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Performing & Visual Arts
Lafayette Schools Choral Concert – Jan 23, 7pm at Stanley Middle School
The Acalanes Choir is excited to perform at the Lafayette Schools Choral Concert. Come enjoy vocal music performances by Lafayette students of all ages.
Folsom Jazz Festival – Jan 25, Folsom High School
The top-ranked Jazz Combos and Jazz Ensemble (1st & 2nd place, respectively, in 2024!) will represent Acalanes at this premier Jazz Festival. Let’s cheer on our musical Dons as they compete in this ranked festival.
Lafayette Schools Band/Orchestra Concerts – Jan 27-29, 7pm at Stanley Middle School
Acalanes Instrumental Music ensembles will be performing with Lafayette elementary and middle school students in the Stanley gym on the following days:
- Jan 27 – Acalanes HS Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble
- Jan 28 – Acalanes HS Wind Ensemble
- Jan 29 – Acalanes HS Orchestra
All are welcome to attend and enjoy the musical celebration!
LPIE
Project LPIE is back for a 12th year at Acalanes!
With 15 categories in a variety of disciplines, the contest is open to any AHS student. This is a great opportunity for students to showcase their talents and add to their resumes. Submissions are due Thursday, Mar 6.
For more details visit: https://www.lpie.org/project–l
LPIE IS CURRENTLY RECRUITING PARENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO SERVE ON THE 2025-26 BOARD
LPIE board members work to fulfill our mission to support and enrich the education of every child in Lafayette public schools. Serving on the LPIE board is an excellent way to learn about what’s happening in our local schools and to provide fresh ideas and viewpoints. While many board members have children currently attending Lafayette schools, we welcome all community members to apply! Submissions are due by Wednesday, Jan 29.Please contact LPIE’s Past President, Jaia Kaufman, at jaiakaufman@gmail.com to submit your interest or ask any questions.
NOMINATIONS FOR LEGACY AWARD
LPIE is accepting nominations for the Tom Mulvaney Legacy Award, which honors individuals, families, or businesses demonstrating exceptional commitment to the LPIE mission. Submit your nomination HERE by Feb 2 at midnight. The winner will be announced at LPIE’s 7th Annual Spring Gala on Mar 22.
Sports
SAVE THE DATE for fun night celebrating sports at Acalanes!
*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:
Boys soccer
Tuesday, Jan 21 at Campolindo HS. Frosh at 4pm, JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7:15pm.
Thursday, Jan 23 at Northgate HS. Frosh at 4pm, JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7:15pm.
Saturday, Jan 25 Frosh at San Marin HS at 12pm.
Girls soccer
Thursday, Jan 23 host Miramonte HS. JV at 5pm, Varsity at 7pm.
Saturday, Jan 25 at Campolindo HS. Frosh at 3pm, JV at 5pm, Varsity at 7pm.
Saturday, Jan 25 Frosh at College Park HS at 9am.
Boys basketball
Wednesday, Jan 22 host Alhambra HS. Frosh at 4:30pm, JV at 6pm and Varsity at 7:30pm.
Friday, Jan 24 host Campolindo HS. Frosh at 4:30pm, JV at 6pm and Varsity at 7:30pm.
Saturday, Jan 25 host Dublin HS. Frosh at 12:30pm and JV at 2pm.
Girls basketball
Wednesday, Jan 22 At Alhambra HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Friday, Jan 24 at Campolindo HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Wrestling
Wednesday, Jan 22 v. Campolindo HS at Mt. Diablo HS at 5pm.
You may view the full 2024-2025 Athletic Schedule by clicking HERE.
General Administration Announcements
Helpful Resources for Course Selection
It’s Course Section time for the 2025-2026 school year! Course selections (and alternates) should be entered into Aeries by Monday, Feb 3 (although students are able to make changes through Feb 10! Acalanes has a wealth of resources available to assist you and your students in the process.
Dons Dialogue | Jan 17 @ 8:45am
Counselors will review the course selection process for parents, the new course video resources will be introduced and we will continue department and course highlights. See below for the full agenda.
Counselor Class Visits | Jan 21-30
School counselors will visit students in their classes to discuss the course selection process, how to submit course requests on the Aeries portal, and how to review the registration packet. Counselors will share the course video resources with students.
Course Preview & Open House | Jan 30 @ 5:30pm
This night is a valuable resource for current frosh, sophomores and juniors who are mapping out their future courses, as well as an excellent way for incoming 9th grade students to experience all that Acalanes has to offer. It’s also a great way to connect with fellow Acalanes parents. See below for more information and break-out timing.
