Weekly News & Announcements

College & Career

Seniors:

• Community College Support: 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.
• 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.
• Blackhawk Scholarship Fund: Senior women can apply here for a scholarship.

Frosh, Sophomores, Juniors:
 
Military Academy: Interested in learning more about the 4 military branches? Have your student sign up for Levy or Takahashi academy on Wednesday, Feb 21 in Mr. Takahashi’s classroom. Representatives from all the branches will be on campus to discuss opportunities to serve our country.
 
Leadership Opportunity for Girls: Apply for the free annual Young Women’s Leadership Summit (YWLS) held at Stanford University on Mar 2 from 9:30am - 4:00pm.  T​he theme is “Preparing to be a Disruptor in Business,” with key pillars​ in Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Personal Growth. ​The application deadline for priority consideration is​ Jan 31 and the regular deadline is​ Feb 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 is happening! Counselors visited 11th and 9th grade classes last week and will be visiting 10th grade classes this week to go over the course selection process and to hand out forms:

• 10th grade English classes will be visited on Tuesday, Jan 30 and Wednesday, Jan 31

Course Preview Open House Night is Thursday, Feb 1. Please come with your students to see what they are doing in their current classes and check out potential classes for next year!

Individual counseling appointments with all 9th, 10th and 11th graders to discuss and collect their course requests will happen the week of Feb 5 - 9. 

School Nurse

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? “Water regulates our body temperature, keeps our joints lubricated, helps prevent infections and delivers nutrients to our cells” 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. 

Let me know your thoughts!

See my website for more information.

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

LPIE

Read-a-thon
Join the more than 700 students who have already registered for LPIE’s 4th Annual Read-a-thon! Students who read 40 minutes or more per day from Jan 22 through Feb 4, and collect at least one donation, will be entered for a chance to win incredible prizes, including a pair of Apple AirPods, an electric scooter, a slick drone with a camera, and more. LPIE helps fund enhanced AP classes (including AP Environmental Science, AP US History, AP Mandarin, AP Spanish, AP French) and OH so much more. Pick up a book and start reading for your school today!
 
Corporate Matching
Did you know that over 26 MILLION individuals work for companies with matching gift programs? This means that your personal donation to LPIE could be matched dollar for dollar by your employer. Please reach out to your company's Human Resources department to ask about their corporate matching policy today! Thank you for taking the time to Double your Donation!

Jocelyn Werner and Jaime Roder, Acalanes LPIE School Chairs
www.lpie.org, Follow us on Instagram

Sports

This week’s can’t miss events:

Boys basketball
Monday, Jan 29 host College Park HS. Frosh at 4:30pm, JV at 6pm and Varsity at 7:30pm.
Wednesday, Jan 31 at Northgate HS. Frosh at 4:30pm, JV at 6pm and Varsity at 7:30pm.
Friday, Feb 2 Varsity host Mt. Diablo HS at 7:30pm.
Friday, Feb 2 Fros host California HS at 6pm.
 
Girls basketball
Monday, Jan 29 at College Park HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Wednesday, Jan 31 host Northgate HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Friday, Feb 2 at Mt. Diablo HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
 
Boys soccer
Tuesday, Jan 30 host Miramonte HS. Frosh at 4pm, JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7:15pm.
Thursday, Feb 1 host Ygnacio Valley HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
 
Girls soccer
Tuesday, Jan 30 at Miramonte HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7 pm.
Thursday, Feb 1 at Ygnacio Valley HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Saturday, Feb 3 host Redwood HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
 
Wrestling
Tuesday, Jan 30 host Miramonte HS at 6pm.

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

General Administration Announcements

Be sure to read Principal Shawn’s email regarding “Upcoming Course Selection Events at Acalanes.” Click here to read the email on Parent Square.
 
AP EXAM PROCTORS NEEDED - GREAT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Our AP students need YOUR help! We are searching for parents to help with proctoring  AP Exams the first two weeks of May. Exam dates are May 6-10 and May 13-17

AP Exams start everyday at either 8am or 12pm. Students know to show up 30 minutes prior to start time for check in. Proctors for morning exams need to start at 7:15am and for afternoon exams at 11:15am. Exams can range from 2-4 hours and we ask that you please plan to stay for the longest amount of time possible.
Restrictions: Parents are NOT allowed to proctor an exam that their own child is taking.

If you are interested in learning more about proctoring exams, please contact the Acalanes Testing Coordinator, Nicole Singleterry at nsingleterry@auhsdschools.org.

Helpful Resources for Course Selection

Course selections for the 2024-2025 school year are due the week of Feb 5! Acalanes has a wealth of resources available to assist you and your students with this process.

IN-HOUSE COURSE PREVIEW
This month, we will inform all of our rising 9th, 10th and 11th grade students of the courses and choices they have to make to register for classes for the next school year at our In-House Course Preview Program. 9th through 11th graders will be required to attend one academy program in the PAC. During the program, teachers will share the elective course options available to that grade level for next year:

• Wednesday, Jan 17 - All current 9th graders ("rising sophs")
• Friday, Jan 19 - all current 10th graders ("rising juniors")
• Wednesday, Jan 24 - all current 11th graders ("rising seniors")

Students will attend regular academy when their grade is not participating in their In-House Course Preview presentation.
We encourage parents and students to refer to the slideshows for this program by clicking here when discussing academic planning and choosing your courses for next year.

