News & Announcements

Hot Lunch Help
We continue to support our Cafe Staff this semester on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays. We need 4 parents from 12:45 to 1:15 pm to help serve lunch and provide line management so that our staff & administration can focus where needed. Please sign up here if you are able to lend a hand.

Nominating Committee Volunteers NEEDED!
APC Nominating Committee needs your help! We are looking for volunteers to join the 2022 Nominating Committee to help fill our 2022-2023 APC Board. This role has a small time commitment with large importance. The committee will begin this month. To volunteer, please contact Angela Ketcham, APC Parliamentarian at Angela‘s email or 925-286-9907. We look forward to working with you! We can’t do it without you!

AHS Volunteer Service Awards Reminder: Encourage your student to participate!
It’s not too late for students to give back to their community now and be recognized for their efforts by applying for the AHS Volunteer Service Award this spring. Details regarding the program and related forms can be accessed here. Students should log their hours on the application forms as they volunteer. To learn more about the program or where they can volunteer, students can drop by the College & Career Center or contact APC program liaison Amy Norstad.
 
A big thank you to Katharine Wallace, Jennifer Dodge, Meredith Meade, Maria Nicolacakis, Helen Liu, Marie Mlynek, Dianne Linares, Tori Heffelfinger, Julie Schmit, and Sarah Strickland who sprang into action at a moment’s notice on Monday to hand-out over 1,000 Covid tests to students in the cold rain. We appreciate your help to make our campus safer! 

Thursday, Jan 13 is Korean American Day! Korean American Day commemorates the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the United States in 1903 and honors the Korean American’s immense contributions to every aspect of our society. Korean American Day was first proclaimed by President George W. Bush in 2003, on the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the first Koreans to the U.S.

Facts Corner: The United States boasts the second-largest Korean population living outside of Korea and the largest Korean American populations are in Los Angeles and New York. Some famous Korean Americans include Judge Herbert Y.C. Choy, the first Asian American appointed to the U.S. Federal Court of Appeals in San Francisco in 1974, and Hines Ward, Jr. a professional football player for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Our teens need us to: love hard, talk soft, listen deep, encourage often. Shelbyspear.com
 
Thursday, Jan 20 at 6:30-8:00 pm via Zoom, The Well-Balanced Student Presentation with Laura Easley and Douglas Tsoi (Challenge Success) hosted by Acalanes Parent Ed. When we are too focused on grades and performance, we deny our children the time and energy they need to tackle the demanding work of growing up. Learn how you can establish a healthier home environment for your school-aged child, reduce their academic stress and increase resilience, creativity, and well-being. This talk is especially timely given all of the challenges our teens have had to face. Some AUHSD staff will also be present for questions at the end. Register here.
 
Monday, Jan 24 at 6:30 pm Safe Driving Awareness Class in the Miramonte High School Theater. Open to all AUHSD parents and their teens to illustrate how poor choices behind the wheel can have devastating impacts. This free talk given by the California Highway Patrol’s Start Smart program will equip participants with the tools needed to make smart choices when driving.
 
Finally, if your teen is struggling with academics or feeling down or frustrated about school, don’t forget to connect with our Counselors, our Nurse, and our Wellness Center. Feel free to reach out and connect with us with ideas for future topics, shareable resources, or thoughts at parented@acalanesparentsclub.com.

2022! Here’s to a great second semester, let’s make the most of it!
 
Wednesday, Jan 12 Environmental Council during Academy period in Room 314.
Take part in making Acalanes a better, more eco friendly place! Sign up for Walton’s Academy. We hope to see you there.
 
Wednesday, Jan 12 at 3:45pm in the Library
District Diversity Meeting. We will discuss programming for the 2nd semester, and collaborate on equity work. All are invited to attend!
 
Friday, Jan 14 at lunch in the front quad 
Second Semester Club Day
 
ACA Leader
An ACA Leader is a role model that shows leadership and plays a big role throughout our school community. Each week, one student who stands out is chosen to be our week’s ACA Leader. This week we are proud to have chosen Jonathan Roth, a frosh on the Boys Varsity Soccer team. He has made such an impact on his team and represents what an ACA Leader is! Congratulations Jonathan!
 
