APC in Action

APC FALL GRANT APPLICATIONS – Last Chance to Submit!
We invite all AHS teachers, staff, students, and parents to submit a grant application for programming, materials or projects that enhance the educational experience for our school community; all ideas are welcome. Click here for the criteria and application.  The deadline is Friday, Oct 6! Completed proposals and questions can be submitted to Nicole Sanders or delivered to the APC Box in the front office.

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

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APC Membership & Fundraising

APC is 100% PARENT FUNDED!
$30,000 is needed to reach our pledged amount of $185,000. 
Our suggested donation is $350 per student.
Please consider donating today – truly any amount counts!

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Acalanes Community Always (ACA)

JUNE 2024 TRIP TO FRANCE & SWITZERLAND
Does your student love to travel? Acalanes staff are taking students on a trip to Europe this summer. 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 trip to Europe this summer, please follow this link to preview the trip and to register.
Here is the link to the meeting video to learn more.
The deadline to sign up for the trip is December 1st, so if you’re interested please sign up as soon as you can.
Thank you,
Erin Barth and Tina Gullberg
 
LAFAYETTE RESERVOIR RUN: Sunday, Oct 22
The Race Before the Race Continues – Register NOW
Lafayette’s public schools are beneficiaries of this event, with 15% percent of each registration going back to Acalanes – so be sure to choose Acalanes during the registration process!

The school who most increases their number of runners compared to last year will receive an additional $500 beneficiary check! (We’ve got this Dons!)

Thank you for supporting our schools! Go Dons!

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Parent Education

Campus and Gun Safety Event  • Tuesday, Oct 3 from 7-8pm
Acalanes Performing Arts Center (PAC)

Lafayette parents with students in grades K-12 can join us for a presentation and panel discussion on the important topic of campus and gun safety. Speakers include:

  • City of Lafayette Mayor Carl Anduri
  • Police Chief Ben Alldritt
  • Lafayette School District Superintendent Dr. Brent Stephens
  • Acalanes Unified High School District Superintendent Dr. John Nickerson
  • Acalanes High School Principal Eric Shawn

We will hear about our city’s work to keep students and families safe from gun violence, and parents will learn how they can stay informed and do their part to keep our community safe.

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Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)

LatinX/Hispanic Heritage Month began September 15 and runs until October 15. Students have planned a host of various events & celebrations. One opportunity for our entire community is to attend the speaker event on Tuesday, Oct 17 at 7pm in our libraryDr. Alberto Ledesma, assistant dean for diversity, equity & inclusion at UC Berkeley will be with us to share his story, his experience as an undocumented immigrant, and more about the book he authored, Diary of a Reluctant Dreamer. Please save the date!
 
Campo DEIB Presents:How to Navigate” Life Book Discussion
Saturday, Oct 11 at 7pm
Campolindo High School Performing Arts Center, 300 Moraga Road, Moraga, CA
Please join us for an evening of insightful education and conversation, intended for parents of high schoolers. Tim Klein will present the book he wrote with co-author, Belle Liang: “How to Navigate Life.” In it, they help guide teens in achieving a greater sense of genuine purpose and discuss how families can support this. They address how this work can re-frame the definition of success, decrease stress and improve whole person development and sense of belonging. RSVP Now at Event Create.

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Performing & Visual Arts

Acalanes Fall Pops Concert
Mark your October calendar for the widely popular Acalanes Pops Concert! Directors Edwin Cordoba and Meredith Hawkins will lead their talented students this year in performing beloved music from the Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards. Don’t miss this fun-filled evening!
 
Date: Thursday, Oct 5, 2023
Time: 7pm
Location: AHS Performing Arts Center (PAC)
Music Groups: Acalanes Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Orchestra and Choir
Admission Price: Free ($5 donation suggested for adults)

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Student Activities

EVENTS THIS WEEK:
Tuesday, Oct 3: Girls Volleyball vs. Benicia
Wednesday, Oct 4 @ lunch: Loteria with Latinos Unidos in room 507 & Hispanic Heritage Month movie at 3:15 with Ms. Voellm in room 403
Thursday, Oct 5: Girls Tennis vs. Campolindo & Pops Concert in the PAC
Friday, Oct 6: Home football vs. Northgate (wear pink for breast cancer awareness)
 
IT’S THE 1-WEEK COUNTDOWN TO HOMECOMING WEEK!
October 9-14: Acalanes celebrates music genres!
Check out the overview of Homecoming 2023 and encourage your student to get involved! It is one of the best weeks on campus and we want every student to feel a part of it. The week has multiple “entry” points so everyone can participate. The first event is Hallway Decorating on Monday, Oct 9 from 10-3. Please encourage your student to attend for an hour or more!
 
