News & Announcements

Student Activities

Peek at the Week:
Tuesday @ 7:30am: Equity Council in room 314
Wednesday @ lunch: Latinos Unidos x Women in Sports
Wednesday @ 7:00pm: BIG 10: Girls Volleyball vs. Campolindo (wear pink!)
Thursday @ 6:30pm: Pops Concert
Friday @ academy: Latino Heritage potluck in room 314
 
Latino Heritage Month
Acalanes High School acknowledges Latino Heritage month, honoring the culture, history, and the successes of Latinos globally. Be on the lookout for alerts on Academy and Lunch events between September 15 – October 15. Happy Latino Heritage month from Acalanes!
Women in Sports COLLAB
Come to room 314 on Wednesday, Oct. 7 during lunch to learn about and celebrate our Latina Athletes with our Women in Sports club and our Latinos Unidos club! There will be food and a fun game. We’re looking forward to it!
POTLUCK
A potluck will be held Friday, Oct. 9 to celebrate Latino Heritage Month! There will be lots of good food to try and learn about and music! In order to attend you must bring a dish to share, click this link to sign up! We can’t wait to see you there!
Zumba
Come to room 314 on Friday, Oct. 16 during lunch to learn and participate in Zumba! It will be a fun learning experience to enjoy with friends. We hope to see you then!
 
Pick up your spiritwear! The summer webstore spiritwear is finally here! Have your student stop by room 314 or email Ms. Walton and she can leave it in attendance. Thanks for your patience!
 
Acalanes Fall Blood Drive-October 27th
Our fall blood drive is almost here and we are looking for 44 donors. Please consider signing up to donate. You can sign up here.
 
Watch the HOCO Rally here!!!!

Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.

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College & Career

Hi Families,

Join us for our FAFSA Night! Forms like the FAFSA and CSS Profile can feel like a maze of confusing questions, but getting them right is one of the biggest levers you have for maximizing your aid. We’ve partnered with College Aid Pro to bring you a free webinar that walks you through both forms, so you can confidently submit them accurately and on time.
FAFSA & CSS Profile Made Simple: Successfully Navigate the Financial Aid Forms
Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 6:00pm PST

Here’s what you’ll walk away knowing:

  • The key differences between the FAFSA and CSS Profile, and who needs to file which
  • Common mistakes that cost families aid dollars
  • How to handle tricky questions around income, assets, and household size
  • Deadlines you can’t afford to miss

Can’t make it live? No problem, register anyway and we’ll send the recording straight to your inbox.






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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

Letters of Recommendation – Counselors typically spend the month of October writing letters of recommendation for college applications for seniors. If your senior needs a Counselor Letter of Recommendation, please make sure to fill out the Student and Parent Surveys on Maia Learning, and send your student’s counselor a copy of their resume or brag sheet one month in advance of their first deadline.  Thank you!

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Wellness Center

The Acalanes Wellness Center is open and ready to support students throughout the school year. We will also be continuing to do table activities during lunch.

Wellness will be presenting suicide awareness presentations during Academy, along with tabling events during lunch. These efforts are meant to increase awareness, encourage open conversation about mental health, and connect students with available resources. Our goal is to remind students that they don’t have to navigate difficult moments alone and that reaching out for support is an important step. We encourage students to visit the Wellness Center or connect with a trusted adult if they or someone they know may need additional support. We will also be introducing art therapy and coping skills. We will have painting materials in the Wellness Center for student use.
 
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.

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Performing & Visual Arts

It’s finally here! Our famed Pops concert is on Thursday evening! Be in your seat at the Acalanes Performing Arts Center at 6:30pm to support our fabulous musicians and hear music from Raye, Lady Gaga, Abba & more!
 
We are grateful to share Acalanes music far and wide via livestream, thanks to the Broadcasting Club! Please provide the link below to friends and family who are unable to attend in person.
https://youtube.com/live/sOeP13C2FOM?feature=share
Tell your students, friends and family and DO NOT MISS what promises to be a magnificent event!

 
Dons show up! The Acalanes Pep Band will be performing at our final two home football games on Friday, Oct 16 and Friday, Nov 6. Go Dons!

