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College & Career
Seniors- Hispanic Heritage Scholarship: The Youth Awards honor Latinx high school seniors who excel in the classroom and community.
- Chevron Corporation’s Black Employee Network (BEN),would like to cordially invite high school seniors to participate in our 2024 College Scholarship Program.
- Electrician Apprentice: Seniors interested in a 5-year paid apprenticeship? Application here.
- California State OR UC Application Support: Send your student by this week! Deadline is Thursday, Nov 30 for these applications. We have college counselors available to help during Academy and after school.
- New FAFSA Changes and How They Impact Your Family: This is a very informative video on the new changes to FAFSA, which opens in December.
Please visit our College & Career Counseling website any time for additional information and support.
Juniors
College & Career Planning Meeting for Parents: Parent night is upcoming in the library on Tuesday, Nov 14 from 6:30-7:30pm. This is an opportunity for junior parents to hear from counselor Susan Martin and College and Career Center advisor, Debbie Levy on post-high school plans.
AUHSD Out of State College Fair: Sign up here to meet college admission counselors from more than 15 colleges in the Acalanes library on Wednesday, Nov 29 from 6:30-8:30pm. Learn about the benefits of out of state schools, scholarship opportunities, financial aid and costs, and how to find your “match” school.
Sophomores/Frosh- Please join us for an Out-of-State College Fair! See details above.
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Counseling
Junior Parent Night: Come to the library this Tuesday, Nov 14, from 6:30-7:30pm for a talk with Debbie Levy, our College and Career Advisor, and Susan Martin, one of our academic counselors. Hear all about what you should be thinking about, talking about and researching with your junior, as well as some helpful hints/tools!
Frosh appointments and 4-year planning: Counselors are reaching out to all 9th graders to check in about their transition to high school and to discuss individual 4-year plans. These plans will be entered into the AERIES system and will serve as a useful visual aid for students and parents to monitor graduation status, as well as college eligibility. These individual appointments will continue through November and December.
Letters of Recommendation: Counselors will still be writing letters of recommendation for seniors with regular or rolling admission deadlines. Please send your senior in to see us if they have questions, need transcripts sent, or need a letter! -
School Nurse
Sleep and Teens:
I listened to a great webinar this week on sleep and melatonin sponsored by Let’s Sleep. Check out their parentpage for great resources on sleep.
Easy Fall Recipe:Chili- andCinnamon-RoastedButternutSquash
This easy seasonal winter squash recipe is delicious and nutritious!
This is also a really easy dish for kids and teens to make.
Eating (and making) a family meal is one of the best ways to support the health and wellness of your kids. Try this easy recipe and let me know what you think!
See my website for more information.Always Your School Nurse,
DvoraCitron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org, 925-280-2970 x7128,
IG: acalanesschoolnurse, SchoolNurseWebsite -
Wellness Center
This Thursday November 16, you can join the Contra Costa County Office of Education and TUPE (Tobacco Use Prevention Education) at 6pm for Vaping & Teens 101: A Webinar for Parents & Other Caring Adults. This live, virtual presentation from adult and youth presenters will discuss how tobacco and cannabis impact young people, ways to provide support, and available resources. Following the presentation, there will be an optional Q&A session from 7-7:30pm. There is no cost to attend, although registration is required. More information on the session can be found via the registration link, but topics to be covered include:
- the latest tobacco products used by young people
- the impact of vaping (tobacco & cannabis) on young people
- ways that adults can support young people in their lives
We will also share information from our new resource: Substance Use, Mental Health & Teens: A
Guide for Parents & Other Caring Adults.
Can't make it to the live webinar? A recording will be accessible on demand at the CCCOE TUPE Website. -
Sports
This week’s can’t miss events:
Girls volleyball
Tuesday, Nov 14 CIF NorCal Championship at 6pm
Friday, Nov 17 or Saturday, Nov 18 CIF Championship
Girls water polo
Tuesday, Nov 14 CIF NorCal Quarterfinal at 5pm
Friday, Nov 17 CIF NorCal Semifinal at 5pm
Saturday, Nov 18 CIF NorCal Championship
Football
Friday, Nov 17 or Saturday, Nov 18 NCS Semifinal at 7pm
Cross country
Saturday, Nov 18 NCS Meet of Champions at Hayward HS
Girls basketball
Saturday, Nov 18 host Folsom HS scrimmage at 10am and Archbishop Mitty HS scrimmage at 2pm
Boys basketball
Saturday, Nov 18 at San Rafael HS scrimmage. Varsity at 1pm, JV at 2:30pm and Frosh at 3:30pm.
You may view the 2023-2024 Athletic Update by clicking HERE. -
General Administration Announcements
Take note, there is NO SCHOOL on Friday, Nov 10 in honor of Veterans Day. As a result, Acalanes will follow a Friday “block schedule” on Monday, Nov 6.
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APC in Action
APC GRANTS HAVE BEEN AWARDED - Fall 2023
Thank you to the parents, teachers, students and staff who submitted proposals for an APC Grant this fall. We had a large number of requests, representing many different interests! APC Grants are funded through parents annual donations - so THANK YOU parents! We are pleased to announce five grants have been awarded this fall:- All aides supporting Special Education students will have access to Motorola portable radios to communicate with AHS administration and other staff to ensure the safety of their students.
- AHS Meditation Garden will receive funds for additional landscaping materials.
- The Learning Skills classroom will receive funds to build a graphic novel collection for students to use to foster a culture of reading.
