General Announcements

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

Volunteer in the New Year!
We have a fun and unique opportunity to volunteer on campus!  We are looking for volunteers to help look after the student lunch line in the cafeteria on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Volunteer shifts are less than an hour and there are a lot of dates to choose from. Sign up once or for multiple shifts! This is a super easy and fun way to volunteer at Acalanes and a great opportunity to volunteer with a friend! Click HERE to learn more and to sign up!  Please check in at the front office when you arrive for your volunteer shift.

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

Helpful Resources for Course Selection
 
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.
 
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

DONS DIALOGUE – FRIDAY, JAN 17 at 8:45am in the Collaboration Center
We hope to see you for our January Dons Dialogue to hear all about the course selection process and timeline from the Counseling Department. Plus, teachers will join us to discuss Math Pathways, Sport Medicine, AP African American Studies, and the new course video resources. Superintendent Nickerson will lead a brief “In the Know” discussion about funding.  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 Feb 10! So be sure to attend (and encourage your students to start preparing their course selections and alternative choice).

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

December APC Dons Dialogue
Thank you to all who attended our Dons Dialogue on Friday, Dec 20. This month’s topics included learning about elective courses for 2025-26 and highlighted some of the engineering and STEM electives offered at Acalanes.  If you were not able to attend, slides from the discussion are available here.
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, Jan 17.  Click here for the full schedule of upcoming Dons Dialogues.
 
Thank You for Making Finals Fuel a Success!
We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in Finals Fuel last month and made it a huge success!  Whether it was donating snacks, funds or volunteering your time to hand things out, we could not have done without all of you!  Thank you for putting smiles on a lot of students’ faces during finals week.  We also want to give a shout out to our amazing APC Co-Chairs Regan Scovic and Stephanie Asadorian for organizing and leading such a special Acalanes tradition!  Finals Fuel will be back in the spring!


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

Contact Regan Scovic and Stephanie Asadorian with any questions. Thank you in advance for your support!

Finals week is here! Tomorrow, Dec 16 is the regular class schedule and then the finals schedule begins on Tuesday, Dec 17 through Friday, Dec 20:

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS:

• Teacher Office Hours: Tuesday, Dec 17 from 8:30-10:20am during 0 period final
• Peer Tutoring: Finals Week Hours
  • Monday, Dec 16, regular hours (academy, lunch, 7th period and 1 hour after final school bell)
  • Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (Dec 17-19) from 12:50-3pm

• Wellness Center: Finals Week Hours
  • Monday, Dec 16, regular hours (8am-4pm)
  • Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday (Dec 17-19) from 8am-1pm

• Acalanes Library: Finals Week Hours
  • Monday, Dec 16, regular hours (7:30am-5pm)
  • Tuesday (Dec 17) and Thursday (Dec 19) from 7:30am-3pm

Wednesday (Dec 18) and Friday (Dec 20) 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 Wednesday, Dec 18 – Friday, Dec 20

Please click on the SignUpGenius and/or Amazon Wish List to help.

Contact Regan Scovic and Stephanie Asadorian with any questions. Thank you in advance for your support!