Student Activities

What an INCREDIBLE homecoming week! From hallway decorating to student dodgeball to lunchtime activities and dress-ups to Friday’s HOCO rally and game to the Saturday night out, students showed up and celebrated together. We couldn’t be more proud of the community and Acalanes spirit we have here – it is truly something special!
 
As a community, we brought in more than 40,000 cans (a new record!) for the Contra Costa Food Bank. Look for the final total in the Daily Don this week! They are IMMENSELY grateful for our donations and our yearly partnership. Well done Acalanes!
 
A special thank you to all of the class officers, ASB officers, parent liaisons and the leadership program for working tirelessly to plan the week and execute it. It will be a homecoming to remember!
 
Class skits were filmed & the video will be out soon. See full recaps of the week on @ahs_dons on Instagram.
 
September is Suicide Prevention Month – a time to raise awareness.

  • Pot painting at lunch in room 314 on Monday.
  • Gratitude Grams are in the frosh and sophomore quad on Sep 25 during lunch!
  • Sep 26 at 6:30pm is Serving Support: Volleyball for Suicide Prevention at the varsity volleyball game. Come watch volleyball and receive information about suicide prevention awareness.

If you ordered spiritwear from the Gryco webstore, you can pick it up on Wednesday from 3-4pm in room 314 or send your student to 314 on Thursday during lunch.
 
Glide Memorial: We are doing a service trip to Glide Memorial on Sunday, Sep 29 from 10am – 2pm. Students can sign up via Helper Helper. We are looking for 10 more students to join us!
 
2024-2025 Clubs
Club meetings have begun! Here are our 77 unique clubs on campus, from Archery Club to the Red Cross Club.

Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.
 
Katherine Walton, Activities Director

Read more

College & Career

Seniors: Please come by the College and Career Center during 6th, 7th, academy, lunch and/or brunch to work on your common application and UC application. Tips and strategies provided during all sessions. MaiaLearning tutorials are also provided at each visit. Great tips here!
 
Senior Scholarships: DAR Good Citizens Scholarship- Senior Women please come by the CCC for details and the Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student Scholarship.

Read more

Counseling

Counselor assignments are by student last name:
A-F Anne Schonauer  
G-Ka Erika Vasquez
Ke-Re Marissa Meadows 
Rh-Z Susan Martin

The CSF application period is open! CSF (California Scholarship Federation) is an honor society. Current 11th and 12th graders are encouraged to apply. A complete CSF application has 2 parts – an application form and a payment on the webstore. Turn in forms to the counseling office. The deadline is Sep 30 for both the form and the payment! Students use the grades they earned in spring 2024 to fill out the form this month. Students who are members for at least 4 semesters, including during senior year, will get special stole to wear at graduation. Read the FAQ on the application form  and contact Ms. Schonauer for any clarification.
 
CLASS SCHEDULES Students can now only drop a class, they can’t add any new classes. Students can drop a first or last class of the day for an Off Campus, or they can drop a class and add a TA that period. The deadline to drop a class is the end of the first quarter, Friday, Oct 11. After this date, any class dropped will receive an automatic F grade. 
 
INDIVIDUAL SENIOR APPOINTMENTS Counselors are seeing seniors individually through the month of September. During these appointments, we will look at Maia Learning, talk about schools and deadlines, discuss documents needed, and come up with a to-do list for you/your student, if necessary.
 
GRADES AND ELIGIBILITY Progress reports were made available in Aeries last Friday, reflecting grades from the start of school through Sep 13. The next grading period will be at the end of first quarter on Oct 11. Continued athletic eligibility will be determined from these grades for fall sports – students must have a 2.0 GPA and be passing five classes.

Read more

School Nurse

Build healthy habits for your students now! Four years goes by in a flash…

Does your student know who their doctor is? That’s a question I ask almost every student. I do that to find out if they have an identified primary care provider (hopefully a pediatrician). I talk to the older students about how they will be accessing health care on their own when they are in college. Student Health and Wellness Centers in the University setting are uniquely designed to meet the needs of these young adults. Discussing accessing health care (beginning with knowing who your doctor is) with your student begins to empower them to think and function independently.

It takes a village- keeping our students healthy and safe is our highest priority. Give yourself permission to regularly speak with your own kids about safe and healthy behaviors. That includes drinking alcohol, substance use and sexual activity. Talk with your kids about what routines and practices will keep them stay healthy and strong so they have as many positive options to choose from in their future.

Please, let me know if you have questions or need support.

You can access the medical forms page HERE.

My office hours are:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and some* Thursdays
Tuesdays & Thursdays:  8am – 3:50pm
Wednesdays:  7:30am – 3:20pm

AHS School Nurse Calendar
See my website for more information.

Always Your School Nurse,
Dvora Citron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org, 925-280-2970 x7128
IG: acalanesschoolnurseSchool Nurse Website

Read more

Wellness Center

Join us on Tuesday, Oct 8 for a districtwide parent education event regarding the fentanyl crisis and its impact on teens. There will be a screening of a documentary from the nonprofit organization Song for Charlie followed by a question and answer panel. Panelists will include Outreach Coordinator from Song for Charlie Laura Didier, LLHS Principal Heather Thorner, LLHS Wellness Coordinator Amelia Whalen, and other community experts. The event will take place on from 6:30-8pm in the Las Lomas High School Theater. All parents within AUHSD and parents from partner districts are welcome to attend.
 
