Weekly News & Announcements

Wellness Center

AUHSD Wellness has planned a fantastic Parent Education series covering multiple mental health and wellness topics. The next webinar takes place on Tuesday, Dec. 6 from 6-7pm via Zoom. Hosted by Contra Costa Crisis Center, the presentation focuses on Suicide Prevention. While these education opportunities are free to attend, we do ask that you register here prior to the webinar.
 
If you missed the previous Parent Education webinars, they have been recorded and placed on this website for easy access. You can find future webinars outlined there as well.

Performing Arts

LPIE

THANK YOU to all our amazing Lafayette families who donated an UBELIEVABLE $245,000 to LPIE on #GivingTuesday, exceeding the incredible $150,000 match from the LPIE Board. All of your tax-deductible donations fund the incredible people and rigorous classes that enrich our students' educations. If you'd like to donate before the end of the tax year, donate here. 

Looking for a Christmas tree or wreaths this year?
Honey Bear Trees is donating 20% of each purchase back to LPIE when you mention LPIE. Bring this flyer or mention LPIE when you go so they know LPIE sent you!
Located on the corner of Pleasant Hill Road and Deer Hill Road (across from AHS). Now through Dec 24, 7 days a week, 9am-9pm. Contactless pickup and delivery available!
 
Questions? Please contact Andrea Hilsabeck or Michele Colaco
Follow us on Instagram or visit www.lpie.org

Sports

This week’s can’t miss events!
 
Boys Soccer
Tuesday, Dec 6 host De La Salle HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Thursday, Dec 8 host University HS, San Francisco at 7pm.
Saturday, Dec 10 host Newark Memorial HS in Winter Classic at 4pm.
 
Girls Soccer
Tuesday, Dec 6 at Oakland Tech HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Wednesday, Dec 7 host Jesse Bethel HS. JV at 5 pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Friday, Dec 9 host Deer Valley HS at 7pm.
 
Girls Basketball
Tuesday, Dec 6 host Freedom HS. JV at 6pm and Varsity at 7:30pm.
Saturday, Dec 10 at Casa Grande HS. JV at 11am and Varsity at 12:30pm.
 
Boys Basketball
Thursday, Dec 8, Friday, Dec 9, Saturday, Dec 10 host Chris Huber Memorial Invitational.
Saturday, Dec 10 at 6:30pm will be the ceremony for the naming of the Chris Huber Memorial Gymnasium.
 
Wrestling
Saturday, Dec 10 Bay Area Invitational at Castro Valley HS and Roger Briones Girls Invitational at San Leandro HS.
 
The winter sport 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.

LPIE

Giving Tuesday
November 29th is Giving Tuesday across the country. Here in Lafayette, our generous LPIE Board Members will be matching all donations up to $150,000 from now until the end of 2022. Every dollar counts double, so now is the time to make a difference!  Click here to join your friends and neighbors who have already donated. Thank you for continuing the legacy of giving in Lafayette to support our children’s education.
 
Looking for a Christmas tree or wreaths this year?
Honey Bear Trees is donating 20% of each purchase back to LPIE when you mention LPIE. Bring this flyer or mention LPIE when you go so they know LPIE sent you! Located on the corner of Pleasant Hill Road and Deer Hill Road (across from AHS). Now through Dec 24, 7 days a week, 9am-9pm. Contactless pickup and delivery available!
 
Questions? Please contact Andrea Hilsabeck or Michele Colaco
Follow us on Instagram or visit www.lpie.org

Finals Prep

We have your students covered as they prepare to finish the semester strong! Please be sure to visit our website for even more information on all events planned to support our students through Finals.
 
Tuesday, Dec 6 Frosh Finals Informational Meeting at Lunch in the Library
Come hear from teachers in English, Math, World History, Living Earth & World Language about best practices to prep for finals. They will not only share information on finals but best ways to study as well. Finals goodie bags will be given to the first 150 Frosh thanks to APC!
 
Wednesday, Dec 7 during Academy ‘Wellness in the Winter’ session
Our Wellness in the Winter session is a space to gather together and practice coping skills to thrive during finals and a long break with family. Sign up for this Academy.
 
Wednesday, Dec 7 Exam Jam from 3-5pm in the Library
Kick start your finals studying and preparation during exam jam. We will have teachers from each department along with peer tutors on hand to support and answer questions. It is a great opportunity to finish up study guides, begin to study while enjoying delicious snacks & a quiet environment. See you there!
And don’t forget to encourage your student to take advantage of these additional resources!

