Weekly News & Announcements

APC in Action

PEER TUTORING PRESENTS:  Tips for Organizing Your Schoolwork, Wednesday Feb 28
 
Peer Tutoring is excited to host “Tips for Organizing Your Schoolwork” on Wednesday, Feb 28 at lunch. Acalanes Department Chair, Amy Bellomo, will teach students tools to organize schoolwork and stay on track. Ms. Bellomo will show students how to use Google Tasks and Better Canvas, as well as how to merge Google and Canvas calendars. Pizza will be provided to the first 40 students who attend.
 
Peer Tutoring aims to better the educational, social and emotional well-being of all Acalanes High School students and gives students the skills necessary to succeed in academics and life post high school. Thank you to the Acalanes Parents Club, who fully funds this important student program.
 
Peer Tutoring is located in Room 107 and the hours are: academy, 7th period, lunch and every day for 1 hour after school.
 
Please contact Kristen Labrosse or Angela Ketcham with any questions.
   
DONS DIALOGUE - Listen to the Recording!
Don’t miss the video or slides from our most recent Dons Dialogue on Friday, Feb 23.
This month we discussed the importance and plans for CAASPP testing in March for all 11th graders. We also heard invaluable department highlights from;

• Mr Clark on PE
• Ms Johnson on Science Offerings and
• Mr Buchel on Math Pathways

And as always, we closed out the morning with a fun overview of student activities!

The next Dons Dialogue will be Friday, Mar 22 at 8:45am.
Follow Acalanes Parents Club on Instagram. Please reach out to APC here with any questions.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)

Upcoming Important Dates:

• Black History/Excellence Month (February)
• Women’s History Month (March)
• Disability Awareness Month (March)
• Gender Equality Month (March)

As we wrap up celebrating Black excellence this month, we ask each and every one of you to reflect on what makes this part of our culture so special. Black innovators have shaped our American culture in so many incredible ways, from the traffic signal to the Super Soaker, our refrigerated trucks to our long lasting light bulbs. And if it wasn’t for George Washington Carver, we might not have our good old PB and J or Reese's Peanut Butter cups.
 
As we look into the month of March, we hope to celebrate women for their history month, and those with disabilities for their awareness month. It is also Gender Equality Month. If you have a story to share or someone special to highlight, please let us know!

Please check out the new AUHSD DEIB website for many great resources and events! And follow us on Instagram and Facebook

Performing & Visual Arts

Student Activities

ASB and class officer elections are this week! Encourage your student to vote beginning Wednesday, Feb 28 using their auhsdschools account.
 
Acalanes has a fun week this week! During lunch all week is 3 v 3 staff/student basketball. During academy on Friday is the March Madness Rally. Encourage your student to wear a jersey and be in the gym to watch a preview of the musical, Unified Basketball, a dunk contest, staff musical chairs and more.
 
Acalanes Spiritwear Available for Purchase
The spring webstore is open for one more day with new sweatshirts, shirts, sweatpants and a lanyard. The webstore closes tomorrow, Monday, Feb 26 and items will be available for pick-up in late March. All proceeds benefit the classes of 2025, 2026 and 2027.
 
We also 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.
 
It is the last week of the Dress Drive! Bring any kind/type of dress (all will be accepted) to AHS (outside the front office) or to the Lafayette Community Center. Donations will be going to the Princess Project in San Francisco.
 
Acalanes High School is having its annual Color Run on Sunday, Mar 24 at 9am. 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 encourage you to run or walk! You can register on Go Fan and payment includes a t-shirt, a gift from Zoonie's and snacks at the end of the race. We encourage people of all ages to come run! Hope to see you there!

College & Career

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 to $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:
Camp Venture is sponsored by the Rotary Club and runs from Jun 19-23. You can email dlevy@auhsdschools.org for submission details.
 
Where There Be Dragons offers immersive summer programs for students. Your student can come by the office to learn more. Eva Vanek, a Dragons Representative, will be at a table outside the cafeteria during lunch on Thursday, Feb 29.
 
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 Martin

Course selection for the 2024-2025 school year: Students can still make changes to their course selections for next year! Please have your student contact their counselor if they wish to make changes. 

The CSF application period is open! CSF (California Scholarship Federation) is an honor society. Current 10th, 11th and 12th graders are encouraged to apply. A complete CSF application has 2 parts - an application form and a payment on the webstore. Forms can be turned into the counseling office. The deadline is this Thursday, Feb 29 for both the form and the payment! Students who are members for at least 4 semesters, including during senior year, will get a special stole to wear at graduation. Read the FAQ on the application form and contact  Ms. Schonauer for any clarification. 

School Nurse

Don’t forget about vaping! 
Is your kid vaping?  You can start getting support right HERE.

