COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS
Congratulations to all of the 233 students who completed 30+ hours of community service over the past year. Please see the attached list of all of our amazing community service students. Each student can print their digital award for their own keeping if they choose.
We have 12 seniors that will be earning the Excellence in Community Service Award this year. These students have completed over 300 hours of community service during their 4 years at Acalanes. Please join us in congratulating:
Lauren Anderson
Alvera Bamorya
Jackson Crinnion
Liam Crinnion
Lauren Foster
Darren Ho
Miela Hsu
Addison Mandell
Donovan McGrath
Audrey Parkin
Addyson Stevens
Samantha Swift
These students may pick up a certificate and a special cord to wear at graduation on Wednesday, May 13th at lunch.
TEACHER APPRECIATION OPPORTUNITY!
Teacher Appreciation Week is next week! We’re excited to celebrate our amazing teachers and staff all week long, and we’ll be wrapping it up with a special lunch for everyone. Please consider signing up HERE to help make this lunch extra special—we couldn’t do it without your support! Thank you so much for helping us show our appreciation!
INTERESTED IN GETTING MORE INVOLVED?
We are looking for parents/guardians to join our Acalanes Parents Club team for the 2026-27 school year.
We have openings for the following roles.
Senior Rally: typically junior parents, help coordinate the Senior Rally in the park
Student Community Service Coordinator: organize community service program for students, including Helper Helper app
If you are interested in learning more about any role, please reach out to APC Parliamentarians, Andrea Hilsabeck or Michele Colaco.
APC in Action
Acalanes Community Always (ACA)
Welcome Class of 2030
Acalanes Athletics & Activities Night
May 6, 2025 | Acalanes Main Gym | 5-6pm
It’s time for incoming Acalanes freshmen & families to connect! Students/families can check out the following during this evening on May 6:
- Student Clubs: Acalanes has over 90 student clubs. Club leaders will be at tables and happy to share information. Some of the clubs present will be ACA Buddies, Children’s Hospital, Feminist Club, Finance Club, Jewish Student Union, Black Student Union, Queer Straight Alliance, Latinos Unidos, Asian American Student Union, SAGE Club and many more!
- Athletics: Acalanes is home to twenty-five competitive sports teams. Tables will be set up in the gym alphabetically.
- Athletic Director and Clearance Information: Athletic Directors Randy Takahashi will be available to meet and share more about mandatory athletic clearance for next year.
- Parent Volunteer Opportunities: Acalanes parents play a vital role in supporting and enriching our school activities and events! Thank you in advance for donating your time. More information can be found at our partner tables and Acalanes support organizations at the entrance:
- Acalanes Athletic Boosters
- Acalanes Parents Club
- Acalanes Performing Arts Boosters
- Lafayette Partners in Education
- Acalanes SWAG: Pick up your pre-ordered Acalanes frosh spirit pack and/or purchase some new Acalanes gear!
Campus Culture Committee
💙 Acalanes Parent Club – Campus Culture Committee (CCC) Update
May 2026
🌟 Campus Culture Committee Highlights
The Campus Culture Committee is wrapping up a meaningful and impactful 2025–2026 school year. While there are no additional meetings scheduled for the remainder of the year, we are proud to reflect on the connection, care, and community that have defined our work together.
On April 24, the APC Campus Culture Committee hosted its inaugural Wellness and Restoration Event—a special opportunity for members of our school community to pause, recharge, and connect. Participants experienced a calming sound bath, shared a meal, and enjoyed moments of laughter and reflection together.
We extend our gratitude to Patrick Turner (AHS Wellness Coordinator), Paul Chopra (AUHSD Board Member), and Neku Pogue (AHS Associate Principal) for joining us and supporting this space of restoration. A heartfelt thank you as well to Beverly Jane for leading the sound bath and hosting us at the beautiful Big Magic Village Barn.