Something wickedly entertaining this way comes! Join the DramaDons for Macbeth, Oct 22-24 at the Acalanes Performing Arts Center. Tickets are on sale now, so grab yours early and support our talented student performers. Ticket link here: https://tickets.ahsparts.org/

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LPIE

Diamond Business Partner Spotlight — Martin Homes
LPIE is grateful for the long-term continued support of Martin Homes, one of Lafayette’s premier real estate firms, led by Erin and Darrick Martin.
Martin Homes combines real estate expertise with extensive experience in home design, construction, and development. In addition to helping clients buy and sell homes throughout the area, they develop and build homes from the ground up. That experience gives them a unique perspective—not only on the value of a home, but on the qualities that make a neighborhood and a community truly special.
For Martin Homes, Lafayette’s exceptional schools are inseparable from the strength and desirability of the community itself. Excellent public schools, vibrant neighborhoods, a welcoming downtown, beautiful open spaces, and a close-knit sense of community all contribute to the quality of life families seek when they move here. But they also believe those things cannot be taken for granted. Maintaining what makes Lafayette special requires continued investment from the families, individuals, and businesses who benefit from it.
Click here to learn more about why the Martin Homes Team has proudly supported LPIEfor nearly a decade.

 
 Saddle Up for the Holiday Hoedown Benefiting LPIE
Saturday, Nov. 7, 6:00-9:00pm | Balestrieri Family Farm
Dust off your boots and celebrate the season at a Holiday Hoedown! Join us for a festive night of line dancing and holiday cheer at the beautiful Balestrieri Family Farm. Gather your friends, meet some new ones, and enjoy a fun-filled evening while making a difference for our schools.
Get your tickets HERE. $100 per person gets you a night on the dance floor with a DJ and line dancing instructor, plus two drinks to toast the occasion. If you work up an appetite, dinner will be available for purchase.
Thanks to the generosity of parent sponsors, every dollar from ticket sales will go to LPIE to support our schools and students.

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Sports

*The game schedule below 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:


This week’s can’t miss events:

Flag football
Monday, Oct 5 at Benicia HS.  JV at 6:00pm and Varsity at 7:30pm.
 
Girls golf
Monday, Oct 5 Antioch Invitational at Lone Tree GC.
Thursday, Oct 8 Campolindo HS at Moraga CC at 3:30pm.
 
Girls volleyball
Tuesday, Oct 6 at Berean Christian HS.  JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7:00pm.
Wednesday, Oct 7 host Campolindo HS.  Freshmen at 4:30pm, JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7:00pm.
Tuesday, Oct 8 at College Park HS.  Freshmen at 4:30pm, JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7:00pm.
 
Boys water polo
Wednesday, Oct 7 at Campolindo HS.  JV at 4:00pm and Varsity at 5:00pm.
Friday, Oct 9 and Saturday, October 10 Varsity 501 Invitational at Encinal HS.
 
Girls water polo
Wednesday, Oct 7 at Campolindo HS.  Varsity at 6:00pm and JV at 7:00pm.
Friday, Oct 9 and Saturday, October 10 JV Las Lomas Invitational.
 
Tackle football
Thursday, Oct 8 Freshmen host Las Lomas HS at 5:00pm.
Friday, Oct 9 Varsity at Las Lomas HS at 7:00pm.
Friday, Oct 9 JV at Vanden HS at 5:15pm.

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General Announcements

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.

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Parents Club Pro-Tip

Does your student love to travel? Are they interested in traveling with peers? Erin Field and Tina Gullberg take students in Lamorinda on international trips every summer. This year we are going to Italy, Austria, and the Czech Republic! I know that many of you travel frequently, but trips like this allow students to become more independent and make lasting memories with their friends.
 
Any student at Acalanes (or any of the other schools in our district) is invited to join us! They do not need to be in my class or have ever had Ms. Field as a teacher. All are welcome on this trip!
 
We will have an informational meeting on Wednesday, September 16th from 7-7:45 on the lawn at Sideboard. Please RSVP here:
https://webapp.acis.com/trips/recruiting–meeting/MjAyN3wxNjA1NHw4MTY=
 
And here is the link to view the trip itinerary and cost:
https://acis.com/tripsite–trip–overview/?key=MjAyN3wxNjA1NA==
 
Sign ups are happening now, so if your student is interested, please register ASAP.
 
You can also check out our Instagram page to see past trips: @ACIS_Lafayette Travel Club
 
Thank you!
 **This is not a school-sponsored trip.

Community Service – Helper Helper
If students would like to set up a Helper Helper account to log their service hours, please email from their personal email account to communityservice@acalanesparentsclub.comand include their personal email, name, birthdate and graduation year.

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. 

