Weekly News & Announcements

General Announcements

AI Tools for Students
Students now have access to two AI tools through their school accounts:

• Gemini – Google’s large language model (School version)
• NotebookLM – Google’s research, analysis, and content generation tool (School version)

With teacher authorization, students may use Gemini and NotebookLM for appropriate tasks such as research, individualized academic support, and studying. Additional information about the use of AI in the Acalanes Union High School District is available on the District’s website: AI in AUHSD.

APC in Action

Community Service- Helper Helper Hours
Please continue to log your volunteer service hours in the Helper Helper app. If you see that you have some hours that have not been validated, it is up to you to contact the coordinator for the volunteer event and ask them to please validate them. Hours validated before April 17, 2026 will be counted in this awards period. Anything not validated by then will not be counted.
 
As a reminder, you will receive the Acalanes Service Award for completing at least 30 hours between the dates of Apr 19, 2025 and Apr 17, 2026. Any student completing 300 hours or more during their time at Acalanes is eligible for the Excellence Award and will receive a cord to wear at graduation. Please reach out to communityservice@acalanesparentsclub.org with any questions.

Spring 2026 Grants Application Now Available!
Calling all teachers, parents, 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. Applications are due by Friday, Feb 13. Click here to read more and access the application!

Campus Culture Committee

Acalanes Parent Club | February 2026
Upcoming Important Dates:

• February: Black Excellence Month
• Feb 17-Feb 27 Chinese New Year/ Lunar New Year
• Feb 17-Mar 19: Ramadan

💜 Welcome to February! 💜
As we step into February, we’re excited to celebrate a month rich in culture, history, and connection for our students and school community. February offers meaningful opportunities for learning, reflection, and celebration, honoring the diverse identities and experiences that make our campus vibrant.
 
Throughout the month, students may engage in learning and activities connected to Black Excellence Month, Lunar New Year, Ramadan, and themes of love, kindness, and friendship often associated with Valentine’s Day. These moments allow students to deepen their understanding of history, culture, and one another—while building empathy, pride, and belonging.
 
We encourage families to continue these conversations at home and to celebrate the many traditions and stories represented in our community. Thank you for partnering with us to make February a month of inclusion, curiosity, and care for all students.
 
Black History Month is an annually observed commemorative month originating in the United States, where it is also known as African-American History Month. It began as a way of remembering important people and events in the history of the African diaspora, initially lasting a week before becoming a month-long observation in 1970. Our school district recognizes it as Black Excellence Month to celebrate not only the history but the present excellence in the Black community. Students from the Black Student Union (BSU) will be holding events throughout the month. Please support them by encouraging your students to attend the club’s events, including the Feel the Glow Dance at the end of the month.
 
BSU Dance: “Feel the Glow”
It's that time of year again for the AUHSD's District-wide BSU Dance. This year the event will be hosted by the Acalanes Black Student Union (BSU) in partnership with AHS Leadership Students on Friday, Feb 27, from 7:00pm-9:00pm in the Big Gym. The theme this year is FEEL THE GLOW (students are encouraged to wear neon colors). Along with black light dancing and an amazing DJ, there will be food, prizes, face paint, glow sticks, a place to hang out with friends, and much more! Tickets will be $10 and can be found on your school’s GoFan website. WE ARE EXCITED TO SEE YOUR STUDENTS THERE!!!!
 
To help support this fun event, we are asking families to sign up to donate food, money, and/or your time. This event happens at little to no cost for the school. So please sign upHERE and help make this dance an amazing event for our students.
 
Chinese New Year/Lunar New Year, or the Spring Festival, is a festival that celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. Marking the end of winter and the beginning of spring, this festival takes place from Chinese New Year's Eve (the evening preceding the first day of the year) to the Lantern Festival, held on the 17th day of the year. It is one of the most important holidays in Chinese culture.
 
SAVE THE DATE! LUNAR NEW YEAR POTUCK - WEDNESDAY, FEB 25
Campo DEIB parent club is planning a Lunar New Year potluck Feb 25 at 6:00pm. All district parents are welcome!
 
