• College & Career

    November 6, 2023
    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.
    • College Visits: Monday- University of Portland @ 8:30am
    • California State OR UC Application Support: We have several college counselors available to help during Academy and during 6th and 7th period every day. Your seniors are welcome to drop-in for PIQ or application detail support.
    • 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.

  • Counseling

    November 6, 2023

    Counselor assignments are by last name:
    A-Em AnneSchonauer
    En-Kr Erika Vasquez
    Ku-Rog MarissaMeadows
    Roh-Z SusanMartin

    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!
     
    Frosh appointments and 4-year planning: Counselors are calling in all 9th graders to check in about their transition to high school and to discuss an individual 4-year plan. This plan 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.

  • School Nurse

    November 6, 2023

    Eat for Brain Health!
    Here is a resource for foods high in omega-3, which is important for brain health, concussion recovery and healthy aging!

    HERE is my favorite muffin recipe. You can swap out different kinds of flours and add a little pureed pumpkin to make them more seasonal! Make a batch or two and freeze some to have on hand. Defrost a couple at night for your kids to grab in the morning on the way to school!

    Help your kids stay in school! 
    Reminder:  Have you had your flu shots yet?  If not, they are widely available at doctors’ offices and local pharmacies.

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

  • Wellness Center

    November 6, 2023

    Cognitive distortions, also called “thinking traps”, are common ways in which we trick ourselves into believing negative thinking patterns. Anyone can experience these cognitive distortions, but, for some, these distortions can lead to anxiety and depression. Do you or your AHS student ever fall into these traps?

    • Black-and-white (or all-or-nothing) thinking: I never have anything interesting to say.
    • Jumping to conclusions (or mind-reading): The doctor is going to tell me I have cancer.
    • Personalization: Our team lost because of me.
    • Should-ing and must-ing (using language that is self-critical that puts a lot of pressure on you): I should be losing weight.
    • Mental filter (focusing on the negative, such as the one aspect of a health change which you didn't do well): I am terrible at getting enough sleep.
    • Overgeneralization: I'll never find a partner.
    • Magnification and minimization (magnifying the negative, minimizing the positive): It was just one healthy meal.
    • Fortune-telling: My cholesterol is going to be sky-high.
    • Comparison (comparing just one part of your performance or situation to another's, which you don't really know, so that it makes you appear in a negative light): All of my coworkers are happier than me.
    • Catastrophizing (combination of fortune-telling and all-or-nothing thinking; blowing things out of proportion): This spot on my skin is probably skin cancer; I'll be dead soon.
    • Labeling: I'm just not a healthy person.
    • Disqualifying the positive: I answered that well, but it was a lucky guess.

    One effective way to combat these cognitive distortions is by practicing mindfulness. Being present in the moment without judgment is one of mental health’s most powerful tools. If you can catch your thoughts when negative thinking patterns arise, try countering your thoughts with facts instead of emotional reasoning. Another idea for combating cognitive distortions is to talk to yourself like you would the 5-year-old version of yourself or a close friend.

    (Source: health.harvard.edu)

  • LPIE

    November 6, 2023

    Thanks to all of you, we raised our participation to 47.85% at Acalanes as of Oct 17, making strides toward our total fundraising goal for this school year. We appreciate your support and wouldn’t be able to deliver vital school programming without your help!

    As a reminder, your contributions to LPIE shape our students’ Acalanes experience in a big way every day. Every amount given helps fund small class sizes, supports elective and AP classes, including credentialed teachers and supplies, and student wellness support services…just to name a few areas of impact.

    We sincerely THANK YOU for your continued support of LPIE and our Acalanes community. Together, we can and will continue excellence in education for all Acalanes Dons. If you haven’t had a chance to donate, please donate or pledge HERE today!
     
    Gala Tickets on Sale Now!
    Tickets for the 6th Annual LPIE Gala are on sale NOW! Click HERE to make sure you don’t miss out on this amazing event!

    Gala Raffle Tickets
    There are only 15 Raffle Tickets left! Click HERE for a chance to win one of these three amazing trips!

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

  • Sports

    November 6, 2023

    Girls golf
    Monday, Nov 6 CIF NorCal Championship at Berkeley GC.
     
    Girls volleyball
    Tuesday, Nov 7 CIF NorCal first round playoff at 7pm.
    Thursday, Nov 9 CIF NorCal Quarterfinal at 7pm.
    Saturday, Nov 11 CIF NorCal Semifinal at 7pm.
     
    Football
    Friday, Nov 10 or Saturday, Nov 11 NCS Quarterfinal at 7pm.
     
    Girls water polo
    Saturday, Nov 11 NCS Championship.
     
    Boys basketball
    Saturday, Nov 11 host California HS scrimmage. Varsity at 10am, JV at 12pm and Frosh at 1:30pm.
     
    Girls basketball
    Saturday, Nov 11 Pinole Valley Jamboree.

