Weekly News & Announcements

Wellness Center

With AP exams starting next week, now is a great time to discuss test anxiety with your AHS student. Test anxiety is actually a form of performance anxiety which affects 25-40% of students. While it’s perfectly normal for a student to feel nervous before a test, test anxiety can be overwhelming and disrupt concentration and ability. Here are a couple steps you can take to support your student in combating their test anxiety:
 
Positive Self Talk can go a long way in altering one’s perception of their ability. Encourage your student to talk to themselves how they would talk to a friend or loved one experiencing the same anxiety. We are often our own worst critic and in many instances, we talk to ourselves more negatively than we would ever talk to someone else.
 
Acceptance of mistakes can also shift your student’s mindset around their ability. First, remind your student that trying their best is realistically the most they can do. Even when trying our absolute best, people still make mistakes. Second, model this behavior for your students. Are you shaming your student when their best effort isn’t “good enough” or beating yourself up when you make a mistake? Offer grace in the face of mistakes. We’re all human after all.
 
Teach test taking basics to your student so they might feel more confident when the time comes to take a test. Believe it or not, study skills and test taking strategies are learned. Just because students have experience taking tests, doesn’t mean they are equipped to do so successfully.

Performing & Visual Arts

Choir Spring Concert
Please join us on Friday, May 15 at 7:00pm in the Acalanes PAC for the final choir concert of the year. Come celebrate our Acalanes singing seniors and enjoy an evening of choral music by our Acalanes Choir, Harmonix, Octet and more.


Acalanes Musicians perform at Jazz Cafe!
Please join us on Friday, May 15 for an evening of fantastic jazz performances at the Jazz Cafe at Stanley Middle School. Our instrumental Dons from the Acalanes Jazz Ensemble and Acalanes Jazz Combo are role models for the Stanley jazz bands who will also perform. Bring the entire family and settle in for a fabulous evening that will feature an array of performances from multiple bands and age ranges. This is a wonderful event for our community that is not to be missed!
 
When: Friday, May 15 at 6:00pm
Where: Multi-Use Room, Stanley Middle School
Admission Price: Free
 
Collage Concert on Thursday, May 21 in the PAC
Please save the date for our final performance of the year. On Thursday May 21 at 6:30pm in the Performing Arts Center, students will perform a beautiful collage of pieces, some showcasing specific ensembles. We invite you to this special evening as we cap off a fantastic year of music from our exceptional students at Acalanes.

LPIE

Sports

*The game schedule below reflects dates and times as of last Fri/day. Games may change for several reasons, including weather. If you have questions or comments, please contact Acalanes Sports B

This week’s can’t miss events:
Boys golf
Monday, May 4 DAL Championship at Blue Ridge GC, Fairfield.
 
Girls lacrosse
Tuesday, May 5 NCS First Round Playoff.
Thursday, May 7 NCS Quarterfinal.
 
Boys lacrosse
Tuesday, May 5 NCS First Round Playoff.
Thursday, May 7 NCS Quarterfinal.
 
Softball
Tuesday, May 5 hosts Benicia HS 4:30pm.
Thursday, May 7 at Northgate HS 4:30pm.
 
Baseball
Tuesday, May 5 Campolindo HS 4:30pm.  Varsity is home, JVis away.
Thursday, May 7 JV hosts Campolindo HS 4:30pm.  Varsity is home, JV is away.
Friday, May 8 Varsity v. Campolindo HS at St. Mary’s College 4:30pm.
Saturday, May 9 Freshmen hosts Northgate HS at 10:00am and 12:30pm.
 
Swimming
Friday, May 8 NCS Trials at College of Marin.
Saturday, May 9 NCS Finals at College of Marin.
 
Boys tennis
Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9 NCS Singles & Doubles Championship at Marin Tennis Club.
 
Track & field
Saturday, May 9 DAL Finals at Campolindo HS.

General Announcements

It's that time of year again when we need ALL PAST DUE books to be returned to the library as soon as possible.
 
SENIORS:  We have reached out several times via email and met with students individually to discuss their return of the items and the required fee if the items are not found.  The deadline for Seniors to clear their accounts of anything past due is Friday, Apr 24. Failure to resolve past-due items or outstanding fees may result in restricted participation in senior activities, including Prom, Senior Awards, Senior Sunset, and Grad Night.
 
For all other grades, please turn in all past due books this school year to avoid having your schedule withheld on Don's Day until your account is cleared.
 
