Jennifer Hoover – Page 59 – Acalanes Parents Club

Acalanes Community Always (ACA)

January 21, 2024

AHS GARDEN UPDATE
Please refer to the email sent Friday , Jan 19 for more details on what’s going on in the garden! A quick glance at the updated workday schedule:

Sunday Jan 18 10am – 2pm

add gravel to the meditation garden
install the rest of the hardware cloth into the beds in the farm
replace soil back into the beds after the hardware cloth is installed
weed

Sunday Feb 25 10am – 2pm

add new soil to the refurbished/taller beds (there will be a lot of soil)
weed

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out to LTewksbury @auhsdschools .org.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)

January 21, 2024

Upcoming Important Dates:

Jan 25: Mahayana New Year
Jan 27: International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Mahayana New Year is celebrated this year on Thursday, Jan 25 by Buddhists around the world. The term Mahayana encompasses Buddhist ideologies and philosophies. Mahayana is one of the two main branches of Buddhism and is mostly practiced in Northeast Asia — China, Japan, Tibet, Taiwan, Mongolia, and Korea. Each region has its own customs and traditions for practicing Mahayana Buddhism. You can learn more about it here.

The International Holocaust Remembrance Day, or the International Day in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, is on Saturday, Jan 27 and commemorates the victims of the Holocaust, which resulted in the genocide of one third of the Jewish people, along with countless members of other minorities, by Nazi Germany between 1933 and 1945. Jan 27 was chosen to commemorate the date when the Auschwitz concentration camp was liberated by the Red Army in 1945. Many countries have instituted their own Holocaust memorial days on the same day, while others, such as Israel’s Yom HaShoah, are observed at other times of the year. There is more information available here.

As we approach February, we are supporting our students in celebrating Black Excellence month. They have requested parent assistance in decorating and informing Acalanes students and families about the many contributions of Black Americans in our world. If you would like to help please reach out to us at diversityandinclusion @acalanesparentsclub .com.

And follow us on Instagram and Facebook!

Parent Education

January 21, 2024

GOVERNMENT BENEFITS FOR 18+ STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Parent Ed presented by Public Benefits Consultant, Jim Huyck
Learn about SSI, SSDI, IHSS, SLS, MediCal, MediCare, Regional Center Benefits
Tuesday, Jan 30 at 7pm in the Acalanes Library

SEED HIGH SCHOOL FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE
Where our special needs high schoolers hang out with their typical peers.
Upcoming regular meeting dates:

Thursday, Jan 18: 5-6:30pm
Thursday, Feb 15: 5-6:30pm

Volunteers and participants should RSVP here (volunteers get 2-hour community service validation per session).
To receive SEED High School updates, sign up to the High School newsletter here.

Performing & Visual Arts

January 21, 2024

The Acalanes Choir will be performing at the Lafayette Schools Concert with all of the elementary schools and Stanley on Thursday, Jan 25 at Stanley Middle School at 7pm. We’re really looking forward to singing with all of the kids. It’s always a very special and sweet performance. We hope to see you there!

Student Activities

January 21, 2024

Lunchtime Rally on Friday, Jan 26 in the Chris Huber Gym!
YOU (our community!) are invited to attend a lunchtime rally celebrating our very successful fall sports teams who went into playoffs and won (flag football, cross country, football) and to also welcome our winter sports athletes. The rally will feature sideline cheer, along with our jazz band. Want to feel the positive energy of Acalanes High School? See you at the lunchtime rally!

Student Government (leadership) 2024-2025
Applications for the leadership program will be available beginning tomorrow. There is a place for everyone in leadership and the program drives student activities at Acalanes. There will be an informational meeting during lunch on Thursday, Jan 25 in room 314. If your student is even slightly interested, please encourage them to attend. Applications are due Tuesday, Feb 6. Any questions, please contact Katherine Walton .

Acalanes Spiritwear Available for Purchase!
Looking for Acalanes gear? Our spring webstore is now open featuring new sweatshirts, shirts, sweatpants and a lanyard. The spring 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 May 1. All proceeds benefit the class of 2028.

The Community Outreach and Improvement Program is hosting a drive for White Pony Express from Jan 22 – Feb 2! Please donate pantry/canned goods to the bins outside the front office and check out our website for more information and donation options! Thank you!

Environmental Council: Household Plastics discussion on Wednesday Jan 24 during academy in room 314 with guest speaker Laura Wehrley. We will be talking about the history of plastics, why they are dangerous for the environment, and ways to reduce your usage of plastics. There will be snacks.

There is a Dress Drive happening from Jan 22 to 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.

Is your student looking for a BLUE CREW shirt and didn’t get one? Have them stop by room 314 with $2 to get their shirt!

Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.

Katherine Walton, Activities Director

College & Career

January 21, 2024

Seniors:

Community College Support: Send your student to discuss community college opportunities and majors. DVC will be visiting on Wednesday, Feb 7 for an admissions presentation during academy in the library.
Scholarship: Calling senior women with a 3.5+ GPA interested in a local community service scholarship through AAUW – the American Association of University Women. Deadline for application is Wednesday, Feb 14.
Blackhawk Scholarship Fund: Senior women can apply here for a scholarship.

Frosh, Sophomores, Juniors:

Military Academy: Interested in learning more about the 4 military branches? Have your student sign up for Levy or Takahashi academy on Wednesday, Feb 21 in Mr. Takahashi’s classroom. Representatives from all the branches will be on campus to discuss opportunities to serve our country.

Please visit our College & Career Counseling website any time for additional information and support.