FEBRUARY is American Heart Month AND Black History Month
We’re in the home stretch of February and there is a great documentary that is free this month and valuable for all to watch: They’reTryingToKillUs. If you watch it, let me know what you think.
Show your kids some love this month. Here are two things your family can focus on to boost your health and spread the love!

• Focus on FIBER and how to include that in what they eat throughout the day. Foods that are naturally high in fiber also have the highest “nutrient density”. This not only helps general health and well-being, it contributes to brain health (better academic success!).  HERE is a great handout on fiber in foods.

JUST ASKING: Are you encouraging your kids to eat fresh fruits and vegetables?  Do you have them ready-to-grab-and-eat?

• Gratitude:  A regular gratitude practice helps stimulate our “feeling good” neurotransmitter hormones. HERE is a great handout with daily practices that help strengthen our relationships.

You can never be too young to begin heart health practices!
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

Contra Costa County Office of Education is offering a free virtual learning opportunity called Fentanyl Awareness & Overdose Rescue Training. This event is for educators, parents and other caring adults that are interested in current information related to the national fentanyl crisis and what can be done to keep kids in our community safe. Presenters include members of the Medication Education and Disposal Safety (MEDS) Coalition, CourAGE Youth Health Coalition, county educators and parents. This event takes place on Thursday, Mar 7 from 6-7:30pm and while it is free, registration is required.

LPIE

The 6th Annual LPIE Gala Online & Silent/Live Auction Preview Opened TODAY, Feb 25 at 8am!
Think about bidding on exciting vacations, special experiences, autographed items, golf rounds, spa services, Warriors tickets, and a whole lot more! All incredible, all unique, and all available in support of our students! Click HERE now!

Sports

This week’s can’t miss events:
 
Girls Basketball
Tuesday, Feb 27 CIF NorCal First Round
Thursday, Feb 29 CIF NorCal Quarterfinal
Saturday, Mar 1 CIF NorCal Semifinal
 
Girls Lacrosse
Tuesday, Feb 27 host San Marin HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Friday, Mar 1 at Granada HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
 
Boys Lacrosse
Tuesday, Feb 27 at Monte Vista HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Friday, Mar 1 host California HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
 
Softball
Tuesday, Febr 27 Dougherty Valley HS at 3:30pm. Varsity is away and JV is home.
Thursday, Feb 29 Antioch HS at 3:30pm. Varsity is away and JV is home.
 
Baseball
Wed, Feb 28 San Ramon Valley HS at 3:30pm. Varsity is away and JV is home.
Friday, Mar 1 Miramonte HS at 3:30pm. Varsity is home and JV is away.
Saturday, Mar 2 Vanden HS at 12pm. Varsity is home and JV is away.
Saturday, Mar 2 Frosh at Miramonte HS doubleheader at 10am and 12pm.
 
Boys Tennis
Tuesday, Feb 27 Heritage HS. Varsity is home at 4pm and JV is away at 3:30pm.
Friday, Mar 1 and Saturday, Mar 2 Fresno Invitational
 
Boys Volleyball
Thursday, Feb 29 at Archie Williams HS. JV at 5pm and varsity at 6:30pm.
 
Track & Field
Saturday, Mar 2 Dan Gabor Invitational at Amador Valley HS
 
You may view the 2023-2024 Athletic Update by clicking HERE.

Acalanes Community Always (ACA)

General Administration Announcements

ACALANES JOB FAIR!
Do you own a business or work somewhere looking to hire this spring or summer? Acalanes will host a Job Fair on Wednesday, Mar 20, from 10-11am in our front quad. If you want to recruit some fantastic Acalanes High School student employees, we would love you to join us!
 
Please email any of the following for more information:
Katherine Walton at kwalton@auhsdschools.org or
Debbie Levy at dlevy@auhsdschools.org or
Nicole Singleterry at nsingleterry@auhsdschools.org

APC in Action

DONS DIALOGUE - THIS FRIDAY AT 8:45am!
Join us on Friday, Feb 23 in the Collaboration Center for coffee, treats and informative dialogue!  This month’s topics include;

• Department Spotlights on
  • Science - Sydney Johnson
  • Math Pathways - Misha Buchel
  • PE - Chris Clark
• CAASPP Testing
• ASB Update
• Q&A with Principal Shawn

The APC Dons Dialogues are the best way to stay in the loop with what is happening on campus, ask any questions you may have or just connect with the Acalanes community.
We hope to see you Friday!

STAFF APPRECIATION VALENTINES BREAKFAST
Check out the 💙 healthy spread our amazing Acalanes Staff enjoyed on Valentine's Day! Many thanks to our Staff Appreciation Co-Chairs, Dominique Mickelson and Stacey Hastings for coordinating.