COURSE PREVIEW & OPEN HOUSE - for students and parents on Thursday, Feb 1 from 5:30-8pm:

• 5:30pm | Acalanes Parents Club Hosted Reception
• 5:45pm | Incoming 9th Grade Family Meeting
• 6:15 - 8pm | Drop-In Opportunities
• 6:30 - 7pm | Break-Out Session 1
• 7:05 - 7pm | Break-Out Session 2
• 7:35 - 8pm | Break-Out Session 3*
• * Any student considering taking 2+ Honors or AP classes must attend the mandatory session offered during Session 3 at Course Preview & Open House or during Academy on Friday, Feb 2.

This night is a valuable resource for current frosh, sophomores and juniors who are mapping out their future courses, as well as an excellent way for incoming 9th grade students to experience all that Acalanes has to offer. It's also a great way to connect with fellow Acalanes parents.

APC in Action

WANT TO GET MORE INVOLVED?
APC is looking for parents/guardians who want to make a difference and enhance our students' high school experience. There is no better way than joining the APC Board. From big roles to smaller event driven jobs, the 2024-25 APC Board slate is opening soon. Click here to learn more about all the APC roles and how you can help AHS next year. If interested, please email past-president and Parliamentarian, Veronique Kuhner.
 
DONS DIALOGUE - Listen to the Recording!
Don’t miss the recording or slides from our most recent Dons Dialogue on Friday, Jan 19. It was standing room only for the parents who were lucky to hear an valuable overview of:

• Course Registration Timeline and Process (Martin)
• HSD/Ethnic Studies (Walton)
• AP African American Studies (Munoz & Morlan)
• AP Psychology (Jazayeri)
• Data Science & Statistics (Gilson)
• Instrumental Music & Beginning Band (Cordoba)
• Student Report (Acuña)

Be sure to listen to the recording here or view the slides here! We promise that you will be happy you did!
The next Dons Dialogue will be Friday, Feb 23 at 8:45am.

Follow Acalanes Parents Club on Instagram. Please reach out to APC here with any questions.

Acalanes Community Always (ACA)

AHS GARDEN UPDATE
Please refer to the email sent Friday, Jan 19 for more details on what’s going on in the garden! A quick glance at the updated workday schedule:
 
Sunday Jan 18 10am - 2pm

• add gravel to the meditation garden
• install the rest of the hardware cloth into the beds in the farm
• replace soil back into the beds after the hardware cloth is installed
• weed

Sunday Feb 25 10am - 2pm

• add new soil to the refurbished/taller beds (there will be a lot of soil)
• weed
•  

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to reach out to LTewksbury@auhsdschools.org.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)

Upcoming Important Dates:

• Jan 25: Mahayana New Year
• Jan 27: International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Mahayana New Year is celebrated this year on Thursday, Jan 25 by Buddhists around the world. The term Mahayana encompasses Buddhist ideologies and philosophies. Mahayana is one of the two main branches of Buddhism and is mostly practiced in Northeast Asia — China, Japan, Tibet, Taiwan, Mongolia, and Korea. Each region has its own customs and traditions for practicing Mahayana Buddhism. You can learn more about it here.
 
The International Holocaust Remembrance Day, or the International Day in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, is on Saturday, Jan 27 and commemorates the victims of the Holocaust, which resulted in the genocide of one third of the Jewish people, along with countless members of other minorities, by Nazi Germany between 1933 and 1945. Jan 27 was chosen to commemorate the date when the Auschwitz concentration camp wasliberated by the Red Army in 1945. Many countries have instituted their own Holocaustmemorial days on the same day, while others, such as Israel's Yom HaShoah, are observed at other times of the year. There is more information available here.
 
As we approach February, we are supporting our students in celebrating Black Excellence month. They have requested parent assistance in decorating and informing Acalanes students and families about the many contributions of Black Americans in our world. If you would like to help please reach out to us at diversityandinclusion@acalanesparentsclub.com.

And follow us on Instagram and Facebook!

Parent Education

Performing & Visual Arts

The Acalanes Choir will be performing at the Lafayette Schools Concert with all of the elementary schools and Stanley on Thursday, Jan 25 at Stanley Middle School at 7pm. We're really looking forward to singing with all of the kids. It's always a very special and sweet performance. We hope to see you there!

Student Activities

Lunchtime Rally on Friday, Jan 26 in the Chris Huber Gym!
YOU (our community!) are invited to attend a lunchtime rally celebrating our very successful fall sports teams who went into playoffs and won (flag football, cross country, football) and to also welcome our winter sports athletes. The rally will feature sideline cheer, along with our jazz band. Want to feel the positive energy of Acalanes High School? See you at the lunchtime rally!
 
Student Government (leadership) 2024-2025
Applications for the leadership program will be available beginning tomorrow. There is a place for everyone in leadership and the program drives student activities at Acalanes. There will be an informational meeting during lunch on Thursday, Jan 25 in room 314. If your student is even slightly interested, please encourage them to attend. Applications are due Tuesday, Feb 6. Any questions, please contact Katherine Walton.
 
Acalanes Spiritwear Available for Purchase!
Looking for Acalanes gear? Our spring webstore is now open featuring new sweatshirts, shirts, sweatpants and a lanyard. The spring 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 May 1. All proceeds benefit the class of 2028.
 
The Community Outreach and Improvement Program is hosting a drive for White Pony Express from Jan 22 - Feb 2! Please donate pantry/canned goods to the bins outside the front office and check out our website for more information and donation options! Thank you!
 
Environmental Council: Household Plastics discussion on Wednesday Jan 24 during academy in room 314 with guest speaker Laura Wehrley. We will be talking about the history of plastics, why they are dangerous for the environment, and ways to reduce your usage of plastics. There will be snacks.
 
There is a Dress Drive happening from Jan 22 to 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