Monday, Oct 9 from 5-6pm we are hosting a Community Walk Through of the Homecoming Hallways! Bring younger siblings, neighbors, friends, family, & alumni to view the incredible work. There will be treats & music in each main hallway.

Our annual canned food drive begins tomorrow and runs through Friday, Oct 13. We will collect cans and money in the front quad in the morning and also have online donation links. The canned food drive is a part of class points for Homecoming. As a community, can we surpass the 40,000 can record set last year? Donation links:
Class of 2027
Class of 2026
Class of 2025
Class of 2024

Saturday, Oct 14 is our HOCO Night Out from 7-10pm. It is a campus wide event (1100+ attended last year) and a night not to miss. Tickets are on sale via Go Fan and are:
$25 with ASB
$52 without ASB
$75 for an outside guest
Outside guests do need to fill out and return a guest contract by Tuesday, Oct 10 to the main office. Homecoming will feature a game truck, laser tag, arcade games, caricaturist, henna, casino games, food for purchase & dancing. There is something for everyone.
Attire: Students are welcome to wear what they are comfortable in. Most students wear slacks, a collared shirt, or a semi-formal dress. Dancing is outside on the cement so please plan footwear accordingly.
 
In order to make sure it is a safe event for all, we are in need of 15 more parent chaperones. Please consider signing up!
 
LatinX/Hispanic Heritage Month began September 15 and runs until October 15th. Students have planned a host of various events & celebrations. One opportunity for our entire community is to attend the speaker event on Tuesday, Oct 17 at 7 PM in our library. Dr. Alberto Ledesma, assistant dean for diversity, equity & inclusion at UC Berkeley will be with us to share his story, his experience as an undocumented immigrant, and more about the book he authored, Diary of a Reluctant Dreamer. Please save the date!
 
Clubs at Acalanes
This year we have 72 approved clubs at Acalanes and they are a great way to connect with a passion and get involved. Please encourage your student to attend meetings, reach out to the presidents and get involved! Check them out here!
 
Class shirts will be delivered to all students who have yet to pick it up on Monday during 3rd period.
 
Ordered spiritwear? It has arrived! Check your email for details on pick-up this week!
 
Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.
 
Katherine Walton, Activities Director


 

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College & Career

Seniors

  • College Visits This Week in the CCC: Students MUST pick up a pass from the College & Career Center to attend.
    • Monday: William & Mary, Colby College
    • Tuesday: Syracuse University
    • Wednesday: University of Colorado Boulder, University of Notre Dame, Bowdoin College
  • College Application Academy Support: Remind your student to come to academy sessions in the CCC. 6th and 7th period is OPEN for seniors to DROP BY anytime! No appointments needed.
  • New FAFSA Changes and How They Impact Your Family: This is a very informative video on the new changes to FAFSA, which opens in December.

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

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Counseling

Counselor assignments are by last name:
A-Em AnneSchonauer
En-Kr Erika Vasquez
Ku-Rog MarissaMeadows
Roh-Z SusanMartin

Progress Reports for the first grading period were available in Aeries as of Friday, Sep 22. The next grading period will be quarter grades the week of Oct 16. Athletic eligibility will be renewed with the quarter grades.
 
Dropping Classes: Students may still drop a class until the end of the first quarter, Friday, Oct 13. If the class is in the middle of the day, a student may add a TA period. TA is the only class a student can still add to their schedule.   
 
Letters of Recommendation: Counselors are busy writing letters of recommendation for seniors applying by Nov 1. If your senior is still making adjustments to their college list, and they need a letter of rec, please have them come see us!

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School Nurse

Happy Fall!
It’s a great time to have you and your family get flu shots. If you have a college student, encourage them to go to the Student Health Center on campus to get their flu shot and see what resources are available.

Here’s a great Autumn recipe to try: RedLentil & PumpkinSoup

Always Your School Nurse,
DvoraCitron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org, 925-280-2970 x7128,
IG: acalanesschoolnurseSchoolNurseWebsite

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