Counseling

January 21, 2024

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 is happening! Counselors will be visiting classes to go over the course selection process and to hand out forms:

11th grade US History classes on Tuesday, Jan 23 and Wednesday, Jan 24
9th grade PE classes will be visited on Thursday, Jan 25 and Friday, Jan 26
10th grade English classes will be visited on Tuesday, Jan 30 and Wednesday, Jan 31

Course Preview/Open House Night is Thursday, Feb 1. Please come with your students to see what they are doing in their current classes and check out potential classes for next year!

Individual counseling appointments with all 9th, 10th and 11th graders to discuss and collect their course requests will happen the week of Feb 5 – 9.

LPIE

January 21, 2024

PROJECT LPIE
Don’t miss your last chance to participate in ProjectLPIE! Open to all Acalanes High School students, this competition is an annual event that showcases students’ project-based learning. With 15 categories in a variety of disciplines, the contest is open to any AHS student. Submissions are due THIS Tuesday, Jan 23. Awards will be given in every category and announced at our in-person awards ceremony in February. Click here to register today!

READ-A-THON
LPIE’s 4th Annual Read-a-thon starts tomorrow, Monday, Jan 22. Students who read 40 minutes or more per day during the LPIE Read-a-thon, and collect at least one donation, will be entered for a chance to win exciting prizes. Click here to set-up your PledgeStar page today and get ready to read!

Jocelyn Werner and Jaime Roder, Acalanes LPIE School Chairs
www .lpie .org, Follow us on Instagram

Sports

January 21, 2024

This week’s can’t miss events:

Boys basketball
Monday, Jan 22 host Berean Christian HS. JV at 6pm and Varsity at 7:30pm.
Monday, Jan 22 Frosh host Las Lomas HS at 4:30pm.
Wednesday, Jan 24 host Miramonte HS. Frosh at 4:30pm, JV at 6pm and Varsity at 7:30pm.
Friday, Jan 26 host Ygnacio Valley HS. JV at 6pm and Varsity at 7:30pm.
Friday, Jan 26 Frosh host Clayton Valley Charter HS at 4:30pm.

Girls basketball
Monday, Jan 22 at Berean Christian HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Wednesday, Jan 24 at Miramonte HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Friday, Jan 26 at Ygnacio Valley HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.

Girls soccer
Tuesday, Jan 23 host Alhambra HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Thursday, Jan 25 host Campolindo HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Saturday, Jan 27 at Windsor HS. JV at 10am and Varsity at 12pm.
Saturday, Jan 27 Frosh-Soph at Miramonte HS at 2pm.

Boys soccer
Tuesday, Jan 23 at Alhambra HS. JV at 5pm and varsity at 7pm.
Thursday, Jan 25 at Campolindo HS. Frosh at 4pm, JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7:15pm.
Saturday, Jan 27 host Las Lomas HS. Frosh at 4pm, JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7:15pm.

Wrestling
Tuesday, Jan 23 Berean Christian HS and Ygnacio Valley HS at Concord HS at 5pm.
Saturday, Jan 27 Hunter Diemert Memorial Invitational at Livermore HS, NCS JV Tournament at Dougherty Valley HS and Goddess of the Vine girls tournament at Windsor HS.This week’s can’t miss events:
Boys soccer
Tuesday, Jan 16 host College Park HS. Frosh at 4pm, JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7:15pm.
Thursday, Jan 18 Frosh host Berkeley HS at 5pm.
Saturday, Jan 20 host Alameda HS. JV at 11am and Varsity at 1pm.

Girls soccer
Tuesday, Jan 16 at College Park HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Saturday, Jan 20 Frosh-Soph host Las Lomas HS at 9am and play at Campolindo HS at 2pm.

Girls basketball
Wednesday, Jan 17 host Alhambra HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Friday, Jan 19 host Campolindo HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.

Boys basketball
Monday, Jan 15 at Bishop O’Dowd HS. Frosh at 4pm and JV at 5:30pm.
Wednesday, Jan 17 at Alhambra HS. Frosh at 4:30pm, JV at 6pm and Varsity at 7:30pm.
Friday, Jan 19 at Campolindo HS. Frosh at 4:30pm, JV at 6pm and Varsity at 7:30pm.

Wrestling
Tuesday, Jan 16 at Mt. Diablo HS at 5pm.
Saturday, Jan 20 San Ramon Valley Invitational and Livermore JV Barn Burner.

You may view the 2023-2024 Athletic Update by clicking HERE.

Helpful Resources for Course Selection

January 15, 2024

Course selections for the 2024-2025 school year are due the week of February 5! Acalanes has a wealth of resources available to assist you and your students in the process.

IN HOUSE COURSE PREVIEW
This month, we will inform all of our rising 9th, 10th and 11th grade students of the courses and choices they have to make to register for classes for the next school year at our In House Course Preview Program. 9th through 11th graders will be required to attend one academy program in the PAC. Teachers will share the elective course options available to that grade level for next year:

Wednesday, Jan 17 – All current 9th graders (“rising sophs”)
Friday, Jan 19 – all current 10th graders (“rising juniors”)
Wednesday, Jan 24 – all current 11th graders (“rising seniors”)

Students will attend regular academy when their grade is not participating in their In House Course Preview presentation.

COURSE PREVIEW & OPEN HOUSE – for Students and Parents
Thursday, Feb 1:

5:30pm | Acalanes Parents Club Hosted Reception
5:45pm | Incoming 9th Grade Family Meeting
6:15 – 8:00pm | Drop-In Opportunities
6:30 – 7:00pm | Break-Out Session 1
7:05 – 7:30pm | Break-Out Session 2
7:35 – 8:00pm | Break-Out Session 3

The 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.

Acalanes Community Always (ACA)

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)

Parent Education

Performing & Visual Arts

Student Activities

College & Career

Counseling

LPIE

Sports

Helpful Resources for Course Selection

Acalanes Parents Club

About Us

Support Organizations

Social Media

Helpful Resources for Course Selection