Performing Arts

Acalanes Spring Musical – Be our Guest!

AHS Performing Arts is excited to present the timeless classic, Beauty and the Beast.

Performances will be held Wednesday, Mar 2 through Saturday, Mar 5 each evening at 7pm in the Acalanes Performing Arts Center.

Tickets sell quickly, so reserve your tickets here!

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LPIE

Project LPIE Registration has been extended! Open to all Acalanes High School students, this competition is an annual event that showcases the students for their project-based learning. Students compete in 13 categories that recognize students’ skills both within and outside the classroom. Awards are given in every category!

  • Registration and Projects due Monday, Mar 21
  • Winners will be announced Thursday, Apr 21 at an Awards Reception on campus

For more details and to register visit www.lpie.org/projectlpie.

Jennifer Palmer and Michele Colaco, Acalanes LPIE School Chairs
www.lpie.org, Follow us on

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Sports

This week’s can’t miss events:
 
Girls basketball
Tuesday, Mar 1 CIF NorCal first round.
Thursday, Mar 3 CIF NorCal quarterfinals.
Saturday, Mar 5 CIF NorCal semifinals.
 
Girls soccer
Tuesday, Mar 1 CIF NorCal quarterfinals.
Thursday, Mar 3 CIF NorCal semifinals.
Saturday, Mar 5 CIF NorCal championship.
 
Boys soccer
Tuesday, Mar 1 CIF NorCal quarterfinals.
Thursday, Mar 3 CIF NorCal semifinals.
Saturday, March 5 CIF NorCal championship.
 
Girls lacrosse
Monday, Feb 28 host Northgate HS. JV at 5:30 and Varsity at 7pm.
Wednesday, Mar 2 at Carondelet HS. JV at 5:30  and Varsity at 7pm.
Thursday, Mar 3 at Alhambra HS at 7 pm.
 
Boys lacrosse
Monday, Feb 28 at San Ramon Valley HS.  JV at 5:30 and Varsity at 7pm.
Thursday, Mar 3 host Alhambra HS at 7pm.
 
Boys golf
Monday, Feb 28 Miramonte HS at Orinda CC at 2:30 pm.
Wednesday, Mar 2 Cowboy Classic at Wente CC.
 
Boys tennis
Monday, Feb 28 host Benicia HS at 3:30 pm.
Friday, Mar 4 and Saturday, Mar 5 Fresno tournament.
 
Boys volleyball
Tuesday, Mar 1 host Moreau Catholic HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 6pm.
Wednesday, Mar 2 host Marin Catholic HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 6pm.
Saturday, Mar 5 Alhambra Jamboree.
 
Softball
Tuesday, Mar 1 San Leandro HS at 4pm. Varsity is home and JV is away.
Thursday, Mar 3 Piedmont HS at 4pm. Varsity is away and JV is home.
 
Baseball
Wednesday, Mar 2 Amador Valley HS at 3:30 pm. Varsity is away and JV is home.
Friday, Mar 4 San Ramon Valley HS at 3:30 pm. Varsity is home and JV is away.
 
Competitive sport cheer
Friday, Mar 4 host Miramonte HS at 5:30 pm and Concord HS at 6:30 pm.
Click here for the full Winter Sports Schedule (subject to change)

Luck of the Dons 2022 Booster Bash!
Saturday, Mar 19, 6pm
Contra Costa Country Club (801 Golf Club Road, Pleasant Hill) 

Ticket sales end March 7th!  Buy yours today! Online Silent Auction will open March 6th!
 
Have a fantastic item to donate for the auction? We are still looking for vacation homes, sporting event tickets, and sign-up parties (or any other item or experience that you want to contribute). Please contact your team’s Booster Representative or email bash@acalanesboosters.org. Proceeds for items that are donated on behalf of your student’s team(s) are split 50/50: the team(s) receive 50% of the proceeds and the Boosters general fund (allocated to all sports) receives 50%.
 
What does Boosters fund? Visit the site to read about all of the ways that Boosters supports the Acalanes athletes.  Join the Daily Sports Report email list, and follow us on Twitter @AcalanesBooster!

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APC in Action

The APC Nominating Committee is in full swing and planning for the 2022-2023 school year! Below is a list of positions we need to fill in the Acalanes Parents Club. Being a part of this amazing, thoughtfully run organization is rewarding and an opportunity to help the school, teachers, staff, and students in a variety of ways. Come join the team! If you have any questions, please contact Nominating Committee Lead Angela Ketcham or anyone from our 2022 Nominating Committee: Sherry Quinn, Kristen Labrosse, Maria Nicolacakis, Jennifer Palmer, Katharine Wallace, Daniele Upp and Catherine Habas.

