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Wellness Center
May is mental health awareness month! We celebrate this month to destigmatize mental health issues, provide support and generate awareness of what mental health means for all of us.
Destigmatizing mental health issues has played a huge role in making mental health care more widely accessible to those who need it. The implementation of Wellness Centers in AUHSD is largely in part to widespread efforts to normalize mental health and provide support at school, where students spend a huge portion of their time.
Mental health comes in all shapes and sizes. Many people assume that mental health struggles are a matter of pathology but, in reality, someone may have mental health challenges without ever receiving a diagnosis. When thinking about mental health in broad terms, a perfect analogy for understanding is a car. Cars need regular maintenance to make sure that things run smoothly for as long as possible and when things come up, a car needs to be checked out to get things back to baseline. Mental health is extremely similar in the sense that if we are not taking care of our mental health, it is more likely that things will come up. If these things are not addressed appropriately, they have the potential to impact our lives in ways that are less than ideal. The Acalanes Wellness Center is here to support your students no matter what their mental health looks like. Mental health is a journey, not a destination. Check in with your student for a better understanding of where they might be on their journey. -
Performing & Visual Arts
Jazz Café at Stanley Middle School
The much-anticipated annual Jazz Café returns to Stanley Middle School on Friday, May 12 at 6pm. Lamorinda residents have long flocked to the popular “Jazz Café” event for a fun (and free) evening of jazz, coffee and dessert. There will also be a taco truck on hand. This year’s Café marks the debut of Stanley Middle School’s new music director Todd Minson. For more information, please contact dalianishimori@gmail.com.
Date: Friday, May 12
Time: 6pm
Location: Stanley Middle School
Performers include:- Stanley Jazz Crusaders
- Stanley Jazz Messengers
- Stanley Chorus
- Campo Jazz Ensemble
- Acalanes Jazz Ensemble
Admission Price: Free
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Sports
This week’s can’t miss events:
Softball
Monday, May 8 host Campolindo HS at 4:30pm
Tuesday, May 9 at Oakland Tech HS at 4:30 pm
Thursday, May 11 at Concord HS at 4:30pm
Baseball
Tuesday, May 9 Northgate HS at 4pm. Varsity is home and JV is away.
Thursday, May 11 Northgate HS at 4pm. Varsity is away and JV is home.
Boys tennis
Tuesday, May 9 NCS Team First Round
Thursday, May 11 NCS Team Quarterfinal
Saturday, May 13 NCS Team Semifinal and Championship
Boys volleyball
Tuesday, May 9 NCS Semifinal at 7pm
Thursday, May 11 NCS Championship at 7pm
Boys lacrosse
Tuesday, May 9 NCS Semifinal at 7pm
Thursday, May 11 NCS Championship at 7pm
Swimming
Friday, May 12 and Saturday, May 13 CIF Championships at Clovis West HS
Track & field
Saturday, May 13 NCS Tri-Valley Championships at Freedom HS
The spring sports schedules will be found on the AHS website by clicking here.
If you have any questions, please contact Randy Takahashi at rtakahashi@auhsdschools.org or Haley Walsh at hwalsh@auhsdschools.org. -
General Administration Announcements
GRADUATION INFORMATION
Acalanes Class of 2023Friday, May 26 at 6pm
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APC in Action
Acalanes Staff Appreciation Lunch on May 11!
We are planning to treat our teachers and staff to a fabulous lunch spread on Thursday, May 11 to show them how much we appreciate all that they do! Please sign up here if you are able to help!
We're in the home stretch…Let's end the year with a grand slam as we FUEL our students during FINALS week!
Who's on first? You! By donating and/or delivering snacks to our students during finals week May 24-26.
What's on second? Shop our Amazon wish list and have it delivered to the Finals Fuel clubhouse or donate directly to the Costco Run (venmo @sheryl-platt-1 or paypal sheryl@slpdesigns.net )
Why on 3rd? Help our students re-energize between final exams!
I don't know in left field? Click here for the Sign Up Genius that includes more information on donating and volunteering.
Please consider helping out at Prom and Grad Night!
We are in need of some additional help for both Prom and Grad Night - we literally can’t hold these momentous events without parental support, so we urge you to consider joining the team! There are many opportunities to help - and for those of you with younger students, this is a great chance to get some visibility into the fun that’s to come for your student(s)!- PROM - Chaperone at SF City Hall – Saturday, May 13 – Sign up Here
- GRAD NIGHT - Check in, Bus & Cruise Volunteers – Friday, May 26 – Sign up Here
We can’t thank you enough for your time, support and generosity. YOU are what makes this ACA community so amazing!
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APC Membership & Fundraising
Buy a Brick, Leave a Legacy…
There’s no better way to honor a Don than with a customized 2023 Legacy Brick on our Dons Legacy Wall! Prominently displayed in the Main Quad, our Dons Legacy Wall provides families a lasting way to recognize their special student, teacher, coach, team, performance group, club, and more. Purchase your brick through the Acalanes Web Store for $250. Contact Legacy Brick Coordinator Leanne Zimmerman with any questions. -
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)
DEI’s 2023-2024 planning is underway. Please share any thoughts or ideas you have with us here. This is a collaborative process and we encourage participation. We are also looking for parents to help out with events and communications next year. Specifically, we would like to find people interested in re-posting items to our social media, maintaining an announcements calendar, and supporting a few annual events. Not a lot of hours involved, but definitely rewarding work. If you are interested or have an out of the box idea on how you can be involved, please reach out.
