Weekly News & Announcements

Performing & Visual Arts

Mark your calendars for our most popular concert of the year! Our annual Pops concert will take place on Thursday, Oct 8 at 6:30pm at the Acalanes Performing Arts Center and will feature music from Raye, Lady Gaga, Abba & more!

For family and friends who are unable to attend in person, please share the livestream below! We are thrilled to be able to share Acalanes music far and wide, thanks to the Broadcasting Club! https://youtube.com/live/sOeP13C2FOM?feature=share

Dons show up and we intend to pack the house! Tell your students, friends and family and DO NOT MISS what promises to be a fantastic event!


Dons show up! The Acalanes Pep Band will be performing at our home football games on Friday, Oct 16 and Friday, Nov 6. Go Dons!


Get ready for Macbeth! Performances are Oct 22–24 at the Acalanes Performing Arts Center. Tickets go on sale Thursday, Oct 1.
 

LPIE

LPIE is currently at 45% of our annual fundraising goal, and we need our community’s help to close the gap.
Every gift helps fund the people and programs that enrich the educational experience for our students. If you haven’t yet made your annual gift or pledge, please consider donating today and help us keep Lafayette schools strong.
Donate today and help us reach 100%

Sports

*The game schedule below reflects dates and times as of last Friday. Games may change for several reasons, including weather. If you have questions or comments, please contact Acalanes Sports Boosters.

This week’s can’t miss events:


Flag football
Monday, Sept. 28 at Ygnacio Valley HS.  JV at 6:00pm and Varsity at 7:30pm.
Wednesday, Sept. 30 at Clayton Valley Charter HS.  JV at 6:00pm and Varsity at 7:30pm.
 
Girls golf
Monday, Sept. 28 Fall Classic at Monarch Bay GC.
 
Girls tennis
Tuesday, Sept. 29 Las Lomas HS at 4:00pm.  Varsity is away and JV is home.
Thursday, Oct. 1 Northgate HS at 4:00pm.  Varsity is home and JV is away.
 
Girls volleyball
Tuesday, Sept. 29 host Las Lomas HS.  Freshmen at 4:30pm, JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7:00pm.
 
Boys water polo
Tuesday, Sept. 29 host James Logan HS.  JV at 4:00pm and Varsity at 5:00pm.
Wednesday, Sept. 30 host Las Lomas HS.  JV at 4:00 pm and Varsity at 5:00pm.
Thursday, Oct. 1 host Piedmont HS.  JV at 6:30pm and Varsity at 7:30pm.
Friday, Oct. 2 and Saturday, Oct. 3 JV Crusher Tournament at Vintage HS.
 
Girls water polo
Wednesday, Sept. 30 host Las Lomas HS.  Varsity at 6:00pm and JV at 7:00pm.
Thursday, Oct. 1 host Archbishop Mitty HS.  JV at 4:30 pm and Varsity at 5:30pm.
 
Tackle football
Thursday, Oct. 1 Freshmen at San Leandro HS at 5:00pm.

General Announcements

We are searching for adults to help with proctoring PSAT and SAT exams on Monday, Oct 5.  Restrictions: Parents, you are NOT allowed to proctor an exam that your own child is taking.
 
You can volunteer your time (unpaid), or receive pay of $25/hr.  This is a perfect opportunity for recent high school/college graduates, stay-at-home parents, retirees, and those searching for employment.  If you are interested in learning more about proctoring, please contact the Acalanes Testing Coordinator, Jamielle McDonald at jmcdonald@auhsdschools.org.

APC in Action

APC Fall 2026 Grants Application Deadline Extended!
Have an idea that could make Acalanes even better? Acalanes Parents Club wants to help bring it to life! Teachers, staff, students, and parents are invited to submit grant requests for creative programs, projects, experiences, and equipment that enrich the AHS student experience.

Past APC grants have helped fund everything from bike racks and lunchtime recreation equipment to peer tutoring programs, STEM field trips, leadership conferences, garden supplies, and more.

Applications are due Friday, Sept 18.
Click here to read more and access the application!

Parents Club Pro-Tip

Community Service - Helper Helper
If students would like to set up a Helper Helper account to log their service hours, please email from their personal email account to communityservice@acalanesparentsclub.comand include their personal email, name, birthdate and graduation year.

