Weekly News & Announcements

Performing & Visual Arts

The Acalanes musical, The Wizard of Oz, will run from Mar 6-9 at 7pm in the Performing Arts Center, PAC. General ticket sales start tomorrow and you can purchase them here. Come watch our amazing students put on an amazing performance! For tickets and information, visit: ahsperformingarts.org

Student Activities

Lunar New Year began Feb 10 and runs for the next 15 days. On Wednesday during lunch, students have planned a Lunar New Year festival in the front quad. Encourage your student to opt in! Read above in the DEI section for more information!
 
The last day to buy a Valentine's Gram is tomorrow, Feb 12 via the webstore for $4. Students can also buy one in person during lunch tomorrow in the frosh and sophomore quads. Anyone can purchase, including teachers and parents. Gram recipients will receive them in their 5th period class on Wednesday, Feb 14. The grams include candy, a flower, an eraser, and a note. Happy Valentine's Day!
 
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.
 
February is Black Excellence Month! There is also a district wide Mardi Gras dance on 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!
 
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? Our spring webstore is 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 soon 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!
 
There is a Dress Drive happening 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. See the ACA section above for more information!

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

College & Career

SENIORS:
Scholarship: Calling senior women with a 3.5+ GPA interested in a local community service scholarship through AAUW - the American Association of University Women. Deadline for application is Wednesday, Feb 14.

JUNIORS:
 Academy Feb 16:  Have your student sign up for Levy Academy this week to learn ways to deepen your activity/work/volunteer participation.
 Leadership Opportunity for Girls: Apply for the free annual Young Women’s Leadership Summit (YWLS) held at Stanford University on Saturday, Mar 2 from 9:30am - 4pm.  T​he theme is “Preparing to be a Disruptor in Business,” with key pillars​ in Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Personal Growth. ​The application deadline is​ TODAY, Feb 11.
 
JUNIORS, SOPHOMORES, FROSH:
 If you have a student who is interested in volunteering at a 1 week sleepaway camp during the first week of August to support people with Down’s Syndrome, check out this program.
 
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 -  Counselors met with all 9th, 10th and 11th graders about their course selections last week.  We will be following up with students that were absent this week. Please have your student contact their counselor if they wish to make changes to their course selections. 

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 in forms in 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

Always Your School Nurse,
DvoraCitron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org, 925-280-2970 x7128,
IG: acalanesschoolnurse, ​SchoolNurseWebsite

Wellness Center

For many people, February is seen as a month of love but it's important to reflect on what “love” brings to mind. Romantic love is not the only type of love that should be celebrated this Valentine’s Day! Personally, I think the most powerful form of love is the one that we think of the least.
 
Self-love means a respect, positive regard for, and appreciation of ourselves. Self-love can affect every aspect of our lives and when self-love is nurtured, the possibilities for positivity in our lives flourish. Self-love lends itself to healthier interpersonal relationships, healthier ideas around self-image, healthier self-care habits, and an overall more positive outlook on life. With self-love, boundary setting becomes easier and low self-esteem and comparison to others becomes less frequent. This Valentine’s Day, discuss the power of self-love with your AHS student. Try out these self-love affirmations:

• I am kind to myself
• I am worthy of good things
• Everything I need is within me
• I accept love from myself

LPIE

Project LPIE Showcase
Join us at the Lafayette Library on Friday, Feb 23 at 5pm for a public reception featuring all of the creative entries as we announce the winners of the 2024 Project LPIE Awards. This annual event showcases and acknowledges Acalanes High School students for their project-based learning. Prizes will be awarded in 15 categories in order to recognize students' skills both within and outside the curriculum (Journalism, Digital Design, Vocal/Instrumental music and Science to name a few). The evening will include light refreshments and feature live performances by our talented student artists. We look forward to seeing you there!
 
LPIE’s 4th Annual Read-a-Thon Results
We are thrilled to share the incredible outcomes of the 4th Annual Read-a-Thon, "Reading Takes You Places." A heartfelt thank you to ALL who participated, making this Read-a-Thon truly remarkable! The numbers are impressive!

• 921 participants
• 514,660 minutes
• $100,255 dollars raised

These milestones mark our HIGHEST EVER totals for the Read-a-Thon - a testament to the unwavering support of our community.
A special thank you to all of the educators, parents, caregivers, families and community members who helped with this event — you played a vital role in empowering our students to explore new worlds, reflect on their own, and flourish as READERS.
Your generous donations to LPIE are also instrumental in our pursuit of this year's $4.5M fundraising goal, and for this, LPIE extends its deepest gratitude.
Stay tuned as we contact our prize-winners individually and announce them soon. If you have feedback or ideas for our next Read-a-Thon, we'd love to hear from you—please email read@lpie.org!

Sports

This week's cant miss events:

Spring Sports Parents Night is this Tuesday, Feb 13 at 7pm in the Performing Arts Center.

Girls soccer
Tuesday, Feb 13 NCS First Round Playoff
Saturday, Feb 17 NCS Quarterfinal.
 
Boys soccer
Tuesday, Feb 13 NCS First Round Playoff
Saturday, February 17 NCS Quarterfinal
 
Girls basketball
Thursday, Feb 15 NCS Quarterfinal
 
Wrestling
Friday, Feb 16 and Saturday, Feb 17 NCS Boys Championship at James Logan HS.
Friday, Feb 16 and Saturday, Feb 17 NCS Girls Championship at Albany HS.
 
Baseball
Thursday, Feb 15 Antioch HS scrimmage at 3:30pm. Varsity is away and JV is home.
Saturday, Feb 17 at Marin Catholic HS. Varsity at 10pm and JV at 1:30pm.
 
