October 2026 Update | Building Community & Moving Into Action!
Thank you to everyone who attended our first Campus Culture Committee (CCC) meeting in September! It was wonderful to connect with parents and caregivers, share ideas, and begin planning ways to support our students, staff, and school community throughout the year.
This year, our CCC is focused on action, connection, and belonging—creating meaningful opportunities for families to support student clubs, campus activities, and special events while also building stronger relationships with one another.
🤝 Get Involved! CCC Volunteer Opportunities
Our CCC SignUpGenius is now available!
We invite parents and caregivers to sign up to support student clubs, staff, campus activities, and special events in meaningful and creative ways.
Whether you can volunteer your time, donate supplies, or help with a special event, every contribution helps strengthen our Acalanes community.
👉 Sign Up to Support Our Acalanes Community!
🍂 You’re Invited! FRIENDSGIVING with Principal Colin Malcolm
📅 Thursday, Nov. 19
⏰ 5:30–7:00pm
📍 Location: To Be Announced
Please join us for a special CCC FRIENDSGIVING Social with Principal Colin Malcolm!
This gathering will be an opportunity for Acalanes parents and caregivers to:
- Hear updates from Principal Malcolm about the exciting work and initiatives happening at Acalanes.
- Share ideas, ask questions, and connect directly with our Principal.
- Build relationships with other parents and caregivers.
- Enjoy a little time together as we continue strengthening our school community.
Light refreshments will be served.
We hope you will join us for this opportunity to connect, collaborate, and celebrate our Acalanes community!
💚 Parent Wellness Workshop & Spring CCC Updates
📅 Monday, Dec. 14
⏰ 6:00–7:30pm
💻 Virtual Meeting
Please join us for our Parent Wellness Workshop and Spring CCC Planning Updates!
We will spend time focusing on parent and caregiver wellness while also sharing updates on upcoming CCC activities and opportunities to get involved during the spring semester.
🏫 A Note About Participation in School Events
During our September CCC meeting, questions were raised regarding participation by community members in school-based activities and events intended for parents and guardians.
We encourage families to review the Acalanes Parent Club bylaws, which provide guidance regarding participation and membership. Please refer to the attached bylaws for the relevant language.
📅 Upcoming CCC Events at a Glance
- October – December: CCC Volunteer Opportunities – SignUpGenius Open
- November 19 | 5:30–7:00pm: FRIENDSGIVING Social with Principal Colin Malcolm – Location TBD
- December 14 | 6:00–7:30pm: Parent Wellness Workshop & Spring CCC Updates – Virtual
- January 11 | 6:30–7:30pm: CCC Meeting – Virtual
- May | Date TBD: CCC Year-End Retreat – In Person
📅 October 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 observance begins on September 15, which coincides with the independence anniversaries of several Latin American countries.
October – LGBTQ+ History Month
LGBTQ+ History Month is observed throughout October and provides an opportunity to learn about and recognize the history, achievements, experiences, and civil rights movements of LGBTQ+ people.
October – Filipino American History Month
Filipino American History Month is celebrated throughout October and recognizes the history, culture, experiences, and contributions of Filipino Americans to the United States.
The 2026 national theme established by the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) is “Beyond the Margins: Centering Intersectional Filipino American Histories.”
October 12 – Indigenous Peoples’ Day
💚 Wellness Center Reminder
As we move further into the school year, we want to remind families that the Acalanes Wellness Center is here to support our students.
💙 Stay Connected & Get Involved
Our CCC continues to work alongside students, staff, families, and school leadership to help create an Acalanes community where all students and families feel seen, heard, valued, supported, and that they belong.
📧 diversityandinclusion@acalanesparentsclub.com
And remember to keep an eye out for our upcoming Signup Genius and details about our November gathering with our Principal!
Reminder: Acalanes is a No Hate Zone
Acalanes is committed to maintaining a campus where every student feels safe, respected, welcomed, and valued.
If your student experiences or witnesses bias or hate, please encourage them to report it using the Bias Incident Reporting Tool (BIRT) available on the AHS website.
Submit a BIRT Report Here »
Reporting incidents helps our school respond to concerns and continue working together to create a culture of safety and belonging for everyone.
