We are searching for adults to help with proctoring PSAT and SAT exams on Monday, Oct 5. Restrictions: Parents, you are NOT allowed to proctor an exam that your own child is taking.
You can volunteer your time (unpaid), or receive pay of $25/hr. This is a perfect opportunity for recent high school/college graduates, stay-at-home parents, retirees, and those searching for employment. If you are interested in learning more about proctoring, please contact the Acalanes Testing Coordinator, Jamielle McDonald at jmcdonald@auhsdschools.org.
General Announcements
APC in Action
Have a Great Idea for Acalanes? APC Fall 2026 Grants Are Open!
Have an idea that could make Acalanes even better? Acalanes Parents Club wants to help bring it to life! Teachers, staff, students, and parents are invited to submit grant requests for creative programs, projects, experiences, and equipment that enrich the AHS student experience.
Past APC grants have helped fund everything from bike racks and lunchtime recreation equipment to peer tutoring programs, STEM field trips, leadership conferences, garden supplies, and more.
Applications are due Friday, Sept 18.
Click here to read more and access the application!
APC Membership & Fundraising
Acalanes Parents Club has committed $200,000+ to Acalanes this school year, which will provide vital services for our entire AHS community. As of today, we have yet to reach that goal and we need your help!
We are tremendously grateful for your support, which funds the following programs for all Acalanes students and staff:
*Peer Tutoring
*Campus Enhancements
*Grants Program
*Staff & Teacher Development
*Parent Ed
*Communications
*Volunteer Opportunities
*and more…
If you haven’t had a chance to donate, please consider doing so here. The suggested amount is $450 per student, but any amount is needed and greatly appreciated.
Another important source of funds is making your donations go twice as far with Corporate Matching. Please check if your company has a matching program and reach out to samira.abrams@gmail.com.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Parents Club Pro-Tip
Volunteer Opportunities
Recurring volunteer roles require the new District process for volunteer validation (e.g. driving for field trips, sporting events, etc). Standalone volunteer opportunities (e.g. Football, Snack Shack) on campus do not require the new/latest rigorous training required by the district this year.
Click HERE to access the AUHSD volunteer portal.
Click HERE to explore volunteer opportunities.
Order School Photos – If you would like to order your student’s school photos, you can contact Studio1. There is also a QR code on the back of your student’s school ID card to support ordering.
Campus Culture Committee
Our First Cross-Campus Opportunity!
The Campolindo DEIB Parents invite parents and guardians from all AUHSD schools to join them for an evening of connection and community. All AUHSD parents and guardians are welcome!
This is just the beginning of what we hope will be more opportunities for families across our schools to connect, learn from one another, build relationships, and work together to support all students throughout AUHSD.
We hope to see some of our Acalanes families there!
📅 Wednesday, Sep 30
⏰ 6:00–8:00pm
📍 Campolindo High School Library
Join Us for Our First CCC Meeting!
September 21 | 6:30–7:30pm | Acalanes High School
We hope you will join us for our 2026–2027 CCC Kickoff Meeting!
2026–2027 CCC Meeting Schedule | 6:30–7:30pm
- Sept 21 – CCC Kickoff Meeting | In Person
- Dec 14 – Wellness Workshop with Patrick Turner | In Person
- Jan 11 – CCC Meeting | Virtual
- May – CCC Year-End Retreat | In Person, Date TBD
🖤 Black Student Union (BSU)
BSU students will have several opportunities to connect, learn, and build community throughout the year, including:
- Friday, Sep 18 – HBCU College Fair
- Monday, Oct 19 – BSU Summit
- November 16–18 – State BSU Conference
- February – Districtwide BSU Dance/Social
💙 Have Something You’d Like Us to Bring Forward?
If there is a topic, concern, student need, or idea related to school culture, climate, inclusion, belonging, or student support that you would like us to bring forward, please reach out:
📧 diversityandinclusion@acalanesparentsclub.comAcalanes is a No Hate Zone
At Acalanes, we are committed to maintaining a campus where every student feels safe, respected, and valued. If your student experiences or witnesses an incident involving hate or bias, please encourage them to use the Bias Incident Reporting Tool (BIRT) BiasIncident Reporting Tool (BIRT) available on the Acalanes High School website. Reporting helps our school respond appropriately and continue fostering a culture of belonging for all.