At our final meeting of the 2025–2026 school year, we also began planning for the year ahead. Highlights for 2026–2027 include:
- Quarterly Meetings (August, November, February, May)
- Department updates
- Board reports
- Volunteer sign-ups
- May Meeting: Special team-building activity
- Monthly Engagement Opportunities Between Meetings:
- Volunteering at school events such as Back-to-School Night
- Hosting lunches for student clubs
- Donating supplies for events like Homecoming
🌟 May Days of Recognition & Celebration
- May is Asian/Pacific Heritage month
- May is Mental Health Awareness Month
- May is Jewish American Heritage Month
- May 5 – Cinco de Mayo
May offers meaningful opportunities to honor culture, identity, and well-being:
- Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month
A time to reflect on and celebrate the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders across fields such as science, arts, business, and government. - Jewish Heritage Month
Celebrates the achievements and cultural contributions of Jewish Americans in areas including law, medicine, politics, philanthropy, and the arts. - Mental Health Awareness Month
Observed since 1949, this month focuses on reducing stigma, increasing awareness, and promoting support for mental health. The 2026 theme centers on community and well-being. Look out for Wellness Center events designed to support students during AP testing and finals. You can also participate by wearing green, sharing stories, and accessing resources from NAMI or SAMHSA.
📅 Join Us Monthly! (In-Person & Virtual Meetings)
Meeting Schedule | 6:00–7:30pm
- May – No Meeting
✨ April Reflections
Acalanes Cultural Fair
On Apr 24, Acalanes hosted another vibrant and successful Cultural Fair during academy. Students engaged in cultural performances and interactive experiences that deepened understanding and appreciation for the diverse backgrounds represented within the school community. The event was a powerful reminder of the importance of inclusion, representation, and shared learning.
💚 Wellness Center Reminder
If you are ever concerned about your student or one of their peers, please submit a Wellness Referral.
- Our team follows up within one week
- All services are confidential and voluntary
If your student experiences or witnesses bias or hate, please encourage them to report it using the Bias Incident Reporting Tool (BIRT) available on the AHS website.
Submit a BIRT Report Here »
🤝 Stay Connected
We welcome all families to get involved!
📧 diversityandinclusion@acalanesparentsclub.com
We look forward to continuing this important work together in the 2026–2027 school
Student Activities
We have arrived at the last month of the year! Wishing students good luck on AP exams followed by a very fun end of year spirit week/senior celebration!
Monday: New Crew Leader Appreciation @ lunch
Wednesday @ 5 PM: Athletics & Activities Night for the Class of 2030
Friday @ academy: ACA Buddies + The Truth of Trash
Friday @ lunch: Summer Spectacular
Friday @ 4:30 PM: Frosh baseball hangout for the Class of 2029
May 18-22: Last Spirit Week of the year!
SAVE THE DATE: Homecoming 2026, Sept 20-26
If you ever have any questions or are looking for ways for your student to get involved, please reach out!
Counseling
Counselor assignments are by student last name:
A-F Anne Schonauer
G-Ka Erika Vasquez on campus MWTh
Ke-Re Marissa Meadows
Rh-Z Susan Martin
Last Progress Reports will be made available on Friday, May 1 in Aeries. This is the last grading period before the end of the school year!
Summer School is Available Students with D/F grades in classes required for graduation may sign up to repeat these classes in summer school— held at Las Lomas High School this year. Please fill out this application and submit it to your student’s counselor.
Junior Meetings Counselors are calling in 11th graders to discuss summer plans, and college application preparations. Juniors are also encouraged to meet with Debbie Levy, the College and Career Advisor before the end of the year as well.
Wellness Center
With AP exams starting next week, now is a great time to discuss test anxiety with your AHS student. Test anxiety is actually a form of performance anxiety which affects 25-40% of students. While it’s perfectly normal for a student to feel nervous before a test, test anxiety can be overwhelming and disrupt concentration and ability. Here are a couple steps you can take to support your student in combating their test anxiety:
Positive Self Talk can go a long way in altering one’s perception of their ability. Encourage your student to talk to themselves how they would talk to a friend or loved one experiencing the same anxiety. We are often our own worst critic and in many instances, we talk to ourselves more negatively than we would ever talk to someone else.
