News – Acalanes Parents Club

General Administration Announcements

April 22, 2024

AP EXAM PROCTORS NEEDED – Great Volunteer Opportunity
Our AP Students need YOUR help! We are searching for parents to help with proctoring AP Exams the first two weeks of May 2024. Exam dates are May 6-10 and May 13-17.

Exams start everyday at either 8am or 12pm. Students know to show up 30 minutes prior to start time for check in. Proctors for morning exams would be needed starting at 7:15am and afternoon exams starting at 11:15am. Exams can range from 2-4 hours and we ask that you please plan to stay for the longest amount of time possible.

Restrictions: Parents, you are NOT allowed to proctor an exam that your own child is taking.

If you are interested in learning more about proctoring AP exams, please contact the Acalanes Testing Coordinator, Nicole Singleterry at nsingleterry@auhsdschools.org

Proctor Shifts to Fill!
Week 1

Wednesday May 8: 7am-12pm or 11am-4pm — 2 proctors needed per shift
Thursday May 9: 7am-12pm — 1 proctor needed
Friday May 10th: 7am-12pm — 2 Proctors needed

Week 2

Monday May 13: 7am-12pm or 11am-4pm — 1 proctor per shift
Tuesday May 14: 7am-12pm— 1 proctor needed
Wednesday May 15: 11am-4pm — 2 proctors needed
Friday May 17: 7am-12pm or 11am-4pm — 2 proctors needed per shift

REMINDER: PLEASE COMPLETE ONLINE SURVEY – California’s School Meals for All (SMFA) Program
If you haven’t already taken the Online Survey we encourage you to participate. Please share your experiences and perceptions of SMFA and its impacts on your student and family.

All parents/guardians, regardless of participation in the survey, are eligible to enter a raffle to win one of four electronic gift cards valued at $50 each.

To take the survey and/or enter the raffle, click on this link: Parent Online Survey

APC in Action

April 22, 2024

APC DONS DIALOGUE – Friday, Apr 26 at 8:45am in the Collaboration Center
Join us for our second to last Dons Dialogue of this school year. Come for the coffee and treats and stay to hear department highlights, student activities plus an open Q&A with Principal Shawn. We hope to see you there!

2024-2025 ACALANES PARENTS CLUB BOARD SLATE
We are proud to announce our slate of nominees for the 2024-25 APC Board of Directors. A big thank you to this year’s Nominating Committee for their time and dedication in placing these amazing volunteers. The APC general membership will vote to approve the slate at the spring general meeting, immediately preceding Dons Dialogue on Friday morning, May 17. If you have any questions, please contact APC Parliamentarian , Veronique Kuhner.

2024-2025 Parents Club Board Nominees
Co-Presidents: Andrea Hilsabeck & Michele Colaco
VP Special Projects: Raina Foster
VP Communications: Kendra Uffelman
VP Community Partners: Nicole Long
VP Fundraising: Carrie Daughters
VP Services: Ali Krick
Co-Head Liaisons: Sarah Cusumano & Heidi Keely
Secretary: Kim Hamill
Treasurer: Lee Huskins
Assistant Treasurer: Jocelyn Birrell
Auditor: Sierra Culbertson
Past President/Parliamentarian: Sarah Cusumano

Acalanes Community Always (ACA)

April 22, 2024

Parent Education

April 22, 2024

INSIDE THE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PROCESS
Thank you to everyone that came out to the library last Wednesday (and over 100 of you online) to hear directly from John Duarante about some behind the scenes information in the college admissions process. Debbie Levy, our head of the college and career counseling center, was a fantastic host!

In case you missed it, you can watch the zoom HERE (Passcode: dg93mEF*)

His biggest message was for students to make a really great “marketing packet” about themselves and their time in high school. He also made it clear that there are things students can control and things they cannot…and everyone should be looking to find the best fit for themselves and not their parents or friends.
Several parents have also asked for the A-Z list of his podcasts:

SPECIAL NEEDS TRUSTS AND ESTATE PLANNING FOR SPECIAL NEEDS KIDS
Please join us for a workshop presented by special needs planning attorney, Jonathan Thompson*, on estate planning for children with special needs.