📅 Join Us Monthly!
CCC Meeting Schedule | 6:00–7:30 PM

• Feb 27– In-Person (6-7pm)
• Mar 16 – Virtual
• Apr 20 – In-Person (Final Meeting)
• May – No Meeting

📬 Stay Connected
If you’d like to get involved or learn more, please reach out:
📧 diversityandinclusion@acalanesparentsclub.com

Student Activities

THIS WEEK:

• Monday @ lunch: Election meeting (ASB, Class Officer, Spirit Commissioner) + Cupcake decorating in the frosh quad
• Tuesday @ lunch: Candle decorating in room 314
• Wednesday:
  • Academy: ACA Buddies Valentine’s Day
  • Lunch: Black Excellence event + candy bags/cards
• Thursday @ lunch: Bouquet making in room 314

2026-2027 Leadership
Are you an incoming 9th grader and interested in leadership?  The application is now available and due Friday, Feb 20.  We will hold an informational meeting at Stanley on Tuesday, Feb 10 at lunch.
 
Join us on Sunday, Mar 8, for Acalanes’ annual Color Run! The event celebrates the Hindu holiday Holi, a festival celebrating the arrival of spring. Parents and children are invited to take part in a 1- or 2-mile run around the Acalanes campus while getting covered in colored powder. Before the run, stop by for Dunkin’ Donuts, snacks, games, and a raffle— all included in your ticket. It’s a great way to spend the morning with friends, celebrate our community, and support the Classes of 2027 & 2028.
 
The first 150 people to sign up will get a free Color Run t-shirt, so grab your friends and register soon! 
 
Blood Drive — Feb 24
Acalanes is hosting our spring blood drive on Tuesday, Feb 24, and are looking to fill 50 donor spots. Consider donating by signing up here. Looking for 39 more donors!
 
FEEL THE GLOW — AUHSD district wide dance
Get ready to Feel the Glow at this year’s one and only All-District Dance on Friday, Feb 27 from 7:00–9:00pm! Join students from every school for a high-energy night of music, lights, and unforgettable fun. Bring your friends, show off your best moves, and make memories that will last all year. Don’t miss the dance everyone will be talking about! Buy your ticket here.
 
Caregivers! We would love your baking and cooking assistance for our districtwide dance. Consider signing up to bring yummy food via this sign-up genius. Still so many spots!
 
SAVE THE DATE: Homecoming 2026
September 20-26
 
If you ever have any questions or are looking for ways for your student to get involved, please reach out!

College & Career

Upcoming Career Academies:
The Acalanes College and Career Center will host Career Academies from 10:10-11:05am during Jan, Feb, and Mar. We invite interested parents, alumni, and community members to share their career experiences/pathways with our students.
 
At Acalanes, we encourage our students to explore the many career options and the diverse career pathways people take to find their chosen careers. Here are the upcoming Career Academy dates:
 
Engineering Academy: Wednesday, Feb 25, 2026
Psychological/Health Academy: Friday, Mar 20, 2026
 
If you would like to be a presenter or would like to recommend someone, please email Debbie Levy at dlevy@auhsdschools.org. Please provide your name, job title, and phone number. We will follow up with all contacts. Thank you for your support in helping our students explore careers. We really appreciate it.
 
Free Digital AP® Practice Exams
AP Free Test Practice: Revolution Prep’s self-proctored, digital practice exams cover the multiple-choice portion of the AP exam and are available for six of the most popular AP subjects. Each includes:

• A live, digital multiple-choice experience
• A detailed score report highlighting strengths and areas for improvement

Available subjects:
AP Chemistry | AP Calculus AB | AP Calculus BC | AP U.S. History | AP Physics 1 | AP Biology
 [Students can register here]

Counseling

Counselor assignments are by student last name:
A-F Anne Schonauer  
G-Ka Erika Vasquez on campus MWTh
Ke-Re Marissa Meadows 
Rh-Z Susan Martin
 
CSF applications are now open!  CSF stands for California Scholarship Federation and it is an honor society for high school students. Students in grades 10-12 are encouraged to apply.   Please read the application form carefully. It's a two-step process to join-- turn in a membership application at the counseling office and pay the $7 dues on the webstore.
 