Volunteer Opportunities 
Recurring volunteer roles require the new District process for volunteer validation (e.g. driving for field trips, sporting events, etc).  Standalone volunteer opportunities (e.g. Football, Snack Shack) on campus do not require the new/latest rigorous training required by the district this year. 
Click HERE to access the AUHSD volunteer portal.
Click HERE to explore volunteer opportunities. 
 
Order School Photos - If you would like to order your student’s school photos, you can contact Studio1.  There is also a QR code on the back of your student’s school ID card to support ordering. 

Campus Culture Committee

The Acalanes Parent Club Campus Culture Committee (CCC) is looking forward to another year of helping ensure that all students, staff, and families feel seen, heard, valued, supported, and that they belong each and every time they step onto our campus.
Our CCC works alongside students, staff, families, and school leadership to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and a positive school culture throughout the Acalanes community.,

This year, we are excited to expand that sense of community beyond our individual campuses! Culture and Climate parent groups from high schools across AUHSD are planning more opportunities to collaborate, participate in cross-campus activities, share resources, and support students, parents, and guardians throughout our entire district.

🗓️ Join Us for Our First CCC Meeting!
**NOTE MEETING DATE CHANGE IN OBSERVATION YOM KIPPUR**
Tuesday September 22 | 6:30–7:30pm | Acalanes High School Library
We hope you will join us for our 2026–2027 CCC Kickoff Meeting!
This year, we are excited to put even more of our energy into action and connection. In addition to coming together as parents and caregivers, CCC members will have opportunities to provide volunteer time and supply/material support to our student clubs and special school events throughout the year.
And because building a community also includes taking care of and connecting with one another, we are planning some special opportunities just for our parents and caregivers!

Whether you have been involved with CCC for years or this is your first time learning about us, there is a place for you. We hope you will join us!
📅 2026–2027 CCC Meeting Schedule | 6:30–7:30
•        September 22 – CCC Kickoff Meeting | In Person
•        December 14 – Wellness Workshop with Patrick Turner | In Person
•        January 11 – CCC Meeting | Virtual
•        May – CCC Year-End Retreat | In Person, Date TBD

📅 September Dates & Observances
September 15–October 15 – National Hispanic Heritage Month
National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the histories, cultures, achievements, and contributions of Americans whose heritage traces to Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. The September 15 start date is significant because it coincides with the independence anniversaries of several Latin American countries.
September 20–21 – Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest and most solemn day of the Jewish year. It is traditionally observed through fasting, prayer, reflection, and seeking forgiveness. It concludes the Ten Days of Repentance that begin with Rosh Hashanah.
September 21 – International Day of Peace 🕊️
Observed annually by the United Nations, the International Day of Peace provides an opportunity for people around the world to strengthen ideals of peace and reflect on how each of us can contribute to building more peaceful and inclusive communities.
September 22 – APC Campus Culture Committee Meeting 💙
Join us from 6:30–7:30 PM in the AHS Library for our first CCC meeting of the year!
September 25 – California Native American Day
California Native American Day celebrates the cultures, histories, contributions, resilience, and enduring presence of California's Native peoples and Tribal Nations. It is also an opportunity to learn more about the Native communities whose histories and cultures are an essential part of California.

🏫 AUHSD: Ongoing Supports & Opportunities
Several districtwide programs and activities are continuing this year to support students and create opportunities for connection, leadership, academic success, and belonging.
🖤 Black Student Union (BSU)
BSU students will have several opportunities to connect, learn, celebrate, and build community throughout the year, including:
•         October 19 – BSU Summit
•         November 18-21 – State BSU Conference
•         February – Districtwide BSU Dance/Social
🏳️‍🌈 LGBTQ Council
The District's LGBTQ Council will continue to meet quarterly with students, advisors, and district staff to collaborate on activities, identify needs, and create opportunities that support LGBTQ+ students throughout AUHSD.
♿ Special Education Parent Advisory Committee
The Special Education Parent Advisory Committee meets monthly and provides families with an opportunity to connect, share information, identify needs, and support the experiences and academic success of students receiving special education services.
🌎 DELAC – District English Learner Advisory Committee
The District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC) provides families of English Learner students with an important opportunity to participate in district conversations and provide input regarding programs and services. Meetings are held at Las Lomas High School (LLHS).

