Archived Posts

Acalanes Instrumental Music is excited to present two concerts for October 2021!
 
The first concert features the Acalanes HS Wind Ensemble performing with the amazing Diablo Wind Symphony. 
Date: TONIGHT! Sunday, Oct 10, 2021
Time: 5:00pm
Location: Acalanes HS Performing Arts Center (Face masks are required inside the PAC)
 
The second event will be the Pops Concert, featuring the wonderful talents of Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Orchestra and Choir.
Date: Thursday, Oct 21, 2021
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Acalanes HS Performing Arts Center (Face masks are required inside the PAC)
 
Please join Director Lauren Gibson and her talented students for a magical evening as they perform a variety of well-known pop music and movie theme songs! This concert will be dedicated to Ashley Dias, an alum of Acalanes and a former music student, who died in a tragic accident. 

This week’s can’t miss events:

Girls volleyball
Tuesday, Oct 12 host Northgate HS. Freshmen at 4pm, JV at 5pm, and Varsity at 6:30pm.
Thursday, Oct 14 at Alhambra HS. Freshmen at 4pm, JV at 5pm, and Varsity at 6:30pm.

Girls tennis
Tuesday, Oct 12 v. College Park HS at 3:30pm.  Varsity is away and JV is home.
Thursday, Oct 14 v. Las Lomas HS at 3:30pm. Varsity is away and JV is home.

Boys water polo
Tuesday, Oct 12 host Davis HS 5pm.
Wednesday, Oct 13 host Las Lomas HS. Varsity at 6pm and JV at 7pm.
Thursday, Oct 14 host Tamalpais HS. Varsity at 4pm and JV at 5pm.

Girls water polo
Wednesday, Oct 13 host Las Lomas HS. JV at 4pm and Varsity at 5pm.

Football
Friday, Oct 15 host Campolindo HS. JV at 4:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.

Here are the Fall sports schedules (subject to change):

• Cross Country
• Football
• Girls Golf
• Girls Tennis
• Girls Volleyball
• Boys Water Polo
• Girls Water Polo

• Lunch Volunteer Opportunity (12:30-1:30, Mon-Fri) – Our Administration need our help with serving lunch and providing crowd control so they can focus on other areas on campus.  Please sign up here if you are able to lend a hand any day of the week. Questions? Contact Caroline Volk cvolk@auhsdschools.org or Rebecca Ward rward@auhsdschools.org.
• Substitute Teachers Needed – Ever thought about being a substitute teacher? Flexible schedule, great academic environment, and earning potential! If so, now’s your chance. Acalanes Union High School District is in need of substitute teachers for all four high schools.  Criteria and requirements have changed so if interested, please call (925) 280-3900 x6623 to inquire further. 

Sunday, Oct 24 Lafayette Res Run for Education – How Sweet!
Help promote Lafayette’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, show your community spirit, and support YOUR school (Go Dons)! Registration is now open for the 5k, 10k, or 2 mile fun run/walk option on Race Day, Sunday, October 24, or join the virtual Reservoir Challenge which “runs” Oct. 13-23.  In 2020, Acalanes received a check for $2209.08 thanks to your registrations! Make sure to select “Acalanes” when you register!
 
Need a sweet reason to register? The first 100 students from each school will get a voucher for 1/4 lb of bulk candy from Zoonie’s Candy Shop at packet pickup!
 
Kelly Daggs, VP Fundraising and Corporate Match

APC Fall Grants: Submissions are Open! Applications due Oct 8, 2021
All ideas are welcome. Acalanes Parents Club is pleased to invite all AHS teachers, staff, students, and parents to submit a grant application for programming, materials, or projects that enhance the educational experience for our school community. Click here for criteria and application. Completed proposals and questions can be submitted by emailing APC Grants Coordinator Catherine Habas. Proposals can also be delivered to the APC box in the front office. 

ACA IS BACK: Calling all Acalanes Alumni & Parents of Alums
One of the primary goals of ACA is to engage and better connect former students and their families to campus. An effort is underway to create an Acalanes Alumni Database that can be used to find ways to help former students remain active members of the ACA family after graduation. We invite all ages and classes of alumni to fill out the following Google form so you can be part of the lifelong ACA family. Click here to register.

Thursday, Oct 7 from 5:30-7pm Want to know more about DEI in the classroom?  
Please join Amy McNamara, Associate Superintendent of Student Services, and Lynnā McPhatter Harris, Director of Student Support, Equity and Inclusion to hear about equity and inclusion lesson plans for this school year. Webinar registration HERE.
 
Wednesday, Oct 6 Latine Heritage Month Potluck
Students are asking parents to sign up to bring one or more dish(es) from a Latin American country for a potluck fiesta. Enjoy festive music, an open mic, songs, and poetry with your student!
 
AUHSD Quarterly Book Read Oct 12, 6-8pm in the Miramonte Library.
Reserve your spot here. The group will be discussing “The Sum of Us” by Heather McGhee. All parents with students in the district are welcome.
 
