JUNE 2024 TRIP TO FRANCE & SWITZERLAND
Looking for the holiday gift that your child will remember for the rest of their lives? Give the gift of travel! Acalanes staff are taking students on a trip to Europe this summer. Students of any age can attend! The only requirement is an interest in travel! This summer we are going to France and Switzerland. This trip has a little bit of everything – ancient/historical sites, relaxing beaches, awe-inspiring locations, amazing food, and a once-in-a-lifetime bonding experience with your Acalanes peers. Final deadline to sign up is Thursday, Feb 15!
For anyone interested in going on the Europe trip this summer, please follow this link to preview the trip and to register: June 2024 Trip to France & Switzerland!
GARDEN UPDATE
We are plugging away with our garden projects! During our last work day on Dec 3 we dug out the old soil in the raised beds, started installing hardware cloth (to gopher proof them) and made a prototype bed. Our next work party is Sunday, Jan 21 when we plan to add gravel to the meditation garden, finish the hardware cloth installation and replace the soil into the beds. We also have a workday on Sunday, Feb 4 when we plan to add more garden soil to top off the newly raised beds. This will set us up for planting in the spring. While all of this is happening, the garden club has been meeting weekly during lunch. We have been planning work days and in January, we will turn our focus to planning and then planting our seeds for our spring planting.
Thanks for all the support! Our APC grant is paying for the gravel for the meditation garden and a generous parent has helped us with a grow stand, as well as raised beds supplies and refurbishing. We still have a few items on our wish list here if you’d like to help.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Lori Tewksbury (LTewksbury@auhsdschools.org; room 201). Happy Holidays!!
Acalanes Community Always (ACA)
Parents Club Pro-Tip
This Pro-Tip comes from AHS student leaders. Parents may want to encourage your student to visit the RogerHub website to utilize their Final Grade Calculator. Some students find it helpful to calculate what score they need to achieve on their final exam in order to get the semester grade they desire in the class.
Parent Education
The Las Lomas PTSA invites you to attend a Parent Education series presentation on Dec 18 lead by by therapists Daniele Svingos and Annie Wright
“The Hidden Signs of Teen Suicide: A Therapist-Led Workshop”
Monday, Dec 18 at 7pm via Zoom
Parents and students who attend will learn:
- The state of adolescent mental health as a national crisis
- The discomfort we may have as parents talking about it, but the criticality of doing so
- The difference between active suicidality and suicidal ideation
- The risk factors that can lead to suicidal ideation in adolescents
- The “more obvious” warning signs of suicidal ideation
- The “less obvious” warning signs
- Steps we can take as parents to create a firm foundation for resilient mental health in our adolescent children
- Q&A
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)
Upcoming Important Dates:
- Dec 25: Christmas
- Dec 26- Jan 8: Kwanzaa
December is a time set aside by many to celebrate a variety of traditions and enjoy time with family, friends and community. The APC DEI committee wishes you all a winter break filled with peace, love and yummy traditions.
Christmas, a Christian holiday honoring the birth of Jesus, has evolved into a worldwide religious and secular celebration, incorporating many pre-Christian and pagan traditions into the festivities. You can learn more about it here.
Created in 1966 by Maulana Ron Karenga, Kwanzaa is an African American and Pan-African holiday that celebrates history, values, family, community and culture. The ideas and concepts of Kwanzaa are expressed in the Swahili language, one of the most widely spoken languages in Africa. There is much more to discover here.
If you’d like to be a part of the upcoming celebrations in 2024, such as Black Excellence Month and Lunar New Year, please contact the DEIB committee here. And follow us on Instagram and Facebook!
Student Activities
Our community is so generous – thank you for all of your support for Adopt-a-Family! We dropped off a full U-Haul this past Friday supporting over 70 families in our local community. THANK YOU Acalanes!
Class Fundraiser @ Minted
Looking to buy holiday cards or holiday gifts? Consider purchasing from Minted! You will receive 20% off and Acalanes classes of ‘24, ‘25, ‘26 and ‘27 will receive 15% back. Use the code FUNDRAISEACALANES
Preview of January programming:
- Jan 19: Spring Club Day at lunch
- Jan 22: Leadership applications available for ‘24-’25 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)
- Jan 31: Staff/student trivia
- A whole lot more!
It has been an incredible first semester at Acalanes! So many moments of joy and memories made for our students. Thank you for all of your support of student activities!
College & Career
Seniors
- Community College Support: Send your student to discuss community college opportunities and majors. Mark your calendars: DVC will be visiting on Wednesday, Feb 7 for an admissions presentation during academy in the library.