Clubs
With the second semester comes the opportunity to create a new club. Clubs are a great way to connect with other students whether it’s about community service, an academic class, or your favorite T.V. show. Submit your club application by Wednesday, Jan 12 in order for your club to be considered. Questions? See Mrs. Walton in room 314.
 
Spiritwear is still available on the Acalanes webstore and available for purchase. You can purchase here and once purchased, you will receive an email with directions for pick-up.
 
Save the Date:
February is Black History Month
Saturday, Apr 30 – Junior & Senior Prom at Lake Chalet in Oakland
 
Katherine Walton, Student Activities Director

With COVID cases back on the rise, there is no better time to quit a smoking or vaping habit than today. The lungs are at the forefront of your immune system. Inhaling irritants such as smoke and vapor can cause an even stronger immune response if exposed to COVID. Researchers at Johns Hopkins have found that not only are people that smoke and vape five to seven times more likely to test positive for COVID, but they are also more likely to develop serious complications if infected. Secondhand smoke from cigarettes and, even more so, vaping poses an increased risk for anyone that may inhale infected droplets in the air. If you or your student has a smoking or vaping habit, check with your healthcare professional to discuss cessation options. Quitting smoking is not only beneficial to wellbeing during the Coronavirus pandemic but to long term health as well. (source: Coronavirus: Smoking, Vaping, Wildfire Smoke and Air Pollution | Johns Hopkins Medicine)

SENIORS

• Scholarship Opportunity Check out this site for many scholarships!
• Rossmoor Scholarship Foundation- If your family has financial need and your child has been actively involved in community service, please check out this generous $2,500 scholarship!
• American Association of University Women- (AAUW) offers three $2,000 Scholarships to a graduating young woman who demonstrates a sustained commitment to community service as well as a grade point average of at least 3.0. If you know someone who meets these criteria, please share or email me.

JUNIORS

• Wednesday, Jan 12 at 6:30pm on Zoom Susan Martin, our counselor, and Debbie Levy will host a Junior Parent night to learn more about the college application timeline and career opportunities. The event will be recorded and posted too.
• Tuesday, Feb 1 at 6 to 7pm Acalanes Bookclub Meeting in the Collab Center Join Junior parents to discuss Who Gets in and Why by Jeffrey Selingo.
• Job Opportunity  Orinda Parks and Rec is hiring immediately for students on Saturdays to help set up and keep score at basketball games. Please contact Recreation Coordinator Matt Delmartini by Wednesday, Jan 12 if interested.

SOPHOMORES/FRESHMEN

• Personality Test- Click here for your student to take a 10 minute personality test! It’s a great first step in recognizing how people connect with others.  Next is a look at a career interest profiler test.
• Resume Development- Have your child reach out to work on creating a resume!
• Volunteer  Here are some volunteer options to get you started. Check out the newforms for tracking volunteer service hours for recognized service awards.

RESOURCES

• CCC Website

Happy New Year! Counselor assignments are by last name.
A-Dr Anne Schonauer 
Du-Kr Christine Todd 
Ku-Rog Marissa Meadows 
Roh-Z Susan Martin
 
Semester Grades
First semester grades are available on Aeries as of Friday, Jan 7. Report cards will be mailed home to all students. Athletic eligibility will be determined this week by Friday, Jan 14. 
 
Second Semester Class Changes
Counselors will be changing some student schedules through Tuesday, Jan 18. Have your student see their counselor if they wish to discuss a class change.
 
Course Selection for the 2022-2023 School Year
Counselors will visit 9th,10th, and 11th grade classrooms from Thursday, Jan 13 through Friday, Jan 21 to talk about the course selection process for next school year. Please keep an eye out for a course selection sheet coming home with your student! 
 
Junior Parent Night
Come hear our College and Career Advisor Debbie Levy and Counselor Susan Martin discuss senior course requests and college planning on Wednesday, Jan 12 at 6:30pm. Here is the Zoom link to join. Meeting ID: 868 5893 6599
 
Frosh/Soph Parent Night
Come hear Counselors Christine Todd and Marissa Meadows review the course selection process for current 9th and 10th graders on Wednesday, Jan 19 at 6pm. Register here in advance for this webinar.

