Weekly News & Announcements

Parent Education

Please plan to join us for this powerful discussion! RSVP here!
Event is free and encouraged for all Parents and Students. 

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)

Upcoming Important Dates:

• Black History/Excellence Month (February)
• Feb 10-24 Lunar New Year
• Feb 14 Douglass Day
• Feb 19 Day of Remembrance
• Feb 23 BSU Dance at Miramonte

Tuesday, Feb 19 is Day of Remembrance. What exactly are we supposed to remember? It was on this day in 1942 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which gave the U.S. Army the authority to remove civilians from the military zones established in Washington, Oregon, and California during WWII. This led to the forced removal and incarceration of some 120,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry living on the West Coast, who had to abandon their jobs, their homes, and their lives to be sent to one of ten concentration camps scattered in desolate, remote regions of the country. Every February, the Japanese American community commemorates Executive Order 9066 as a reminder of the impact the incarceration experience has had on our families, our community, and our country. It is an opportunity to educate others on the fragility of civil liberties in times of crisis, and the importance of remaining vigilant in protecting the rights and freedoms of all.
 
Miramonte’s BSU and leadership group are hosting a district wide Mardi Gras dance for all students on Friday, Feb 23 from 7-9pm! Along with dancing and an awesome DJ, there will be food, a 360 open-air video booth, a place to hang out with friends, and an airbrush tattoo artist! Tickets will be $10 and can be purchased on GoFan here.
 
Please check out the new AUHSD DEIB website for many great resources and events! And follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

Student Activities

February is Black Excellence Month! There is a district wide Mardi Gras dance this Friday, Feb 23 from 7-9 pm at Miramonte High School! Along with dancing and an awesome DJ, there will be food, a 360 open-air video booth, a place to hang out with friends, and an airbrush tattoo artist! Tickets are $10 and available on GoFan. It is a fun evening - please encourage your student to attend!
 
Attend Open Mic Night this Wednesday, Feb 21 at Sideboard restaurant at 6:30pm. It is one of our favorite nights of the year as we watch student talent. Students will perform songs, poems, instruments, dances and more!
 
Student Government (Leadership) Applications - Incoming 9th Graders: If your student is an incoming 9th grader, applications can be found here and are due on Thursday, Feb 22. Any questions, please contact Katherine Walton.
 
Line Dancing this Friday @ Lunch!
Encourage your student to get their boot scootin’ boogie on at Line Dancing in the big gym this Friday, Feb 23 during lunch! We have a dance teacher coming to teach the Dons how to line dance - it is going to be so much fun!
 
3v3 March Madness Staff Student Basketball is coming up! It will be held from Feb 26 through Mar 1 during lunch in the big gym. Students can sign up with a friend and one staff member using THIS LINK.
 
Acalanes Spiritwear Available for Purchase!
Looking for Acalanes gear? The spring webstore is still open with new sweatshirts, shirts, sweatpants and a lanyard. The webstore closes on 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.
 
The Annual Acalanes blood drive is coming on Tuesday, Feb 27! Anyone 16+ years old can donate (adults encouraged). Appointments are available from 8am-1:45pm in the small gym at Acalanes. People can sign up to donate through this link or scan the QR codes located in all junior and senior and English classrooms. If a student is 16/17, a permission form is needed and is available in room 314. Donors will get a complimentary shirt, as well as a $20 Amazon gift card. Contact Katherine Walton If you have any questions!
 
A Dress Drive continues through Friday, Mar 1. 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.

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

College & Career

SENIORS:
The Bose Lamont Scholarship is available for $1500. To apply, your student needs a 3.0+ GPA; the essay question is “how have you been brave”? Email dlevy@auhsdschools.org for submission details.
 
JUNIORS, SOPHOMORES, FROSH:
Where There Be Dragons offers immersive summer programs for students. Your student can come by to learn more. Eva Vanek, a Dragons Representative, will be presenting at lunch on Thursday, Feb 29 in the College & Career Center.
 
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 this week!  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. Turn forms into the counseling office. The deadline is 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

FEBRUARY is American Heart Month AND Black History Month
I want to highlight a great documentary that is valuable for all to watch: They’re Trying To Kill Us. It’s free during February. If you watch it, let me know what you think.

Valentine’s Day and the F Word
Show your kids some love this February. 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.
• 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

PROJECT LPIE SHOWCASE
Please join us in celebrating and showcasing every piece submitted to this year's Project LPIE! This free community event will feature light refreshments and honor the incredible work completed by our Acalanes students. Please click HERE to participate today!


THE 6TH ANNUAL LPIE GALA
Online & Silent/Live Auction Preview Opens on Feb 25 at 8am!
Get ready to bid 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 for bidding in support of our students! Click HERE now!

