Jennifer Hoover – Page 64 – Acalanes Parents Club

School Nurse

December 11, 2023

As we move into the winter months and holiday season, consider what self-care activities you can model and include your students in. For holiday gifts, get creative and choose fun items that also support their health and wellness.

Do your kids cook?
This week I gave a nutrition presentation in the Wellness Center during academy. I shared a really easy meal for students to make and encouraged them to include as many vegetables as they could: a jar of pasta sauce (add vegetables if desired), a package of pasta (choose whole grain or legume if willing), and add more vegetables, herbs and spices. Optional: add a can of cannellini beans and top with parmesan; or your protein of choice!

Eating (and making) a family meal is one of the best ways to support the health and wellness of your kids. Teaching your kids basic cooking skills/how to prepare a basic meal is one of the cornerstones of self-care. Give them some practice before they graduate!

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

December 11, 2023

The countdown to first semester finals is on! These are sure to be highly stressful times for most students. In addition to the standard stressors such as jobs, extracurriculars and homework, changes in the weather, as well as the desire to perform well on finals, all have the potential to throw students for a loop. To help your student perform at their best, help them beat stress by utilizing “Four As”:

Avoid unnecessary stress- teach your students the importance of boundaries and prioritization. It is okay for them to say no to people and activities that might add extra stress during finals preparation.
Alter the situation- encourage your students to talk about their stress instead of keeping it in. This is also a great opportunity to reinforce the value of self care activities that might help them decompress instead of overloading on academics.
Adapt to the stressor- take the time to help your students shift their behaviors toward things that will benefit them during this time. Scientists recognize that teens need 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night. Unfortunately, most teens sleep only 7 hours each night and during finals, they may be tempted to sleep even less. Sleeping, and even eating, regularly not only decreases stress but powers your students bodies to perform their best mentally.
Accept things you can’t change- finals aren’t going away. By accepting this reality, students have greater control over the things they can change in relation to finals. Study time, gratitude, personal time and self care are in your students’ control. Each of these things can work toward positively influencing their finals experience.

Finally, encourage your students to participate in the fun activities offered during the school day. There are a ton of school-wide activities taking place this week (Dec 11-15) that can help your student chill out and de-stress, including Winter Week dress up days, movie showings and hot cocoa for all. The Wellness Center is also bringing in therapy dogs on Dec 18 for de-stressing puppy hugs before finals officially start!

Happy All-idays to you and your loved ones from your Wellness Center team!

(Source: Keep Calm During finals by Lisa Brickert, MSW, LCSW

LPIE

December 11, 2023

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!

Sports Basement Exclusive Discount and Donations to LPIE
To thank our community for its continued support, Sports Basement is giving up to 20% off your in-store purchase! Just mention this flier to receive this exclusive discount (some exclusions apply — please see Sports Basement’s site for details). Sports Basement will also donate 10% of its profits from the Sports Basement Basementeer program to LPIE. Help support our students by shopping in-store at Sports Basement today!

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

Sports

December 11, 2023

This week’s can’t miss events:

Girls basketball
Tuesday, Dec 12 host Las Lomas HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Wednesday, Dec 13 host San Leandro HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Thursday, Dec 14 Liberty HS in Stonebarger JV Tournament at Liberty HS at 4pm.
Friday, Dec 15 Tracy West HS in Stonebarger JV Tournament at Liberty HS at 5:30pm.
Saturday, Dec 16 Caruthers HS in Recognize the Game Varsity Classic at Merritt College.
Saturday, Dec 16 Campolindo HS in Stonebarger JV Tournament at Liberty HS at 12pm.

Boys basketball
Tuesday, Dec 12 at Las Lomas HS. Frosh at 4:30pm, JV at 6pm and Varsity at 7:30pm.
Saturday, Dec 16 Valley Christian HS in Merv Harris Classic at Serra HS at 6pm.
Saturday, Dec 16 host Rodriguez HS. Frosh at 12pm and JV at 1:30pm.

Girls soccer
Tuesday, Dec 12 host Benicia HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Thursday, Dec 14 at Berean Christian HS at 3:30pm.
Saturday, Dec 16 Frosh-Soph at Clayton Valley Charter HS at 2pm.

Boys soccer
Tuesday, Dec 12 at Benicia HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Thursday, Dec 14 JV host De La Salle HS at 5pm.
Thursday, Dec 14 Varsity host Berean Christian HS at 7pm.
Saturday, Dec 16 Varsity v. Sequoia HS in De La Salle Showcase at 10am.
Saturday, Dec 16 Frosh host Northgate HS at 12pm.

Wrestling
Saturday, Dec 16 Bill Martell Invitational at Northgate HS, Castro Valley Girls Invitational.

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

Finals Prep

December 4, 2023

We have your students covered as they prepare to finish the semester strong! Please be sure to visit our APC website for even more information on all events planned to support our students through finals.

EXAM JAM
Wednesday, Dec 13 from 3-5pm in the Library
Kick start your finals studying and preparation during Exam Jam. We will have teachers from each department along with peer tutors on hand to support and answer questions. It is a great opportunity to finish up study guides, begin to study while enjoying delicious snacks and a quiet environment. Exam Jam is open to all students. See you there!

FROSH FINALS INFORMATIONAL MEETING
Thursday, Dec 14 during lunch in the Library
Come hear from teachers in English, Math, World History, Living Earth & World Language about best practices to prepare for finals. They will not only share information on finals but best ways to study as well. Finals goodie bags will be given to the first 200 Frosh thanks to APC!