Happy 2022 Acalanes! It’s traditional to start off the new year with resolutions for good health. It’s possible the current COVID surge has already thrown a wrench in your plans.  Despite our vaccination status and attempts to stay safe and healthy, many of us have friends and family who’ve had Covid or even had it ourselves.  It’s still important for us to set an intention to maximize our health and wellness, and to cultivate those practices we know will support that- healthy eating, optimal sleep, exercise, calm practices (meditation, yoga), connection, to name the most important.

COVID VACCINE
Most students are now eligible to get boosters – PLEASE DO!!!   Despite the burden of COVID virus, our community is working hard to stay healthy and the high vaccination rate and observance of health department guidelines makes a significant difference and helps keep students in school learning. If  you haven’t yet, please submit your students’ COVID vaccine records.

COVID isolation, quarantines, and test kits:  The current guidelines for return to school after COVID illness require a negative COVIDt (if returning before 10 days). School sites do NOT have more test kits to distribute. Please see Principal Shawn’s COVID FAQ’s and Dr. Nickerson’s Covid Update for more details.

Make sure you always have your proof of vaccination – Try this site: https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov/  iPhone users: you can now put your vaccinationrecord in your Apple Health app (and Apple Wallet).

This week’s recipe Chocolate Pie (we all need a “little” indulgence once in a while).

Please be in touch with me to discuss any medical, health, or wellness concerns. Stay healthy and be well.

Dvora Citron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org
925-280-2970 x7128
Acalanes School Nurse Google Site
IG:  acalanesschoolnurse

Happy New Year! It’s that time of year when the kids get back to work in the classroom and LPIE is also hard at work keeping our Lafayette schools flourishing with exceptional programming and funding.
 
One way you can help to grow your child’s education is by contributing to our spectacular LPIE Gala on April 23, 2022 at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco. It will feature both a live and silent auction and many prize-winning opportunities. We hope every one of our Lafayette families will contribute to the auction as it is this dedicated community who provides the donations and prizes for this successful event.
 
We are grateful for any auction items you would be willing to donate…nothing is too small! Ideas include- gift certificates, fine wine, event tickets, connection to a vacation home or trip and unique experiences.
 
The money raised from this year’s LPIE Gala will help us meet the $3.5 million goal that supports academic and enrichment curriculum in our six public schools. We cannot do this without you! Please contact Danielle Gallagher or Michelle Berolzheimer to coordinate auction donations or Pay to Play parties or click here to fill out a donation form. Thank you for your support!
 
Jennifer Palmer and Michele Colaco, Acalanes LPIE School Chairs
www.lpie.org, Follow us on Instagram

Saturday, Mar 19 at Contra Costa Country Club, 2022 Luck of the Dons Booster Bash. The leprechauns made us do it! The Booster Bash is back! Come shake your shamrock at the Bash, which will include dinner, dancing, and other festive activities. May the Luck of the Dons be with you! Boosters support EVERY SINGLE ATHLETE AND TEAM at Acalanes, and the Bash is our largest FUNdraiser of the year. Tickets go on sale Tuesday, Jan 18th at 10am. More info to come soon!
 
Boys basketball
Tuesday, Jan 11 host Las Lomas HS. Freshmen at 4pm, JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Saturday, Jan 15 Tamalpais HS in the MLK Shootout at Berkeley HS at 11:30am.

Girls basketball
Tuesday, Jan 11 at Las Lomas HS. JV at 5:30 pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Saturday, Jan 15 Carondelet Jamboree.

Girls soccer
Tuesday, Jan 11 host Las Lomas HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Thursday, Jan 13 host Ygnacio Valley HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.

Boys soccer
Thursday, Jan 13 at Campolindo HS. Freshmen at 3:30 pm, JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Saturday, Jan 15 host College Park HS. Freshmen at 12pm, JV at 2pm and Varsity at 4pm.

Wrestling
Wednesday, Jan 12 Campolindo HS at Miramonte HS at 5pm.
Saturday, Jan 15 Kermit Bankson Invitational at Albany HS.

Click here for the full Winter Sports Schedule (subject to change)