News & Announcements

Acalanes Parent Club | February 2026
Upcoming Important Dates:

• February: Black Excellence Month
• Feb 17-Feb 27 Chinese New Year/ Lunar New Year
• Feb 17-Mar 19: Ramadan

💜 Welcome to February! 💜
As we step into February, we’re excited to celebrate a month rich in culture, history, and connection for our students and school community. February offers meaningful opportunities for learning, reflection, and celebration, honoring the diverse identities and experiences that make our campus vibrant.
 
Throughout the month, students may engage in learning and activities connected to Black Excellence Month, Lunar New Year, Ramadan, and themes of love, kindness, and friendship often associated with Valentine’s Day. These moments allow students to deepen their understanding of history, culture, and one another—while building empathy, pride, and belonging.
 
We encourage families to continue these conversations at home and to celebrate the many traditions and stories represented in our community. Thank you for partnering with us to make February a month of inclusion, curiosity, and care for all students.
 
Black History Month is an annually observed commemorative month originating in the United States, where it is also known as African-American History Month. It began as a way of remembering important people and events in the history of the African diaspora, initially lasting a week before becoming a month-long observation in 1970. Our school district recognizes it as Black Excellence Month to celebrate not only the history but the present excellence in the Black community. Students from the Black Student Union (BSU) will be holding events throughout the month. Please support them by encouraging your students to attend the club’s events, including the Feel the Glow Dance at the end of the month.
 
BSU Dance: “Feel the Glow”
It’s that time of year again for the AUHSD’s District-wide BSU Dance. This year the event will be hosted by the Acalanes Black Student Union (BSU) in partnership with AHS Leadership Students on Friday, Feb 27, from 7:00pm-9:00pm in the Big Gym. The theme this year is FEEL THE GLOW (students are encouraged to wear neon colors). Along with black light dancing and an amazing DJ, there will be food, prizes, face paint, glow sticks, a place to hang out with friends, and much more! Tickets will be $10 and can be found on your school’s GoFan website. WE ARE EXCITED TO SEE YOUR STUDENTS THERE!!!!
 
To help support this fun event, we are asking families to sign up to donate food, money, and/or your time. This event happens at little to no cost for the school. So please sign upHERE and help make this dance an amazing event for our students.
 
Chinese New Year/Lunar New Year, or the Spring Festival, is a festival that celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. Marking the end of winter and the beginning of spring, this festival takes place from Chinese New Year’s Eve (the evening preceding the first day of the year) to the Lantern Festival, held on the 17th day of the year. It is one of the most important holidays in Chinese culture.
 
SAVE THE DATE! LUNAR NEW YEAR POTUCK – WEDNESDAY, FEB 25
Campo DEIB parent club is planning a Lunar New Year potluck Feb 25 at 6:00pm. All district parents are welcome!
 
📅 Join Us Monthly!
CCC Meeting Schedule | 6:00–7:30 PM

• Feb 27– In-Person (6-7pm)
• Mar 16 – Virtual
• Apr 20 – In-Person (Final Meeting)
• May – No Meeting

📬 Stay Connected
If you’d like to get involved or learn more, please reach out:
📧 diversityandinclusion@acalanesparentsclub.com

Acalanes Parent Club – Campus Culture Committee (CCC) Update
Upcoming Important Dates

• Jan 27 – International Holocaust Remembrance Day

CCC Meeting Summary – January 12, 2026
The Acalanes Campus Culture Committee met on Jan 12, 2026, to hear updates focused on student wellness, equity and inclusion, and leadership-supported activities across campus and the broader Lafayette community. The meeting highlighted strong collaboration among staff, students, and community partners, with a shared commitment to fostering belonging and student well-being.
 
Wellness Update – Mr. Patrick Turner
Mr. Turner shared highlights of recent and ongoing wellness initiatives supporting students before, during, and after school breaks. Prior to Thanksgiving and Winter Break, wellness workshops were held to help students manage transitions and maintain mental health during unstructured time. Resources were provided addressing isolation, food scarcity, and coping strategies, including a Friendsgiving event to foster connection.
 
Following the return from break, staff observed many students experiencing fatigue during the first week back, particularly by third period. In response, the wellness team emphasizes organizational skills, regular check-ins, and peer-to-peer wellness support. Efforts are underway to integrate a wellness lens into peer tutoring and student leadership spaces.
 
Additional initiatives include:

• Academy programming on Wednesdays focused on healthy relationships and social skills
• Friday study halls
• A “No Phones in Wellness” policy
• Classroom-based wellness support in partnership with school counselors
• Collaboration with College and Career staff, including participation on career pathway panels for students

Lafayette DEIB Update – Mr. Steve Poling
Mr. Poling provided an overview of the City of Lafayette’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) work. Having assumed leadership of the initiative over the past year, he shared that the city’s DEIB mission centers on education, awareness, and community building through inclusive, community-driven events.
 
Planning is underway for a public-facing spring event designed to bring together students, families, and community members of all ages, with the goal of breaking down existing age silos. The event will celebrate student leadership and equity work and include speakers, food, and entertainment. Mr. Poling will meet with the Equity Council to gather student input on how to make the event engaging and meaningful.
Save the Date: Apr 11, 2026 (food trucks and entertainment planned).
 
Leadership Support Update – Mrs. Katherine Walton
Mrs. Walton shared a wide range of upcoming student leadership and inclusion-focused activities:

• A month-long calendar of events for Black Excellence Month, led by BSU and the Equity Board
• BSU Dance: “Feel the Glow” (Neon-themed), held the last Friday of February

• Latinos Unidos & Filipino Club Potluck (date pending)
• QSA Districtwide Movie Night hosted at Acalanes (date pending)
• ACA Buddies program supporting special education students, with strong participation (averaging 50 students per event)
• Unified Basketball beginning in February
• Special Olympics on Apr 19, including a barbecue by Meat Team
• Schoolwide Academy on Jan 21: “Dons Are Stronger Together,” led by student leaders and focused on kindness and inclusion
• Middle School Leadership Conference hosted at Acalanes later this week, welcoming 215 eighth-grade students from five middle schools, including an equity-focused workshop
• Strategic outreach to elementary schools, including a Jan 26 welcome event at Lafayette Elementary with music and bubbles

Next CCC Meeting
Friday, Feb 27 | 6:00pm
In-Person at AHS (before the BSU-sponsored dance)
 
BSU Sponsored Dance: “Feel the Glow” ✨
It’s that time of year again for the AUHSD District-Wide BSU Dance! This year’s event will be hosted by the Acalanes Black Student Union (BSU) in partnership with AHS Leadership.
 
Friday, Feb 27
7:00–9:00pm
Big Gym
Theme: FEEL THE GLOW (students encouraged to wear neon)
What to Expect

• Black-light dancing with an amazing DJ
• Food, activities, prizes, face paint, glow sticks
• Space to hang out and celebrate with friends

Tickets: $10 via your school’s GoFan website
 
Help Make the Dance a Success!
This event happens at little to no cost for the school, and we rely on family support to make it special. Please consider donating food, funds, or your time.
Sign-Up Here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0C4AAFAF2EA3FE3-61648485-auhsd#/