Acceptance of mistakes can also shift your student’s mindset around their ability. First, remind your student that trying their best is realistically the most they can do. Even when trying our absolute best, people still make mistakes. Second, model this behavior for your students. Are you shaming your student when their best effort isn’t “good enough” or beating yourself up when you make a mistake? Offer grace in the face of mistakes. We’re all human after all.
Teach test taking basics to your student so they might feel more confident when the time comes to take a test. Believe it or not, study skills and test taking strategies are learned. Just because students have experience taking tests, doesn’t mean they are equipped to do so successfully.
Legislative News
Measure H for LAFSD
Measure H is on the June 2026 ballot. This local parcel tax would replace Measure L (expiring in 2027) and help close funding gaps caused by California’s school funding formula, which ranks Lafayette among the lowest-funded districts in the state.
Funds from Measure H would stay local and support maintaining small class sizes, attracting and retaining excellent teachers, and preserving core academic programs like math, science, reading, and the arts. The measure also includes independent oversight, annual audits, and a senior exemption.
Confirm you are registered to Vote here
Performing & Visual Arts
Choir Spring Concert
Please join us on Friday, May 15 at 7:00pm in the Acalanes PAC for the final choir concert of the year. Come celebrate our Acalanes singing seniors and enjoy an evening of choral music by our Acalanes Choir, Harmonix, Octet and more.
Acalanes Musicians perform at Jazz Cafe!
Please join us on Friday, May 15 for an evening of fantastic jazz performances at the Jazz Cafe at Stanley Middle School. Our instrumental Dons from the Acalanes Jazz Ensemble and Acalanes Jazz Combo are role models for the Stanley jazz bands who will also perform. Bring the entire family and settle in for a fabulous evening that will feature an array of performances from multiple bands and age ranges. This is a wonderful event for our community that is not to be missed!
When: Friday, May 15 at 6:00pm
Where: Multi-Use Room, Stanley Middle School
Admission Price: Free
Collage Concert on Thursday, May 21 in the PAC
Please save the date for our final performance of the year. On Thursday May 21 at 6:30pm in the Performing Arts Center, students will perform a beautiful collage of pieces, some showcasing specific ensembles. We invite you to this special evening as we cap off a fantastic year of music from our exceptional students at Acalanes.
Sports
*The game schedule below reflects dates and times as of last Fri/day. Games may change for several reasons, including weather. If you have questions or comments, please contact Acalanes Sports B
This week’s can’t miss events:
Boys golf
Monday, May 4 DAL Championship at Blue Ridge GC, Fairfield.
Girls lacrosse
Tuesday, May 5 NCS First Round Playoff.
Thursday, May 7 NCS Quarterfinal.
Boys lacrosse
Tuesday, May 5 NCS First Round Playoff.
Thursday, May 7 NCS Quarterfinal.
Softball
Tuesday, May 5 hosts Benicia HS 4:30pm.
Thursday, May 7 at Northgate HS 4:30pm.
Baseball
Tuesday, May 5 Campolindo HS 4:30pm. Varsity is home, JVis away.
Thursday, May 7 JV hosts Campolindo HS 4:30pm. Varsity is home, JV is away.
Friday, May 8 Varsity v. Campolindo HS at St. Mary’s College 4:30pm.
Saturday, May 9 Freshmen hosts Northgate HS at 10:00am and 12:30pm.
Swimming
Friday, May 8 NCS Trials at College of Marin.
Saturday, May 9 NCS Finals at College of Marin.
Boys tennis
Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9 NCS Singles & Doubles Championship at Marin Tennis Club.
Track & field
Saturday, May 9 DAL Finals at Campolindo HS.
