Weekly News & Announcements

General Announcements

We are searching for adults to help with proctoring PSAT and SAT exams on Monday, Oct 5.  Restrictions: Parents, you are NOT allowed to proctor an exam that your own child is taking.
 
You can volunteer your time (unpaid), or receive pay of $25/hr.  This is a perfect opportunity for recent high school/college graduates, stay-at-home parents, retirees, and those searching for employment.  If you are interested in learning more about proctoring, please contact the Acalanes Testing Coordinator, Jamielle McDonald at jmcdonald@auhsdschools.org.

APC in Action

APC Membership & Fundraising

Acalanes Parents Club has committed $200,000+ to Acalanes this school year, which will provide vital services for our entire AHS community. As of today, we have yet to reach that goal and we need your help!

We are tremendously grateful for your support, which funds the following programs for all Acalanes students and staff:

*Peer Tutoring        
*Campus Enhancements
*Grants Program   
*Staff & Teacher Development   
*Parent Ed
*Communications  
*Volunteer Opportunities            
*and more...

If you haven’t had a chance to donate, please consider doing so here. The suggested amount is $450 per student, but any amount is needed and greatly appreciated.

Another important source of funds is making your donations go twice as far with Corporate Matching. Please check if your company has a matching program and reach out to samira.abrams@gmail.com.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Parents Club Pro-Tip

Campus Culture Committee

Our First Cross-Campus Opportunity!
The Campolindo DEIB Parents invite parents and guardians from all AUHSD schools to join them for an evening of connection and community. All AUHSD parents and guardians are welcome!
This is just the beginning of what we hope will be more opportunities for families across our schools to connect, learn from one another, build relationships, and work together to support all students throughout AUHSD.
We hope to see some of our Acalanes families there!
📅 Wednesday, Sep 30
 ⏰ 6:00–8:00pm
 📍 Campolindo High School Library

Join Us for Our First CCC Meeting!
September 21 | 6:30–7:30pm | Acalanes High School
We hope you will join us for our 2026–2027 CCC Kickoff Meeting!

2026–2027 CCC Meeting Schedule | 6:30–7:30pm

• Sept 21 – CCC Kickoff Meeting | In Person
• Dec 14 – Wellness Workshop with Patrick Turner | In Person
• Jan 11 – CCC Meeting | Virtual
• May – CCC Year-End Retreat | In Person, Date TBD

🖤 Black Student Union (BSU)
 BSU students will have several opportunities to connect, learn, and build community throughout the year, including:

• Friday, Sep 18 – HBCU College Fair
• Monday, Oct 19 – BSU Summit
• November 16–18 – State BSU Conference
• February – Districtwide BSU Dance/Social

🏳️‍🌈 LGBTQ Council will continue to meet quarterly with student leaders, advisors, and district staff to collaborate on activities and opportunities that support LGBTQ+ students across AUHSD.

♿ Special Education Parent Advisory Committee meets monthly to provide families with an opportunity to connect, share information, and support the needs and experiences of students receiving special education services.

🌎 DELAC – District English Learner Advisory Committee provides an important opportunity for families of English Learner students to participate in district conversations and provide input regarding programs and services. Meetings are held at Las Lomas High School (LLHS).

💙 Have Something You'd Like Us to Bring Forward?
These districtwide parent meetings are also an opportunity for Acalanes families to have their voices represented at the district level. If there is a topic, concern, student need, or idea related to school culture, climate, inclusion, belonging, or student support that you would like us to bring forward, please reach out:
📧 diversityandinclusion@acalanesparentsclub.com

August Important Dates
August 26 – Women's Equality Day, commemorates the certification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1920, which expanded voting rights for women in the United States. The day provides an opportunity to recognize women's contributions to our communities and reflect on the continued importance of working toward equity and opportunity for all.

Acalanes is a No Hate Zone 
At Acalanes, we are committed to maintaining a campus where every student feels safe, respected, and valued. If your student experiences or witnesses an incident involving hate or bias, please encourage them to use the Bias Incident Reporting Tool (BIRT) BiasIncident Reporting Tool (BIRT) available on the Acalanes High School website. Reporting helps our school respond appropriately and continue fostering a culture of belonging for all.

