Weekly News & Announcements

General Administration Announcements

AUHSD Curriculum Survey
On Jan 19 and 20, all Acalanes students will take a survey about the English and Social Science curriculum. Our district has engaged in work around our curriculum and would like to hear input from our students. Student feedback will be valuable as we strengthen the curriculum and refine our Ethnic Studies course.

Helpful Resources for Course Selection

Course selections for the 2023-2024 are due Friday, Feb 3! Acalanes has a wealth of resources available to assist you and your students in the process.
 
OPEN HOUSE & COURSE PREVIEW

Open House & Course Preview is back in person this year! A detailed program for the evening will be available next week. Please note, new this year, is a strongly recommended session for all students planning to take 2+ Honors/AP Classes. This important session will be held during Open House & Course Preview from 7:35-8:00pm, with a makeup session during Academy on Friday, Jan 27.
 
GRADE LEVEL STUDENT PRESENTATIONS
All 9th, 10th and 11th grade students recently attended grade specific presentations on course options with counselors, admin and teachers. The presentations are available below for parents to review and discuss with students. We encourage you to take a look, there is a lot of good information!
Rising Sophomores (Current Frosh) In-House Course Preview Presentation
Rising Juniors (Current Sophomores) In-House Course Preview Presentation
Rising Seniors (Current Juniors) In-House Course Preview Presentation
 
9th & 10th GRADE PARENT NIGHT
The library was packed with Frosh/Soph parents this past Thursday night! If you missed the evening or want additional access to all the valuable information shared, please see these slides below. Thank you to the parents and counselors for a great session!
Frosh/Soph Parent Night Slides

APC in Action

Dons Dialogue - Friday, Jan 20, 8:45 am in the Collaboration Center
We hope to see you for our January Dons Dialogue. Join us to hear all about the course selection process for next year. You will hear directly from the Counseling department as well as teachers from our Computer Science & Engineering and Visual & Performing Arts departments, plus open Q&A time with Principal Shawn. Coffee and treats will be served - hope to see you there!
 
Volunteer Service Awards
The 2022-23 volunteer program year is in full swing for the Acalanes and President’s Service Awards and all applications are due by Apr 14 so please make sure your student is logging those hours! It’s a great opportunity for students to give back AND be recognized for their service. Visit the Volunteer Service Award page (under Get Informed) on the APCwebsite to learn more and find the forms or email communityservice@acalanesparentsclub.com with any questions.

Acalanes Community Always (ACA)

News from the Garden Club and the Next Garden Work Date
We are making a lot of progress on the garden spaces at AHS! We planted winter veggies in the "farm" (garden space across from 503/4) before winter break and have the bender board and redwood framing in for hardscaping in the "meditation garden" (garden space across from 507). We are planning our next work day on Sunday, Feb 5 from 8am-12pm (weather permitting) to install the last of the hardscaping for the "meditation garden."  If you can come and help, please sign up here (so we know you are coming). 
 
After that and after irrigation is installed, we will be ready for the plants! (Our goal is to have low water, native, pollinator plants in the meditation garden.) We have also started seeds for spring time tomatoes and peppers with more (squash, cucumbers, etc) to start in a few weeks. 
 
Please check out our donation wish list for anything you may have that you don't need. 
 
Thanks again for all the support!  Any questions, etc - please email Ms. Tewksbury.
Lori Tewksbury (Living Earth and AP Biology Teacher)

Parent Ed

Please join us for the next event in our Wellness Parent Education Series. The Sports and Wellness Education Night will take place on Tuesday, Jan 24 from 6-7:30pm on Zoom with Dr. Doug Garner. You can register here. 
 
Click here to review the full Wellness Parent Education Series for 2023.

Recordings of past Wellness Parent Ed events can be viewed on the AUHSD website here. Topics include Depression & Anxiety, The Fentanyl Epidemic, Connecting with Your Teen and more.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)

Happy MLK Day! January is full of opportunities to engage, explore and support one another in striving to be our best selves. Highlighted below are activities ripe with potential to add value and enrich our lives.
 
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Jan 16: If you are still trying to find a local event to help you honor the life, legacy and impact of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his groundbreaking social justice and equity work, check out this guide.
 
January is Poverty Awareness Month: Several of the local elementary schools are recognizing the month by participating in the “Life through Another Lens” Book Challenge. If you would like to follow suit, Oxfam recommends these books to better understand poverty. Additionally, the US Census Bureau shares thought provoking data and statisticson American poverty for those who want to learn more.
 
Asian/South-Asian/Asian-American Parents Happy Hour Jan 27 5:30-8pm
If you are a Walamorinda Asian, South Asian, or South/Asian-American identifying parent/guardian, please join us for an affinity space Happy Hour! There will be free light appetizers and drinks for purchase. The happy hour will take place at Town Bakery & Cafe in Moraga. Hope you can join us for this informal gathering (parents only event).  Please RSVP here.
 
Questions, suggestions or feedback? Share here.

Student Activities

Student Government 2023-2024
Is your student interested in participating in student government next year? Applications will be available beginning Jan 23 and due Feb 3. For current 9th, 10th and 11th graders there is an informational meeting at lunch on Wednesday, Jan 18 in room 314. There are elected and appointed positions. For the full list of committees, check out board descriptions.
 
2022-2023 Clubs
We had an amazing spring club day! We have 59 clubs set up for 2nd semester. Encourage your student to check 1 or 2 out. You can view all clubs here.
 
Environmental Council is taking place on Friday, Jan 20 during academy in room 314. We will be discussing eco-friendly driving and what that looks like at Acalanes. There will be donuts!!
 