Please use this link if you are interested in attending. RSVP is not required but is helpful for our planning.

Read more

Performing & Visual Arts

Are you ready to make a difference in the lives of our talented Acalanes musicians? We’re seeking donations of gently-used concert attire to ensure that every student can look their best for upcoming performances.
Our current inventory of loaner attire is running low, so if you have any of the following items that your student has outgrown or no longer wears, please consider donating them to our Instrumental Music Concert Attire Closet (website):

  • Black concert dress (from the past 4-5 years)
  • Black tuxedos/suits
  • Black jackets
  • Black dress pants, black skirts (below knee)
  • White, black, french blue button-down dress shirts
  • White, black, french blue sleeved blouses
  • Black ties (bow or regular)
  • Black dress shoes

Your generosity helps to ensure that every musician has the opportunity to shine on stage! Please bring the clothes to the AHS music/band room. If you have any questions, please contact Andrea Christie or info@ahsperformingarts.org.
 

Read more

LPIE

Last chance! Win two tickets to see Billy Joel & Sting live in Las Vegas!

This is your final reminder to enter our amazing sweepstakes for a chance to win two tickets to see Billy Joel and Sting live in Las Vegas! This unforgettable concert experience awaits you, and we don’t want you to miss out!

Read more

Sports

*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:

Girls volleyball
Tuesday, Sep 24 at Las Lomas HS. Frosh at 4:30pm, JV at 5:30pm, Varsity at 6:30pm.
Thursday, Sep 26 host Miramonte HS. Frosh at 4:30pm, JV at 5:30pm, Varsity at 6:30pm.
Saturday, Sep 28 Sonoma Valley Varsity Invitational.
 
Girls tennis
Tuesday, Sep 24 Las Lomas HS at 4pm. Varsity is away and JV is home.
Thursday, Sep 26 Northgate HS at 4pm. Varsity is home and JV is away.
 
Girls water polo
Tuesday, Sep 24 at Carondelet HS. Varsity at 4pm and JV at 5pm.
Saturday, Sep 28 Soquel HS and Stevenson HS at Soquel HS.
 
Boys water polo
Tuesday, Sep 24 host James Logan HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 6:30pm.
Thursday, Sep 26 JV host Liberty HS at 5pm.
 
Cross country
Wednesday, Sep 25 DAL Center Meet at Hidden Valley Park.
Saturday, Sep 28 Eye Opener Invitational at Shollenberger Park, Petaluma.
 
Flag football
Wednesday, Sep 25 Benicia HS at 5:30pm, Mt. Diablo HS at 6:45pm at Benicia HS.
 
Football
Thursday, Sep 26 Frosh host Amador Valley HS at 5pm.
Friday, Sep 27 at Amador Valley HS. JV at 4:30pm, Varsity at 7pm. 

You may view the full 2024-2025 Athletic Schedule by clicking HERE.

Read more

APC in Action

DONS DIALOGUE & APC GENERAL MEETING
Please join us on Friday, Sep 20 at 8:45am in the Collaboration Center for our September Dons Dialogue. We will start with a brief APC General Meeting including a review and vote on the 2023-24 APC budget. Our Dons Dialogue with Principal Shawn will immediately follow.

Dons Dialogue Agenda, Sep 20:

  • ACA Serves
  • Academy with Purpose
  • AUHSD Board Candidates Forum
  • Student Activities
  • Q&A with Principal Shawn

APC will provide coffee and treats. All parents/caregivers welcome. We hope to see you there!

 
Fall 2024 Grants Application Now Available! 
Calling all teachers, parents and students in the Acalanes community! Acalanes Parents Club is looking to award grants that will enhance and enrich the educational experience of AHS students in new and innovative ways. Teachers, staff and students are encouraged to submit ideas for meaningful programs and educational equipment.
Applications are due by Friday, Sep 27. Click here to read more!

Read more

APC Membership & Fundraising

You can still donate to Acalanes Parents Club! Your donation goes directly to AHS and supports important programs that greatly benefit all Acalanes students and staff. These programs include:

  • Peer Tutoring
  • College & Career Services
  • Campus Enhancements
  • Parent Education
  • Staff & Teacher Development
  • Communications
  • Grant Programs
  • Volunteer Opportunities
  • And more . . .

If you haven’t had a chance to donate, please consider doing so here. The suggested amount is $350 but any amount is welcome and greatly appreciated.
 
Every donor receives a new APC tote! If you didn’t have a chance to pick yours up at Back to School Night, please reach out to cdaughters@yahoo.com. All APC members will also receive access to the online AHS student/family directory in the next few weeks.
 
Another important source of funding is making your donations go twice as far with corporate matching. Please check if your company has a matching program and reach out to corpmatch@acalanesparentsclub.org if so.
 
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Read more