Open positions:
President Elect
VP Fundraising
Assistant Treasurer
Secretary
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Liaison
Co-Hospitality Chairs
Grants Coordinator
Volunteer Coordinator
Legislative Representative
Co-Parent Ed. Coordinator
Student Awards Coordinator
Stanley Liaison
 
APC Spring Grants: Submissions are Open! Applications due Friday, Mar 4 All ideas are welcome. Acalanes Parents Club is pleased to invite all AHS teachers, staff, students, and parents to submit a grant application for programming, materials or projects that enhance the educational experience for our school community. Click here for criteria and application. Completed proposals and questions can be submitted by emailing APC Grants Coordinator Catherine Habas. Proposals can also be delivered to the APC box in the front office.

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Acalanes Community Always (ACA)

2nd Annual ACA STRONG Light Display now through Friday, Mar 4 from 5:30 to 9:30pm A big thanks to all Dons students and their families who helped make our campus shine bright! Now it’s time for all Acalanes families and the greater Lafayette community to see ACA spirit on display. Swing by your favorite Lafayette restaurant on your way home for a bite to eat or take out. This year, a Photo Class Competition has been added!! Take a photo in front of your lighted class sign and DM via Instagram to @ahs_dons. The class with the most submitted photos is invited to an ice cream sandwich social at lunch in March.
 
Do you know an incoming Don? Acalanes Swag Bags are on sale! Now is the time to help our newest Dons show their AHS spirit by purchasing a Dons spirit pack! $68 packs include a black hooded sweatshirt, car magnet, cinch pack, and AHS flag to fly at home. Proceeds from spirit pack sales benefit the class of 2026. Order here before Friday, April 1 and packs will be ready for pick up at Acalanes Events & Activities Night on Wednesday, May 4. Go Dons!

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Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)

We’re about Black History all month long!

Journalist and author Michele Norris started TheRace Card Project in 2010, inviting people to write down their thoughts about race in only 6 words. So far, more than 500,000 personal narratives have been collected worldwide. Many of these essays contain feelings and difficult truths rarely expressed publicly. In 2013, the Race Card Project was awarded the prestigious Peabody Award. What would you write?

Always wanted to try a Master Class? Now’s your chance! All month, the online educator is offering a free three-part class, Black History, Freedom & Black Love. Master Class has also teamed up with Amazon and IMDb TV to ensure the series is widely available. Hosts include distinguished author Cornel West and Angela Davis, Professor Emerita at UCSC.

How much do you know about Black culture? Do you like Blues, Hip-hop, Soul, or Funk? Test your knowledge about iconic moments in Black music history by taking this quiz.

Facts corner: In Canada, this year’s theme for Black History Month is “February and Forever: Celebrating Black History today and every day,” recognizing the daily contributions that Black Canadians make to Canada. One such achievement was the 2022 Olympic gold medal won by Jordan PierreGilles in the 5000 men’s speed skating relay.

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Parent Education

Parents say they want kids to be caring, but pay more attention to achievement.  Ironically, kids raised to be kind are more successful in school and work (and happier too).  We shouldn’t just ask kids what they accomplished. We should also ask who they helped-and who helped them. -Adam Grant
 
Monday, Feb 28 at 6:30pm in the Miramonte Library. Miramonte Parent Ed will be hosting a talk on Achievement Pressure: What is it doing to our Kids. Speaker is Bryan Clark, PsyD. Masks will be required.
 
Wednesday, Mar 23 at 6:30 pm at the Miramonte Theater. Miramonte Parent Ed will also be hosting Start Smart, an interactive safe driving class for teens. Attending students will receive a certificate from CHP (California Highway Patrol) to present to their insurance company.
 
Thursday, Mar 24 Acalanes Parent Ed will be hosting Cynthia Muchnick, M.A., author, speaker, and educational consultant on Alternatives to College and College Prep. Cindy will be speaking in person and available to sign purchased books afterwards. More details soon!
 
Finally, if your teen is struggling with academics or feeling down or frustrated about school, don’t forget to connect with our Counselors, our Nurse, and our Wellness Center. Feel free to reach out and connect with us with ideas for future topics, shareable resources, or thoughts at parented@acalanesparentsclub.com.

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Student Activities

Wednesday, Feb 23 at 6pm in the Campolindo library, Selma Movie Viewing as we continue Black History Month!
 
