General Announcements

AUHSD Curriculum Survey
On Jan 19 and 20, all Acalanes students will take a survey about the English and Social Science curriculum. Our district has engaged in work around our curriculum and would like to hear input from our students. Student feedback will be valuable as we strengthen the curriculum and refine our Ethnic Studies course.

Course selections for the 2023-2024 are due Friday, Feb 3! Acalanes has a wealth of resources available to assist you and your students in the process.
 
OPEN HOUSE & COURSE PREVIEW

Open House & Course Preview is back in person this year! A detailed program for the evening will be available next week. Please note, new this year, is a strongly recommended session for all students planning to take 2+ Honors/AP Classes. This important session will be held during Open House & Course Preview from 7:35-8:00pm, with a makeup session during Academy on Friday, Jan 27.
 
GRADE LEVEL STUDENT PRESENTATIONS
All 9th, 10th and 11th grade students recently attended grade specific presentations on course options with counselors, admin and teachers. The presentations are available below for parents to review and discuss with students. We encourage you to take a look, there is a lot of good information!
Rising Sophomores (Current Frosh) In–House Course Preview Presentation
Rising Juniors (Current Sophomores) In–House Course Preview Presentation
Rising Seniors (Current Juniors) In–House Course Preview Presentation
 
9th & 10th GRADE PARENT NIGHT
The library was packed with Frosh/Soph parents this past Thursday night! If you missed the evening or want additional access to all the valuable information shared, please see these slides below. Thank you to the parents and counselors for a great session!
Frosh/Soph Parent Night Slides

Attention Senior Parents/Guardians: Graduation will be here before you know it! In preparation, we will be ordering diplomas by the end of January and want to make sure all student names are accurately reflected in our Aeries database. Your student can check the name postings on the window of the Counseling Office, or you/your student can check your Aeries portal (select Student Information, then Demographics). For any changes, please contact Emily Finn (efinn@auhsdschools.org) in the Counseling Office by Friday, Jan 20. Thank you, and we hope your student has an excellent last semester at Acalanes!

2023-2024 Academic Calendar: The AUHSD Governing Board recently approved the Academic Calendar for next school year, view here.

Congratulations! We are happy to announce that our very own Ava Freeman has been awarded the Contra Costa County Student Humanitarian of the Year! Contra Costa County proudly honors a high school student each year who is an inspiration to fellow students. Ava was nominated by Mr. Robert Porter, her Studio Art teacher, and was selected by the county for setting an example for others and living Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s dream of equality, peace, justice, non-violence, leadership and inspiration. We are incredibly proud of her!
 
Ava will be recognized at the 45th Annual Ceremony celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. King on Tuesday, Jan 17 at 11am. To learn more about this ceremony, visit www.contracosta.ca.gov/5307 on the Contra Costa County website.
 
Congrats Ava!

Calling all creative minds! AHS is proud to announce a student competition to design our newly adopted mission and vision classroom posters, sponsored by Project LPIE.
 
Check out past designs and poster requirement here: Poster Design Contest Details
 
Competition Winners: A committee of students, staff and LPIE Board Members will review all submissions. Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 designs and the top design will be printed and displayed in every classroom and in the office at AHS.
 
Students should submit their design to Principal Shawn at eshawn@auhsdschools.org or drop physical designs at the main office.
 
Deadline for Submissions: Jan 27. Parents, please encourage your students to participate!
 

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 1-5 and May 8-12.
 
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

FINALS SCHEDULE: May 23 – 26
Parents take note of this week’s finals schedule. Tomorrow is a regular, see-all Monday and Finals start Tuesday. A great way to help support our students during finals is to help out with Finals Fuel (see below).


During Finals, Peer Tutoring will be open Tuesday-Thursday from 12:50-2:50pm. The Library will be open from 7:30am to 3:00pm Tuesday & Thursday and from 7:30am to 1:00pm Wednesday & Friday. 
 
IMPORTANT INFO FOR ALL SENIOR FAMILIES
Here is all the information senior families need to know to close out the year.

