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Acalanes Community Always (ACA)
AHS ROBOTICS CLUB SEEKING SPONSORSGeneral Administration Announcements
ACALANES JOB FAIR!
Do you own a business or work somewhere looking to hire this spring or summer? Acalanes will host a Job Fair on Wednesday, Mar 20, from 10-11am in our front quad. If you want to recruit some fantastic Acalanes High School student employees, we would love you to join us!
Please email any of the following for more information:
Katherine Walton at kwalton@auhsdschools.org or
Debbie Levy at dlevy@auhsdschools.org or
Nicole Singleterry at nsingleterry@auhsdschools.org
APC in Action
DONS DIALOGUE – THIS FRIDAY AT 8:45am!
Join us on Friday, Feb 23 in the Collaboration Center for coffee, treats and informative dialogue! This month’s topics include;
- Department Spotlights on
- Science – Sydney Johnson
- Math Pathways – Misha Buchel
- PE – Chris Clark
- CAASPP Testing
- ASB Update
- Q&A with Principal Shawn
The APC Dons Dialogues are the best way to stay in the loop with what is happening on campus, ask any questions you may have or just connect with the Acalanes community.
We hope to see you Friday!
STAFF APPRECIATION VALENTINES BREAKFAST
Check out the 💙 healthy spread our amazing Acalanes Staff enjoyed on Valentine’s Day! Many thanks to our Staff Appreciation Co-Chairs, Dominique Mickelson and Stacey Hastings for coordinating.
Parent Education
Please plan to join us for this powerful discussion! RSVP here!
Event is free and encouraged for all Parents and Students.
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)
Upcoming Important Dates:
- Black History/Excellence Month (February)
- Feb 10-24 Lunar New Year
- Feb 14 Douglass Day
- Feb 19 Day of Remembrance
- Feb 23 BSU Dance at Miramonte
Tuesday, Feb 19 is Day of Remembrance. What exactly are we supposed to remember? It was on this day in 1942 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which gave the U.S. Army the authority to remove civilians from the military zones established in Washington, Oregon, and California during WWII. This led to the forced removal and incarceration of some 120,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry living on the West Coast, who had to abandon their jobs, their homes, and their lives to be sent to one of ten concentration camps scattered in desolate, remote regions of the country. Every February, the Japanese American community commemorates Executive Order 9066 as a reminder of the impact the incarceration experience has had on our families, our community, and our country. It is an opportunity to educate others on the fragility of civil liberties in times of crisis, and the importance of remaining vigilant in protecting the rights and freedoms of all.
Miramonte’s BSU and leadership group are hosting a district wide Mardi Gras dance for all students on Friday, Feb 23 from 7-9pm! Along with dancing and an awesome DJ, there will be food, a 360 open-air video booth, a place to hang out with friends, and an airbrush tattoo artist! Tickets will be $10 and can be purchased on GoFan here.
Please check out the new AUHSD DEIB website for many great resources and events! And follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
Student Activities
February is Black Excellence Month! There is a district wide Mardi Gras dance this Friday, Feb 23 from 7-9 pm at Miramonte High School! Along with dancing and an awesome DJ, there will be food, a 360 open-air video booth, a place to hang out with friends, and an airbrush tattoo artist! Tickets are $10 and available on GoFan. It is a fun evening – please encourage your student to attend!
Attend Open Mic Night this Wednesday, Feb 21 at Sideboard restaurant at 6:30pm. It is one of our favorite nights of the year as we watch student talent. Students will perform songs, poems, instruments, dances and more!
Student Government (Leadership) Applications – Incoming 9th Graders: If your student is an incoming 9th grader, applications can be found here and are due on Thursday, Feb 22. Any questions, please contact Katherine Walton.
Line Dancing this Friday @ Lunch!
Encourage your student to get their boot scootin’ boogie on at Line Dancing in the big gym this Friday, Feb 23 during lunch! We have a dance teacher coming to teach the Dons how to line dance – it is going to be so much fun!