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Campus Culture Committee

The Acalanes Parent Club Campus Culture Committee (CCC) is looking forward to another year of helping ensure that all students, staff, and families feel seen, heard, valued, supported, and that they belong each and every time they step onto our campus.
Our CCC works alongside students, staff, families, and school leadership to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and a positive school culture throughout the Acalanes community.,

This year, we are excited to expand that sense of community beyond our individual campuses! Culture and Climate parent groups from high schools across AUHSD are planning more opportunities to collaborate, participate in cross-campus activities, share resources, and support students, parents, and guardians throughout our entire district.

🗓️ Join Us for Our First CCC Meeting!
**NOTE MEETING DATE CHANGE IN OBSERVATION YOM KIPPUR**
Tuesday September 22 | 6:30–7:30pm | Acalanes High School Library
We hope you will join us for our 2026–2027 CCC Kickoff Meeting!
This year, we are excited to put even more of our energy into action and connection. In addition to coming together as parents and caregivers, CCC members will have opportunities to provide volunteer time and supply/material support to our student clubs and special school events throughout the year.
And because building a community also includes taking care of and connecting with one another, we are planning some special opportunities just for our parents and caregivers!

Whether you have been involved with CCC for years or this is your first time learning about us, there is a place for you. We hope you will join us!
📅 2026–2027 CCC Meeting Schedule | 6:30–7:30
•        September 22 – CCC Kickoff Meeting | In Person
•        December 14 – Wellness Workshop with Patrick Turner | In Person
•        January 11 – CCC Meeting | Virtual
•        May – CCC Year-End Retreat | In Person, Date TBD

📅 September Dates & Observances
September 15–October 15 – National Hispanic Heritage Month
National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the histories, cultures, achievements, and contributions of Americans whose heritage traces to Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. The September 15 start date is significant because it coincides with the independence anniversaries of several Latin American countries.

🏫 AUHSD: Ongoing Supports & Opportunities
Several districtwide programs and activities are continuing this year to support students and create opportunities for connection, leadership, academic success, and belonging.
🖤 Black Student Union (BSU)
BSU students will have several opportunities to connect, learn, celebrate, and build community throughout the year, including:
•         October 19 – BSU Summit
•         November 18-21 – State BSU Conference
•         February – Districtwide BSU Dance/Social
🏳️‍🌈 LGBTQ Council
The District’s LGBTQ Council will continue to meet quarterly with students, advisors, and district staff to collaborate on activities, identify needs, and create opportunities that support LGBTQ+ students throughout AUHSD.
♿ Special Education Parent Advisory Committee
The Special Education Parent Advisory Committee meets monthly and provides families with an opportunity to connect, share information, identify needs, and support the experiences and academic success of students receiving special education services.
🌎 DELAC – District English Learner Advisory Committee
The District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC) provides families of English Learner students with an important opportunity to participate in district conversations and provide input regarding programs and services. Meetings are held at Las Lomas High School (LLHS).

🤝 How Parents Can Help
As opportunities arise, parents and caregivers will receive information about ways to support districtwide student activities, including needs such as food donations, transportation, supplies, and other volunteer support.
District leadership will also work with teachers and school staff to increase awareness of the importance of these student opportunities and help ensure students feel supported when participation requires them to miss class.

🤝 Our First Cross-Campus Opportunity!
Connecting Families Across AUHSD
We are excited to begin creating more opportunities for parents and caregivers from across our district to connect, learn from one another, build relationships, and support students across school communities.
To kick off this effort, the Campolindo DEIB Parents invite parents and guardians from all AUHSD schools to an evening of connection and community.
📅 Wednesday, September 30, 2026
⏰ 6:00–8:00 PM
📍 Campolindo High School Library
All AUHSD parents and guardians are welcome!
This is just the beginning of what we hope will be more cross-campus opportunities throughout the year. By connecting families and parent groups across our schools, we can share resources, learn from one another, strengthen our collective efforts, and work together to support all students and families throughout AUHSD.
We hope to see our Acalanes families there! 💙
 
💙 Have Something You’d Like Us to Bring Forward?
Districtwide parent meetings provide an important opportunity for Acalanes families to have their voices represented at the district level.
If there is a topic, concern, student need, or idea related to school culture, climate, inclusion, belonging, academic support, or student well-being that you would like us to bring forward, please reach out:
📧 diversityandinclusion@acalanesparentsclub.com

We welcome your ideas and want to make sure the voices and experiences of Acalanes families are represented in these districtwide conversations.

Acalanes 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.

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