1. Senior Wrap–Up & To–Do List – print this off and use the to-do list as you wrap up senior year.
2. Senior Graduation Information – anything and everything senior families need to know for graduation and all leading up to it.
3. Graduation field map for families – please share this with your family and friends that will be attending graduation. Remind your students to let all family members know which side of the stadium they will be sitting in (they find out at rehearsal) so you can have a better view of  your senior walking the stage.
4. AHS Senior Survey – seniors need to take a few minutes to fill out your final AHS survey.

Congratulations Class of 2023!

Mission and Vision Poster Design Contest
Calling all creative minds! AHS is proud to announce a student competition to design our newly adopted mission and vision classroom posters, sponsored by Project LPIE.

Check out past designs and poster requirement here: Poster Design Contest Details
 
Competition Winners: A committee of students, staff and LPIE Board Members will review all submissions. Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 designs and the top design will be printed and displayed in every classroom and in the office at AHS.
 
Students should submit their design to Principal Shawn at eshawn@auhsdschools.org or drop physical designs at the main office. Deadline for Submissions: January 27, 2023
Parents, please encourage your students to participate (after exams)!

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 2023. Exam dates are May 1-5 and May 8-12.
 
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

We have your students covered as they prepare to finish the semester strong! Please be sure to visit our website for even more information on all the events planned to support our students through finals.
 
Tuesday, Dec 6 Frosh Finals Informational Meeting at Lunch in the Library
Come hear from teachers in English, Math, World History, Living Earth & World Language about best practices to prep 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 150 Frosh thanks to APC!
 
Wednesday, Dec 7 ‘Wellness in the Winter’ Session 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.
 
Wednesday, Dec 7 Exam Jam 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, begin to study while enjoying delicious snacks and a quiet environment. See you there!
And don’t forget to encourage your student to take advantage of these additional resources this week:

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

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

Acalanes Teacher Wins Master Teacher Fellowship Appointment
Sydney Johnson was selected as one of twelve candidates internationally for the ABE (Amgen Biotechnology Experience) Master Teacher Fellowship.
 
This program will support Ms. Johnson in collaborating with experts from STEM fields, developing curriculum infusing research-based pedagogy, inclusive classroom practices, and cutting-edge biotech concepts and technologies.
 
This was a very selective process and a big honor! Ms. Johnson teaches Biotechnology, Chemistry, and Earth and Space Science at Acalanes.
 
Please join us in congratulating Sydney Johnson!
 
View full press release here.

We have your students covered as they prepare to finish the semester strong! Please be sure to visit our website for even more information on all events planned to support our students through Finals.
 
Tuesday, Dec 6 Frosh Finals Informational Meeting at Lunch in the Library
Come hear from teachers in English, Math, World History, Living Earth & World Language about best practices to prep 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 150 Frosh thanks to APC!
 
Wednesday, Dec 7 during Academy ‘Wellness in the Winter’ session
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.
 
Wednesday, Dec 7 Exam Jam 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, begin to study while enjoying delicious snacks & a quiet environment. See you there!
And don’t forget to encourage your student to take advantage of these additional resources!

• Peer Tutoring this week, every Academy, Lunch, 7th Period, and every day 1 hour after the final school bell.
• Wellness Center this week, open for students to drop in Monday through Friday from 8:00am – 4:00pm (with teacher approval during class hours)
• Acalanes Library Open from 7:30am to 5:00pm daily

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

Acalanes Teacher Wins Master Teacher Fellowship Appointment
Sydney Johnson was selected as one of twelve candidates internationally for the ABE (Amgen Biotechnology Experience) Master Teacher Fellowship.
 
This program will support Ms. Johnson in collaborating with experts from STEM fields, developing curriculum infusing research-based pedagogy, inclusive classroom practices, and cutting-edge biotech concepts and technologies.
 
This was a very selective process and a big honor! Ms. Johnson teaches Biotechnology, Chemistry, and Earth and Space Science at Acalanes.
 
Please join us in congratulating Sydney Johnson!
 
View full press release here.