Special needs planning is a specialized area of the law that focuses on protecting public benefits for people with special needs, while at the same time facilitating a higher quality of life. Jonathan Thompson will provide information on special needs plans that can provide a framework for proper medical care and management of assets, as well as protect assets from creditors and predators. He will discuss the essential characteristics of special needs trusts, how they work and how to set one up.

To receive SEED High School updates, sign up for the high school newsletter here.
* Jonathan is an attorney with the Thompson Law Offices in Walnut Creek.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)

April 22, 2024

Important Dates

April – Autism Awareness month
Apr 22 Passover begins

This year, Passover begins tomorrow, April 22 at sundown and ends on Tuesday, April 30 at sundown. Passover, or “Pesach” in Hebrew, is an eight-day (or seven in Israel) celebration that commemorates the Jewish people’s escape from slavery in ancient Egypt. Passover involves several traditional events that honor the history of the Jewish people. During the first two nights of Passover, a Seder meal is hosted, which includes ritual blessings and symbolic food and drinks. Additionally, Passover customs require several changes to daily life. During Passover, observant Jews forgo leavened grain and bread products. Instead, these foods are replaced with matzah, an unleavened cracker or flatbread. Some households also refrain from working, driving, and using electricity. You can learn even more here.

DEI’s ‘24/25 planning is underway. Please share any thoughts or ideas you have with us here. This is a collaborative process; we encourage participation. It is important that a plethora of voices and ideas are heard. We are also looking for members of our community that would like to be more involved. Time commitment and involvement is up to you but the more you do, the bigger impact you will have on our Acalanes community.

Please check out the new AUHSD DEIB website for many great resources and events! And follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

Performing & Visual Arts

April 22, 2024

DRAMADONS PLAY FESTIVAL

Check out Rejected: The 2024 DramaDons’ 10-Minute Play Festival on Thursday, Apr 25 and Friday, Apr 26. at 7:00pm in the AHS Little Theatre. Admission is free!

The DramaDonsemble (Drama 2, Advance Drama, and Advanced Drama Honors) will present nine original short plays written and directed by: Marley Anderson, Vander Bowman, Steph Boustani, Cody Casey, Dakota Goyert, Lux Downing Griggs, Ben Schulz, Lily Thomas, & Elise Warren

UPCOMING ACALANES CONCERTS!
Mark your calendars to attend two exciting Acalanes concerts happening in the next few weeks:

COLLAGE CONCERT
Featured Music Groups: Various Acalanes Chamber Music Ensembles
Date: Tuesday, Apr 30
Time: 6:30pm
Location: AHS Performing Arts Center
Admission: Free ($5 donation suggested)

SPRING CONCERT
Featured Music Groups: Jazz Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Orchestra and Wind Ensemble. Special guest: Daichi Nannen, AHS All-State clarinet player
Date: Thursday, May 2
Time: 6:30pm
Location: AHS Performing Arts Center
Admission: Free ($5 donation suggested)

STANLEY JAZZ CAFE
Date: Friday, May 10
Time: 5:45pm
Location: Multi-Use Room at Stanley Middle School
Admission: Free!

The much-anticipated, annual Jazz Café returns to Stanley Middle School! Lamorinda residents have long flocked to this popular “Jazz Café” event for a fun evening of jazz, coffee, and dessert. Taco El Rey’s truck will be on-site with delicious tacos as well.

Stanley Middle School’s phenomenal music director, Todd Minson, will showcase the talents and enthusiasm of the Stanley Groove Merchants, Stanley Jazz Crusaders, Stanley Jazz Messengers, and Stanley Chorus. The evening also will feature the Campo Jazz Band, the Acalanes Jazz Band, and the Acalanes Jazz Combo.