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

  • General Administration Announcements

    October 30, 2023

    INSTRUCTIONAL AIDES NEEDED - Great Part-Time Job for Parents!
    The district is currently seeking applicants for classroom Instructional Aides.  Instructional Aides need no previous training, just a willingness to learn new skills and help students succeed. It is the perfect job for a parent of school-aged children.  Applications should be submitted on Edjoin.com.

    AHS GARDEN UPDATE
    We have a garden club this year and have been meeting Monday's at lunch. The club spends time harvesting and weeding (though we are not keeping up) and last week we saved seeds from our harvest and other vegetables that were brought in to use for our spring crops this year. Now that homecoming is over, we have our first work day to weed and pull out the old harvest plants. If you can join us anytime between 10am and 2pm Sunday, Nov 5 we could use your help!! 

    We are grateful for the APC grant funding we received in the fall and spring last school year. We hope to secure an additional grant this year to help us replace all the gopher ridden raised beds in the farm and to get a grow stand so we can use our saved seeds for crop plants.  We also need to add gravel to the meditation garden and replace the plants that died over the summer due to an irrigation problem (that is now fixed). We've updated our wish list and appreciate any donations! It is linked here!

    If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me:  LTewksbury@auhsdschools.org.

  • APC in Action

    October 30, 2023

    DONS DIALOGUE - Listen to the Recording!
    Thank you to everyone who joined us for our October Dons Dialogue on Friday, Oct 20. Principal Shawn led the discussion with an overview of Acalanes Academic Success sharing key metrics. Debbie Levy joined to discus the incredible resources available to our students from College and Career Services. We heard an overview of emergency preparedness plus Powers shared key takeaways from the Internet Safety program. And finally the program closed with Q&A. 

    If you were not able to attend, you can view the slideshow or watch the video recording. Save the date for our November Dons Dialogue on Friday, Nov 17 at 8:45am.

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

  • Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)

    October 30, 2023

    November is National Native American Heritage month. And some important upcoming dates include:

    • Oct 31-Nov 2     Dia de los Muertos
    • Nov 11               Veterans Day
    • Nov 12               Diwali
    • Nov 12-18          United Against Hate Week

    The Day of the Dead (el Día de los Muertos), is a Mexican holiday when families welcome back the souls of their deceased relatives for a brief reunion that includes food, drink and celebration. A blend of Mesoamerican ritual, European religion and Spanish culture, the holiday is celebrated each year from Oct 31-Nov 2. While Tuesday, Oct 31 is Halloween, Thursday, Nov 2 is All Souls Day or the Day of the Dead. According to tradition, the gates of heaven are opened at midnight on Oct 31 and the spirits of children can rejoin their families for 24 hours. The spirits of adults can do the same on Nov 2. For more information click here.
     
    If you would like to learn more about the DEIB committee please contact us. Our next meeting is Sunday, Nov 5. And please follow us! We post activities and opportunities happening around the Bay Area.  

    Follow us on Instagram and Facebook

  • Performing & Visual Arts

    October 30, 2023

    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.

  • Student Activities

    October 30, 2023

    Halloween is this week! We have a fun Halloween carnival in the frosh quad on Tuesday during lunch, complete with carnival games, trick or treating and prizes. Students can dress up or come as they are!
     
    Wednesday during academy 9th graders will be engaging in a student created and led presentation on belonging, inclusion and the role that social media can play in our lives.
     
    Friday during academy all students will be watching a schoolwide video. The video highlights the incredible community we have at Acalanes and how we can make it even better. Students have worked together to name our student section and we will introduce the concept during this video. Thanks to Dudum Realty, Common Core Pilates and Acalanes Boosters for sponsoring spirit shirts for students. Students will receive these at lunch on Friday just in time to wear to Friday night football vs. Campolindo. For the community, please wear blue!
     
    The Winter Essentials drive will take place from Oct 30 - 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!
     
    Please encourage your student to come out to the last Unified Soccer game this Friday, Nov 3 during lunch in the stadium.
     
    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 during the holiday season. Look for additional information in the Daily Don this week and/or in the APC newsletter next week!

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

  • College & Career

    October 30, 2023

    Seniors

    • College Visits This Week in the CCC: Students MUST pick up a pass from the College & Career Center to attend.
      • Tuesday: Occidental
      • Wednesday: Montana State
      • Thursday: University of the Pacific
    • California State OR UC Application Support: We have several college counselors available during Academy and 6th and 7th period every day. Your seniors are welcome to drop-in for PIQ or application detail support.
    • 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- Acalanes has over 70 clubs. Learn more here. It’s a great way for students to get involved!

  • Counseling

    October 30, 2023

    Counselor assignments are by last name:
    A-Em AnneSchonauer
    En-Kr Erika Vasquez
    Ku-Rog MarissaMeadows
    Roh-Z SusanMartin

    Letters of Recommendation: Counselors are wrapping up writing letters of recommendation for seniors applying by Nov 1. If your senior is still making adjustments to their college list, and they need a letter of rec, please have them come see us as soon as possible!
     
    Frosh appointments and 4-year planning: Beginning in November, counselors will be calling in all 9th graders to check in about their transition to high school and to discuss an individual 4-year plan. This plan 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.