Sports

Girls soccer
Tuesday, Feb 20 NCS Semifinal
Friday, Feb 23 and Saturday, Feb 24 NCS Championship
 
Boys soccer
Tuesday, Feb20 NCS Semifinal
Friday, Feb 23 and Saturday, Feb 24 NCS Championship
 
Girls basketball
Wednesday, Feb 21 NCS Semifinal
Friday, Feb 23 and Saturday, Feb 24 NCS Championship
 
Baseball
Tuesday, Feb 20 Heritage HS at 3:30pm. Varsity is home and JV is away.
Tuesday, Feb 20 Frosh at Dublin HS at 3:30pm.
Thursday, Feb 22 Alhambra HS at 3:30pm. Varsity is away and JV is home.
Friday, Feb 23 JV host James Logan HS at 3:30pm.
Saturday, Feb 24 Frosh host College Park HS doubleheader at 10am and 12pm.
 
Boys golf
Tuesday, Feb 20 v. Miramonte HS at Contra Costa CC at 3:30pm.
 
Boys lacrosse
Tuesday, Feb 20 host San Ramon Valley HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
 
Girls lacrosse
Tuesday, Feb 20 at Dougherty Valley HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Friday, Feb 23 host California HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
 
Boys volleyball
Wednesday, Feb 21 at Pittsburg HS. JV at 5pm and varsity at 6pm.
Thursday, Feb 22 at Moreau Catholic HS. JV at 5pm and varsity at 6:30pm.
 
Softball
Friday, Feb 23 Albany HS at 3:30pm. Varsity is away and JV is home.
 
Track & field
Saturday, Feb 24 Concord HS and San Ramon Valley HS at San Ramon Valley HS.This week’s can’t miss events:
 
Boys basketball
Monday, Feb 5 DAL Playoff First Round
Tuesday, Feb 6 DAL Quarterfinal
Thursday, Feb 8 DAL Semifinal
Saturday, Feb 10 DAL Championship
 
Girls basketball
Tuesday, Feb 6 DAL Quarterfinal
Thursday, Feb 8 DAL Semifinal
Saturday, Feb 10 DAL Championship
 
Girls soccer
Tuesday, Feb 6 host Northgate HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Thursday, Feb 8 Varsity at Mt. Diablo HS at 5pm.
Saturday, Feb 10 Frosh-Soph at Berkeley HS at 9am and host College Park HS at 2pm.
 
Boys soccer
Tuesday, Feb 6 at Northgate HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Thursday, Feb 8 host Mt. Diablo HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
 
Wrestling
Saturday, Feb 10 DAL Championship at Clayton Valley Charter HS.

You may view the 2023-2024 Athletic Update by clicking HERE.

APC in Action

Parent Education

Please plan to join us for this powerful discussion! RSVP here!
Event is free and encouraged for all Parents and Students. 

Acalanes Community Always (ACA)

AHS ROBOTICS CLUB SEEKING SPONSORS
The Acalanes Robotics Club, aka ACABOTS, is looking for Acalanes parents or alumni working in related businesses to support our thriving club through sponsorships.

Our team competes in the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition (FRC). Each year we build a robot to overcome specific challenges set for the year’s competition.

Please click here to learn more about the Robotics Team and the opportunities to sponsor.

DRESS DRIVE - THE PRINCESS PROJECT
The leadership team at Acalanes High School is excited to host a dress drive benefiting the Princess Project of San Francisco. The Princess Project is a non-profit whose mission is to "promote self-confidence and individual beauty by providing free prom dresses and accessories to high school teens who cannot otherwise afford them."
 
AHS is now collecting semi-formal and formal dresses that teens can wear to their high school prom, free of charge. We are hoping to collect as many dresses as possible through Friday, Mar 1. We ask that all dresses be clean and in good condition.

There are two drop-off locations:
1. Acalanes High School in front of the Main Office
2. Lafayette Community Center at 500 St. Mary’s Road
To learn more about the Princess Project, and to obtain a tax-deductible receipt for your donation, click here.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)

Upcoming Important Dates:

• Black History/Excellence Month (February)
• Feb 10-24 Lunar New Year
• Feb 14 Douglass Day
• Feb 19 Day of Remembrance
• Feb 23 BSU Dance at Miramonte

Thank you to the parent volunteers that helped bring Black Excellence Month alive around our school by decorating doors with information about influential black history makers. There are several events happening for our students throughout February so please encourage your students to join in on the fun.
 
Miramonte’s BSU and leadership group are hosting a district wide Mardi Gras dance for all students on Friday, Feb 23 from 7-9pm! Along with dancing and an awesome DJ, there will be food, a 360 open-air video booth, a place to hang out with friends, and an airbrush tattoo artist! Tickets will be $10 and can be purchased on GoFan here.
 
Lunar New Year, the Year of the Dragon, began yesterday, Feb 10. Did you know that San Francisco has celebrated Lunar New Year in some form since the Gold Rush era of the 1860s? You can learn many more things about this special time of the year here. If you are looking for ways to celebrate with your family please check out 510families.
 
Acalanes will have a Lunar New Year Celebration! You can encourage your student to celebrate with everyone at school this week on Wednesday, Feb 14 during lunch in the frosh quad with a potluck featuring various Asian dishes. IMPORTANT: Red envelopes with "food tickets" inside will be handed out that day during brunch in all of the quads. Please remind your student to make sure to grab an envelope to redeem for food at the potluck! Want to help make food? Signup here.
 
Please check out the new AUHSD DEIB website for many great resources and events! And follow us on Instagram and Facebook.