🤝 How Parents Can Help
As opportunities arise, parents and caregivers will receive information about ways to support districtwide student activities, including needs such as food donations, transportation, supplies, and other volunteer support.
District leadership will also work with teachers and school staff to increase awareness of the importance of these student opportunities and help ensure students feel supported when participation requires them to miss class.

🤝 Our First Cross-Campus Opportunity!
Connecting Families Across AUHSD
We are excited to begin creating more opportunities for parents and caregivers from across our district to connect, learn from one another, build relationships, and support students across school communities.
To kick off this effort, the Campolindo DEIB Parents invite parents and guardians from all AUHSD schools to an evening of connection and community.
📅 Wednesday, September 30, 2026
⏰ 6:00–8:00 PM
📍 Campolindo High School Library
All AUHSD parents and guardians are welcome!
This is just the beginning of what we hope will be more cross-campus opportunities throughout the year. By connecting families and parent groups across our schools, we can share resources, learn from one another, strengthen our collective efforts, and work together to support all students and families throughout AUHSD.
We hope to see our Acalanes families there! 💙
 
💙 Have Something You'd Like Us to Bring Forward?
Districtwide parent meetings provide an important opportunity for Acalanes families to have their voices represented at the district level.
If there is a topic, concern, student need, or idea related to school culture, climate, inclusion, belonging, academic support, or student well-being that you would like us to bring forward, please reach out:
📧 diversityandinclusion@acalanesparentsclub.com

Acalanes is a No Hate Zone 
At Acalanes, we are committed to maintaining a campus where every student feels safe, respected, and valued. If your student experiences or witnesses an incident involving hate or bias, please encourage them to use the Bias Incident Reporting Tool (BIRT) BiasIncident Reporting Tool (BIRT) available on the Acalanes High School website. Reporting helps our school respond appropriately and continue fostering a culture of belonging for all.

Student Activities

HOMECOMING 2026: All Roads Lead to Acalanes Begins TODAY!!!!!

The BEST WEEK OF THE YEAR is here and we are so excited about everything planned for the week! Please encourage your student to get involved in one way or another this week.!!!
 
Don’t forget our annual canned food drive is halfway done. Can we surpass our record of 47,899 meals? Please consider donating canned goods or money. Class sites are:

1. Seniors
2. Juniors
3. Sophs
4. Frosh

Check out the HOCO Overview document for everything your student needs to know but let’s outline the week:
 
SUNDAY @ 10:00am: Hallway Decorating
SUNDAY @ 5:00pm: Community Walk Through. Come see all the magic and bring your friends & neighbors.
 
MONDAY DRESS-UP: Route 66 (denim on denim)
MONDAY @ lunch: Staff vs student dodgeball
 
TUESDAY DRESS-UP: Paparazzi (wear black on black) or dress as your favorite celebrity
TUESDAY @ 6:15pm: Pre-volleyball tailgate. It’s CHEF Night and we’re cooking up a win. Wear aprons!
 
WEDNESDAY DRESS-UP: Beachwear
WEDNESDAY @ LUNCH: Innertube waterpolo
WEDNESDAY @ 5:30pm: Pre-flag football tailgate. Come watch flag football with your class before student dodgeball!
WEDNESDAY @ 7:30pm: Student vs. Student dodgeball (a STUDENT favorite). Students MUST bring their Student ID to play.
 
THURSDAY DRESS-UP: House of cards (2 pieces: red, white or black)
THURSDAY LUNCH: Food eating competition
 
FRIDAY DRESS-UP: Class shirts or class colors (9: white 10: blue 11: grey 12: black)
FRIDAY ACADEMY: Homecoming rally!
FRIDAY LUNCH: Extreme Simon Says
FRIDAY @ 6:00pm: Pre-Friday Night Lights tailgate (wear white | powder toss at halftime)
 
SATURDAY @ 7:00pm: HOCO Night Out in the stadium

• Event is on grass and outside so please plan accordingly.
• Taco truck and Kona Ice on site
• We are in need of 12 more adult chaperones at HOCO Night Out. With 1100+ students in attendance, we need YOU! Please consider signing up.
• Hoco Night out tickets are now on sale via Go Fan. If students purchased ASB, they must use their ID number in the promo code box in order to receive the $35 ticket price. Want to bring a guest? The guest contract is due Wednesday, Sept 23.

It is going to be a great week! Please email Katherine Walton with any questions.
  
Go Dons! 💙
Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.