Counselor Appointments | Feb 3-10
All students will meet with their counselor for a pre-assigned 5-minute appointment during the school day to discuss their course selection and alternate choices. This meeting is to confirm that students have submitted their courses and alternates into the Aeries portal.
- Frosh counselor appointments – Feb 3 – 4
- Sophomore counselor appointments – Feb 4 – 6
- Junior counselor appointments – Feb 6 – 11
COURSE PREVIEW & OPEN HOUSE – for students and parents
Thursday, Jan 30:
- 5:30pm | Acalanes Parents Club hosted reception
- 5:45pm | Incoming 9th grade family meeting
- 6:15 – 8pm | Drop-in opportunities
- 6:35 – 7pm | Breakout session 1
- 7:05 – 7:30pm | Breakout session 2
- 7:35 – 8pm | Breakout session 3
APC in Action
DONS DIALOGUE – FRIDAY, JAN 17 at 8:45am in the Collaboration Center
We hope to see you for our January Dons Dialogue to hear all about the course selection process and timeline from the Counseling Department. Plus, teachers will join us to discuss Math Pathways, Sport Medicine, AP African American Studies, and the new course video resources. Superintendent Nickerson will lead a brief “In the Know” discussion about funding. And of course, there will be Q&A time plus coffee and treats!
We know it’s hard to believe, but course selections for next year are due Feb 10! So be sure to attend (and encourage your students to start preparing their course selections and alternative choice).
Follow Acalanes Parents Club on Instagram. Please reach out to APC here with any questions.
Campus Culture Committee
Important January Dates
- Jan 13: Korean American Day
- Jan 20: Martin Luther King Jr Day
- Jan 25: Mahayana New Year
- Jan 27: APC Campus Culture Committee meeting
- Jan 27: International Holocaust Remembrance Day
- Jan 29-Feb 16: Lunar New Year
T-shirts are coming!! The open house/course preview is on Thursday Jan 30 and we will be at a table in the quad with our new “All are Welcome” T-shirts for sale. Please stop by and pick one up, along with a free sticker.
Our next Campus Culture Committee meeting has been pushed to Jan 27 due to the MLK holiday. Parents and caregivers of currently enrolled students are invited to attend at 6pm for a zoom call.
If you’d like to be a part of the upcoming 2025 celebrations, such as Black Excellence Month and Lunar New Year, please contact the DEIB committee here.
Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook to keep up to date with what the students are doing to celebrate all of these wonderful cultures and special dates.
Student Activities
BIG 10 in January
Students have designed the BIG 10 as a way for our community to SHOW UP & SHOW OUT to these 10 events that take place across campus. The schedule for January:
Monday, Jan 13 at 7:30pm: Boys basketball vs. Las Lomas (PJs-Night Night Knights)
Thursday, Jan 16 at 5pm: Wrestling vs. Campo
Thursday, Jan 23 at 7pm: Girls soccer vs. Miramonte
Friday, Jan 24 at 7:30pm: Boys basketball vs. Campo
Wednesday, Jan 29 at 7pm: Girls basketball vs. Clayton Valley
New Clubs and Spring Club Day
Club applications for any students looking to start a new club will be available this week in the Daily Don and due on Tuesday, Jan 21. We will have our spring club day at lunch on Wednesday, Jan 29. It is a great opportunity to connect with our clubs and their leadership teams.
Class Cup: Family Feud
Classes will come together to compete in Family Feud – Acalanes style. Encourage your student to come watch this week on Jan 13 and 15 and again on Jan 22 during lunch in the big gym.
KEY 2ND SEMESTER DATES:
Jan 24: Senior Breakfast + All School Rally + boys basketball vs. Campo
Jan 29 @ lunch: Spring Club Day
Jan 30: Open House
March 13: 1st ever community rally
Mar 18: Talent Show
Apr 18: Special Olympics
Apr 19: Junior & Senior Prom
Apr 23-26: School Musical
Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.
Katherine Walton, Activities Director
College & Career
Senior Scholarships
- AAUW scholarship for a female senior with significant community service
- Tri Counties Bank scholarship for seniors with financial need or merit
Frosh/Sophomores: Parents, please join us for our Frosh/Soph Parent Night THIS THURSDAY, Jan 16 from 6:30-7:30pm in the library. We will cover essential information on course selection, graduation/4-year college requirements, and provide a brief overview of course offerings. We will also introduce our College and Career Center and highlight the resources available to support your student’s academic and career planning. Looking forward to seeing all of you.