- A Grant that supports Visual and Performing Arts was awarded to allow students to print and showcase the projects of VAPA.
- The Math, CompSci and VAPA departments will receive funds for poster frames and printing ink for students to make Public Service Announcements (PSA's). about smartphone addiction and post them around campus.
- AHS campus beautification will continue with an "A" decal on the outside of the counseling office to match the front office.
STAFF APPRECIATION GRATEFUL LUNCH
Our Acalanes Teachers and Staff were treated to a “Grateful Lunch” hosted by APC! APC is grateful to all the families that contributed to our Fall Staff Appreciation Lunch and to our fabulous Staff Appreciation Co-Chairs, Stacey Hastings and Dominique Mickelson for organizing a great spread!
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Follow Acalanes Parents Club on Instagram. Please reach out to APC here with any questions.
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APC Membership & Fundraising
Dons Showed Up and moved us even closer to our goal!
Thank you to all the families that heard our call for help and contributed to the Acalanes Parents Club (APC). We are getting closer to raising our pledged amount of $185,000.
APC directly impacts every student at Acalanes. Truly any donation amount makes a difference, please consider showing up by giving to APC Here. -
Acalanes Community Always (ACA)
SEED HIGH SCHOOL FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE - where our special needs high schoolers hang out with their typical peers.
Upcoming regular meeting dates:- Thursday, Nov 16, 5-6:30pm
- Thursday, Dec 14, 5-6:30pm
There’s also a special holiday movie date on Saturday, Dec 16 from 11am-12:45pm.
Volunteers and participants can RSVP here (volunteers get 2 hour community service validation per session).
To receive SEED High School updates, sign up to the High School newsletter here. -
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)
Upcoming important dates:
Nov 11 Veterans Day
Nov 12 Diwali
Nov 12-18 United Against Hate Week
Veterans Day is a federal holiday in the United States observed annually on Nov 11 to honor military veterans of the United States Armed Forces (who were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable). It coincides with other holidays including Armistice Day and Remembrance Day, which are commemorated in other countries to mark the anniversary of the end of World War I. Major hostilities of World War I formally ended at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 when the Armistice with Germany went into effect. At the urging of major US veteran organizations, Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day in 1954. You can learn more here.
Diwali, or Dipawali, is India’s biggest and most important holiday of the year. This year, it is celebrated on Sunday, Nov 12. The festival gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (deepa) that Indians light outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects from spiritual darkness. This festival is as important to Hindus as the Christmas holiday is to Christians. Over the centuries, Diwali has become a national festival that's also enjoyed by non-Hindu communities. You can learn more about Diwali here.
If you would like to learn more about the DEIB committee please contact us. Please follow us! We post activities and opportunities happening around the Bay Area.
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook -
Performing & Visual Arts
Wizard of Oz Auditions: Nov 8 and Nov 9!
The Acalanes Performing Arts department is excited to announce auditions for the classic show The Wizard of Oz! The details:- Auditions are by appointment on Wednesday, Nov 8 and Thursday, Nov 9
- Audition packet can be found here: Wizard of Oz Audition Packet
- Memorization is not required
- All Acalanes students are eligible
- The show runs Mar 6-9, 2024
Interested students should come to the drama room (right across the front quad from the cafeteria) to sign up for an audition time.
Acalanes Jazz Concert with Stanley Messengers: Nov 8
Mark your November calendars for a beautiful night of jazz music performed by our amazing Acalanes Jazz Ensemble and Acalanes Jazz Combo. They will be joined by special guests, the Stanley Messengers, as well as the California Jazz Conservatory. Don’t miss this special event!- Date/Time: Wednesday, Nov 8 at 7pm
- Location: Acalanes Performing Arts Center
- Music Groups: Acalanes Jazz Ensemble, Acalanes Jazz Combo, Stanley Messengers, California Jazz Conservatory
- Admission Price: Free ($5 donation suggested for adults)
For tickets and information visit ahsperformingarts.org.
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Student Activities
This past Friday, our student community watched a schoolwide video highlighting the incredible community we have at Acalanes and how we can make it even better. We want you to see it as well so check it out here!
The Winter Essentials drive is taking place now through this Friday, Nov 9. We are collecting hoodies and blankets to be distributed to those in need. Collection bins will be outside the main office and students can drop off anytime. Anything helps and we appreciate your support!
Come to the Enviro Council this Wednesday in Walton's Academy, room 314, to talk about food waste in our community.
Adopt-a-Family
As the holiday season approaches, the Acalanes Community Outreach board is kicking off Adopt-A-Family. Acalanes has partnered with Pacific Clinics for over 15 years to support 60+ families this holiday season. Our community can either adopt an individual or a family.
If you would like to adopt an individual, along with their wishlist of gifts, please fill out the sign up genius here. If you wish to adopt a family, please fill out the google form linked here. All wrapped gifts will be collected the morning of Friday, Dec 15 at the front of school. As this date approaches, we will be in touch with more details! If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to reach out to Laila Vivek at laila.vivek24@auhsdschools.org or Katherine Walton at kwalton@auhsdschools.org!
Just a reminder that students who purchased ASB receive discounts at local businesses. Our ASB Business Spotlight this week: Johnny’s Donuts!
Discount: Get one regular donut with the purchase of a dozen regular donuts or 1 donut hole with the purchase of one donut. How to Get the Discount: Show your ASB spirit card when you go to Johnny’s.
Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.
Katherine Walton, Activities Director
Social Media