3v3 March Madness Staff Student Basketball is coming up! It will be held from Feb 26 through Mar 1 during lunch in the big gym. Students can sign up with a friend and one staff member using THIS LINK.
Acalanes Spiritwear Available for Purchase!
Looking for Acalanes gear? The spring webstore is still open with new sweatshirts, shirts, sweatpants and a lanyard. The webstore closes on Monday, Feb 26 and items will be available for pick-up in late March. All proceeds benefit the classes of 2025, 2026 and 2027.
We also have 2028 frosh spirit packs available for purchase. Spirit packs feature a limited edition 2028 hoodie, string backpack and lanyard. The last day to order these is Thursday, Apr 18 and items will be available for pick-up beginning Wednesday, May 1. All proceeds benefit the class of 2028.
The Annual Acalanes blood drive is coming on Tuesday, Feb 27! Anyone 16+ years old can donate (adults encouraged). Appointments are available from 8am-1:45pm in the small gym at Acalanes. People can sign up to donate through this link or scan the QR codes located in all junior and senior and English classrooms. If a student is 16/17, a permission form is needed and is available in room 314. Donors will get a complimentary shirt, as well as a $20 Amazon gift card. Contact Katherine Walton If you have any questions!
A Dress Drive continues through Friday, Mar 1. Bring any kind/type of dress (all will be accepted) to AHS (outside the front office) or to the Lafayette Community Center. Donations will be going to the Princess Project in San Francisco.
Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.
Katherine Walton, Activities Director
College & Career
SENIORS:
The Bose Lamont Scholarship is available for $1500. To apply, your student needs a 3.0+ GPA; the essay question is “how have you been brave”? Email dlevy@auhsdschools.org for submission details.
JUNIORS, SOPHOMORES, FROSH:
Where There Be Dragons offers immersive summer programs for students. Your student can come by to learn more. Eva Vanek, a Dragons Representative, will be presenting at lunch on Thursday, Feb 29 in the College & Career Center.
Please visit our College & Career Counseling website any time for additional information and support.
Counseling
Counselor assignments are by last name:
A-Em Anne Schonauer
En-Kr Erika Vasquez
Ku-Rog Marissa Meadows
Roh-Z Susan Martin
Course selection for the 2024-2025 school year – Students can still make changes to their course selections for next year this week! Please have your student contact their counselor if they wish to make changes.
The CSF application period is open! CSF (California Scholarship Federation) is an honor society. Current 10th, 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 forms into the counseling office. The deadline is Thursday, Feb 29 for both the form and the payment! Students who are members for at least 4 semesters, including during senior year, will get a special stole to wear at graduation. Read the FAQ on the application form and contact Ms. Schonauer for any clarification.
School Nurse
FEBRUARY is American Heart Month AND Black History Month
I want to highlight a great documentary that is valuable for all to watch: They’re Trying To Kill Us. It’s free during February. If you watch it, let me know what you think.
Valentine’s Day and the F Word
Show your kids some love this February. Here are two things your family can focus on to boost your health and spread the love!
- Focus on FIBER and how to include that in what they eat throughout the day. Foods that are naturally high in fiber also have the highest “nutrient density”. This not only helps general health and well-being, it contributes to brain health (better academic success!). HERE is a great handout on fiber in foods.
- Gratitude: A regular gratitude practice helps stimulate our “feeling good” neurotransmitter hormones. HERE is a great handout with daily practices that help strengthen our relationships.
You can never be too young to begin heart health practices!
See my website for more information.
Always Your School Nurse,
Dvora Citron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org, 925-280-2970 x7128
IG: acalanesschoolnurse, School Nurse Website
Wellness Center
Contra Costa County Office of Education is offering a free virtual learning opportunity called Fentanyl Awareness & Overdose Rescue Training. This event is for educators, parents and other caring adults that are interested in current information related to the national fentanyl crisis and what can be done to keep kids in our community safe. Presenters include members of the Medication Education and Disposal Safety
(MEDS) Coalition, CourAGE Youth Health Coalition, county educators and parents.This event takes place on Thursday, Mar 7 from 6-7:30pm and while it is free, registration is required.