Student Activities

April 22, 2024

What a full week we had this past week, with athletics (including senior nights), the cultural fair with 40+ student created booths, our annual talent show and the Special Olympics. Our students continue to SHINE in so many ways!

Two Big Events This Week!
It is Acalanes Earth Week (Apr 22 – Apr 26) and our theme is reusing old materials to create something new! All activities will take place in room 314. Encourage your student to opt in!

On Monday Apr 22 during lunch, there will be a Jeopardy about how to sort items. Donuts and snacks will be served.
On Tuesday Apr 23 during lunch, there will be a Recycled Flower Pot Painting. Afterwards, students will receive a flower to place in their containers.
On Wednesday Apr 24 during academy (Walton), there is an Environmental Council with guest speakers Nancy Deming and Amanda Halte from RecycleSmart, who will discuss Organics in Schools. Donuts and Izzi’s will be served.
On Thursday Apr 25 during lunch, there will be Paper Mache Making when students can make anything of their choosing!
On Friday Apr 26 during academy (Walton), there will be another Environmental Council to discuss sustainable agriculture. Donuts and Izzi’s will be served.

Prom
We have over 630 students attending prom this year at the San Francisco Exploratorium. Encourage your student to check their school email Wednesday for final reminders and the final bus assignments. Students should be at Acalanes no later than 5:30pm on Saturday and will return to Acalanes no later than 11pm. We are looking forward to a great night!

College & Career

April 22, 2024

CAREER TRADE FAIR!
Interested in Careers in the Trades? Representatives from the Contra Costa Building/Electrical/Sheet Metal Associations and DVC’s Career Education amongst others will be attending. The Trade Fair will be held during lunch on Wednesday, Apr 24 in the front quad.

SENIORS:
Water Polo Scholarship: The Lafayette Water Polo Foundation is accepting applications for seniors who play water polo. These are due on Apr 30.

JUNIORS, SOPHOMORES, FROSH:
Summer Ideas: DVC Career Academies, St . Mary ’s College of California Summer Academy for High School Students, UC Berkeley Summer Sessions, UC Berkeley College of Environmental Design, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Summer Springboard,
Girls Who Code Summer Program

School Nurse

April 22, 2024

APRIL IS ALCOHOL AWARENESS MONTH!

Honestly, this is not a fun topic to discuss.

Statistics Tell the Tale

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, alcohol is the most commonly abuesed addictive substance among American youth. Within the past month

1 in 3 American high school students have drunk alcohol at least once
Almost 1 in 5 have engaged in dangerous binge-drinking
8% consumed alcohol and then drove
20% accepted a ride from someone else who had been drinking
4300+ underage youths die each year due to excessive drinking
There are 189,000+ ER visits by youths as a result of alcohol-related causes

Parents: You Make a Difference!
The longer youths delay drinking and drug use, the less chance they have of having problems of use, including addiction. TALK with your kids to discuss how to make smart decisions. Role model for them – your behavior sets the standard. 10% of US children live with alcoholic parents and those children are 4x as likely to become alcoholics.

Brain Development
Your student’s brain is still developing and will for years to come. Alcohol can have long-term effects on brain development that can last through adulthood.

See my website for more information.
Always Your School Nurse,
Dvora Citron, RN, MS
dcitron @auhsdschools .org, 925-280-2970 x7128
IG: acalanesschoolnurse, School Nurse Website

Wellness Center

April 22, 2024

Are you or someone you know interested in quitting tobacco use? Kick It California is a free program that helps Californians kick smoking, vaping and smokeless tobacco with the help of proven, science-based strategies. Clinically proven, culturally sensitive and trusted, Kick It California (formerly the California Smokers’ Helpline) opened in 1992 as the first publicly funded statewide quitline. They now offer individual telephone counseling, a texting program, online chat, a smart phone app, Alexa Skill for quit smoking tips, and self-help materials. Take the first step toward quitting by visiting https ://kickitca .org /. In Contra Costa County, you can also call 2-1-1 for a direct referral to Kick It California.

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