News – Page 12 – Acalanes Parents Club

Campus Culture Committee

November 30, 2025

Acalanes Parent Club – Campus Culture Committee (CCC) Update
As we continue the 2025–2026 school year, the Campus Culture Committee (CCC) is focused on building a stronger parent support system for all student groups on campus. We’re also working closely with staff on issues that impact our students.

We recognize that supporting our students starts with supporting parents, which is why part of our mission is to ensure parents feel cared for through mental health and wellness support. This year, we launched a 3-Part Wellness Workshop Series, which began in September and continues this month with Part 2.

Join Us – APC Campus Culture Committee (CCC) Meeting
Monday, November 17 | 6:00pm
Acalanes Library
Please join the Acalanes Campus Culture Committee for the second session in our 3-part “Wellness for Parents” series. This session will focus on strategies to support our own wellness and the wellness of our students. As we move closer to the end of the semester—with finals, senior applications, and holiday stress—this is an important time to come together as a community to share ideas, resources, and encouragement.

Your participation helps strengthen our collective efforts to foster balance, resilience, and care across the Acalanes community.

Join Us Monthly! (In-Person & Virtual Meetings)
Meeting Schedule | 6:00–7:30pm

Dec – No Meeting
Jan 12 – Virtual
Feb 9 – In-Person
Mar 16 – Virtual
Apr 20 – In-Person (Final Meeting)
May – No Meeting

If you’d like to get involved or learn more, please email us at
diversityandinclusion @acalanesparentsclub .com — All are welcome!

Reminder: Acalanes is a No Hate Zone
If your student experiences hate or bias, please encourage them to use the Bias Incident Reporting Tool (BIRT ) available on the AHS website.
Submit a BIRT Report Here »

Student Activities

November 30, 2025

Welcome back—three weeks to go!

ADOPT-A-FAMILY: Thank you!

This year we are supporting 64 families in our community—thank you! If you are supporting an individual or a family, you should have received information prior to the break. If you have any questions, please reach out to Anna Motes at (annakmotes@gmail.com) and Katherine Walton at (kwalton@auhsdschools.org)!

Gift drop off will be Friday, Dec 12, from 7:30-8:30am in front of the small gym.

Volunteer Opportunity: Dec 13 from 10:00am-2:30pm. Sign up through this Google form to help feed the needy in San Francisco at Glide Memorial Church. Log your hours onto Helper-Helper. See you there, Dons!

Shop joyfully while giving generously! We are back in the holiday season and this is a perfect time to raise funds for our beloved Acalanes! Minted is offering parents 20% off our purchases AND is giving 10% of the net sales back to our fabulous school! Please use promo code FUNDRAISEACALANES upon checkout to support the Dons!

This week we have:

Senior Dodgeball- every day at lunch!
Dons are Stronger Together- Opt in academy (Dec 3 & Dec 5) to learn more about the Be There Certificate
Choral Winter Concert- Dec 4 @ 7:00pm
ACA Buddies Holiday Party- Dec 5 @ academy

FINALS SUPPORT

Look for information in the Daily Don about finals support and resources!

College & Career

November 30, 2025

Don’t Miss Out on the Out of State College Fair on Dec 3 from 6:30-8:30pm in the Library
Come join us and visit with over 20 admission reps from out of state schools (many more affordable than you think!). This is a great way to get your students excited about different types of colleges and all they have to offer. All grade levels and parents welcome; register here and hope to see you there!

Upcoming Acalanes Student Alumni Panel:
The College and Career Center is organizing a recent Acalanes Student Alumni Panel during Academy (10:10-11:05am) on Wednesday, Jan 7, 2026. Do you know of a recent alumnus who will be in town on this day and would be willing to share what they wish they had known before college, what they are happy they did, and other tips for juniors and seniors? If so, please let Debbie Levy, dlevy @auhsdschools .org, know.

Country Spotlights of the Week: Canada and the Netherlands (taught in English)
To apply to a university in Canada, you must first choose a program and a school, gather required documents such as academic transcripts and letters of recommendation, and then submit an online application, which may be through a provincial portal or directly on the university’s website. https ://www .educanada .ca /study –plan –etudes /before –avant /steps –etapes .aspx ?lang =eng

On MaiaLearning, please look at the Canadian Country Guide under the Resources tab for more information.

In addition, the Netherlands is a great place to study in English at a university abroad. Here is a link to register for an upcoming webinar on Dec 2 to learn more: https ://www .dutchuniconsortium .nl /calendar /duc –webinar –for –the –americas –region /. Plus, on MaiaLearning, there is the Netherlands Country Guide for more information.

Districtwide Trades Fair

Counseling

November 30, 2025

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

The Semester is Almost Over! Only two weeks of school then finals week! This is the time to have your students check with their teachers—do they have any outstanding work they can still turn in for credit? Get missing assignments in ASAP!

