General Announcements

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Acalanes is very excited to host Special Olympics this Friday. There will be buses and many visitors coming to campus so we expect parking may be challenging. Please encourage your students to carpool on Friday!

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AP EXAM PROCTORS NEEDED – Great Volunteer Opportunity
Our AP Students need YOUR help! We are searching for parents to help with proctoring AP Exams the first two weeks of May 2024. Exam dates are May 6-10 and May 13-17.
 
Exams start everyday at either 8am or 12pm. Students know to show up 30 minutes prior to start time for check in. Proctors for morning exams would be needed starting at 7:15am and afternoon exams starting at 11:15am. Exams can range from 2-4 hours and we ask that you please plan to stay for the longest amount of time possible. 

Restrictions: Parents, you are NOT allowed to proctor an exam that your own child is taking.
 
If you are interested in learning more about proctoring AP exams, please contact the Acalanes Testing Coordinator, Nicole Singleterry at nsingleterry@auhsdschools.org

ACALANES SERVICE AWARD DEADLINE: This FRIDAY!
Students who volunteer at least 30 hours by Apr 19, will get an Acalanes Service Award so please encourage your students to get those hours entered as that deadline is this Friday!

To qualify, all hours must be entered online into the Helper Helper app AND validated by the student’s supervisor by Apr 19 so please encourage your students to get their hours entered now!! To learn more and/or join the Helper Helper app, check out the volunteer website.

2024-2025 ACALANES PARENTS CLUB BOARD SLATE
We are proud to announce our slate of nominees for the 2024-25 APC Board of Directors. A big thank you to this year’s Nominating Committee for their time and dedication in placing these amazing volunteers. The APC general membership will vote to approve the slate at the spring general meeting, immediately preceding Dons Dialogue on Friday morning, May 17. If you have any questions, please contact APC Parliamentarian, Veronique Kuhner.
 
2024-2025 Parents Club Board Nominees
Co-Presidents: Andrea Hilsabeck & Michele Colaco
VP Special Projects: Raina Foster
VP Communications: Kendra Uffelman
VP Community Partners: Nicole Long
VP Fundraising: Carrie Daughters
VP Services: Ali Krick
Co-Head Liaisons: Sarah Cusumano & Heidi Keely
Secretary: Kim Hamill
Treasurer: Lee Huskins
Assistant Treasurer: Jocelyn Birrell
Auditor: Sierra Culbertson
Past President/Parliamentarian: Sarah Cusumano

AP EXAM PROCTORS NEEDED – Great Volunteer Opportunity
Our AP Students need YOUR help! We are searching for parents to help with proctoring AP Exams the first two weeks of May 2024. Exam dates are May 6-10 and May 13-17.
 
Exams start everyday at either 8am or 12pm. Students know to show up 30 minutes prior to start time for check in. Proctors for morning exams would be needed starting at 7:15am and afternoon exams starting at 11:15am. Exams can range from 2-4 hours and we ask that you please plan to stay for the longest amount of time possible. Restrictions: Parents, you are NOT allowed to proctor an exam that your own child is taking.
 
If you are interested in learning more about proctoring AP exams, please contact the Acalanes Testing Coordinator, Nicole Singleterry at nsingleterry@auhsdschools.org

APC GRANTS AWARDED FOR SPRING 2024
Thank you to the teachers, students and staff who submitted proposals for an APC spring grant. We had a large number of requests representing many different interests!  APC grants are funded through parents annual donations – so THANK YOU parents!  We are pleased to announce that five grants have been awarded this spring:

• Math clubs will receive a grant to help fund participation in AMC math competition and various other online competitions.
• Special Education classrooms will receive grant funds for classroom sensory items, including fidgets and calming tangibles, as well as plants for students to care for.
• The Social Science Department will receive a grant to fund student and school fees to attend the UC Davis Model UN Conference.
• A Math Department classroom will get enhancements to create a “Building Thinking Classroom” program for Algebra I.
• A Special Education classroom will receive funds to purchase 6 Hokki stools to provide “active seating”, allowing for subtle movement, but also helping students sit comfortably and focus on learning.

SPRING CAMPUS CLEAN UP:  Sunday, Apr 14, 11am – 2pm
Help us make our campus shine!  Earn volunteer service hours, connect with your Acalanes community, and share in our Dons pride!  All are welcome! Students can sign up on the Helper Helper app (click HERE for instructions) and adults can volunteer through the Sign Up Genius. Thanks for your help and GO DONS!

ACALANES SERVICE AWARD DEADLINE: Friday, Apr 19!
Thanks to APC, the Acalanes and Presidential Service Awards have gone digital. New this year, APC funded the Helper Helper app where students can find and record volunteer hours and earn a community service award.  To qualify, all hours must be entered AND validated by the student’s supervisor by April 19, 2024 so please encourage your students to get their hours entered now!!
 
Since April, over 250 students have created Helper Helper accounts and logged over 6,900 volunteer service hours and we’re hoping that number will keep increasing! 
 