Student Activities

Week 3 and the race to Homecoming 2026 begins with Class Informational Meetings tomorrow at lunch. Please encourage your student to attend to get info on hallway decorating parties & class skits. HOCO at Acalanes is truly a magical week.  💙💙💙 In coming weeks, look for HOCO Night Out tickets, hallway work parties & details about our annual canned food drive!   PEEK AT THE WEEK: Monday @ lunch: Homecoming Informational Meetings Friday @ academy: 1st environmental council. All are welcome to attend! Friday @ lunch: Blue Crew Leader interest meeting (see below for information)   Club registration deadline is tomorrow! All club applications must be submitted by Monday, Aug 24. All of the information is in the application form-please read it carefully. Application form Blue Crew Leaders We are recruiting leaders of our student section, Blue Crew. If your student is interested and would like to become a blue crew leader for sports games and performing arts events fill out this form! Class shirt & spiritwear delivery If your student ordered a class shirt, we plan to hand them out at lunch on Wednesday, Sep 9. Spiritwear should arrive the week of Sep 14 and we will send an email with pick-up instructions. It's NOT too late to purchase your ASB Sticker Please consider supporting student activities at Acalanes by purchasing an ASB sticker. They can be purchased on the webstore. Thank you in advance for your support of student programming.   ASB stickers cost $115 and support all student activities at Acalanes, support athletics ($30 of every card sale goes directly to athletics), and help to pay for AHS's finance tech's salary. It also provides students discounts/free entry to the following:   -Home athletic events (Except playoffs). This year we have 5 home football games (totaling $30 without ASB). -Free or discounted tickets to dances (For Homecoming, you will save at least $25 with ASB) -Free Acalanes t-shirt at Dons Day (worth $15) -Discounts at 12 local businesses when you show your ASB sticker on your ID card. 2026-2027 Businesses are: Millie’s American Kitchen - Free coffee with a minimum purchase of $35 Johnny’s Donuts - One regular donut w/ the purchase of a dozen regular donuts or 1 donut hole w/ purchase of 1 donut Pizza Antica - 15% off an order Sideboard - Free non-alcoholic beverage w/ purchase of an entree Tutu’s - One complimentary non alcoholic beverage with the purchase of one entree. (Dine in only, not valid on to-go orders or purchases in the market) Local Kitchens - Class Fundraisers Vitality Bowls - $1 off Pinkies Nail Salon - 10% off Fabletics - 20% off @ broadway plaza location 360 Burrito - 10% off Oasis Cafe - 10% off Diablo Foods - 20% off a lunch with sandwich purchase SAVE THE DATES: Friday, Sep 11: COMMUNITY BLUE OUT-Girls Waterpolo (lunch), Girls Volleyball (6:00pm), Friday Night Lights (7:00pm) Sep 20-26: Homecoming 2026                    Sunday, Sep 20: Hallway Decorating                    Friday, Sep 25: Homecoming rally + Friday Night Lights                    Saturday, Sep 26: HOCO Night Out Saturday, May 15: Junior & Senior Prom If you ever have any questions about student activities, you are always welcome to reach out to Katherine Walton, activities director. We are happy to help!   Go Dons! 💙 Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.

College & Career

Counseling

Counselor assignments are by student last name:
A-F               Anne Schonauer
G-Hul           Erika Vasquez on campus Tues/Fri
Hum-Pla       Marissa Meadows
Ple-Z            Susan Martin

Please note new Counselor Alpha Breakdown above - Erika Vasquez will be split 40% at Acalanes and 60% at Las Lomas High School this year. She will be on the AHS campus Tuesdays and Fridays, but will be available by email Monday through Friday.
 
Schedule Change Requests - Students may continue to request schedule changes throughout the first ten days of school - ending on Monday, Aug 24.  The Change Request is posted on the AHS Website and linked here.
 
Grade Level Classroom Visits - Counselors will be visiting 10th and 11th grade classes this week with updates and things to consider for this school year. 
 
Senior Appointments -  Counselors will be calling in all 12th graders to discuss post-high school plans starting in early September. We will look at Maia Learning, discuss deadlines, documents needed for applications, and answer questions.

Wellness Center

Welcome back! The Acalanes Wellness Center is open and ready to support students throughout the school year. Our Wellness Center provides a welcoming, confidential space where students can receive emotional support, connect with resources, or simply take a moment to regroup during the school day.

