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Share these goal setting tips with your AHS student to help develop their perspective on what is really important to them.

When making a new year’s resolution, the key to success is setting realistic goals. How many times have you or people around you made a resolution so extreme that it is out of the window by January 7th? It happens often because people either make goals that are too broad or make goals that require a complete lifestyle overhaul. 

• Set an extremely specific goal. Note that there is a major difference between “exercise more” and “exercise 20 minutes each day.” By creating specific goals you are able to measure progress. 
• Take baby steps. If you are someone that hasn’t prioritized a major facet of your resolution in the past, start by gradually increasing your goal. For example, if you currently spend 3 hours on your phone each day, creating a resolution to completely stop spending idle time on your phone is unrealistic. Cut down your time spent by 30 minutes each week to reach your goal. Small changes to habits you wish to kick are changes nonetheless. 
• Finally, a great way to preserve mental health in new year’s resolutions is to accept that changes take time and persistence. If you happen to fall off of your resolution there is no shame in picking back up. If your goal is valuable to you, getting back on track should be a sign of persistence opposed to a sign of failure. Accepting setbacks is key in making positive changes. 

Happy New Year!
Kiara Thomas- Wellness Intake Specialist

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 

• Save the Date! Wednesday, Jan 12 at 6:30pm in the PAC Parent Night – 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.
• Tuesday, Feb 1 from 6 to 7pm in the Collab Center at Acalanes Bookclub Meeting – Join junior parents to discuss Who Gets in and Why by Jeffrey Selingo. 
• PSAT review – Please set up a 1:1 appointment to go over your child’s PSAT scores and take a deeper look at your students’ strengths and areas for growth.

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 new forms 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 should be available by Friday, Jan 7. Report cards will be mailed home to all students. 

Second Semester Class Changes
Counselors will be changing some student schedules during the first ten days of second semester only. There are limited options, as our classes are year-long by design. 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/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! 

COVID VACCINE – Many students are now eligible to get boosters – PLEASE DO!!!   Please submit your students’ COVID vaccine records. This is not yet required, but helps a lot when there are exposures. Please turn your student’s COVID vaccine record in to me if you have not. I continue to encourage you to get your students and your families vaccinated AND BOOSTED (boosters for 16-17 year olds will be available any day now!). Please contact me for support if needed. Did you forget to get your FLU shot? Get it now! 

Please try to test your kids before they come back to school after winter break!

Proof of vaccination – Try this site: https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov/  iPhone users: you can now put your vaccination record in your Apple Health app (and Apple Wallet).

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

BOYS BASKETBALL
Tuesday, Jan 4 v. Miramonte. Freshmen at 4pm, JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm
Thursday, Jan 6 v. Northgate. Freshman at 4pm, JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm

GIRLS BASKETBALL
Tuesday, Jan 4 at Miramonte. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm
Thursday, Jan 6 at Northgate. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm

BOYS SOCCER
Tuesday, Jan 4 v. Las Lomas. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm
Thursday, Jan 6 at Northgate. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm
Saturday, Jan 8 v. Monte Vista. JV at 1pm and Varsity at 3pm G

GIRLS SOCCER
Tuesday, Jan 4 at Benicia. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm
Thursday, Jan 6 v. Concord at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm 

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

We have your students covered as they finish their semester strong this week!

Monday, Dec 13 at Lunch Canine Stress Busters
Come hug it out with your favorite four-legged friends. Therapy dogs will be on campus to provide smiles and tail wags to help reduce stress and provide a general sense of connection to our students.

Tuesday, Dec 14 from 8 to 10am Teacher Office Hours
Have some last minute questions? Students can coordinate a time to meet with their teacher during office hours.

And don’t forget to encourage your student to take advantage of these additional resources:

• Peer Tutoring Finals Week Hours: Monday, Dec 13 regular hours (Academy, Lunch, 7th Period and after school until 4pm) Tuesday, Dec 14 through Thursday, Dec 16 from 12:30 to 2:30pm.
• Wellness Center open Monday regular hours 7:30am to 3:30pm, Tuesday through Friday from 7:30am to 1pm.
• Acalanes Library is open from 7:30am to 5:30pm daily.

Last chance to help with Finals Fuel
This is a wonderful way to get on campus and make a difference! Help our students finish strong by providing snacks in between their finals. Please sign up here if you are able to donate snacks.

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 small time commitment with large importance. The committee will begin shortly after we return from Winter Break. To volunteer, please contact Angela Ketcham, APC Parliamentarian at theketchams@sbcglobal.net or 925-286-9907. We look forward to working with you! We can’t do it without you!

Holiday Gift Giving Guide
‘Tis the season for giving – and receiving – the perfect gift: Acalanes Flags!
Flags are available in two sizes on the Acalanes web store. Get yours today and share your school spirit. Go Dons!

Holiday Shopping & Dining- ACA Supports Lafayette Shops & Restaurants
Shop Local Lafayette. Our downtown retailers and online shops are thankful to Acalanes families for shopping and dining in Lafayette! They look forward to helping you with your holiday gift giving needs. Check out the downtown Lafayette Dining and Gift Guide brochure & the Lafayette Chamber’s online gift guide that includes links to those businesses that offer online sales or are not included in the PDF guide. Thank you for your ongoing support of these local businesses!
 
P.S. Seniors are partnering with Sideboard to sell their holiday hot cocoa kits (a perfect gift for students during finals). Email here to order one.

However you and yours celebrate, Happy Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Ōmisoka, Boxing Day, and Christmas!