DONS DIALOGUE – FRIDAY, JAN 19 at 8:45am in the Collaboration Center
We hope to see you for our January Dons Dialogue. Join us to hear all about the course selection process and timeline from the Counseling Department. Plus, teachers will join us to discuss HSD/Ethnic Studies, PE Considerations, AP African American Studies, AP Psychology, Data Science & Statistics, and Instrumental Music & Beginning Band. 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 the week of February 5! So be sure to attend (and encourage your students to attend) all the events available to assist with the course selection process (Dons Dialogue, Open House & Course Preview and class academies).
WANT TO GET MORE INVOLVED?
Help do something positive for our school and students? APC is looking for parents who want to make a difference and enhance our students’ high school experience. There is no better way than joining our vast APC Board. From big roles to smaller event driven jobs, the 2024-25 APC Board slate is opening soon. Click here to learn more about all the APC roles and how you can help AHS next year. If interested, please email past-president and Parliamentarian, Veronique Kuhner.
APC in Action
Parent Education
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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. |
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)
Upcoming Important Dates:
- Jan 15: Martin Luther King Jr Day
- Jan 16: National Day of Racial Healing
- Jan 25: Mahayana New Year
- Jan 27: International Holocaust Remembrance Day
Drawing inspiration from both his Christian faith and the peaceful teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led a nonviolent movement in the late 1950s and ‘60s to achieve legal equality for African Americans in the United States. He is the only non-president to have a national holiday dedicated in his honor and is the only non-president memorialized on the Great Mall in the nation’s capital. He is also memorialized in hundreds of statues, parks, streets, squares, churches and other public facilities around the world as a leader whose teachings are increasingly relevant to the progress of humankind. Please learn more 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.
Performing & Visual Arts
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
We are back! A few invitations and reminders as we cruise into week 2 of 2nd semester!
Club Applications
Did your student want to start a club in the fall but didn’t get the chance? Now is the opportunity! Applications are available and due on Monday, Jan 16. A google form application is in the daily bulletin and on canvas. This Friday, Jan 19, during lunch is our Spring Club Day. Please encourage your student to stop by, check out our clubs and get involved.
Get ready for semester 2 and organize your school supplies!
Join us on Thursday, Jan 18 in the library at lunch! We will have snacks and school supplies to organize your backpack. This is a chance to get organized coming back from break. Encourage your student to sign up so we know who to expect!
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!
SAVE THE DATE: 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!
Future events:
- Jan 22: Leadership applications available for 2024-2025 school year
- Jan 22 & 24: Class Cup Trivia at lunch
- Jan 26: Senior Breakfast (7:30am), Senior Speaker Series (academy) and a lunchtime rally for students and community (lunch). All are invited to attend the lunchtime rally to recognize our fall sports and highlight our winter athletes!
- Jan 31: Staff/Student Trivia
Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.
Katherine Walton, Activities Director
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 2024-2025 school year is coming! Counselors will be visiting 9th, 10th and 11th grade classrooms next week to discuss the course selection process with students and hand out forms.
Frosh/Soph Parent Night All 9th and 10th grade parents are invited to an evening with Erika Vasquez and Marissa Meadows, two of our AHS Counselors, who will present information about the course selection process that parents should know. Please come to the library on Thursday, Jan 18 at 6:30pm for this informative event!
School Nurse
Switch it up with your kids and consider asking them “What did you fail at today? And what did you learn from that?” Help support their ability to see “failure” as a growth experience.
Here is a great resource on Character Strengths from the VIA Institute. I hope you find this a resource that inspires positive conversation and connection in your family.
A Twist on Tuna Salad: This “No–Tuna” Salad is one of my favorite recipes. I’ve been making it weekly these days. It’s a great way to incorporate legumes into your eating, and besides using it for sandwiches, you can spread it on crackers or cucumber slices for a snack or appetizer.
“It’s never too late–or too early–to start living healthier lives.”
Michael Greger, MD, FACLM Founder, NutritionFacts.org
Happy 2024!
Always Your School Nurse,
Dvora Citron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org, 925-280-2970 x7128,
IG: acalanesschoolnurse, School Nurse Website
Wellness Center
We are so excited to have students back to start the new year! It’s very common for people to use this time to set new goals for the upcoming year. Goal setting is a great way to set up yourself, and your student, for success. Discuss setting SMART goals with your student:
- Specific– narrow goals are more efficient for planning and execution.
- Measurable– how will you know that you are making progress toward reaching your goal?
- Attainable– it’s important that goals are realistic and can actually be achieved.
- Relevant– be sure that your goals align with what you find important in the short and long-term.
- Time based– when setting an end date to assess whether you have met your goal, the date should be both motivating and achievable.
Setting, working toward, and achieving SMART goals is extremely beneficial to mental health. Everyone likes to feel capable and accomplished. This can help improve self esteem, as well as fostering an internal locus of control.
LPIE
TOM MULVANEY LEGACY AWARD
LPIE is proud to announce a call for nominations for the Tom Mulvaney Legacy Award! Please click here to submit a nomination. Nominations are due by Thursday, Jan 25 at midnight. The winner will be announced Saturday, Mar 9 at LPIE’s 6th Annual Gala.
LPIE GALA RAFFLE TICKETS
It’s not too late to win a trip to Cabo, Las Vegas, or Tuscany, but there are less than ten tickets left! Click here to request a ticket. The winner will be announced at the 6th Annual LPIE Gala on Mar 9. (You do NOT need to be present to win!)
PROJECT LPIE
Don’t miss your chance to participate in Project LPIE! 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. Awards will be given in every category and announced at our in-person awards ceremony in February. Click here to register today!
Jocelyn Werner and Jaime Roder, Acalanes LPIE School Chairs
www.lpie.org, Follow us on Instagram
Sports
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.
