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Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)
A late shoutout to World Autism Awareness Day that took place on Apr 2! April is AutismAwareness Month honoring and recognizing our fellow community members on the autism spectrum, as well as their families.
Upcoming event recognizing Holocaust Remembrance Day: Life is Beautiful Film Screening with Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan
This event takes place on Wednesday, Apr 19 at 6:30pm at the Orinda Theater. The Assemblymember is issuing a special invite to our young people and our school’s community to this event in order to foster a conversation for Holocaust Remembrance. Prior to the screening, Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan will be talking about the work that is being done in California to respond to antisemitism and hate, as well as her work as a member of the Governor’s Council on Holocaust and Genocide Education. For more information and to RSVP, please click here. -
Student Activities
On Wednesday Apr 19 during lunch in the library, there will be a Student Wellness Council discussing substance abuse and harm reduction. This is a very relevant topic in our community and we hope to see you there. Lunch will be provided!
The Diversity Board is hosting the annual Cultural Fair on Thursday, Apr 20 from 5-7pmin the big gym and all are invited! It is a great chance to celebrate various cultures and learn. Please consider stopping by!
The talent show is back this Thursday, Apr 20 at 7pm after a 4 year hiatus! This is a night NOT to be missed! It will take place in the PAC and will be hosted by seniors Jake Davis, Theo Stoll and Colin Norstad! Come watch your talented friends perform in this must see event!
Acalanes will host the Special Olympics this Friday, Apr 21. It is a wonderful event attended by schools throughout the county. Thank you to the 125 student volunteers for making the day happen at Acalanes!
Student survey feedback about the Don mascot & next steps: Students will be at the Dons Dialogue this week for an educational presentation on the history of Acalanes and our mascot, the Don. In addition, student leaders have gathered the survey data from students and put together a high level overview. Please take a look if you’re interested about how students feel about our current mascot.
Encourage your student to apply to be a new crew leader for the 2023-2024 school year. We are looking for 40-50 current sophomores and juniors to serve in this role, welcome the Class of 2027 and then work with them throughout their first year at Acalanes. You can find the application here and they are due on Wednesday, Apr 19.
Junior and Senior Prom Saturday, May 13 at SF City Hall! It is going to be a wonderful, fun evening with dinner, photos and various activities for students to enjoy. 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 permissionform when getting a bus assignment. Bus assignments start Thursday, Apr 27. Questions? Email Katherine Walton.
Class Cup Kickball
Where? On the field during lunch!
When? Apr 24 - Apr 28
Who? All classes are welcome and encouraged to come!
Where do students sign up? Here
Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.
Katherine Walton, Leadership Teacher -
College & Career
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.
JUNIORS
Parent Naviance Training: The College and Career team will host a Naviance training session on Monday, Apr 24 from 6:30-7:30pm in the library to help parents learn how to navigate the college process with their students. Bring a laptop and your students’ password. Parents and students login into Naviance the same way using the students’ Acalanes email address and their district password. Instructions for how to login:- Go to Naviance.com
- Click "Sign In" Students & Families
- Enter zip code (94549) and "Go"
- Click on "Acalanes High School"
- Click on "student" NOT "parent"
- Click on "Continue with Clever"
- Enter "Acalanes High School"
- "Login with Google"
- Enter your student's auhsd google email & password
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.
Interested in Marine Biology? - On Saturday, Apr 29 your student can learn about the terrestrial and aquatic animals that the Marine Mammal Center and Lindsay Wildlife Experience care for! They will have the opportunity to meet and learn about marine and terrestrial animals, watch and practice mock intubation, learn about wildlife, ecology and biology career paths, and more. Hopefully they will leave this event with an increased passion for all land and sea animals and use that passion to help advocate for the protection of our environment. For more information, click here.
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
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!
Dvora Citron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org
925-280-2970 x7128
IG: acalanesschoolnurse -
Wellness Center
We’re in the home stretch of the school year! As it wraps up, it is just as important now as in the beginning of the year to prioritize mental health. An easy way to boost mental health is to get outside! Encourage your students to spend some time in the sun soaking up some mood boosting vitamin D or moving their bodies in a way that works for them. Being outside, specifically around water and lush greenery, taps into our natural state and promotes quicker stress relief. Take advantage of our break from the rain by spending some time outdoors as a family!
The final AUHSD Wellness parent education opportunity is taking place this Tuesday, Apr 18 at 6pm over Zoom. The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office will be presenting crucial information on how to keep your kids safe on social media. While these parent education opportunities are free to attend, we do ask that you register hereprior to the webinar. -
Performing & Visual Arts
AP Art/Independent Art Exhibition Coming Up! Drop by to view and celebrate the Acalanes fine art students!
- Apr 28, 6-8:30pm
- The Art Room- 91 Lafayette Circle
Kyle Athayde Dance Party Concert with Acalanes Jazz Ensemble: If you love great, toe-tapping music, then you must attend TODAY’S concert by the renowned Kyle Athayde Dance Party, featuring some of the finest musicians from NYC/SF. You will also hear our illustrious Acalanes Jazz Ensemble play alongside this band. It takes place at 2pm in the PAC. Admission is free (although donations are welcome)!
The First Ever DramaDons’ Short Play Festival
The DramaDons are excited to announce our first ever DramaDons’ Short Play Festival! The 5th period DramaDon’s will be presenting four student directed short plays, two of which were written by Advanced Drama Honors students Natalie Costales and Anie Heffernan.