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Student Activities
Junior and Senior Prom Saturday, May 13 at SF City Hall! This is the last week to purchase a ticket and get a bus assignment. Tickets are on sale via the Acalanes webstore and prices are $95 for Acalanes juniors/seniors and $135 for outside guests or 9th or 10th graders. All students must turn in a filled out permission form when getting a bus assignment. Bus assignments run at lunch Monday through Friday in front of the attendance office. Questions? Email Katherine Walton.
Don’t miss our 2 Spring Concerts this week on Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm along with the Pops Concert on Friday at 7pm!
On Friday at lunch there is a Spring Carnival! Encourage your student to attend!
Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.
Katherine Walton, Leadership Teacher -
College & Career
The Health Career Academy was a great success! Thank you to our volunteer panel for their insights in the healthcare industry and sharing their individual career pathways. Career Academies will continue next year.
SENIORS
Senior Exit Survey: Important! If your student knows their post high school plan, please update Naviance. In order for final transcripts to be sent, students MUST go to “About Me” and “Surveys from Your School” and fill out “2023 Senior Exit Survey.” This is the only way transcripts are sent to colleges.
Decision Day is May 1. Don’t forget to check your portals for any updates.
JUNIORS
Looking for college resources over the summer, please see links below.
College Essay Guy
Free College Essay Resources for Students-
Registration required for live summer courses
How to Write the College Application + Supplemental Essays Course
https://www.collegeessayguy.com/how-to-apply-for-college
How to Write a Personal Statement Online Course for Students
https://www.collegeessayguy.com/how-to-write-a-personal-statement
Additional College Resources
https://www.collegeessayguy.com/college-application-hub
https://www.collegeessayguy.com/webinars-live-events
SOPHOMORES/FROSH
What is your Sophomore doing this summer? This is the time to think about a meaningful summer experience- volunteer, work, community class or summer program. Please have your student stop by if they need help with summer ideas.
Volunteer Ideas: Have your student come by the CCC so I can learn about their interests. Check out this website for ideas too! It’s best to set a search filter for teens.
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 Christine Todd / Christina Castillo-Gallardo during Spring 2023
Ku-Rog Marissa Meadows
Roh-Z Susan Martin
Summer School Information: The summer school website is up and running! Please use the link to get information about summer school offerings/dates. It will be at AHS this year! Please have your student see their counselor to sign up, get forms, and figure out which classes to take.
Geometry for Advancement: AUHSD does offer one course for advancement in summer - Geometry. This is an accelerated class designed for strong Algebra students (who have an A test average) to accelerate in math. Students may be placed in Algebra 2 or Algebra 2 Advanced upon completion of this class. Please have your student see their counselor for more information. This class also requires a teacher recommendation.
Course Selection Changes: If your student wants to make any changes to their class requests for next year, please have them see their counselor to discuss. -
School Nurse
ALCOHOL: Please take a look at this site. There is so much that is “normalized” about alcohol use, but I encourage you to send a strong message discouraging our underage students from using. Parents, please discuss with other parents how you can support creating opportunities for your kids to have fun without the dangers of alcohol use.
Visiting college campuses? Check out their Student Health & Wellness Centers. It’s a great idea to know where it is BEFORE your student may need it. These health centers are specialized in care for the college age population and have many expanded programs to support students and are especially helpful when being away from home and parents for the first time. I always recommend that students go there in the fall to get their flu shots. Can’t visit physically? Check out their websites!
A new nutrition infographic on my website: 5 Ways to Use Chickpeas
Berries are back in season! This week’s nutrition hack: Slow-Cooker Steel-Cut Oatmeal. Place 4 cups of water and 1 cup of steel cut oatmeal in a slow-cooker at night. Add 1 tsp. cinnamon and 1 tsp. vanilla extract. Enjoy hot oatmeal in the morning - top with fresh berries! Hack: Make enough for several days-reheat as needed.Dvora Citron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org
925-280-2970 x7128
IG: acalanesschoolnurse -
Wellness Center
May is mental health awareness month! We celebrate this month to destigmatize mental health issues, provide support and generate awareness of what mental health means for all of us.
Destigmatizing mental health issues has played a huge role in making mental health care more widely accessible to those who need it. The implementation of Wellness Centers in AUHSD is largely in part to widespread efforts to normalize mental health and provide support at school, where students spend a huge portion of their time.
Mental health comes in all shapes and sizes. Many people assume that mental health struggles are a matter of pathology but, in reality, someone may have mental health challenges without ever receiving a diagnosis. When thinking about mental health in broad terms, a perfect analogy for understanding is a car. Cars need regular maintenance to make sure that things run smoothly for as long as possible and when things come up, a car needs to be checked out to get things back to baseline. Mental health is extremely similar in the sense that if we are not taking care of our mental health, it is more likely that things will come up. If these things are not addressed appropriately, they have the potential to impact our lives in ways that are less than ideal. The Acalanes Wellness Center is here to support your students no matter what their mental health looks like. Mental health is a journey, not a destination. Check in with your student for a better understanding of where they might be on their journey.
Social Media
