Weekly News & Announcements

Parent Education

The Emotionally Naked Truth About Youth Suicide
Speaker: Anne Moss Rogers
Tuesday, Oct 18, 6:30-8:30pm
Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church (49 Knox Dr. Lafayette)
Hosted by LafSD, AHS, St. Perpetua, APC, and DPEC
For more information and to register click here  

We are excited to Introduce the AUHSD monthly Wellness Parent Education Web Series
Counseling & Parent Education (COPE) Presents:
Recognizing Depression, Anxiety, and Stress in Yourself and Your Child
Tuesday, Oct 18, 6-7 pm on Zoom
Register Here
Click here to view full series and Save the Date now for all of these important discussions.
All sessions will be recorded and shared on the District website.

AHS and APC present - Internet Safety Night
Thursday, Nov 3
6:30pm in the PAC
Hear directly from Daryl Holcombe with our Contra Costa County District Attorney’s office on internet safety for your teenagers. From online trolling to social media, what parents need to know for their new high schoolers as well as those getting ready to graduate and what happens in college and the postgraduate world.

This adult-only event is free for all AUHSD parents/guardians.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)

October is LGBTQ History Month, an annual, month-long observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer history. The month, meant to highlight and celebrate the history and achievements of LGBTQ people, was founded in 1994 by Rodney Wilson, a social studies teacher in Missouri who wanted to address the failure of textbooks to address LGBTQ issues. October was chosen because it built on existing traditions such as National Coming Out Day (Oct 11) and the anniversaries of the first two LGBTQ marches in Washington in 1979 and 1987. Each year, a growing number of educators find ways to bring LGBTQ history into their curricula, opening up a dialogue that will hopefully lead to a deeper exploration of LGBTQ themes throughout the school year. If you are interested in learning more, here are resources that you might find useful:

• Timeline of events @ Glsen
• San Francisco LGBTQ history museum

Watch It: Our captivating zoom with Doris Anahi Munoz is available to watch here. Students will likely find her grind - from being a busy student leader taking APs, to double majoring, to forging a career through sheer determination - relatable, eye opening and inspiring. Doris concluded by telling students to say yes to themselves and their dreams, and the path will unfold.

Upcoming Events:

• AAPI Parent Affinity Group: Tuesday, Nov 1 at 7pm in Campo Library. Please RSVP
• Latinx/Indigenous People’s Festival: Wednesday, Nov 9, 5:30-7:30pm, Miramonte. Flyer here 

Have something to contribute or a question? Contact us

Legislative News

Las Trampas Creek Council of PTA's (LTCC), in partnership with the League of Women Voters of the Diablo Valley, hosted several school board Candidate Forums this month. To view recordings of these forums, including the AUHSD Governing Board Candidate Forum, please visit the LTCC website here.
 
Additionally, the AUHSD Governing Board Candidates Forum will be televised.

Student Activities

THANK YOU - Breaking Down the Walls
Just a brief thank you to the Parents Club for helping to bring this important program to our campus this past week. We believe that our campus is better today than it was one week ago and look forward to continuing to watch students build relationships and belonging across social groups and grade levels.
 
CARE Leaders - Applications Now Available
Acalanes is continuing our education around issues of equity. One of the ways we will do this is through CARE Week & CARE Workshops. They are all student led.

We are looking for 50 leaders to lead a workshop during an academy period either on Wednesday, Nov 2 or Friday, Nov 4. We are looking for students who care about furthering equity education on campus and can be comfortable leading uncomfortable conversations.

Applications are now available and due no later than Tuesday, Oct 18. This opportunity is for current Juniors and Seniors.

Volunteer Opportunities & Awards Informational Meeting Wednesday, Oct 19 during Lunch
The 2022-23 volunteer program year has kicked off for the Acalanes and President’s Service Awards so please make sure your student is logging those hours! It’s a great opportunity for students to give back AND to be recognized for their service. Visit the Service Award page on the College & Career site or email communityservice@acalanesparentsclub.com with any questions.
 
