Jennifer Hoover – Page 9 – Acalanes Parents Club

LPIE

March 2, 2025

Final Week to Enter Project LPIE!
Registration and entries are due Thursday, Mar 6. Cash prizes for 1st and 2nd place in every category! Awards announcement and reception for all entrants and their families and supporters will be on Friday, Apr 11 at 5pm in the Don Tatzin Community Hall at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center.

Enter Here: https://www.lpie.org/project-lpie-acalanes

Acalanes Student Art Exhibition at the Lafayette Library
Lafayette Partners in Education (LPIE) is thrilled to showcase a special art installation created by the talented students of Acalanes High School! This collaborative project is a testament to their creativity, vision, and artistic expression, bringing a fresh and inspiring addition to our community space.

A heartfelt thank you to Acalanes art teacher Robert Porter for his dedication to fostering student creativity and for guiding this project with such passion and expertise. We also deeply appreciate our LPIE board members, Siena Naaman and Ivana Pignatelli, for their leadership and hard work in bringing this showcase to life, ensuring that these incredible student pieces are beautifully displayed for the community to enjoy. We are incredibly grateful for the collaboration between the Lafayette Public Art Commission and LPIE, which has made this meaningful exhibition possible.

The student artwork will be on display throughout March and April, and we invite everyone to stop by and appreciate the incredible talent of our young artists.

We hope you’ll take a moment to visit the Lafayette Library and celebrate the artistic achievements of our students!

Sports

March 2, 2025

Ticket sales for the 2025 Booster Bash are LIVE! Remember to text the friends you huddled with in the cold while cheering on our Dons athletes so you all buy tickets to the Booster event of the year – April 26 at the Circle G Ranch! https://acalanesboosters.ejoinme.org/PurchaseTickets

*The game schedule below reflects dates and times as of last Friday. Games may change for several reasons, including weather. If you have questions or comments, please contact Acalanes Sports Boosters.

This week’s can’t miss events:

Girls basketball
Tuesday, Mar 4 or Wednesday, Mar 5 CIF NorCal first round.
Saturday, Mar 8 CIF NorCal Semifinal.

Boys golf
Monday, Mar 3 Albany HS at Contra Costa CC 3pm.
Tuesday, Mar 4 Foothill HS at Castlewood CC 3:30pm.
Wednesday, Mar 5 Bentley HS at Rossmoor GC 3:30pm.
Wednesday, Mar 5 JV Tournament at Bridges GC.
Friday, Mar 7 JV v. Northgate HS 3:30pm.

Boys tennis
Monday, Mar 3 Varsity hosts Branson HS at 3:30pm.
Tuesday, Mar 4 Heritage HS at 3:30pm. Varsity away and JV home.
Friday, Mar 7 and Saturday, Mar 8 Fresno Invitational.

Baseball
Tuesday, Mar 4 St. Ignatius HS at 3:30pm. Varsity away and JV home.
Saturday, Mar 8 at Berkeley HS at 10am and 12:30pm.

Softball
Tuesday, Mar 4 Encinal HS at 3:30pm. Varsity home and JV away.
Thursday, Mar 6 Las Lomas HS at 3:30pm. Varsity away and JV home.

Boys volleyball
Tuesday, Mar 4 host Monte Vista HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 6:30pm.
Wednesday, Mar 5 host Freedom HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 6:30pm.

Boys lacrosse
Tuesday, Mar 4 host Sacred Heart Cathedral HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Friday, Mar 7 at Bishop O’Dowd HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.

Girls lacrosse
Tuesday, Mar 4 at Monte Vista HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Friday, March 7 host Carondelet HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.

Track & field
Thursday, Mar 6 at California HS at 3:30pm.
Saturday, Mar 8 host Bob Warren Relays.

Stunt
Friday, Mar 7 Alhambra HS at Clayton Valley Charter HS at 8pm.

You may view the full 2024-2025 Athletic Schedule by clicking HERE.

College & Career

February 23, 2025

Seniors

Please encourage your senior to update their admissions’ decisions on MaiaLearning. This is important!

Juniors: During the following academy sessions, juniors will be called into the library by last name to learn how to use our college planning tool, MaiaLearning. Feb 26 (G-Ka), Feb 28 (Ke-Re), Mar 7 (A-F), and Mar 19 (Rh-Z)

General Administration Announcements

February 23, 2025

We are still looking for parents, alumni, and community members to join us for our highly anticipated Career Fair on Wednesday, Mar 12 at 10am. This is an important event for our students to learn more about career options. We’d love to have you join us! Please contact Debbie Levy at dlevy@auhsdschools.org if you are available.