• Peer Tutoring this week, every Academy, Lunch, 7th Period, and every day 1 hour after the final school bell.
• Wellness Center this week, open for students to drop in Monday through Friday from 8:00am - 4:00pm (with teacher approval during class hours)
• Acalanes Library Open from 7:30am to 5:00pm daily

Check out our Finals Prep Webpage for more information and resources!

General Administration Announcements

Acalanes Teacher Wins Master Teacher Fellowship Appointment
Sydney Johnson was selected as one of twelve candidates internationally for the ABE (Amgen Biotechnology Experience) Master Teacher Fellowship.
 
This program will support Ms. Johnson in collaborating with experts from STEM fields, developing curriculum infusing research-based pedagogy, inclusive classroom practices, and cutting-edge biotech concepts and technologies.
 
This was a very selective process and a big honor! Ms. Johnson teaches Biotechnology, Chemistry, and Earth and Space Science at Acalanes.
 
Please join us in congratulating Sydney Johnson!
 
View full press release here.

APC in Action

Parent VOLUNTEER Opportunities:

• Staff Appreciation Holiday Cookie Exchange - We need lots of volunteers to pull this off and give our Teachers & Staff a much-deserved treat.  Please sign up here if you are able to bake and/or purchase holiday goodies.
• Finals Fuel -  This is a wonderful way to get on campus and make a difference! Help our students finish strong by providing snacks in between their finals. Please sign up here if you are able to donate snacks and/or work a shift.

In Case you Missed it -  Dons Dialogue Recording & Slides
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our November Dons Dialogue. We had an incredible line-up of speakers including; Student Leadership, The Wellness Center, one of our Human and Social Development (HSD) teachers, and Sports Medicine.
If you were not able to attend, you can view slides here or listen to the recording here.

Acalanes Community Always (ACA)

A very special Acalanes community event will take place on Saturday, Dec 10 at 6:30pm in the main gym. For those families fortunate enough to have had Chris Huber as their PE teacher and/or coach, the time has finally come to properly honor our treasured Don. The dedication ceremony of the Chris Huber Memorial Gym will take place during the Chris Huber Annual Memorial Basketball Tournament that evening. APC has been honored to support the efforts of renaming the gym and this special dedication. We hope you will join us.

Parent Education

Be sure to bookmark the AUHSD Parent Education website for all the information you need for AUHSD Parent Education events. And, great news! There are recordings of the past events in case you missed them!
 
Next event: 
Parent Presentation by Contra Costa Crisis Center
Suicide Awareness
Tuesday, Dec 6 from 6-7pm
Register on Zoom here
 
Click here for more information on Wellness Parent Ed events.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)

As we conclude a week of gratitude, we would like to pay respect to the Bay Miwok and Muwekma Ohlone elders, both past and present, who have been living along Lamorinda creeks for thousands of years.
 
Are you looking for a book to read over the winter break? Check out Quiet Quail Books’ curated lists featuring indigenous authors, or Contra Costa County Library’s digital book club pick, A Snake Falls to Earth. 
 
We appreciate the work of our student journalists. Check out this article in which Blueprintstaff writers highlight student-led activities:  CARE Week Lunchtime Dialogues PromptImportant Discussions – ACALANES BLUEPRINT
 
Upcoming community event:
The Road to Democracy Runs through the Classroom
Wednesday, Dec 7, 5-7pm, Lafayette Library
Dr. Carol Anderson will discuss the importance of civic and history education for students today. For more information on this event, click here.
 
Questions, suggestions or feedback? Click here.

Student Activities

Adopt-a-Family this Holiday Season!
Thank you for all of your support with adopt--a-family. We were able to support 45 families this year. If you adopted an individual or family, please check your email and plan to drop gifts off at Acalanes on Friday, Dec 9 either from 7:30-8:30am or 10-11am in front of the small gym. Questions? Email Katherine Walton.
 
SAVE THE DATE - Chris Huber Memorial Gymnasium Dedication
This will be held on Saturday, Dec 10 at 6:30pm at the school. Chris Huber was a beloved educator and basketball coach at Acalanes and our gym will be named for him. There will be a reception to follow and we hope you’ll join us!
 
The Week of Dec 5
Students have a full week planned from Dec 5-9 with winter week, finals preparation meetings/exam cram and two winter concerts. Full details will be available in next week’s newsletter along with the daily bulletin.
 
Buy Gratitude Grams now! These are a great way for students to appreciate classmates, friends, staff members and teachers by sending them a little goodie bag filled with love and appreciation. Each gram is $5 and they are available for purchase on the webstore.
 
As always, if there is anything we can do for you or your student, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Thank you and go Dons!
 
Katherine Walton, Leadership Teacher