Please make a payment to the Acalanes webstore or bring cash to the library should your book(s) be lost or damaged. You can email me at jbacon@auhsdschools.org or find me in the library should you have any questions or need support with your payment.
 
Thank you in advance for your cooperation!

Kind regards,

Jess Bacon Library Media Technician & Neku Pogue, Associate Principal

AP Exam Info: In preparation for next month's AP Exams, students can review this helpfulguide.

APC in Action

INTERESTED IN GETTING MORE INVOLVED?
We are looking for parents/guardians to join our Acalanes Parents Club team for the 2026-27 school year.
 
We have openings for the following roles.
Newsletter Editor: help gather and organize content for the weekly APC newsletter
Senior Rally: typically junior parents, help coordinate the Senior Rally in the park
Student Community Service Coordinator: organize community service program for students, including Helper Helper app
 
If you are interested in learning more about any role, please reach out to APC Parliamentarians, Andrea Hilsabeck or Michele Colaco.

Campus Culture Committee

🌟 Campus Culture Committee Highlights
 
It has been a wonderful 2025–2026 school year with the Campus Culture Committee! There are no additional meetings scheduled for the remainder of this school year.
At our final meeting, we discussed plans for the 2026–2027 school year, including:

• Quarterly Meetings (August, November, February, May)
  • Department updates
  • Board reports
  • Volunteer sign-ups
• May Meeting: Special team-building activity
• Monthly Engagement Between Meetings: Opportunities to volunteer at school events, such as:
  • Back-to-School Night
  • Hosting lunches for student clubs
  • Donating supplies for events like Homecoming

📅 Upcoming Important Dates

• April – Autism Acceptance Month
• April – Arab American Heritage Month

🧩 Autism Acceptance Month (April)
Autism Acceptance Month focuses on fostering understanding, inclusion, and celebration of autistic individuals.
Did you know?

• Approximately 1 in 36 children are diagnosed with autism.

Ways to Participate:

• Wear blue or gold to show support
• Share resources and stories from autistic voices
• Promote awareness and inclusion in your community

🌍 Arab American Heritage Month (April)
This month honors the rich culture, history, and contributions of over 4 million Arab Americans. It celebrates achievements across fields such as science, arts, and public service while promoting inclusivity and cultural appreciation.
 
💚 Wellness Center Reminder
If you are ever concerned about your student or one of their peers, please submit a Wellness Referral.

• Our team follows up within one week
• All services are confidential and voluntary

Student Activities

Thank you to all the parents who supported prom this past weekend! From bus sign-ups to bus loading & chaperoning, Prom does not happen without your support. A special thank you to Amy Jones & Stacy Epstein for their work as prom chairs & the staff for spending their Saturday night in the city. 💙
 
PEEK AT THE WEEK: Spring into Summer Spirit Week
Monday at lunch: Mini canvas painting in room 314 + Whiffle Ball on the field
Tuesday at 7:45am: Silver A awards
Tuesday at lunch: Cookie Decorating in room 314 + equity council in the library
Wednesday at lunch: Whiffle ball on the field + Blue Heart Awards
Wednesday at 5:00pm: Open Mic Night
Thursday at lunch: Ice Cream bar in the front quad
Thursday at 6:30pm: Instrumental Concert
Friday at lunch: Whiffle ball on the field
 
On Apr 29, as a part of our Spring into Summer event, there will be Open Mic Night at Sideboard from 5:00-6:30pm. This is a chance to showcase a variety of your talents to your peers at Sideboard. You can sing, dance, play an instrument, showcase a talent and many more options. Every year this is a super fun event to showcase what you can do so make sure to sign up through this google form.
 
April & May important dates:
 
May 6: Class of 2030 Athletics & Activities Night
May 18-22: Last spirit week of the year!
 
SAVE THE DATE: Homecoming 2026, Sept 20-26
 
If you ever have any questions or are looking for ways for your student to get involved, please reach out!

College & Career

Free Digital AP® Practice Exams
AP Free Test Practice: Revolution Prep’s self-proctored, digital practice exams cover the multiple-choice portion of the AP exam and are available for six of the most popular AP subjects. Each includes:

• A live, digital multiple-choice experience
• A detailed score report highlighting strengths and areas for improvement

Available subjects:
AP Chemistry | AP Calculus AB | AP Calculus BC | AP U.S. History | AP Physics 1 | AP Biology
 [Students can register here]