APC in Action

February 23, 2025

February APC Dons Dialogue
Thank you to all who attended our Dons Dialogue on Friday, Feb 21. It was a great turnout. This month’s topics included Artificial Intelligence update, No Hate Speech zone discussion, CAASP Testing review, Student Activities report and Q&A with Principal Shawn. If you were not able to attend, here are the slides and video from the discussion.

Thank you to our APC Hospitality Co-Chairs, Mia Heglie and Monica Stassi, for providing the welcoming coffee and treats! The next Dons Dialogue will be on Friday, March 21. Click here for the full schedule of upcoming Dons Dialogues.

Spring 2025 Grants Application Still Available!
Acalanes Parents Club is looking to award grants that will enhance and enrich the educational experience of AHS students in new and innovative ways. Teachers, staff and students are encouraged to submit ideas for meaningful programs and educational equipment. Click here to read more and access the application.
Application deadline extended until Friday, Feb 28!

Acalanes Student Community Service Awards: Deadline Friday, Apr 18
The Acalanes community service awards program year is in full swing so please make sure your students are logging those hours! It’s a great opportunity for students to give back AND be recognized for their service. Students who volunteer at least 30 qualifying hours by Apr 18 will get an Acalanes Service Award and there is an opportunity to receive a Presidential Service Award with additional levels of service hours. For more information on how to create a Helper Helper account, what qualifies as community service, and the additional requirements for a Presidential Service Award, please check out our volunteer website or email communityservice@acalanesparentsclub.com with any questions. Please remember that your student’s hours must be entered AND validated by their supervisor by the deadline.

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

Campus Culture Committee

February 23, 2025

Upcoming Important Dates

February: Black Excellence Month
Feb 24 Campus Culture Committee Meeting
Feb 28-Mar 29: Ramadan

Black Excellence Month continues with BSU student meetings each Wednesday of February. Please support them by encouraging your students to attend the club’s events, especially the Quad City Dance this Friday night on 2/28. It is the only event for all ages and all schools in our district! Please visit the Sign Up Genius to help our students make this a successful event.

Monday, Feb 24 is our next Campus Culture Committee meeting at 6pm in the Collaboration Center. Parents and guardians of all current Acalanes students are invited to attend.

Ramadan is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting (sawm), prayer (salah), reflection, and community. Occurring during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, it is a commemoration of Muhammad’s first revelation, the annual observance of Ramadan is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam and lasts twenty-nine to thirty days, from one sighting of the crescent moon to the next. Please let your students know that cafeteria staff will have lunch boxes for students to take home that are observing the fast during the day.

ALL ARE WELCOME HERE T-shirts have arrived! For just $20 you can support the Campus Culture Committee of APC while wearing a stylish black T that lets everyone know what the Dons are all about. Reach out here for payment information and how to get your shirt. Available in M and L only at this time.

If you’d like to help with any celebrations or join in our cultural discussions, please contact the Campus Culture Committee here and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook to keep up to date with what the students are doing to celebrate all of these wonderful cultures and special dates.

Student Activities

February 23, 2025

SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEK:

Monday @ lunch: 3 v 3 staff/student basketball
Tuesday: Blood Drive (8 am-2 pm). Sign up to donate!
Wed-Fri: ASB, Class Officer & Spirit Commissioner Elections
Wednesday @ lunch: BEM trivia + 3 v 3 basketball
Friday @ lunch: 3 v 3 basketball
Friday @ 7:30 PM: Quad City district dance hosted by AUHSD BSU’s

UPCOMING

Color Run + Holi celebration: Mar 16 at 9am
Talent Show: March 18th at 7 PM
Junior & Senior Prom: Apr 19
- Invitations will be passed out in English classes this Tues. & Wed.
Special Olympics @ Acalanes: Apr 25
Intramural girls flag football sign-ups: tournament play is April 27

Student Government Elections this week
Encourage your student to vote for next year’s ASB, Class Officers & Spirit Commissioners. Voting begins Wednesday and the link to vote is in their school email. Results will be announced March 3rd.

Encourage your student to attend FRIDAY’S Quad City Dance at Las Lomas from 7:30 to 9:30! It’s the perfect chance to meet students from all across the district while enjoying delicious food and an unforgettable night of fun. Grab your tickets on GoFan for just $10 and get ready for an amazing time—great vibes, new friends, and a night you won’t want to miss!