- FAFSA webinar: On Thursday, Jan 11 @ 6:30pm PT, CAP will host a FAFSA presentation. Click to register. During the webinar, financial aid experts will discuss:
- 2024 FAFSA changes and how they’ll impact your family
- How (and who!) to login/access the FAFSA
- How to complete and submit the FAFSA
- Who requires the FAFSA and when they are due
- How the FAFSA changes impact your application process
- Why everyone should complete the FAFSA
- What business owners & split household families need to know
- Assistance League of Diablo Valley Scholarships: If your family has financial limitations, there are several local scholarships available. Apply here by Wednesday, Mar 20, 2024.
Please visit our College & Career Counseling website any time for additional information and support.
Juniors
Boys and Girls State: The application is now available for The American Legion Boys and Girls State programthis summer. It is sponsored by our local American Legion.
Sophomores/Frosh- Have children interested in Data Science? Check out this National Data Science Contest.
School Nurse
During the winter months and holiday season, consider what self-care activities you can model and do with your students. For holiday gifts, get creative and choose fun items that also support their health and wellness.
Holiday and Vacation Time “should” be fun and relaxing…but extra time with family and changes in routines can sometimes be stressful.
Here are a few reminders:
- PACE your holiday schedule, whether you are at home or traveling. Schedule in downtime and rest breaks – otherwise they won’t happen.
- Adjust your expectations- remember that we all experience a range of emotions and moods, even in the best of times, and make emotional and physical space for that.
- Schedule in healthy activities to balance the “indulgences” of the season.
- Ask your kids to help out with a holiday meal activity:
- Sandwich Bar with different fresh breads and rolls, healthy proteins, different spreads, and colorful tasty veggies. Have a few salads on the side.
- Oatmeal/hot cereal bar – a steaming pot of hot cereal with a selection of various toppings (chopped fresh fruits, dried fruits, nuts, etc.).
- Gratitude Tea Party – take even just 30 minutes where you set up “tea” with a different selection of teas, nice cups/mugs, and a combination of healthy treats. Gather in a cozy area, maybe by the fireplace. Choose a guiding question as the topic of conversation and go around sharing your answers. Agree to keep it positive!
- Charcuterie platter – try it plant-based (healthy-ish) – hummus and pita chips, olives, vegetable crudite, guacamole, salsa and chips, nuts, dried fruit, cheese (or substitute), whole grain/seed crackers.
- Fruit and Vegetable Platters in a fun holiday design!
See my website for more information.
Always Your School Nurse,
DvoraCitron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org, 925-280-2970 x7128,
IG: acalanesschoolnurse, SchoolNurseWebsite
Wellness Center
Please encourage your AHS student to stop by the Wellness Center during lunch time tomorrow, Monday Dec 18, to visit with therapy dogs before finals officially begin.
We will also be open for students needing support during finals week with a modified schedule:
Monday- regular hours
Tuesday- Friday, 8am-1pm
While winter break is a great time for self care and connection, this time of year can also be difficult for many. Thankfully, the CCCOE Wellness In Schools Program (WISP) has done the heavy lifting in compiling a list of easyto access local and national resources should you find your AHS student in need while away from school. As always, dialing 211 will connect you with a database of community resources, including Contra Costa Crisis Center, and dialing 988 will connect you to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. 
The Acalanes Wellness Center wishes you a happy holiday season!
LPIE
Project LPIE 2024 is here! Open to all Acalanes High School students, this competition is an annual event that showcases students for their 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. The timeline:
- Tuesday, Jan 23 – Projects due
- Friday, Feb 23 – Winners announced & reception at the Lafayette Library
Please refer to the Project LPIE Webpage for more specific information
Honey Bear Christmas Tree Fundraiser
Embrace the holiday spirit while raising money for LPIE by purchasing your Christmas tree and holiday wreath from Honey Bear Christmas Trees (across the street from Acalanes)! If you mention this flier at the time of purchase, Honey Bear will donate 20% of your purchase to LPIE. Help give the gift of an incredible education by shopping at Honey Bear Christmas Trees this year!
LPIE Pay-to-Plays
Tickets for LPIE’s Pay-to-Play Parties are on sale NOW! Don’t miss your chance to go to a Toga Party, a Family Friendly Fiesta, or a school based Light Up Fitness class. These parties are hosted by generous Lafayette families and enable you to support our schools while having fun! Click HERE to buy your tickets today!
Sports
This week’s can’t miss events:
Taking the week off to focus on finals.
Girls basketball
Friday, Dec 22 host Concord HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Boys basketball
Friday, Dec 22 at Concord HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Girls soccer
Friday, Dec 22 host Las Lomas HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Boys soccer
Friday, Dec 22 at Las Lomas HS. Frosh at 4pm, JV at 5:15pm and Varsity at 7:30pm.
Wrestling
Saturday, Dec 23 Albany Girls Invitational.
You may view the 2023-2024 Athletic Update by clicking HERE.
