Weekly News & Announcements

Performing & Visual Arts

Instrumental Music: Hello music and baseball fans! What better way to combine two fun activities than to support our Acalanes Instrumental Music students, led by our new Band Director Edwin Cordoba, as they play the national anthem at the A’s Game on Sept 3rd! Come cheer both our talented students during their performance as well as the Oakland A’s as they play against the Los Angeles Angels.
 

Event: Acalanes Instrumental Music plays the National Anthem 

Date: Sunday, Sept 3rd
Time: 1:00 pm
Location: RingCentral Coliseum, Oakland CA
Ticket prices: $25 (discounted)
 
Details on how to purchase and pick up discount tickets are on the instrumental music website
 
The DramaDon’s are excited to announce auditions for Inherit the Wind by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee! Here’s the details:

• Auditions are by appointment on Tuesday, Aug 29 and Wedesday, Aug 30
• We have time slots available after school and during 7th Period.
• Students audition with a monologue (provided in the audition packet).
• Memorization is not required.
• All Acalanes students are eligible.
• No singing required.
• The play runs October 25-28

Please encourage your students to stop by the Drama Room (right across the front quad from the cafeteria) to pick up an audition packet and sign up for a 4-minute audition time.

LPIE

Lafayette Partners in Education is hosting an intimate acoustic concert featuring Alanis Morissette in a private garden setting on Friday, Sep 15. In addition to the performance, we are working to raise $200,000 to support visual and performing arts education in Lafayette Public Schools.

More information about the event can be found here and although it’s sold out, you still have a chance to attend this incredible evening through our RAFFLE! Each ticket is $25 or you can purchase 5 for $100. All sales support LPIE! Click here to submit your name and phone number to be contacted for raffle ticket purchase. Raffle to be drawn on Friday, Sept 1 at 9am.

www.lpie.org, Follow us on Instagram 

Sports

This week’s can’t miss events:

Girls Golf
The Acalanes girls golf team has teamed up with Sideboard for a fundraising event on Wednesday, Aug 30. Sideboard will give 20% back to girls golf for every purchase by the Acalanes community that day. Every dollar counts! You can dine in, order to go, and/or buy gift cards! Don't forget to say you are with Acalanes Girls Golf!

Girls volleyball
Tuesday, Aug 29 host Rancho Cotate HS. Frosh at 4:30pm, JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 6:30pm.
Friday, Sep 1 and Saturday, Sep 2 in the Reno Invitational.

Girls tennis
Tuesday, Aug 29 host Alhambra HS at 4pm.

Boys water polo
Tuesday, Aug 29 host Pinole Valley HS scrimmage. Varsity at 6pm and JV at 7pm.
Wednesday, Aug 30 host Pittsburg HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 6pm.

Girls water polo
Tuesday, Aug 29 at Redwood HS. Varsity at 4pm and JV at 5pm.
Wednesday, Aug 30 at Archie Williams HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 6pm.

Football
Wednesday, Aug 30 Frosh host Monte Vista HS at 5pm.
Friday, Sep 1 host San Ramon Valley HS. JV at 4:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.

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

APC in Action

Join us for the Dons Dialogue Friday, Aug 25 at 8:45am:  Acalanes Parents Club is pleased to invite you to our first Dons Dialogue of the 2023-2024 school year! Dons Dialogues are the best way to find out what’s going on at Acalanes! 

These monthly forums provide parents with the opportunity to hear directly from Principal Eric Shawn and other AHS faculty regarding academics, student activities, department information, hot topics on campus, plus open Q&A. APC will provide coffee and treats. All parents/caregivers welcome.
 

Peer Tutoring is Now Open! Peer Tutoring aims to better the educational, social and emotional well-being of all Acalanes High School students and support them in developing the skills necessary to succeed in academics and life post high school.

The program opens tomorrow (Monday, Aug 21) in Room 107 under the supervision of Co-Directors, Kristen Labrosse and Angela Ketcham. Students are welcome to drop-in to receive help from junior and senior student tutors in almost any AHS academic subject, or just come in to do homework, read or study.

Hours week of Aug 21: Lunch, 7th period, and every day 1 hour after the last school bell rings. Academy sessions start September 1!

Thank you, Acalanes Parents Club! Peer Tutoring is 100% funded by APC. We could not operate without your donations to this valuable organization.
 
Volunteer Opportunities: In case you missed it in the registration process, please complete this volunteer form so we know what you’re interested in helping with this year. There are plenty of parent volunteer opportunities, starting with Homecoming this fall!

Stay Connected:  Follow the Acalanes Parents Club on Instagram to keep up to date on what's happening at Acalanes and reminders for important dates. Please reach out to APC here with any questions.

APC Membership & Fundraising

Acalanes Parents Club has committed nearly $185,000 to Acalanes this school year, which will provide vital services for our entire AHS community. As of today, we have yet to reach that goal and we need your help!

We are tremendously grateful for your support, which funds the following programs for all Acalanes students and staff:

• College & Career Services
• Campus Enhancements
• Peer Tutoring
• Parent Education
• Staff & Teacher Development
• Communications
• Grant Programs
• Volunteer Opportunities
• And more . . .

If you haven’t had a chance to donate, please consider doing so here. Every dollar is beneficial and is greatly appreciated. 
 
Another important source of funds is making your donations go twice as far with Corporate Matching. Please check if your company has a matching program and, if so, contact corpmatch@acalanesparentsclub.com for further information.
 
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Acalanes Community Always (ACA)

What is ACA You Ask?

