General Announcements

Be sure to read Principal Shawn’s email regarding “Upcoming Course Selection Events at Acalanes.” Click here to read the email on Parent Square.
 
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. Exam dates are May 6-10 and May 13-17

AP 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 need to start at 7:15am and for afternoon exams 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 are NOT allowed to proctor an exam that their own child is taking.

If you are interested in learning more about proctoring exams, please contact the Acalanes Testing Coordinator, Nicole Singleterry at nsingleterry@auhsdschools.org.

Course selections for the 2024-2025 school year are due the week of Feb 5! Acalanes has a wealth of resources available to assist you and your students with this process.

IN-HOUSE COURSE PREVIEW
This month, we will inform all of our rising 9th, 10th and 11th grade students of the courses and choices they have to make to register for classes for the next school year at our In-House Course Preview Program. 9th through 11th graders will be required to attend one academy program in the PAC. During the program, teachers will share the elective course options available to that grade level for next year:

• Wednesday, Jan 17 – All current 9th graders (“rising sophs”)
• Friday, Jan 19 – all current 10th graders (“rising juniors”)
• Wednesday, Jan 24 – all current 11th graders (“rising seniors”)

Students will attend regular academy when their grade is not participating in their In-House Course Preview presentation.
We encourage parents and students to refer to the slideshows for this program by clicking here when discussing academic planning and choosing your courses for next year.

COURSE PREVIEW & OPEN HOUSE – for students and parents on Thursday, Feb 1 from 5:30-8pm:

• 5:30pm | Acalanes Parents Club Hosted Reception
• 5:45pm | Incoming 9th Grade Family Meeting
• 6:15 – 8pm | Drop-In Opportunities
• 6:30 – 7pm | Break-Out Session 1
• 7:05 – 7pm | Break-Out Session 2
• 7:35 – 8pm | Break-Out Session 3*
• * Any student considering taking 2+ Honors or AP classes must attend the mandatory session offered during Session 3 at Course Preview & Open House or during Academy on Friday, Feb 2.

This night is a valuable resource for current frosh, sophomores and juniors who are mapping out their future courses, as well as an excellent way for incoming 9th grade students to experience all that Acalanes has to offer. It’s also a great way to connect with fellow Acalanes parents.

WANT TO GET MORE INVOLVED?
APC is looking for parents/guardians who want to make a difference and enhance our students’ high school experience. There is no better way than joining the APC Board. From big roles to smaller event driven jobs, the 2024-25 APC Board slate is opening soon. Click here to learn more about all the APC roles and how you can help AHS next year. If interested, please email past-president and Parliamentarian, Veronique Kuhner.
 
DONS DIALOGUE – Listen to the Recording!
Don’t miss the recording or slides from our most recent Dons Dialogue on Friday, Jan 19. It was standing room only for the parents who were lucky to hear an valuable overview of:

• Course Registration Timeline and Process (Martin)
• HSD/Ethnic Studies (Walton)
• AP African American Studies (Munoz & Morlan)
• AP Psychology (Jazayeri)
• Data Science & Statistics (Gilson)
• Instrumental Music & Beginning Band (Cordoba)
• Student Report (Acuña)

Be sure to listen to the recording here or view the slides here! We promise that you will be happy you did!
The next Dons Dialogue will be Friday, Feb 23 at 8:45am.

Follow Acalanes Parents Club on Instagram. Please reach out to APC here with any questions.

Course selections for the 2024-2025 school year are due the week of February 5! Acalanes has a wealth of resources available to assist you and your students in the process.

IN HOUSE COURSE PREVIEW
This month, we will inform all of our rising 9th, 10th and 11th grade students of the courses and choices they have to make to register for classes for the next school year at our In House Course Preview Program. 9th through 11th graders will be required to attend one academy program in the PAC. Teachers will share the elective course options available to that grade level for next year:

• Wednesday, Jan 17 – All current 9th graders (“rising sophs”)
• Friday, Jan 19 – all current 10th graders (“rising juniors”)
• Wednesday, Jan 24 – all current 11th graders (“rising seniors”)

Students will attend regular academy when their grade is not participating in their In House Course Preview presentation.
 
COURSE PREVIEW & OPEN HOUSE – for Students and Parents
Thursday, Feb 1:

• 5:30pm | Acalanes Parents Club Hosted Reception
• 5:45pm | Incoming 9th Grade Family Meeting
• 6:15 – 8:00pm | Drop-In Opportunities
• 6:30 – 7:00pm | Break-Out Session 1
• 7:05 – 7:30pm | Break-Out Session 2
• 7:35 – 8:00pm | Break-Out Session 3

The night is a valuable resource for current frosh, sophomores and juniors who are mapping out their future courses, as well as an excellent way for incoming 9th grade students to experience all that Acalanes has to offer. It’s also a great way to connect with fellow Acalanes parents.

DONS DIALOGUE – FRIDAY, JAN 19 at 8:45am in the Collaboration Center
We hope to see you for our January Dons Dialogue. Join us to hear all about the course selection process and timeline from the Counseling Department. Plus, teachers will join us to discuss HSD/Ethnic Studies, PE Considerations, AP African American Studies, AP Psychology, Data Science & Statistics, and Instrumental Music & Beginning Band. And of course there will be Q&A time plus coffee and treats!