WELLNESS WINTER WORKSHOP
Friday, Dec 15 during Academy
Our Wellness in the Winter session is a space to gather together and practice coping skills to thrive during finals and a long break with family. Sign up for this academy.

CANINE STRESS BUSTERS
Friday, Dec 15 during lunch in the Front Quad
Come hug it out with your favorite four-legged friends. Therapy dogs will be on campus to provide smiles and tail wags to help reduce stress and provide a general sense of connection to our students. In addition, there will be tables with various stress free activities!

And don’t forget to encourage your student to take advantage of these additional resources:

Peer Tutoring during every academy, lunch, 7th period, and every day for 1 hour after the final school bell.
Wellness Center is open for students to drop in Monday through Friday from 8am – 4pm (with teacher approval during class hours).
Acalanes Library is open from 7:30am to 5pm daily.

Check out our Finals Prep Webpage for more information and resources!

APC in Action

December 4, 2023

We have two great opportunities to treat our well deserving teachers, staff and students!

APC Staff Appreciation Holiday Cookie Exchange – We need lots of volunteers to pull this off and give our teachers and staff a much deserved treat on Friday, Dec 8. Please sign up here if you are able to bake and/or purchase holiday goodies.

Finals Fuel – This is a wonderful way to get on campus and make a difference! Help our students finish strong by providing snacks in between their finals. You can help refuel and recharge our Dons in several ways:

Purchase snacks prior to finals week and deliver to a residence near AHS
Purchase snacks from our Amazon wish list and items will be sent directly to a residence for transport to AHS
Donate money and we’ll shop for you: Venmo @Stephanie-Asadorian (any amount is welcome and appreciated)
Volunteer to hand out snacks on campus Tuesday, Dec 19 – Friday, Dec 22

Follow Acalanes Parents Club on Instagram. Please reach out to APC here with any questions.

Acalanes Community Always (ACA)

December 4, 2023

JUNE 2024 TRIP TO FRANCE & SWITZERLAND
Does your student love to travel? Acalanes staff is taking students on a trip to Europe this summer and students in any grade 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.

For anyone interested in going on the Europe trip this summer, please follow this linkto preview the trip and to register.
Here is the link to the meeting video to learn more.

The deadline to sign up is NOW, so please do so as soon as you can if you’re interested.

Thank you,
Erin Barth and Tina Gullberg

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)

December 4, 2023

Upcoming Important Dates:

Dec 10 Human Rights Day
Dec 7-15 Hanukkah
Dec 25 Christmas
Dec 26- Jan 8 Kwanza

The month of December is a time set aside by many to celebrate a variety of traditions and enjoy time with family, friends and community. If you have some information you feel is important for the DEI committee to share about a celebration you partake in, please let us know.

Hanukkah (Chanukah) is the Jewish eight-day, wintertime “festival of lights,” celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers and fried foods. The Hebrew word Chanukah means “dedication,” and is thus named because it celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple. More information can be found here.

Dec 10, 2023 marks the 75th anniversary of one of the world’s most groundbreaking global pledges: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). This landmark document enshrines the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being – regardless of race, color, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. The Declaration was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on Dec 10 1948 and set out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected. Available in more than 500 languages, it is the most translated document in the world. You can read it and learn more about this special day here.

Contact the DEIB committee here. And follow us on Instagram and Facebook!

Performing & Visual Arts

December 4, 2023

The Acalanes Choir will perform at the “It’s a Wonderful Life in Lafayette” event at the Park Plaza TODAY, Dec 3 at 5:55pm (the event is 4:30-6:30pm). Please come out to support and enjoy!

Winter Instrumental Concert 2023
Get in the holiday mood with Acalanes Band Director Edwin Cordoba as he directs his talented musicians in performing joyful and festive music!
Date/Time: Thursday, Dec 7 at 6:30pm
** Special music by Percussion Ensemble starts at 6:15pm in the PAC Lobby **
Location: AHS Performing Arts Center
Music Groups: Percussion Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Orchestra
Admission Price: Free ($5 donation suggested)

There is also a Winter Choral Concert on Dec 12 at 7pm, performing in the PAC.

Student Activities

December 4, 2023

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 FUNDRAISE ACALANES

Adopt-a-Family
Our community is amazing – thank you for your support of adopt-a-family this holiday season! Together, we are supporting 70 families in our local community. If you opted in, please check your email for instructions on wrapping and delivery of gifts. All gifts need to be wrapped and dropped off no later than Friday, Dec 15.

If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to reach out to Laila Vivek at laila.vivek24@auhsdschools.org or Katherine Walton at kwalton @auhsdschools .org!

Coming up in the next few weeks:

Dec 4-8: Senior dodgeball at lunch
Dec 7: Winter Instrumental Concert
Dec 8 at lunch: Class of 2025 Holiday Lunch
Dec 11-15: Winter Week dress-ups & fun
Dec 12: Winter Choral Concert
Dec 12/13: Frosh Connect covering final exam information
Dec 13 at 3pm: Exam Cram (finals study session with teachers and peer tutors)
Dec 14 at lunch: Frosh FINALS informational meeting in the library (NOT TO MISS)

SAVE THE DATE: Prom 2024 is Saturday, Apr 27 at the San Francisco Exploratorium

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

Katherine Walton, Activities Director

School Nurse

Wellness Center

LPIE

Sports

Finals Prep

APC in Action

Acalanes Community Always (ACA)

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)

Performing & Visual Arts

Student Activities

Acalanes Parents Club

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