Students who volunteer at least 30 hours by April 19, 2024, will get an Acalanes Service Award so please encourage your students to get those hours entered as that deadline is quickly approaching!

To learn more and/or join the Helper Helper app, check out the volunteer website.

DONS DIALOGUE – Listen to the Recording!
Don’t miss the video or slides from our most recent Dons Dialogue on Friday, Mar 22.
The agenda included a great discussion of the following;

• Special Education Highlight with Claire and Erin*
• Special Olympics review from Walton
• English and Social Science Department Highlights from Barth and Schottland
• ASB Student Report with Zoya

*In case you missed it, please visit here to enjoy the recent National News Clip that highlights some of the amazing work happening in our SPED classrooms! Congratulations to Ms Hall and Mason!


SPRING CAMPUS CLEAN UP:  Sunday, Apr 14, 11am – 2pm
Help us make our campus shine!  Earn volunteer service hours, connect with your Acalanes community, and share in our Dons pride!  All are welcome. Students can sign up on the Helper Helper app (click HERE for instructions) and adults can volunteer through the Sign Up Genius. Thanks for your help and GO DONS!


DONS SHOWED UP FOR ROBERT PAYLOR
Our Lamorinda community really showed up last week for the inspirational talk with Robert Paylor. See below for some important takeaways from the talk.

If you were unable to attend and hear Robert’s story, “Paralyzed to Powerful”, we encourage you to read more about his story here.

APC is proud to bring important events like this to our Acalanes Community. Thank you to everyone who contributes to APC. Your support enables events like this.

     

ACALANES JOB FAIR – THIS WEDNESDAY, MAR 20 DURING ACADEMY
Acalanes is sponsoring a student Job Fair to bring local businesses and summer jobs onto campus to connect students with employment opportunities. Parents, please encourage your students to participate. We are encouraging students to do some research ahead of time on the organizations attending, come prepared to talk to employers, and bring copies of their resume.

Check out the list of confirmed employers for our Acalanes Job Fair!

DONS DIALOGUE THIS FRIDAY AT 8:45AM
Join us on Friday, Mar 22 in the Collaboration Center for coffee, treats, great company and dialogue!  This month we will hear department highlights from the English, History and Special Ed departments, plus our usual student activities update and open Q&A.
We hope to see you there! 

ANNUAL COLOR RUN: Sunday, Mar 24 – sign up now!
Acalanes is having its Annual Color Run on Sunday, Mar 24 at 9am. This is a super fun 1 or 2 mile run around the Acalanes campus with different colored powder stations scattered throughout the course. This event is inspired by the traditions of Holi, the Hindu Festival of Color. Holi celebrates the arrival of spring, and its beautiful harvests and colors, with festivals involving colored powder. The Color Run is a community wide event and we encourage you to run or walk! You can register on Go Fan and the ticket cost includes a t-shirt, a gift from Zoonie’s and snacks at the end of the race. This is a great event for all ages so please encourage others to come as well! Hope to see you there!

SPRING CAMPUS CLEAN UP:  Sunday, Apr 14, 11am – 2pm
Help us make our campus shine!  Earn volunteer service hours, connect with your Acalanes community, and share in our Dons pride!  All are welcome. Students can sign up on the Helper Helper app (click HERE for instructions) and adults can volunteer through the Sign Up Genius. Thanks for your help and GO DONS!
 
ACALANES SERVICE AWARDS DEADLINE APPROACHING: Friday, Apr 19
Thanks to APC, the Acalanes and Presidential Service Awards have gone digital. New this year, APC funded the Helper Helper app where students can find and record volunteer hours and earn a community service award. To qualify, all hours must be entered ANDvalidated by the student’s supervisor by Friday, Apr 19 so please encourage your students to get their hours entered now!!
 
Since April 2023, over 250 students have created Helper Helper accounts and logged over 6,900 volunteer service hours and we’re hoping that number will keep increasing! Students who volunteer at least 30 hours by Friday, Apr 19, will get an Acalanes Service Award so please encourage your students to get those hours entered, as that deadline is quickly approaching! To learn more and/or join the Helper Helper app, check out the volunteerwebsite.

ACALANES HIGH SCHOOL HOSTS SONG FOR CHARLIE
What Students Need to Know About Fentanyl to Protect Themselves and Others
Wednesday, March 13, 2024 | Academy 
Acalanes Performing Arts Center (PAC)

Song For Charlie joined us this past fall for a presentation to our current juniors and seniors. Because of its impact, we are partnering with Song For Charlie again to provide this valuable opportunity to our sophomore students.

All Sophomores will join Song For Charlie, HSD Staff, and the Acalanes Administration as they present What Students Need to Know About Fentanyl to Protect Themselves and Others. This is an opportunity for our students to come together to learn the facts about fentanyl and take empowered action to protect themselves and their loved ones.

This presentation will be given to all Sophomores during Academy on Wednesday, March 13th. All school support will be available to answer questions and provide support. This includes our HSD staff, counselors, wellness center, and administration.
 