As always, if there is anything we can do for you or your student, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
 
Katherine Walton, Leadership Teacher

College & Career

SENIORS
California State Applications: Every day during the month of October and November, the CCC is open to help with the Cal State application. It takes less than 1 hour.
FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid opened Oct 1. The state is asking all seniors to fill out the FAFSA or to opt-out.
UC/Common App: Sign up for Levy academy sessions to get support.
College Visits This Week in the CCC Office: Sign up on the Naviance home page. Scroll to the bottom of the home page to see “What’s New” or email to register at least 24 hours in advance. Have your students speak with their teachers to get permission. Follow the CCC instagram @ahs_college_career for timing each week.

• Tuesday, Oct 18: University of Michigan @ 12pm
• Wednesday, Oct 19: Whitman @8:35am;  University of Richmond @9:20am;  Tulane @ 2:20pm
• Thursday, Oct 20: Franklin Univ. of Switzerland, American Univ. of Paris
• Friday, Oct 21: William& Mary Univ @8:35am; UCLA @ 1:35pm

UC/Common Application Support: Your student can click here to make an appointment to work on essays or get help with the entire process.

JUNIORS
Internship Opportunity: Junior Achievement is looking for future entrepreneurs for a year-long business program
College Visits: Please have your student join college visits if they are interested in learning more about universities. It’s a fun way to check out majors, clubs, and study abroad options.
Volunteer Opportunities: Encourage your child to check out these great places to give back!

SOPHOMORES/FROSH
Internship Opportunity: Junior Achievement is looking for future entrepreneurs for a year-long business program
Volunteer Opportunity: This is also a good site to search for teen volunteer work.
 
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  
Ku-Rog Marissa Meadows 
Roh-Z Susan Martin

Letters of Recommendation Counselors are all busy this month writing letters of recommendation for Seniors with early deadlines for college applications. Each counselor has 30-40 letters to write by Nov 1. We apologize in advance if we are not as responsive as we usually are.
 
AP Exam Registration Deadline is Nov 6
Sign up for AP Exams until Sunday, Nov 6. Late registration options are available, but will incur a late registration fee. Please see here for more details.

School Nurse

One Shot in Each Arm! Protect your student against illness and missing school (and protect your community as well)! Make their appointments to get both the flu shot and their next Covid booster (now giving new bivalent version effective against variants). Many pediatrician’s offices and most pharmacies have them available.
 
October is Breast Health Month: See THIS RESOURCE on BSE to share with your student. Actual Daisy Wheel tools also available in my office - stop by!
 
Please see my website for more information on medications, health issues, forms, etc.  Does your child have an EPIPEN? Hopefully you have let me know. HERE is some interesting information about Benadryl vs. Epinephrine.
 
Weekly Nutrition Tip  
Butternut Squash - a delicious and nutritious seasonal starchy vegetable. Put it on your pizza, in your chili and even roasted on your plate! Buy fresh, already cut or frozen to save time. Here’s a great soup recipe.

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

Wellness Center

AUHSD Wellness will be hosting a monthly Zoom parent education series on numerous topics surrounding mental health and wellness in your student. The goal of these education opportunities is to help parents feel equipped in supporting their child to the best of their ability. This flyer outlines topics, dates and times, as well as links for registration. We hope to see you there!

Follow us on Instagram @acalaneswellness to keep up with what's going on with the AHS Wellness Center and all of our parent and student opportunities.

Performing Arts

Mark your October calendar for the widely popular Acalanes Pops Concert! Directors Lauren Gibson and Meredith Hawkins will lead their talented students in performing beloved music from various soundtracks. Don't miss this fun-filled evening!

Date:  Wednesday, October 19, 2022
Time:  7:00-8:30pm
Location:  AHS Performing Arts Center
Music Groups:  Acalanes Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Orchestra and Choir
Admission:  Free ($5 donation suggested for adults)
Click here for full flyer

The Acalanes DramaDons are proud to present Rumors, by Neil Simon
In this laugh out loud comedy, four couples arrive at the 10th anniversary celebration party for New York's deputy mayor and his wife, only to find the mayor wounded in bed and the wife missing.
 
Rumors runs Oct 26, 27, 28, and 29 in the Acalanes Little Theater. All shows start at 7pm and doors open at 6:30pm.
 
Tickets are $7.00 for students and $14.00 for general admission and can be purchased at ahsperformingarts.org.