If you are ever concerned about your child or one of their peers, we encourage you to submit a Wellness Referral. Our team will follow up with each referred student within one week.

Please remember that all Wellness Center services are confidential and completely voluntary.

We look forward to supporting our students throughout another great school year.

Performing & Visual Arts

Fall Play Auditions Continue on Tuesday, Aug 25!

• Visit the Drama Room for additional details including signing up for Auditions.
• Auditions are by appointment on Tuesday, Aug 25.
• You will audition with a monologue (provided in the audition packet).
• All Acalanes students are eligible.
• No singing required.
• The play runs Wednesday, Oct 21 through Saturday, Oct 24.

The Acalanes Jazz Ensemble will be performing at 5:15pm in the quad before Back to School Night on Thursday, Aug 27!

• Gather in the quad to start your evening on the upbeat with an array of fabulous jazz pieces performed by our talented musicians!

Sports

NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR VOLUNTEER DRIVERS 
A new California law (SB 848) has changed the requirements for volunteers in schools. Volunteers who interact with students outside the immediate supervision of a parent or school employee (parent drivers, overnight field trip chaperones, regular volunteers) must now complete Mandated Reporter training, fingerprinting, and TB clearance. The administration has 
created a volunteer handbook that outlines the new requirements to volunteer at Acalanes.

• For volunteers who provide limited service (snack shack duty or helping at Mascot Day), very little has changed - volunteers can just get a visitor badge in the office and start volunteering. 
• Ongoing volunteer service without driving: Level One clearance is required. This includes fingerprints, TB clearance, and Mandated Reporter training, which takes about 45 minutes total.
• Parent drivers: Level Two clearance is required — fingerprints, TB clearance, and Mandated Reporter training, plus the annual driver's clearance form with license and insurance declarations.

The administration has also built a portal for securely uploading your clearance documents. More information coming regarding times and opportunities for Acalanes parents to complete TB and fingerprint requirements at no cost.

Hey Acalanes – It's Time to Back Your Dons!
Now’s the time to grab your Acalanes Sports Booster Membership and support the athletes who make our community proud. With 4 membership levels, you’ll enjoy complimentary passes to home league games, exclusive merch perks, and the unbeatable feeling of backing all 27 sports that make Acalanes shine.
Did you know 74% of students play a sport, but funding doesn’t come from the district? Our incredible athletic programs rely entirely on parents, the community, and sponsors like YOU.
Join us:

• On the webstore
• Or at acalanesboosters.com

Every membership makes a difference. Every athlete feels it.
Support your Don — and all the Dons.
We’re 100% grateful.

*The game schedule below reflects dates and times as of last Friday. Games may change for several reasons, including weather. If you have questions or comments, please contact Acalanes Sports Boosters.
 
This week’s can’t miss events:

Flag football
Monday, Aug 24 at Freedom HS.  JV at 6:00pm and Varsity at 7:30pm
Wednesday, Aug  26 hosts Monte Vista HS.  JV at 6:00pm and Varsity at 7:30pm
 
Girls volleyball
Tuesday, Aug 25 at Monte Vista HS.  Freshman at 4:30pm, JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7:00pm
Saturday, Aug 29 Acalanes Varsity Invitational
 
Boys water polo
Tuesday, Aug 25 hosts Granada HS.  JV at 6:30pm and Varsity at 7:30pm
Wednesday, Aug 26 hosts Encinal HS.  JV at 6:00pm and Varsity at 7:00pm
Thursday, Aug 27 at Bishop O’Dowd HS.  JV at 6:00pm and Varsity at 7:00pm
 
Girls tennis
Wednesday, Aug 26 v. Piedmont HS at 4:00pm.  Varsity is home and JV is away
 
Girls water polo
Thursday, Aug 27 at Archie Williams HS.  JV at 4:00pm and Varsity at 5:00 pm
 
Tackle football
Friday, Aug 28 v. Archbishop Mitty HS at Foothill College.  JV at 4:30pm and Varsity at 7:00pm.
Saturday, Aug 29 Freshmen v. Archbishop Mitty HS at Las Lomas HS at 11:00am
 
Cross country
Saturday, Aug 29 Acalanes Invitational