Student Activities
You can definitely feel the energy on campus as we approach Homecoming-lunches are full of skit practices & fun. But before we get to Homecoming, we have a GIANT day on Friday with our first triple header. Cannot wait to see campus decked out in Blue & supporting 5 different programs-cheer, pep band, waterpolo, volleyball & football. 💙💙💙
PEEK AT THE WEEK:
Wednesday @ lunch: Unified Sports Spirit Squad Info meeting + Class shirt pick-up in the quads
Thursday @ lunch: Equity Council
Friday: WEAR BLUE-Acalanes Triple Header
2026-2027 Clubs
Club meetings kick off this week after an electric club day! Check out the spreadsheet and encourage your student to get involved!
ACA Triple Header – Friday, Sept 11
Get ready for Friday! Encourage your student to WEAR BLUE to school and get excited for our triple header.
8:00am: Morning rally in the front quad with pep band, cheer, volleyball, waterpolo, football & Blue Crew.
Lunch: Girls Water Polo play at lunch
5:30pm: Pre-volleyball tailgate followed by volleyball (6:00pm)
7:00pm: Friday Night Lights in the stadium
Homecoming: All roads lead to Acalanes
September 20-26
For all things Homecoming, please reference this HOCOOverview document. Everything is in there from our annual canned food drive to lunchtime activities, evening activities & more. Our canned food drive kicks off a week from tomorrow-can we beat our record?
Hoco Night out tickets are now on sale via Go Fan. If students purchased ASB, they must use their ID number in the promo code box in order to receive the $35 ticket price.
In order to make HOCO Night Out safe for all, we are looking for volunteers! Please consider signing up to be a chaperone. We need 25 more parents!
Unified Spirit Club’s kick off interest meeting is Wednesday, Sept 9 at lunch in room 314. The mission is to show up for our Unified athletes and show spirit as we would for any other Acalanes sport. During meetings, members will make spirit posters to hold/decorate and get ready to cheer on our athletes as they compete. Is your student interested? Encourage them to attend the meeting at lunch.
Class shirt & spiritwear delivery
If your student ordered a class shirt, we plan to hand them out at lunch on Wednesday, Sep 9 in the respective quads
Spiritwear should arrive the week of Sep 14 and we will send an email with pick-up instructions.
It’s NOT too late to purchase your ASB Sticker
Please consider supporting student activities at Acalanes by purchasing an ASB sticker. They can be purchased on the webstore. Thank you in advance for your support of student programming. If your student didn’t get their WHITE ASB Shirt, please send them to room 314.
ASB stickers cost $115 and support all student activities at Acalanes, support athletics ($30 of every card sale goes directly to athletics), and help to pay for AHS’ finance tech’s salary. It also provides students discounts/free entry to the following:
-Home athletic events (Except playoffs). This year we have 5 home football games (totaling $30 without ASB).
-Free or discounted tickets to dances (For Homecoming, you will save at least $25 with ASB)
-Free Acalanes t-shirt at Dons Day (worth $15)
-Discounts at 12 local businesses when you show your ASB sticker on your ID card. 2026-
2027 Businesses are:
Millie’s American Kitchen – Free coffee with a minimum purchase of $35
Johnny’s Donuts – One regular donut w/ the purchase of a dozen regular donuts or 1 donut hole w/ purchase of 1 donut
Pizza Antica – 15% off an order
Sideboard – Free non-alcoholic beverage w/ purchase of an entree
Tutu’s – One complimentary non alcoholic beverage with the purchase of one entree. (Dine in only, not valid on to-go orders or purchases in the market)
Local Kitchens – Class Fundraisers
Vitality Bowls – $1 off
Pinkies Nail Salon – 10% off
Fabletics – 20% off @ Broadway Plaza location
360 Burrito – 10% off
Oasis Cafe – 10% off
Diablo Foods – 20% off a lunch with sandwich purchase
If you ever have any questions about student activities, you are always welcome to reach out to KatherineWalton, activities director. We are happy to help!