A Night in New Orleans - An All District Dance
On Friday, Feb 3 from 7-9pm, Acalanes will be hosting an all-district dance. Tickets are $10 and available on Go Fan. Ticket prices include games, DJ, snacks & crafts. All proceeds benefit our Black Student Union.
 
Class Cup!
This year, Acalanes is introducing a friendly grade level competition that will promote school spirit and bonding between the classes. It will conclude with a trophy prize for the winning class at the end of year rally.
 
Throughout the second semester, students can participate in basketball (Jan), volleyball (Feb), and kickball (Apr) games on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during lunch. Encourage your student to participate! Basketball sign-ups are open now (your student can sign up using this link).
 
A couple dates to highlight:
Jan 27 at 7:30am: Senior Breakfast for the Class of 2023
May 13 at City Hall: Junior & Senior Prom
 
Katherine Walton, Leadership Teacher

School Nurse

Getting Off to a Good Start in 2023
January is a great reason to use our energy towards setting intentions (vs resolutions). Goal-setting follows setting intentions. Focusing on intentions keeps us grounded and allows us to experiment and even fail (great value can be found in failing), and then return back to our intentions. 
 
Use January as a motivation, excuse, whatever reason to focus on BALANCE in your family and with/for your student. Balance and resilience go hand-in–hand. Students will manage stress better with balance in their lives. Prioritize sleep, healthy eating, regular physical movement, and connection, in addition to school and studying. Please consider that each of us only has a 24 hour day. For our teens, 8-10 of those hours should be devoted to sleep. You can do the rest of the math, but the point is to factor in time for taking care of ourselves and also making sure to buffer in time for the unexpected. It’s especially important not to over-schedule - this in and of itself sets up a baseline of unmanageable stress. Please let me know what works well to support balance and resilience for your students.
 
What else would you like to see on my website?

Dvora Citron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org
925-280-2970 x7128
IG: acalanesschoolnurse

College & Career

SENIORS
 DVC Registration: Please tell your senior to join us during Academy on Wednesday, Feb 15 in the library for a DVC admissions’ presentation and registration details.

Acalanes College and Career Center Scholarship links. Diablo Valley AssistanceLeague, Rossmoor Scholarship Foundation, and AAUW are also available- large scholarships for students with financial limitations.
 
FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is available. The state is asking all seniors to fill out the FAFSA or to opt-out.
 
JUNIORS
Job Fair:  Walnut Creek Arts & Rec is hiring students aged 15+ for many summer jobs. They are hosting a job fair on Feb 9 from 4:30-6:30pm at Shadelands Art Center Auditorium.
 
A Healthier Approach to College Admissions: Event sponsored by Challenge Success on Mar 9 from 4-5:15pm.
 
ACT/SAT Practice Tests: Revolution Prep is offering a practice SAT and ACT: Practice ACT: Saturday, Jan 21, 9am-1pm
Practice SAT: Saturday, Jan 28, 9am-1pm
Live Online! Register here

1:1 appointments: If you’d like your child to start exploring career interests and begin looking at Naviance, please have them schedule an appointment here.
 
SOPHOMORES/FROSH
Job Fair:  Walnut Creek Arts & Rec is hiring students aged 15+ for many summer jobs. They are hosting a job fair on Thursday, Feb 9 from 4:30-6:30pm at Shadelands Art Center Auditorium. Looking for counselors, coaches, lifeguards, and more!
 
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
 
Late Sign Up for AP Exams: Late registration options are still available, but will incur a late fee. Please see here for more details.
 
Class Visits for Course Selection: Starting on Thursday, Jan 19 counselors will be visiting all Living Earth, Chemistry/ESS, and USH classes to review the course selection process with students for the next school year. Students will receive the form they will use, as well as instructions for how to enter requests in Aeries. We will finish visiting all classes on Wednesday, Jan 25 so students can attend the Open House on Jan 26 to hear more about classes! 

Wellness Center

We are so excited to have students back to start the new year! It’s very common for people to use this time to set new goals for the upcoming year. Goal setting is a great way to set up yourself, and your student, for success. Discuss setting SMART goals with your student:

• Specific- narrow goals are more efficient for planning and execution.
• Measurable- how will you know that you are making progress toward reaching your goal?
• Attainable- it’s important that goals are realistic and can actually be achieved.
• Relevant- be sure that your goals align with what you find important in the short and long-term.
• Time based- when setting an end date to assess whether you have met your goal, the date should be both motivating and achievable. 

Setting, working toward and achieving SMART goals is extremely beneficial to mental health. Everyone likes to feel capable and accomplished. This can help improve self esteem as well as fostering an internal locus of control.
 
Finally, the next AUHSD Wellness Parent Education opportunity is taking place via Zoom on Tuesday, Jan 24 from 6-7:30pm. While these webinars are free to attend, we do ask that you register here prior to attending.
 
Happy New Year!
Kiara Thomas- Wellness Intake Specialist

Sports

General Administration Announcements

Attention Senior Parents/Guardians: Graduation will be here before you know it! In preparation, we will be ordering diplomas by the end of January and want to make sure all student names are accurately reflected in our Aeries database. Your student can check the name postings on the window of the Counseling Office, or you/your student can check your Aeries portal (select Student Information, then Demographics). For any changes, please contact Emily Finn (efinn@auhsdschools.org) in the Counseling Office by Friday, Jan 20. Thank you, and we hope your student has an excellent last semester at Acalanes!

2023-2024 Academic Calendar: The AUHSD Governing Board recently approved the Academic Calendar for next school year, view here.