Co-Presidents’ Message

It’s hard to believe that next week is the last week of school! Just a reminder that there will be no school on Monday since it’s Memorial Day and no finals this semester. Peer Tutoring is still available to help students with essays, projects or tests for next week.

Our Community Can’t Be Canceled efforts made it into the New York Times article highlighting the AHS Kresnak family’s double graduation. The campaign is going strong with the following updates:

  • Friday, May 29 at 6pm Let’s Celebrate Our Seniors with 2020 Dons, Forever Strong! Ring the bells for our seniors during their originally scheduled graduation date & time.
  • AHS Performing Arts Finish Strong Distance learning hasn’t stopped AHS creativity in the world of Drama, Choral and Instrumental Music with fantastic end-of-year performances. Hats off to all the PA teachers and students!
  • Home Delivery of Dons Show Up Spirit Thanks to student officers and class liaisons, each class has received some sort of spirit item drop-off to remind students that Dons spirit doesn’t take a break during distance learning!

We want to extend an extra special thank you to our outgoing APC Board Members Meg Fellner and Traci Reilly and outgoing 2020 Class Liaisons Kathy Hemmenway, Kat O’Donnell, and Ellen Seiler who will be closing out their tenure as Dons but will join the Dons Alumni family. These rock-star volunteers have collectively served Acalanes for over fifty years and their legacy of volunteerism is appreciated by us and the entire Dons community.

Dawn Brightbill and Sarah Cusumano

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Acalanes Community Always (ACA)

Ring the bells for our seniors on Friday, May 29, at 6pm (their original graduation date and time). Honk your horns, clang your pots and pans, and blow your whistles to let the Class of 2020 know they are loved and celebrated!

 

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General Announcements

If you’re looking for something to lift up your spirits, this year’s Time of Reflection will not disappoint. Click here to watch a recording of the event and enjoy a written recap from Blueprint. 

 

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General Announcements

Graduation is Thursday, June 4th, and Lafayette retailers have put together some great gift ideas to congratulate our AHS graduates. You’ll even find some great ideas for Dads too (Father’s Day is June 21). Additionally, local restaurants have created special family meals to celebrate. You can find more info on the Lafayette Chamber’s website. Buying local helps our Lafayette businesses survive and provides sales tax dollars to the City of Lafayette.

 

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General Announcements

It’s time for parents to show their spirit and #DonsShowUp. We have two open volunteer positions to finalize our team and we need your enthusiasm and great ideas to make it happen. If you’re interested, email Nominating Committee Chair Meg Fellner. Don’t delay, these positions are first-come, first served!

  • Student Directory/Parent Handbook Coordinator We are considering an online directory option and are looking for someone who can research options and manage the student directory and parent handbook process. 
  • Co-Chair Parent Education Join Anna Eppinger in overseeing the parent education calendar for the upcoming school year. It’s a great way to get involved by sharing relevant content and speakers to the AHS parent community.
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APC Grants

Thanks to your APC donations in the fall, and despite COVID-19, Acalanes Parents Club is pleased to fund the following spring grants totaling almost $10,000:

  • Funding to help support the Performing Arts project to update the PAC lighting system 
  • A new podium for student and parent events on campus
  • Funding towards a refresh of the Main Quad 
  • Additional funding for a new water station
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General Announcements

Applications have been reviewed and if the committee had questions, students were contacted over email. Please encourage your student to check email in case we’ve requested a response. Additional information regarding awards will be emailed to students mid-to-late June. Questions? Please contact us.

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Membership & Fundraising

Looking for a unique graduation gift? Give a Legacy Brick and help leave a lasting impression on the Dons Legacy Wall! Families can pay tribute to your upcoming graduate, past graduates, a favorite teacher, or anyone who has contributed to your time at Acalanes.  You can even dedicate a brick to your AHS sports team, performance group or favorite club. To order your personalized brick, please fill out this order form and make your $250 tax deductible donation to Acalanes Parents Club on the AHS Web Store.

Questions? Contact Legacy Brick Coordinator Melissa Arends.

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General Announcements

To the Class of 2020,

It is with teary eyes that we make the announcement that due to Shelter in Place orders for Contra Costa and surrounding counties, we have been advised that we cannot legally plan or host a grad night for your class. 🙁 Unfortunately the “Don Voyage” celebration on the Commodore Cruise boat in Alameda has been canceled. With the future SIP protocols unknown, it makes it difficult for us to set a date, even this summer, to celebrate your graduation as we had so dearly hoped!

As parents of the Class of 2020, we are equally crushed by this decision but we want you to know that we have done everything we could up to this point to fight to make this night happen. But sadly, it’s now beyond our control.

As SIP restrictions lift, we hope you will celebrate your success as a class. You deserve only the very best of all celebrations. As you graduate on June 4th, we will be cheering you on and saluting the incredibly dynamic and impressive class of 2020. We would like to congratulate you all on your amazing journey in high school and wish you a very heartfelt “Don Voyage” as you set sail into your bright futures!

For information on how to receive a refund, please fill out the Grad Night Refund Form.

All the Best,

Your 2020 Grad Night Committee
Julie Bishop, Lulu Braunstein, Carrie Daughters and Alison Minden

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Co-Presidents’ Message

It’s hard to believe there are only two weeks left in the school year! If you’re looking for a way to remember someone special (e.g, teacher, coach, student), the AHS Legacy Wall of Bricks is a perfect way to do so. Bricks are on sale until tomorrow night for $200. See info in our APC fundraising section for more information.

The Community Can’t Be Canceled Campaign last week focused on our wonderful teachers and resilient seniors. Up this week is a signing ceremony for senior athletes. Highlights include:

  • AHS Teacher Appreciation Coffee Gift Cards Thanks to your donations, APC was able to provide each teacher with a $20 coffee card to say thanks for ALL their extra work during distance learning. Our long-standing Teacher Appreciation Coordinator Emma Bishopp spearheaded the effort, going above and beyond with hand-written thank you notes for each teacher.
  • We Love Our Seniors Week Who knew cap and gown pick up could turn into a Shelter in Place silver lining? Seniors dropped by campus last week to pick up their cap and gown and were warmly welcomed back to campus by over thirty social distancing teachers and staff cheering them on along with a yummy ice cream sandwich. Seniors went home with a goodie bag thanks to our Senior Liaisons!
  • AHS Collegiate Sports Celebration & Recognition on Tuesday, May 19 Join the live Zoom call hosted by Acalanes Boosters recognizing our amazing senior student athletes who have been recruited to play their sport at the college level. It’s a great way to show your Dons spirit! Details on the Acalanes Booster website.

This week, we’d like to extend a special thank you to APC Newsletter Editor Sarah Ortman who has seamlessly published over 80 issues every Sunday for the past two school years. We also appreciate the numerous hours that Diane Archer and her APC Volunteer Services Team log to manage the Acalanes and President’s Volunteer Service Awards program. We look forward to recognizing the service award winners soon.

Dawn Brightbill and Sarah Cusumano

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