junior classes to talk with them about the importance of this test. Our school has outstanding achievement, and these test scores are critical as a public measurement of our students' progress. Assessments are part of the state-mandated accountability system and are presented to the public via the California School Dashboard. When all students try their best on CAASPP, AUHSD schools will be able to present accurate academic performance data. Students will also receive their score reports, which are included in their academic file. CAASPP scores are also used at colleges for course placement.
We greatly appreciate our parents and community's encouragement of our students to do their absolute best, participate, and show up for our school in taking these tests seriously. Don't stress, but please do your best!
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