Not only is “ACA” short for “Acalanes,” it is also the overarching, unifying theme that we at Acalanes High School represent on and off campus. Simply put, ACA (Acalanes Community Always) represents:

• Connectivity between Acalanes students, teachers, staff members, alumni and the greater Lafayette community
• Spirit and unity

These are characteristics that we all share as part of the Acalanes family, both during our time at Acalanes, and beyond as alumni. Our ACA spirit is on display daily in and outside of the classroom, and within our athletics, performing arts, student government, clubs, and Acalanes support organizations. We look forward to supporting ongoing programming that continues to build school spirit and supports our community and each other!

ACA Student Discounts!
As part of your student’s ASB card purchase, your student can get discounts or freebies at some favorite local business, such as

• Diablo Foods
• Johnny’s Donuts
• Local Kitchens
• Sideboard
• And more!

Your student just needs to show their ASB card at checkout. See the full list of discounts here! There is still time to purchase the ASB card in the Acalanes Webstore, this money drives student activities at Acalanes.

Important Dates!

• Saturday and Sunday, Sept 23-24 is the annual Lafayette Art & Wine Festival. We look forward to seeing many of you there!
• Sunday, Oct 22 is the Annual Reservoir Run. Sign up now and support our local schools.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)

Look for an upcoming DEI parent gathering in a future newsletter. In the meantime, check out a wonderful event supporting students in our district.

Miramonte students Jarret Zundel and Nicole Guo founded a nonprofit organization called Stories from Our Roots that strives to promote Lamorinda Asian-owned businesses and their stories through filmmaking and community organization. They will showcase three of their award-winning films featuring the Asian-owned businesses Kibi’s Cafe, Hodo Foods, and Joan’s Chinese painting studio at Orinda Theater on Thursday, Sept 7 at 7:30pm. There will be a panel discussion with youth filmmakers and business owners who can provide insight into their journeys and experiences in order to promote intergenerational and intercultural dialogue. 

Student Activities

Week 1 ✔️It was a great week on campus! We’re cruising into a big week 2 for student activities.
 
New and Returning Club Applications: Anyone can start a club at Acalanes and we encourage students to do so. Club applications will be available for any new or returning club beginning tomorrow and can be found in the Daily Don and are due on Thursday, Aug 31. There is a mandatory meeting at lunch on Wednesday, Aug 23 in room 314 for anyone interested in starting or renewing a club.
 
Welcome Back Dance: Our Welcome Back Dance is THIS Friday, Aug 25 from 7-9pm. Held in the big gym, it is a great night of connection, activities and dancing. It is free for students with ASB and $10 without ASB. We are REALLY in need of adult chaperones and donations of snacks. If willing, please check out the sign up genius.
 
ASB Stickers: Thank you to all who have purchased the ASB Sticker via the webstore! There is still time to purchase and this money drives student activities at Acalanes. ASB costs $100 and the sticker gets printed on the ID Card. Students will receive their ID card this week. Perks include:

• Free spirit shirt
• Discounts at local businesses
• Free admission to home athletic events
• Discounts to on campus dances

Information:
If you ordered spiritwear via the Gryco webstore, it will be here mid September and you will receive an email from me with pick-up information.
 
If you ordered a class shirt, we will hand them out on Wednesday, Sept 13 at lunch.
 
If you purchased ASB and didn’t receive your white spirit shirt, please send your student to room 314.
 
My goal is that every student at Acalanes is connected to one activity outside of class. I am always happy to meet with students and/or parents about on campus programming and opportunities. If I can help, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
 
Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.
 
Katherine Walton, Activities Director

College & Career

Counseling

School Nurse

Welcome to a new school year! Does your student need medication at school? Do you need to communicate with me about your student’s health/medical issue? Please use the QR code below to access the appropriate medical form you may need. Help your child manage stress: 1. Provide breakfast. Even if they say they’re not hungry, ask them what they would be WILLING to eat and have that readily available to eat before school or take with them. 2. Make sure they have access to healthy food and snacks throughout the day. 3. Make sure they stay hydrated - have them bring a water bottle that they can refill throughout the day. Those are also available at the Cafeteria.  Food can be hydrating too - especially fresh vegetables and fruit! Try this GRATITUDE PRACTICE.   NOTE NEW SCHOOL NURSE HOURS: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and some* Thursdays Tuesdays & Thursdays:  8:00 am - 3:50 pm Wednesdays:  7:30 am - 3:20 pm Always Your School Nurse, Dvora Citron, RN, MS dcitron@auhsdschools.org, 925-280-2970 x7128 IG: acalanesschoolnurse, ​School Nurse Website

Wellness Center

The Wellness team would like to welcome everyone to the 23-24 school year! We are so happy to be back serving Acalanes students and we couldn’t do it without the generosity of our amazing community of parents and families. If you think that your student might benefit from mental health support this school year, please fill out a Wellness referral which can be found in the Wellness Center section of the Acalanes High School website.

 
The Wellness Center will be closed during class for the first two weeks of school for program planning, preparation for new support counselors and to get students in the habit of going to class and staying in class. We will resume our normal drop-in hours on Monday, Aug 28 however we are always available to support students in crisis.
 
We look forward to another successful year of supporting student mental health right here on the Acalanes High School campus.

LPIE

Welcome back to school - we hope you had a wonderful and relaxing summer!

Check out LPIE’s latest video featuring some great kids (maybe your child is one of them!) and how we benefit every student in Lafayette public schools.

We hope you will take the time to consider a gift that is meaningful to your family. Every dollar counts towards giving our children the chance to excel to their potential. It's an investment in our children, our community, and our future. ARE YOU IN?

www.lpie.org, Follow us on Instagram