We know it’s hard to believe, but course selections for next year are due the week of February 5! So be sure to attend (and encourage your students to attend) all the events available to assist with the course selection process (Dons Dialogue, Open House & Course Preview and class academies).

WANT TO GET MORE INVOLVED?
Help do something positive for our school and students? APC is looking for parents who want to make a difference and enhance our students’ high school experience. There is no better way than joining our vast APC Board. From big roles to smaller event driven jobs, the 2024-25 APC Board slate is opening soon. Click here to learn more about all the APC roles and how you can help AHS next year. If interested, please email past-president and Parliamentarian, Veronique Kuhner.

JANUARY DONS DIALOGUE – SAVE THE DATE
Please join us for the first Dons Dialogue of 2024. Friday, Jan 19 at 8:45am in the Collaboration Center. We will hear from Principal Shawn and other Acalanes Staff members plus time for open Q&A. The detailed agenda will be released in the APC Newsletter next week.
Coffee and teats will be served!

FINALS FUEL IN ACTION!
Thank you to all the families that contributed snacks, funds or time to hand out fun snacks and encouraging words to all our students between exams. This is a special Acalanes tradition and one of the best volunteer roles on campus. If you missed your opportunity to help this winter, don’t worry Finals Fuel will be back in the spring.
Special thanks to our APC Co-Chairs Stephanie Asadorian and Regan Scovic!

Follow Acalanes Parents Club on Instagram. Please reach out to APC here with any questions.

Finals week is here! Tomorrow, Dec 18 is the regular class schedule and then the finals schedule begins on Tuesday, Dec 19 through Friday, Dec 22:


 
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS:

• Teacher Office Hours: Tuesday, Dec 19 from 8:30-10:20am during 0 period final.
• Peer Tutoring:  Finals Week Hours
  • Monday, Dec 18, regular hours (academy, lunch, 7th Period and 1 hour after final school bell).
  • Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (Dec 19-21) from 12:50-3pm.

• Wellness Center:  Finals Week Hours
  • Monday, Dec 18, regular hours (8am-4pm).
  • Tuesday, Wednesday,Thursday, Friday (Dec 19-22) from 8am-1pm.

• Acalanes Library:  Finals Week Hours
  • Monday, Dec 18, regular hours (7:30am-5pm).
  • Tuesday (Dec 19) and Thursday (Dec 21) from 7:30am-3pm.
  • Wednesday (Dec 20) and Friday (Dec 22) from 7:30am-1pm.

Check out our Finals Prep Webpage for more information and resources!

Finals Fuel –  we’re almost there!
Thank you to all the families who have already contributed. We are close, but still need some more help to pull off this beloved Acalanes/APC tradition.

Help our students finish strong by providing snacks in between their finals. You can help refuel and recharge our Dons in several ways:

• Purchase snacks now and deliver to a residence near AHS
• Purchase snacks from our Amazon wish list and items will be sent directly to a residence for transport to AHS
• Donate money and we’ll shop for you: Venmo @Stephanie-Asadorian (any amount is welcome and appreciated)
• Volunteer to hand out snacks on campus Tuesday, Dec 19 – Friday, Dec 22

Follow Acalanes Parents Club on Instagram. Please reach out to APC here with any questions.

We have your students covered as they prepare to finish the semester strong! Please be sure to visit our APC website for even more information on all events planned to support our students through finals.

EXAM JAM
Wednesday, Dec 13 from 3-5pm in the Library
Kick start your finals studying and preparation during Exam Jam. We will have teachers from each department along with peer tutors on hand to support and answer questions. It is a great opportunity to finish up study guides and begin studying while enjoying delicious snacks and a quiet environment. Exam Jam is open to all students. See you there!

FROSH FINALS INFORMATIONAL MEETING
Thursday, Dec 14 during lunch in the Library
Come hear from teachers in English, Math, World History, Living Earth & World Language about best practices to prepare for finals. They will not only share information on finals but best ways to study as well. Finals goodie bags will be given to the first 200 Frosh thanks to APC! 
*The Frosh will also all participate in a special Frosh Connect session in PE classes on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. The topic is all about final exams and tips to prepare from juniors and seniors.

WELLNESS WINTER WORKSHOP
Friday, Dec 15 during Academy
Our Wellness in the Winter session is a space to gather together and practice coping skills to thrive during finals and a long break with family. Sign up for this academy.

CANINE STRESS BUSTERS
Friday, Dec 15 during lunch in the Front Quad
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. In addition, there will be tables with various stress free activities!
 
And don’t forget to encourage your student to take advantage of these additional resources:

• Peer Tutoring during every academy, lunch, 7th period, and every day for 1 hour after the final school bell.
• Wellness Center is open for students to drop in Monday through Friday from 8am – 4pm (with teacher approval during class hours).
• Acalanes Library is open from 7:30am to 5pm daily.

Check out our Finals Prep Webpage for more information and resources!

Please see the finals schedule below for Tuesday, Dec 19 through Friday, Dec 22.

Please review all the Finals Prep resources available to your students as described above and encourage your students to participate!