Softball
Thursday, Feb 15 San Ramon Valley HS scrimmage at 3:30pm. Varsity is home and JV is away.
Saturday, Feb 17 Vanden Varsity Jamboree.
 
Boys volleyball
Thursday, Feb 15 at Miramonte HS at 6:30pm.
 
Track & field
Saturday, Feb 17 host Trials of Miles.
 
You may view the 2023-2024 Athletic Update by clicking HERE.

Helpful Resources for Course Selection

The selections for the 2024-2025 school year are due THIS WEEK! As you discuss any final selections with your student, these grade level slides might be helpful:

• Presentation to current 9th graders ("rising sophs") - view slides
• Presentation to current 10th graders ("rising juniors") - view slides
• Presentation to current 11th graders ("rising seniors") - view slides

As a reminder, students should enter their course selections into Aeries BEFORE they meet with their counselors. Students will come to the appointment with their courses submitted and with a completed and signed form in hand to give to their counselor. Students can check their course selection form for the date and time of their appointment with their counselor.
 
If you have any questions or need any further information, please visit the counseling page on the Acalanes website.

Student Activities

Student Government (Leadership) Applications due Tuesday, Feb 6
Applications for the leadership program for current Acalanes students are due Tuesday. There is a place for everyone in leadership and the program drives student activities at Acalanes. If your student is an incoming 9th grader, applications can be found here and are due Feb 22. Any questions, please contact Katherine Walton.
 
Valentine's Grams are now available for purchase online for $4 on the Acalanes web store. You can also buy one in person at lunch on Feb 6-9 and Feb 12 in the frosh and sophomore quads. Anyone can purchase, including teachers and parents. Gram recipients will receive them in their 5th period class on Wednesday, Feb 14. The grams include candy, a flower, an eraser, and a note. Happy Valentine's Day!
 
The annual Acalanes blood drive is coming soon 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!
 
There is a blanket making event happening on Feb 9 in room 314 during academy. All blankets made will be donated to a local shelter in Richmond! There will be hot cocoa and cookies for everyone who shows up and it will count as volunteer hours. Interested students should sign up here by Wednesday Feb 7.
 
February is Black Excellence Month! Every Friday there is an event that students can opt into. There is also a district wide Mardi Gras dance on 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.


 
Acalanes Spiritwear Available for Purchase!
Looking for Acalanes gear? Our spring webstore is 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.
 
There is a Dress Drive happening 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.
 
Is your student looking for a BLUE CREW shirt and didn’t get one? Have them stop by room 314 with $2 to get their shirt!

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

College & Career

SENIORS:
DVC Application: Send your student to discuss community college opportunities and majors. DVC will be visiting on Wednesday, Feb 7 for an admissions presentation during academy in the library. Sign up for Levy academy.
Scholarship: Calling senior women with a 3.5+ GPA interested in a local community service scholarship through AAUW - the American Association of University Women. Deadline for application is Wednesday, Feb 14.

JUNIORS:
 Free AP Exam practice tests/scoring:  Are you interested in taking a free AP Calc AB
AP Calc BC, AP U.S. History, AP Biology, AP Physics, or AP Chemistry exam? Sign up here for several free practice exam sessions.
 
Leadership Opportunity for Girls: Apply for the free annual Young Women’s Leadership Summit (YWLS) held at Stanford University on Saturday, Mar 2 from 9:30am - 4pm.  T​he theme is “Preparing to be a Disruptor in Business,” with key pillars​ in Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Personal Growth. ​The application deadline is​ Feb Sunday, 11.

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 -  Counselors visited 11th and 9th grade classes two weeks ago and 10th grade classes last week. Forms are due this week! Please have your student check their appointment time with their counselor this week and go to their appointment. Make sure their form is filled out, signed and classes are entered into Aeries.

Individual counseling appointments with all 9th, 10th and 11th graders to discuss and collect their course requests will happen this week, Feb 5 - 9. If your student misses their appointment, please reach out to their counselor to reschedule.

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 in forms in 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

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!

The Water Bottle Craze
There’s something great about the fact that water bottles are the current craze. Health conscious teens want to make sure they are drinking enough water, but also want to quench their thirst in style! Many of them are carrying their entire day’s worth of water with them.
Why is it important to stay hydrated? “Waterregulatesourbodytemperature, keepsourjointslubricated, helpspreventinfectionsanddeliversnutrientstoourcells” writes Lisa Drayer, R.D.

How much water should teens drink? In general, most teens should aim for 6-8 8 oz. glasses of water. This does not include juice and soda (not the best nutritional choices regardless of their fluid status).

I applaud the goal of hydrating regularly and using vessels that are more ecofriendly than plastic disposable bottles. I do think it’s important to be aware of the fact that carrying a water bottle such as a full 40 oz. Stanley Quencher adds almost 4 pounds to what that student is carrying. No doubt that most parents know that students typically carry very heavy backpacks that may impact their spinal and musculoskeletal health. Please pay attention to the implications of adding more weight to these already heavy loads.

Consider that your student can carry a smaller water bottle and refill it during the day.  We are fortunate to have multiple “hydration stations” on campus where anyone can fill up their bottles, and our EBMUD tap water is reliable and safe to drink.

Another way to stay hydrated is to consume multiple servings of fresh fruits and vegetables, which have a high percentage of water. 

See my website for more information.

Always Your School Nurse,
DvoraCitron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org, 925-280-2970 x7128,
IG: acalanesschoolnurse, ​SchoolNurseWebsite