Final Exam Week and Final Grades Finals take place Tuesday, Dec 16 through Friday, Dec 19, with Periods 0 & 4 on Tuesday, 1 & 2 on Wednesday, 3 & 7 on Thursday and 6 & 5 on Friday. Final semester grades will be available on Monday, Jan 12.

Wellness Center

November 30, 2025

Are you, your student, or someone you know interested in quitting tobacco or nicotine use? Today is the perfect day to start!

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.

Performing & Visual Arts

November 30, 2025

Winter Choir Concert
Please join the Acalanes Choir in the PAC on Thursday, Dec 4, at 7 pm for a wonderful evening of choral music.

Instrumental Winter Concert

SMC Choir Concert featuring the Acalanes Choir
The Acalanes Choir will also be performing at the Saint Mary’s College Choir’s “Making Spirits Bright” Concert on Saturday, Dec 6, at 4:00pm in the St Mary’s College Chapel, Moraga.

LPIE

November 30, 2025

Announcing LPIE’s Largest Giving Tuesday Match Ever— Double Your Impact on Dec 2nd! Click HERE to donate

Sports

November 30, 2025

*The game schedule 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 soccer
Tuesday, Dec 2 host Dougherty Valley HS. JV at 5:00pm and Varsity at 7:00pm.
Friday, Dec 5 host Maria Carrillo HS. JV at 5:00 pm and Varsity at 7:00pm.
Saturday, Dec 6 Freshmen at Las Lomas HS 2:00pm.

Boys soccer
Wednesday, Dec 3 at Richmond HS scrimmage. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7:15pm.
Friday, Dec 5 Davis HS at Whitney HS in Cap City Showcase 3:00pm.
Saturday, Dec 6 Pleasant Grove HS at Rocklin HS in Cap City Showcase 5:30pm.
Saturday, Dec 6 host Emerald HS. Freshmen at 1:00pm and JV at 3:00pm.

Girls basketball
Tuesday, Dec 2 host University HS. JV at 5:00pm and Varsity at 6:30pm.
Saturday, Dec 6 host Christian Brothers HS. JV at 11:00am and varsity at 12:30pm.

Boys basketball
Thursday, Dec 4 v. St. Ignatius HS in the Riordan Invitational.
Friday, Dec 5 v. University HS in the Riordan Invitational.
Thursday, Dec 6 v. California HS in the Riordan Invitational.
Thursday, Dec 4 through Saturday, Dec 6 JV hosts the John Rhodes Memorial Tournament.
Thursday, Dec 4 through Saturday, Dec 6 Freshmen in the Alameda Tournament.

Wrestling
Saturday, Dec 6 Varsity Jim Lanterman Classic at Vintage HS.
Saturday, Dec 6 Girls Albany Invitational.
Saturday, Dec 6 JV Colt Classic at James Logan HS.

You may view the full 2025-2026 Athletic Schedule by clicking HERE.

General Announcements

November 16, 2025

Acalanes High School Seeks Qualified Instructional Assistants!
Our high school is looking for caring, energetic people to join our team as Special Education Instructional Assistants—and we’d love your help spreading the word! This is a great opportunity for anyone who enjoys working with young people and wants to make a direct impact in our classrooms. Instructional Assistants work closely with teachers to support students with special learning needs, helping them grow academically, socially, and emotionally in an inclusive school environment. We especially want to reach out to local alumni who may be back in the area after college and are looking for meaningful, hands-on experience before their next career or graduate program—this is a wonderful way to give back to your community and gain valuable skills in education, psychology, or human services. If you or someone you know would be a great fit, we’d love to hear from you! Apply here!

Parking Lot Safety Reminders
Students and families, it is essential to drive slowly and safely in the parking lot. We have had several small accidents, and individuals have reported almost being hit because of reckless driving. Please be mindful of pedestrians at all times and move slowly through the lot. Do not swerve around cars. Be patient. If you want to avoid traffic, please make a plan to leave earlier. Any students involved in serious accidents or reported for reckless driving will have their school parking permits revoked, or will not be given the opportunity to apply for one next year. DONS DRIVE SAFE!

APC in Action

November 16, 2025

Get your holiday gifts!
Looking for the perfect holiday gift? Look no further than some new Acalanes Spiritwear! Orders close Nov 16 and will be in hand Dec 16 for pick-up. Proceeds benefit the classes of ‘26, ‘27, ‘28 & 29! Order here !

Peer Tutoring — Walk-Ins Welcome
If your student needs help from a peer tutor but the Academy session is full, students can still come to room 107. Peer tutoring accommodates “walk-ins” and we will find a way to get your student the help they need.

News & Announcements

Campus Culture Committee

Student Activities

College & Career

Counseling

Wellness Center

Performing & Visual Arts

LPIE

Sports

General Announcements

APC in Action

Acalanes Parents Club

About Us

Support Organizations

Social Media

APC in Action