“I don’t want a Black History Month. Black history is American history.” – Morgan Freeman. We encourage our community to learn about the heritage and achievements of African Americans through appropriate programs and activities that reflect the Black Excellence Month theme for 2022.
 
Additional Resources:  AUHSD 2022 Resolution-Recognizing & Honoring Black ExcellenceMonth, Support Black Owned Businesses in the Bay Area and Learn about BlackExcellence.
 
Tuesday, Feb 22 through Friday, Feb 25 CARE Week at Acalanes Each year, students plan & execute CARE Week. CARE Week includes lunchtime activities & dialogues along with student created & student led workshops during academy. The academy sessions will take a look at identity & begin to dialogue about privilege.

Tuesday, Feb 22 at Lunch Asian Student Union hosts a dialogue on the Model Minority Myth in room 314.
 
Wednesday, Feb 23 at Lunch Jewish Student Union Hosts a challah bake/anti-Semitism talk in room 411.
 
Friday, Feb 25 at Lunch Latinos Unidos & Black Student Union Highlight Afro-Latinos in room 507 and Queer Student Alliance Hosts a Kahoot and then open dialogue in room 425.
 
2021-2022 Clubs Anyone can still join a club and now is the perfect time to do so! Check out our 2021-2022 Clubs (clubs highlighted in green are new as of this semester).
 
Acalanes Spiritwear Looking for Acalanes gear or a welcome gift for the Class of 2026? Two options:

  • We have created a spirit pack geared for the Class of 2026. which includes a hooded black sweatshirt, car magnet, cinch pack and flag to fly at your house for $68.00. Proceeds generated from the spirit packs will benefit the Class of 2026.
  • Spiritwear is available for purchase on the Acalanes webstore. You can purchase here and once purchased, you will receive an email with directions for pick-up.

Peek into March/April

  • Friday, Mar 4 during academy: All-School Spring Rally
  • Sunday, Mar 27 at 9am 3rd annual Color Run Fundraiser to support 2023 and 2024 classes. 1.5 mile run through the Acalanes campus with white t-shirts to wear through five color stations where participants will emerge in a rainbow of colors by the end of the run. Open to ALL students in the community. Click here for tickets.
  • Saturday, Apr 30 Junior & Senior Prom at Lake Chalet in Oakland

Tuesday, Mar 1 Tickets go live on the webstore
Tuesday, Mar 15 and Wednesday, Mar 16 Juniors & Seniors receive invitations
 
Katherine Walton, Student Activities Director

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College & Career

Seniors

  • DVC Virtual Enrollment Support- Click here for help. This process takes some time. Start now!
  • Future Educator?– $250 District-wide scholarship available. Friday, March 4 deadline.

Juniors

  • Outdoor Education- 5th grade camp counselor. Details here.
  • Black College Expo– Mark your calendars and register for Saturday, Feb 26 from 10am to 3pm.
  • Volunteer– Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Concord looking for helpers.
  • DVC Summer Academies– Earn 1 college unit and get handson experience
  • Jobs available– City of Walnut Creek Summer Camp Counselors! Send students to the CCC for other great leadership opportunities.
  • Out of State College FairWednesday, Mar 23 from 6:30-8:30pm outside at Campolindo with 20+ university admission officers. Mark your calendars!

Sophomores/Freshmen

  • SAT goes fully Digital in Spring 2024: Click here to read more!
  • Resume Development- Have your child reach out to work on creating a resume!
  • Teen Volunteer  This is a fun site for teen volunteers only. Check out the new formsfor tracking volunteer service hours for recognized service awards.
  • Spring Break Volunteer Opportunity Mexico Service Trip (MVPC) Saturday, Apr 2 through Friday, Apr 8. Learn more by visiting Mexico 2022.

Resources:
CCC Website

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Counseling

Counselor assignments are by last name.
A-Dr Anne Schonauer  
Du-Kr Christine Todd  
Ku-Rog Marissa Meadows 
Roh-Z Susan Martin
 
California Scholarship Federation (CSF) CSF applications are open now through Monday, Feb 28. Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors should apply. CSF is an honors society that recognizes strong academic performance. Students who have been members for at least 4 semesters receive special recognition. Please see the application for full membership policies. Applications are also available in the Counseling Office now through Monday, Feb 28. Turn in forms to the counseling office and email Anne Schonauer with any questions.
 
Friday, Mar 11 Deadline to drop classes for second semester. If your student is thinking about dropping a class, please have them see their counselor before this deadline. 

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