Weekly News & Announcements

Campus Culture Committee

Upcoming Important Dates:

• May is Asian/Pacific Heritage month
• May is Mental Health Awareness Month
• May is Jewish American Heritage Month
• Campus Culture Committee Meeting  - be on the lookout for the final meeting this year

May is Asian/Pacific Heritage month. The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders who have enriched America's history and are instrumental in its future success. Their amazing website shows families and teachers ways to share the wonderful contributions Asian Americans have added to our culture.

Please find our table at Acalanes Athletics and Activities night on May 1 to get an ALL ARE WELCOME HERE t-shirt! For just $20 you can support the Campus Culture Committee of APC while wearing a stylish black tee that lets everyone know what the Dons are all about. Or you can reach out here for payment information and how to get your shirt. Available in M and L only at this time.

If you’d like to help with any celebrations or join in our cultural discussions, please contact the Campus Culture Committee here and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook to keep up to date with what the students are doing to celebrate all of these wonderful cultures and special dates.

Student Activities

Schedule for the week:
TODAY @ 2pm: Matinee showing of Spongebob, the musical
TODAY @ 4pm: Spring Flag Football Tournament in the stadium
Wednesday @ lunch: Blue Heart Award Winner luncheon with Mr. Shawn
Wednesday @ 7pm: SPRING 10 event: Instrumental Concert
Thursday @ 5pm: 2029 Activities & Athletics Night
Friday @ lunch: ACA Buddies

Cards for the Noroozi Family. If you would like to make a card for the Noorozi family, there is stationary available in the front quad along with a basket to drop it off. We will make sure all cards are given to the family.

If your student runs a club this year, encourage them to re-register this club NOW so they don’t have to do it in spring. We are offering spring club re-up and applications are available now and due May 7th.
 
Lafayette Community Day & Drive to Thrive. THIS week we are running a donation drive for Drive to Thrive, which benefits local foster youth and youth impacted by trauma. Donate used clothing, accessories and housewares to the bin in front of the attendance office. Runs through Friday, May 2.
 

Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.

Katherine Walton, Activities Director

College & Career

Seniors should log into MaiaLearning and fill out their 2025 senior exit survey on their dashboard. This is important, as it’s the only way our registrar knows where to send your student’s final transcripts.
 
Juniors can access college planning support at the following academy session (Levy academy) on Apr 30: Filling out your activity list for UCs and the Common App.  

Counseling

Counselor assignments are by student last name:
A-F Anne Schonauer  
G-Ka Erika Vasquez on campus MWTh
Ke-Re Marissa Meadows 
Rh-Z Susan Martin
 
Final Progress Report: The latest grading period ended on Apr 25, and the final progress report of the year will be available this Friday in Aeries.
 
Seniors and graduation: Counselors are monitoring seniors in danger of not graduating - letters will be sent home and meetings will be scheduled. 
 
Summer school: If your student has a D/F grade to make up, they can enroll in AUHSD Summer School.  Las Lomas High School will be hosting summer school this year, and will run from Jun 9 to Jul 10. Students must attend summer school twice a week, but they can work through the class on the online platform any time during the week and potentially finish before Jul 10. 

School Nurse

School gets even busier over this last month, and many students feel overwhelmed and also get ill. You can support your students’ health and well-being by modeling healthy habits. Another helpful strategy (though not intuitive in our fast-paced culture) is to assist them in scheduling rest breaks to pace themselves. This will help them practice being grounded and help prevent overwhelm.
 
My office hours are:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and some* Thursdays
Tuesdays & Thursdays:  8am - 3:50pm
Wednesdays:  7:30am - 3:20pm
 
Please reach out to me for any support your students or family might need. You can access the medical forms page on my website HERE.

Dvora Citron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org, 925-280-2970 x7128
IG: acalanesschoolnurse, ​School Nurse Website

Wellness Center

In light of the recent tragedies within our school community and across the entire district, the Wellness Center will be offering programming and intentional spaces designed to bring students closer together in the upcoming weeks. It is important for students to know that they are not alone during these difficult times. All are welcome! The schedule of events is as follows:

• Monday- Those visiting the Wellness Center will be instructed to participate in their choice of mindfulness activities including coloring, origami, puzzles or tile painting.
• Tuesday- Every 30 minutes the Wellness Center team will lead guided meditation.
• Party Wednesday- Stop by the Wellness Center at any point in the day to relax and watch a live stream of cute animals like pandas, jellyfish, and sea otters.
• Thursday- Join in group discussions processing emotions and learning new self-care strategies.
• Friday- The Wellness Center will be showing a funny movie during lunch.

Performing & Visual Arts

Spring Instrumental Concert 2025
Join us for the Spring Concert presented by the amazing musicians of the Acalanes Instrumental Music program!

• When: Wednesday, Apr 30, 6:30pm
• Where: AHS Performing Arts Center
• Music Groups: Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Orchestra
• Admission Price: Free ($10 donation suggested)

Spring Choral Concert 2025
Join us for an evening of choral music at the Spring Choral Concert presented by the Acalanes Choir and Choral Student Groups.

• When:  Friday, May 16 at 7pm
• Where: AHS Performing Arts Center
• Admission Price: Free ($10 donation suggested)

 

 
Join Acalanes Performing Arts Boosters!
Performing Arts Boosters is a parent group that promotes and advocates for high quality performing arts education at Acalanes. There are open positions in the Instrumental Music subgroup as well as in the umbrella Boosters organization.

• Performing Arts Boosters
  • Member-at-Large
  • Treasurer 26-27 shadow role (QuickBooks)
  • Web Admin 26-27 shadow role (Wix & Google Workspace)
• Instrumental Music
  • Concert Attire Coordinator
  • Carpool Coordinator
  • Stanley Liaison
  • Publicity & Communications Coordinator
  • Programs & Posters Coordinator
  • House Manager

LPIE

Lafayette Community Survey Results
Earlier this year, more than 500 families responded to LPIE’s Community Survey—thank you for your time, honesty, and insights.

What You Told Us:  Many families want more clarity on school funding and the need for donations—especially in a public school context. Some were surprised to learn that both Lafayette and Acalanes Union High School Districts are operating at budget deficits, and that schools heavily rely on local support through LPIE and parcel taxes—not just property taxes or rent. You also shared personal barriers to giving. Some weren’t sure smaller gifts matter (they do!) and asked for more transparency around how funds are used. We hear you!

What Hasn’t Changed:  Every gift matters. While we agree public education shouldn’t rely on private funding, it currently does—and we’re deeply grateful to every family who chooses to invest in our students.

Want to Learn More or Get Involved?  We’d love to hear from you. Email our Executive Director, Danielle Gallagher at danielle@lpie.org.