PARENTS, WE NEED YOU!
Acalanes Parents/Guardians, here is where you can play an important part in the incredible things happening at Acalanes!

1.  Job Fair:  If your business hires high school students (or you know someone who does) please reach out to Katherine Walton to be part of the Job Fair on Wednesday, Mar 20. We can help you recruit some incredible employees!
2. Creative Arts and Design Career Academy: Parents, alumni, and community members are invited to talk with students about their career experiences/pathways in the creative arts and design fields. Please email Debbie Levy for more info about this event on Wednesday, Apr 10 at 10am.
3. Trade Fair: The College & Career Center is hosting a Trade Fair for Roofing, Electrical, Plumbing, Linesman, Cosmetology, Automotive, and more during lunch on Apr 24. We are looking for more organizations to be represented so please email Debbie Levy with any suggestions.

 
STATE TESTING IS HERE!
CAASPP testing begins tomorrow, Monday, Mar 11. All juniors will take the math, English, and science tests over the three weeks prior to spring break.
 
We greatly appreciate our parents and community’s encouragement of our students to do their absolute best, participate, and show up for our school in taking these tests seriously. Don’t stress, but please do your best!

Our school has outstanding achievement, and these test scores are critical as a public measurement of our students’ progress. Students will also receive their score reports, which are included in their academic file. CAASPP scores are also used by colleges for course placement.

ACALANES SERVICE AWARDS DEADLINE APPROACHING: Friday, Apr 19
Thanks to APC, the Acalanes and Presidential Service Awards have gone digital. New this year, APC funded the Helper Helper app where students can find and record volunteer hours and earn a community service award.  To qualify, all hours must be entered AND validated by the student’s supervisor by Thursday, Apr 19, 2024 so please encourage your students to get their hours entered now!!
 
Since April, over 250 students have created Helper Helper accounts and logged over 6,900 volunteer service hours and we’re hoping that number will keep increasing! 
 
Students who volunteer at least 30 hours by Thursday, Apr 19, 2024, will get an Acalanes Service Award so please encourage your students to get those hours entered as that deadline is quickly approaching!


DON’T MISS THE COLOR RUN!
Acalanes is having its Annual Color Run on Sunday, Mar 24 at 9 am. This is a super fun 1 or 2-mile run around the Acalanes campus with stations of different colored powders scattered throughout the course.

This event is inspired by the traditions of Holi, the Hindu Festival of Color. Holi celebrates the arrival of spring and its beautiful harvests and colors with festivals involving colored powder.

The Color Run is a community wide event and we want to encourage you to run or walk! You can purchase your registration on Go Fan which includes a t-shirt, gift from Zoonie’s and snacks at the end of the race. 
This is a great event for all ages so please encourage others to come as well! Hope to see you there!


SPRING CAMPUS CLEAN UP:  Sunday, Apr 14, 11am – 2pm
Help us make our campus shine!  Earn volunteer service hours, connect with your Acalanes community, and share in our Dons pride!  All are welcome. Students can sign up on the Helper Helper app (click HERE for instructions) and adults can volunteer through the Sign Up Genius. Thanks for your help and GO DONS!

PARENTS, IT’S YOUR TIME TO JUMP IN!
Acalanes Parents/Guardians, here is where you can play an important part in the incredible opportunities happening at Acalanes!

1. Job Fair:  If your business hires high school students (or you know someone who does) please reach out to Katherine Walton at kwalton@auhsdschools.org to be part of the Job Fair on Wednesday, Mar 20. We can help you recruit some incredible employees!
2. Creative Arts and Design Career Academy: Parents, alumni, and community members are invited to talk with students about their career experiences/pathways in the creative arts and design fields. Please email Debbie Levy, dlevy@auhsdschools.org for more info about this event on Wednesday, Apr 10 at 10am.
3. Classroom Instructional Aides: The District is seeking applicants for classroom Instructional Aides. No previous training required, just a willingness to learn new skills and help students succeed. Applications should be submitted on Edjoin.com.
4. Trade Fair: The College & Career Center is hosting a Trade Fair for Roofing, Electrical, Plumbing, Linesman, Cosmetology, Automotive, and more during lunch on April 24th. We are looking for more organizations to be represented. Please email Debbie Levy, dlevy@auhsdschools.org with any suggestions.

STATE TESTING IS COMING!
CAASPP testing will begin on Monday, March 11, and all Juniors will take the Math, English, and Science tests over the three weeks prior to Springbreak.
 
To prepare and fire up our students, Principal Shawn is visiting all Junior classes to talk with them about the importance of this test. Our school has outstanding achievement, and these test scores are critical as a public measurement of our students’ progress. Assessments are part of the state-mandated accountability system and are presented to the public via the California School Dashboard. When all students try their best on CAASPP, AUHSD schools will be able to present accurate academic performance data.  Students will also receive their score reports, which are included in their academic file.  CAASPP scores are also used at colleges for course placement.
 
We greatly appreciate our parents and community’s encouragement of our students to do their absolute best, participate, and show up for our school in taking these tests seriously. Don’t stress, but please do your best!