LPIE

LPIE is excited to announce the return of its 3rd Annual READ-A-THON from Nov 1 - Nov 15. This event is geared towards fostering a love of reading and simultaneously raising money to benefit education in our Lafayette public schools. Students can pick up a flyer in the Acalanes library for more information. There will be prizes for top readers. In addition, there will be raffle prizes for students who read 40 minutes or more per day and who sign up by the due date with at least one donation. More information and sign-up here.

Questions? Please contact Andrea Hilsabeck or Michele Colaco
www.lpie.org, Follow us on Instagram 

Sports

This week’s can’t miss events!
 
Girls Golf
Monday, Oct 17 DAL Championships at Contra Costa CC.
 
Girls Volleyball
Tuesday, Oct 18 at Las Lomas HS. Frosh at 4pm, JV at 5pm and Varsity at 6:30pm.
Thursday, Oct 20 host Miramonte HS. Frosh at 4pm, JV at 5pm and Varsity at 6:30pm.
 
Girls Tennis
Tuesday, Oct 18 Miramonte HS at 4pm. Varsity is home and JV is away.
 
Boys Water Polo
Wednesday, Oct 19 at Miramonte HS. JV at 4pm and Varsity at 5pm.
Friday, Oct 21 and Saturday, Oct 22 Bellarmine Varsity Invitational.
 
Girls Water Polo
Wednesday, Oct 19 at Miramonte HS. Varsity at 6pm and JV at 7pm.
 
Cross Country
Wednesday, Oct 19 DAL Center Meet at Newhall Park at 3:30pm.
 
Football
Friday, Oct 14 at Benicia HS. JV at 4:30pm, varsity at 7pm.

View fall sport schedules on the Acalanes High School website here.
 
If you have any questions, please contact Randy Takahashi at rtakahashi@auhsdschools.org or Haley Walsh at hwalsh@auhsdschools.org.

General Administration Announcements

Unique Opportunity for Parents to Engage with Staff and Administration!
We need 15 parent volunteers to participate in a focus group with Acalanes Staff on Friday, Oct 21 from 7:30-8:30am. Acalanes High School is currently in the process of renewing our accreditation with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). As part of this important process, we are completing an extensive self-study of our school programs to identify strengths and areas for improvement. We are looking for 15 parents to join our 5 focus groups to provide feedback as we analyze the 5 WASC Criteria.
Please complete this survey if you'd like to participate on Oct 21.

Breaking Down the Walls is back!
This week, all 10th and 11th grade students will participate in Breaking Down the Walls (BDTW). The BDTW creates a safe environment for students to build empathy and understanding through a "play, trust, learn" model. By first helping students laugh together, they start to trust one another and eventually want to learn from those outside their regular friend group. The assembly, training, and workshops leave everyone with the realization we are truly BETTER TOGETHER!
 
Students will participate during one of the three days, assigned by the last name:

• Wednesday, Oct 12:  Last Names A-G
• Thursday, Oct 13:  Last Names H-Pa
• Friday, Oct 14:  Last Names Pe-Z

BDTW will begin at 8:30am in the Big Gym and run until the end of the school day. Lunch will be provided. All teachers know that our 10th and 11th grade students are participating in this vital school program and have modified their curriculum accordingly.
 
We are fortunate to bring this powerful programming to our students. Thank you, Acalanes Parents Club for your support in making this happen. Click here to read Principal Shawn’s10/3 email for more information.
 
AHS Garden Restoration Group
Acalanes staff, students, and community members have recently joined forces to clean up and revitalize the Acalanes gardens between the 400 and 500 wings. Plans include keeping the large garden space near the 503 area to grow food for students, staff, and the Food Bank. We have informally started calling this space “the farm.”

Click here to read more about the AHS Garden Restoration Group, their plans, and how you can help. Currently, they are in need of brown cardboard to act as weed suppression. If you have any, please bring them to room 201. There is also a Garden Wish List of items needed plus two clean up days already planned for November. All are welcome to join! Learn more here.

APC in Action

Friday, Oct 7 was a Snack Attack Day for the Acalanes Staff!

Thank you to our Staff Appreciation team, Jennifer McCarthy and Kendra Uffelman, for creating this yummy Snack Bar for all our Acalanes Staff. Your generous donations to APC allow us to make sure the staff know how much we appreciate all they do to support our students.

Follow Acalanes Parents Club on Instagram. Contact APC here with any questions.