Looking for a fun way to celebrate Latine Heritage with your family?
Precita EyesMural Arts offers guided (currently self-guided only) cultural and historic walking tours in the Mission District of San Francisco, conducted by muralists. Says one visitor, “Murals are the people’s art, because you don’t need to have money to appreciate them, just walk down the street and take a look, learn, share and understand the story, the message.”
 
Facts corner:
 As Haiti rebuilds from earthquake rubble, we might consider a little-known story of how Haitian soldiers helped America win our battle for independence. In October 1779, more than 500 Haitian soldiers were sent by France to fight against the British in Savannah, Georgia, in one of the bloodiest battles of the Revolutionary War. A memorial statue was erected in 2007 in Savannah honoring these soldiers for the support they gave to the founding of the United States.

“I like to remind myself that my well-being is connected to my children’s, like Wi-Fi.” Kendra Wilde
 
If you are feeling exhausted and worn out, you’re not alone. Parental burnout is real.  For more on how to take care of yourself, read here. If you feel that learning more about how to take care of yourself and your teens is what you need, check out this resource that includes free parenting and self-care classes.
 
Feel free to reach out and connect with us with ideas for future topics, shareable resources, or thoughts at parented@acalanesparentsclub.com.

Homecoming 2021 Wrap-Up
What an incredible week for Acalanes and for our community. From Sunday’s hallway decorating all the way through last night’s HOCO Night Out Event, students celebrated one another, our campus, and our community. It really was such a positive, uplifting, and spirited week for Acalanes. There are hundreds of thank you’s that need to be conveyed but there are 2 groups that deserve a very public thank you:

• Our 17 class officers, our 6 ASB Officers and our 80 leadership students for putting together a very well organized, fun, and spirited week for all!
• Our 17 parent liaisons! Homecoming doesn’t happen without their love, support, guidance, and pure time. Thank you, thank you!

Thank you for encouraging your student to opt-in and for your support of student activities at Acalanes.
 
Acalanes Canned Food Drive
Thank you to all who donated to the Acalanes canned food drive! As a community, we are donating 15,028 cans to the Contra Costa Food Bank at a time when they can really use these resources. We are grateful for your support and for giving to our Contra Costa neighbors.
 
Sept 15 through Oct 15 Latine Heritage Month
Why celebrate Latine Heritage Month at Acalanes? As a school, we are dedicated to making all of our students feel welcome, safe, and appreciated, for we are all unique individuals. Our purpose with this month is to educate students and celebrate the different cultures in Latin Heritage.
 
Calendar of Events
There are many events for both students and our community including two this week:

• Monday, Oct 4 through Friday, Oct 8 Latine Heritage Scavenger Hunt in all hallways
• Wednesday, Oct 6 from 5:30-7:30pm Latine Potluck in the front quad. All are welcome and invited to sign up to bring a dish!
• Thursday, Oct 14 at Lunch Guest Speaker Alberto Ledesma in room 314 (will be over Zoom). All are welcome!

October 15th football game vs. Campolindo
Let’s honor our heroes! Acalanes and Campolindo are coming together for the October 15th football game to honor the heroes in our Lamorinda community. Consider purchasing a shirt for $17 before October 8th. Shirts will be delivered the day of the game.
 
2021-2022 Clubs
Clubs are continuing to meet and it is one of the BEST ways for students to get connected at Acalanes. Club meeting times and contact information are in the spreadsheet.
 
As always, I am here to support you and your students. If there is anything I can do, please don’t hesitate to reach out via e-mail.
 
Katherine Walton, Student Activities Director

SENIORS

• College Visits in the CCC (have your student come by for a pass before school)
  • Monday:  Dartmouth, Whitworth, Whitman, University of Miami, Boston University, Rice University, Arizona State, Hussian College
  • Tuesday:  Loyola Marymount, Indiana University, Brandeis, UC Irvine, Michigan State
  • Wednesday:  ARMY-Sign up in Academy, Savannah College of Art & Design, SF State, Northern Arizona, Quest University Canada
  • Thursday:  University of San Diego, FIDM, The New School, Marist College
  • Friday:  Willamette University, High Point University, Tulane

• ACADEMY – This is a great time to get application support. Encourage your child to sign up for Levy’s Academy on Wednesday and Friday!
• Virtual visits are upcoming. These are engaging too!

JUNIORS

• TODAY! Sunday, Oct 3 Join a College Visit – Check out these interesting virtual visits. I recommend the LIVE sessions, so your students can engage and ask specific questions related to their interests. There are hundreds of colleges to choose from at these virtual fairs!

SOPHOMORES / FRESHMEN

• Volunteer and Work in the Community – Click here for some ideas to get you started. Students are always welcome to come by or email for other ideas. In the winter, students can work on resumes in the CCC.

RESOURCES

• CCC Website