The DramaDons’ Short Play Festival runs on Thursday, Apr 27 and Saturday, Apr 29 at 7pm in the AHS Little Theatre. Admission is free! -
LPIE
Project LPIE Awards Ceremony
Friday, Apr 21, 5-6:30pm
Don Tatzin Community Room at the
Lafayette Library & Learning Center
3491 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette
Come celebrate all our entrants! -
Sports
This week’s can’t miss events:
Boys golf
Monday, Apr 17 Miramonte HS at Contra Costa CC at 3:30pm
Wednesday, Apr 19 Campolindo HS at Moraga CC at 3:30pm
Softball
Tuesday, Apr 18 host Alhambra HS at 4:30pm
Thursday, Apr 20 host Northgate HS at 4:30pm
Baseball
Tuesday, Apr 18 Benicia HS at 4pm. Varsity is away and JV is home.
Thursday, Apr 20 Benicia HS at 4pm. Varsity is home and JV is away.
Friday, Apr 21 Vintage HS at 4pm. Varsity is away and JV is home.
Boys tennis
Tuesday, Apr 18 Miramonte HS at 3:30pm. Varsity is away and JV is home.
Thursday, Apr 20 Las Lomas HS at 3:30pm. Varsity is home and JV is away.
Friday, Apr 21 Northgate HS at 3:30pm. Varsity is home and JV is away.
Boys volleyball
Tuesday, Apr 18 host Berean Christian HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 6:30pm.
Thursday, Apr 20 at Campolindo HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 6pm.
Girls lacrosse
Tuesday, Apr 18 host College Park HS. Varsity at 7pm.
Wednesday, Apr 19 at Marin Catholic. JV at 5:30pm.
Friday, Apr 21 at Miramonte HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Boys lacrosse
Tuesday, Apr 18 at Piedmont HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Friday, Apr 21 host Miramonte HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Stunt
Tuesday, Apr 18 Alhambra HS at Concord HS at 6:30pm.
Friday, Apr 21 Las Lomas HS at College Park HS at 6:30pm. -
General Administration Announcements
Business Career Academy Session this Week - Friday, Apr 14 in Academy
Career Academies are quick and interesting ways to learn about future career options and opportunities. After the session there will be time for students to ask questions and have conversations with the presenters. Please encourage your students to attend!- Friday, Apr 14: Business Careers
- Wednesday, Apr 26: Health Careers
- Friday, Apr 28: Trade Careers (roofing, electrical, plumbing, automotive and more)
All students are invited and encouraged to attend.
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APC in Action
Volunteer Service Awards All applications for the Acalanes and President’s Service Awards are due by Friday, Apr 14. Each service hour needs to be signed off by the volunteer service organization and all forms must be submitted with a volunteer service application by this Friday. This is a great opportunity to recognize our Acalanes students who give back. Visit the Volunteer ServiceAward page to learn more and find the forms. Please email communityservice@acalanesparentsclub.com with any questions. APC Spring Grants Have Been Awarded Thank you to the parents, teachers and staff who submitted proposals for an APC Grant. APC Grants are funded through parent donations. We are pleased to announce four grants have been awarded this spring:- Peer Tutoring will receive funds to incentivize students to attend a new seminar program. Topics covered will be such as Tips for Studying for a Math Test, The Benefits of Developing Relationships with your Teachers and Tips for Writing an English Essay.
- Campus Enhancement Committee will receive funds to replace top boards of the retaining wall adjacent to the Acalanes swimming pool. This will ensure a safe and improved experience for students and visiting families when they come for swim meets during the year and over the summer.
- The Student Diversity Board will receive funds to design and hang banners in order to show support for celebratory and diversity-related events.
- AHS Garden Space (in association with Science dept) will receive funds for restoration and spring planting in the AHS garden spaces, specifically for soil amendments, gopher baskets, and plants.
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Student Activities
Acalanes will host the Special Olympics on Friday, Apr 21. It is a wonderful event attended by schools throughout the county. Parents- we also need your help at the Special Olympics - please sign up to volunteer HERE!
Encourage your student to apply to be a new crew leader for the 2023-2024 school year. We are looking for 40-50 current sophomores and juniors to serve in this role and welcome the Class of 2027 and then work with them throughout their first year at Acalanes. You can find the application here and they are due on Wednesday, Apr 19.
The Diversity Board is hosting the annual Cultural Fair on Thursday, Apr 20 from 5-7pm in the big gym. If you sign up, you get to represent a country of your choosing! There will be food, entertainment, music, and much more. If you are interested, review the sign-upgenius.
Junior and Senior Prom: Invitations for junior and senior prom will be handed out in English classes on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. Prom is Saturday, May 13 at SF City Hall! It is going to be a wonderful, fun evening with dinner, photos and various activities for students to enjoy. 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 start Apr 27. Questions? Email Katherine Walton.
Next Steps With the Don: Administration will be facilitating a 2nd student forum on Wednesday, Apr 11 at lunch in room 314 if students are interested in continuing the conversation around the question, What does a Don Stand for? If interested in seeing the educational presentation, students will present at the Dons Dialogue on Wednesday, Apr 19 to any parents interested, followed by a survey.
Looking to stay informed? Follow us on instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.
Social Media