The Enviro board is holding a prom dress drive this year through Mar 29. There will be two locations with bins where people can drop off prom dresses and accessories: the Lafayette Community Center and in front of the Acalanes attendance office. The dresses will go to the San Francisco Princess Project which distributes the prom dresses to people who need them.

Support the Garden Club and buy Acalanes grown succulents! Plants are purchased through the Acalanes webstore for $5.25. Once purchased you will receive an email with pick up instructions. Thanks for your support!

Join us on March 16th for Acalanes’ annual Color Run, a vibrant Hindu holiday Holi celebration sponsored by local businesses! The event features student speeches about Holi, an exciting raffle, and a 1 or 2 mile run through our campus course where participants will be showered with colorful powder, and plenty of snacks. This fun-filled day is a chance to celebrate culture, community, and school spirit while supporting the Classes of 2026 & 2027. Tell your family and friends, spread the word, and make this our biggest Color Run! Go Dons! Register today!

Introducing the 2nd Annual Contra Costa Shark Tank Youth Competition
Your student can win $2,000 to launch or grow their business! No idea is too small! This competition is a fun way to promote youth entrepreneurship among K-12 students in Contra Costa County. When young people succeed as entrepreneurs, they improve their own lives while also contributing to the economic development of their local communities. Visit www.contracostasharktank.org to learn more. Finalists will be selected by the Campolindo High School Entrepreneurship Club and winners selected by a panel of judges on May 1 at the Lafayette Library. Deadline to apply is Mar 15!

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

Katherine Walton, Activities Director

Counseling

February 23, 2025

Counselor assignments are by student last name:
A-F Anne Schonauer
G-Ka Erika Vasquez
Ke-Re Marissa Meadows
Rh-Z Susan Martin

CSF Applications are OPEN! The CSF application period is open! CSF (California Scholarship Federation) is an honor society. Current 10th, 11th and 12th graders are encouraged to apply. A complete CSF application has 2 parts- an application form and a payment on the webstore. Turn in forms in the counseling office. The deadline is Friday, Feb 28 for both the form and the payment! Students who are members for at least 4 semesters, including during senior year, will get special stole to wear at graduation. Read the FAQ on the application form and contact Ms. Schonauer for any clarification.

School Nurse

February 23, 2025

Thank goodness I’m done with the flu! I just found out (afterwards) that there are new Covid tests that also test for Influenza A & B available at our local drugstores and online. In case anyone in your household comes down with the flu, here’s some info that may be helpful:

What to eat when you have the flu (or a stomach illness): If your student has nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, remember the BRAT (bananas, (white) rice, applesauce and toast) diet. You normally see me encouraging a focus on whole foods that are naturally high in fiber (vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts & seeds) but with an upset stomach, we tolerate bland foods with less fiber. I, myself, have been afflicted this week. I found that saltines, cheerios, bananas, applesauce and tea + honey have been helpful. Make sure to keep those poor kids well-hydrated!

I myself was out last week with the flu. Now that I’m all recovered, I’m back to my high-fiber plant-based eating. I made these Buckwheat Banana Pancakes and love them. They’re super easy to make in the blender, bake in the oven, and also pop leftovers into the toaster to grab for breakfast on the way to school.

Please reach out to me for any support your students or family might need.

My office hours are:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and some* Thursdays
Tuesdays & Thursdays: 8am – 3:50pm
Wednesdays: 7:30am – 3:20pm

Always Your School Nurse,
Dvora Citron, RN, MS
dcitron @auhsdschools .org, 925-280-2970 x7128
IG: acalanesschoolnurse, School Nurse Website

Wellness Center

February 23, 2025

Did you know there is a difference between regular listening and active listening? Active listening differs from passive listening in the fact that you are intentionally going out of your way to show the speaker that they are being heard. Mastering the art of active listening can greatly improve all of your relationships, especially your relationship with your student. Instead of listening to your child intending to respond, try to listen to your child intending to understand what, exactly, they are trying to convey. Here are a few tips that might help you improve your active listening skills:

Face the speaker and make eye contact while they are speaking.
Pay attention to body language as well as verbal language.
Listen without interrupting, judging or jumping to conclusions.
Ask questions if you need clarification.
Reflect back what is being said so the speaker knows you are understanding.
Stay focused and don’t multitask.
Don’t insert your opinions or solutions unless asked.

Most people, including your child, just want to be heard and supported. Taking the time to practice active listening and employ your skills with your student not only models good listening behaviors but supports the idea that you are a safe and trustworthy person for them to confide in.

LPIE

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