Go Dons! 💙
Looking to stay informed?Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.
College & Career
ALT FAIR, Thursday, September 24th, 5-8 pm at Lafayette Library and Learning Center
Are you interested in educational alternatives beyond traditional college? Meet reps and learn about GAP year, trade school programs and others. RSVPhere
Give your student a Free PSAT,SAT or Digital ACT practice run with Revolution Prep
Digital ACT Practice Exam
Saturday, Sept 12 –9:00am -12:30pm | Proctored online via Zoom
SAT Practice Exam
Saturday, Sept 19 – 9:00am -12:00pm | Proctored online via Zoom
Register for the live practice exam & book your score review: www.revolutionprep.com/partners/acalaneshighschool/
Cornell University, Emory University, Pomona College, Rice University and Washington University in St. Louis are proud to present LAUNCH (Linking Access, Unity, Networking, Collaboration and Higher Education). You’ll virtually meet admission officers from all five partner institutions and learn more about what unites us.
LAUNCHVirtualStudentEvent
Wednesday, Sep 16 at 5:00pm
Counseling
Counselor assignments are by student last name:
A-F Anne Schonauer
G-Hul Erika Vasquez on campus Tues/Fri
Hum-Pla Marissa Meadows
Ple-Z Susan Martin
Please note new Counselor Alpha Breakdown above
Erika Vasquez will be split 40% at Acalanes and 60% at Las Lomas High School this year. She will be on the AHS campus Tuesdays and Fridays, but will be available by email Monday through Friday.
Senior Appointments
Counselors will be calling in all 12th graders to discuss post-high school plans starting in early September. We will look at Maia Learning, discuss deadlines, documents needed for applications, and answer questions.
Senior Parent Night – Wednesday, September 9th at 6:30pm in the AHS Library
Come hear from College and Career Advisor Debbie Levy and Counselor Anne Schonauer about all things post-high school and what you can do to prepare and support your student through the application process!
CSF application period is now open! California Scholarship Federation (CSF) is an honor society for high school students. Current juniors and seniors should apply this month. Students who are members for at least 4 semesters during high school get a gold sash to wear at graduation and it’s an award to put on college applications. Students need to re-apply every semester. Please read the application carefully for eligibility requirements and instructions. The deadline is Wednesday, Sept 30.
Wellness Center
The Acalanes Wellness Center is open and ready to support students throughout the school year. Wellness staff will be pushing into classes to introduce wellness services to all grade levels Tuesday, Sept 8 – Friday, Sept 11. Additionally please encourage your students to come to Wellness during academy for study hall and Wellness presentations.
What We Do
The Wellness Center aims to support the needs of all students. This includes those who may be feeling overwhelmed, lonely, anxious, stressed, sad, or confused, as well as anyone experiencing other challenging emotions. We offer both ongoing and drop-in counseling services, Wellness breaks, information about community resources, and opportunities to join clubs and student programs. We also host a variety of educational events during lunchtime and Academy throughout the school year.
Get Connected
- If you have questions about Wellness, please email us at AHS Wellness coordinator.
- To refer a student to Wellness, please use this form: AHSWellnessReferral. Please remember that all Wellness Center services are confidential and completely voluntary.
- Follow us on Instagram @acalaneswellness to find out more about what we’re doing to support Acalanes students. There is also additional information about our program on the Acalanes High School website.
We look forward to supporting our students throughout another great school year.
Performing & Visual Arts
Come experience the award-winning San Francisco brass band at their opening season concert on Saturday, Sept 12 in the Acalanes High School Performing Arts Center at 7:00 PM. The Acalanes High School brass ensemble will join the brass band during their final selection for a side-by-side performance!
Friday Night Lights! Mark your calendars to hear the Acalanes Pep Band!
Mark your calendars! The Acalanes Pep Band will be performing at the following home football games on Fridays: 9/18, 9/25, 10/16 and 11/6. Come out to support the Dons and our talented musicians!
