General Announcements

February APC Dons Dialogue
Thank you to all who attended our Dons Dialogue on Friday, Feb 21. It was a great turnout. This month’s topics included Artificial Intelligence update, No Hate Speech zone discussion, CAASP Testing review, Student Activities report and Q&A with Principal Shawn. If you were not able to attend, here are the slides and video from the discussion.
 
Thank you to our APC Hospitality Co-Chairs, Mia Heglie and Monica Stassi, for providing the welcoming coffee and treats! The next Dons Dialogue will be on Friday, March 21.  Click here for the full schedule of upcoming Dons Dialogues.
 

Acalanes Student Community Service Awards: Deadline Friday, Apr 18
The Acalanes community service awards program year is in full swing so please make sure your students are logging those hours!  It’s a great opportunity for students to give back AND be recognized for their service. Students who volunteer at least 30 qualifying hours by Apr 18 will get an Acalanes Service Award and there is an opportunity to receive a Presidential Service Award with additional levels of service hours. For more information on how to create a Helper Helper account, what qualifies as community service, and the additional requirements for a Presidential Service Award, please check out our volunteer website or email communityservice@acalanesparentsclub.com with any questions. Please remember that your student’s hours must be entered AND validated by their supervisor by the deadline.
 
Follow Acalanes Parents Club on Instagram. Please reach out to APC here with any questions.

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

Emergency Alarms Check: On Monday February 10 we will be testing the different emergency alarms systems at Acalanes from 3:45pm-4:45pm. Please know the alarms going off at this time are not indicating an emergency. We will be reviewing our emergency procedures, updating staff, and drilling with students the first week of March.
 
Reminder: Monday, Feb 10 is a Friday Block Schedule.

Please reach out to Angela Ketcham or Bill Powers with any questions.
Follow Acalanes Parents Club on Instagram. Please reach out to APC here with any questions.

Course Selections Due Tomorrow, Feb 3
As a reminder, course selections (and alternates) for the 2025-2026 school year should be entered into Aeries by tomorrow, Monday, Feb 3 (although students are able to make changes through Feb 10).
 
Counselor Appointments will take place from Feb 3-11. All students will meet with their counselor for a pre-assigned 5-minute appointment during the school day to discuss their course selection and alternate choices. This meeting is to confirm that students have submitted their courses and alternates into the Aeries portal.

• Frosh counselor appointments – Feb 3 – 4
• Sophomore counselor appointments – Feb 4 – 6
• Junior counselor appointments – Feb 6 – 11

Course Preview Resources for Students
Students and parents are encouraged to view our course preview videos to familiarize themselves with the courses available. Students will view videos in their classes and in academy over the last two weeks in January and in early February.

• Rising Frosh (Current 8th Grade Students) – Class of 2029
• Rising Sophomores (Current Frosh) – Class of 2028
• Rising Juniors (Current Sophomores) – Class of 2027
• Rising Seniors (Current Juniors) – Class of 2026
• Students Interested in Taking 2+ honors or AP courses are encouraged to view this presentation when considering what courses they request.

More information on Course Selection can be found here.

PEER TUTORING- KEEPING AHS STUDENTS ON TRACK
During the fall semester, Peer Tutoring had almost 5000 visits from students of all grade levels. Our students have come to rely upon the program for a productive, welcoming place to study and get academic support. Our tutors not only work with students who drop in to Room 107, but are also requested by faculty to provide additional help in the classroom. Teachers have already effectively used our tutors over 130 times for help with test prep, test review, essay editing and math support just between August and December.
 
This past semester, as with its previous 25+ year history, Peer Tutoring has continued to be an invaluable component to the success of Acalanes and its students. We thank APC for funding 100% of the Peer Tutoring program and you for your continued support.
 
Please reach out to Angela Ketcham or Bill Powers with any questions.

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

It’s course section time for the 2025-2026 school year! Course selections (and alternates) should be entered into Aeries by Monday, Feb 3 (although students are able to make changes through Feb 10)! Acalanes has a wealth of resources available to assist you and your students in the process.
 
Overview of Acalanes course registration can be found here, including forms and course catalog.

Course Preview Resources for Students We encourage students to view our course preview videos to familiarize themselves with the courses available to them. 

• Rising Sophomores (Current Frosh) – Class of 2028
• Rising Juniors (Current Sophomores) – Class of 2027
• Rising Seniors (Current Juniors) – Class of 2026

Counselor Class Visits | Jan 21-30
School counselors will visit students in their classes to discuss the course selection process, how to submit course requests on the Aeries portal, and how to review the registration packet. Counselors will share the course video resources with students.
 
Course Preview & Open House | Jan 30 @ 5:30pm
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. See below for more information and break-out timing.
 
Counselor Appointments | Feb 3-11
All students will meet with their counselor for a pre-assigned 5-minute appointment during the school day to discuss their course selection and alternate choices. This meeting is to confirm that students have submitted their courses and alternates into the Aeries portal.

• Frosh counselor appointments – Feb 3 – 4
• Sophomore counselor appointments – Feb 4 – 6
• Junior counselor appointments – Feb 6 – 11

COURSE PREVIEW & OPEN HOUSE – for students and parents
Thursday, Jan 30:

• 5:30pm | Acalanes Parents Club hosted reception
• 5:45pm | Incoming 9th grade family meeting
• 6:15 – 8pm | Drop-in opportunities
• 6:35 – 7pm | Breakout session 1
• 7:05 – 7:30pm | Breakout session 2
• 7:35 – 8pm | Breakout session 3

Spring 2025 Grants Application Now Available!
Calling all teachers, parents and students in the Acalanes community! Acalanes Parents Club is looking to award grants that will enhance and enrich the educational experience of AHS students in new and innovative ways. Teachers, staff and students are encouraged to submit ideas for meaningful programs and educational equipment. Click here to read more and access the application! Applications are due by Friday, Feb 14.

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

Helpful Resources for Course Selection
 
It’s Course Selection time for the 2025-2026 school year!  Course selections (and alternates) should be entered into Aeries by Monday, Feb 3 (although students are able to make changes through Feb 10! Acalanes has a wealth of resources available to assist you and your students in the process.
 
Dons Dialogue | Jan 17 @ 8:45am
Counselors will review the course selection process for parents, the new course video resources will be introduced and we will continue department and course highlights. See below for the full agenda.
 
Counselor Class Visits | Jan 21-30
School counselors will visit students in their classes to discuss the course selection process, how to submit course requests on the Aeries portal, and how to review the registration packet. Counselors will share the course video resources with students.
 
Course Preview & Open House | Jan 30 @ 5:30pm
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. See below for more information and break-out timing.
 
Counselor Appointments | Feb 3-10
All students will meet with their counselor for a pre-assigned 5-minute appointment during the school day to discuss their course selection and alternate choices. This meeting is to confirm that students have submitted their courses and alternates into the Aeries portal.

• Frosh counselor appointments – Feb 3 – 4
• Sophomore counselor appointments – Feb 4 – 6
• Junior counselor appointments – Feb 6 – 11

COURSE PREVIEW & OPEN HOUSE – for students and parents
Thursday, Jan 30:

• 5:30pm | Acalanes Parents Club hosted reception
• 5:45pm | Incoming 9th grade family meeting
• 6:15 – 8pm | Drop-in opportunities
• 6:35 – 7pm | Breakout session 1
• 7:05 – 7:30pm | Breakout session 2
• 7:35 – 8pm | Breakout session 3