The deadline is Feb 28.

Wellness Center

Encourage your AHS student to meet the Wellness team! Over the next few weeks, your Wellness Center team will be posted in the quads during lunch to introduce themselves, connect with students, and distribute resources. Each day there will be new members of the team to meet. We are looking forward to meeting a bunch of new faces!

• Thursday, Feb 12 - Junior Quad
• Tuesday, Feb 17 - Sophomore Quad

Performing & Visual Arts

Performing Arts Boosters General Meeting
Feb 18 @ 6:00pm – Little Theatre (in the PAC, door by the quad)
 
Parents are invited to attend this General Meeting to learn more about Performing Arts Boosters and how we support students and teachers. AHS Drama, Choral, and Instrumental Music teachers will share details about their classes, so bring your questions!
 
Performing Arts Boosters is actively recruiting board members for 2026-27. There is a place for all talents and we welcome parents to attend and get to know us!

LPIE

Help Shape the Future of Our Schools – Join the LPIE Board!

Hi everyone--As I step into the role of President for Lafayette Partners in Education, I’m reaching out personally to ask for your help— and maybe even your partnership. Lafayette schools are among the lowest-funded districts in California, which means essential programs like art, science, mental health services, and classroom support don’t exist without community funding. LPIE helps fill that gap— but only because of people like you who step up and make it happen.

Right now, we’re looking to fill a few final positions on the LPIE Board of Directors for the upcoming school year, and I’d love for you to consider joining us. In particular, we’re hoping to find:

• Community members who care deeply about public education and want to make a difference
• Individuals with experience in corporate finance or financial oversight (not required for all roles, but a key area where we need strength)
• A Vice President— someone excited to work closely with me this upcoming school year and lead LPIE the next (finance experience not required!)

The Vice President role is a special one: you’ll help shape strategy, support our team, and learn the ropes before becoming President next year (with plenty of support along the way). It’s meaningful, collaborative work— and yes, we’ll have fun doing it.
Whether you’ve been involved with LPIE before or are just getting started, this is a great opportunity to make an impact for every student in every school in our district.

If you’re interested, curious, or just want to chat about what’s involved, email me at VP@LPIE.org.

Thanks for considering— and thank you for being part of the community that fills the gap.

Sports

*The game schedule 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.

Boys basketball
Monday, Feb 9 hosts College Park HS.  Freshmen at 4:30pm, JV at 6:00pm and Varsity at 7:30pm.
Wednesday, Feb 11 DAL Quarterfinal.
Thursday, Feb 12 DAL Semifinal.
Saturday, Feb 14 DAL Championship at Benicia HS.
 
Girls basketball
Monday, Feb 9 at College Park HS.  JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7:00pm.
Thursday, Feb 12 DAL Semifinal.
Saturday, Feb 14 DAL Championship at Benicia HS.
 
Girls soccer
Tuesday, Feb 10 hosts College Park HS.  JV at 5:00pm and Varsity at 7:00pm.
Thursday, Feb 12 at Northgate HS.  JV at 5:00pm and Varsity at 7:00pm.
Saturday, Feb 14 Frosh-Soph hosts Clayton Valley Charter HS at 9:00am and at College Park HS at 2:00pm.
 
Boys soccer
Tuesday, Feb 10 at Northgate HS.  Freshmen at 4:00pm, JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7:30pm.
Thursday, Feb 12 host Mt. Diablo HS.  JV at 5:00pm and Varsity at 7:00pm.
 
Wrestling
Friday Feb 13 and Saturday, Feb 14 NCS Divisional Championship at Benicia HS.
 
Baseball
Saturday, Feb 14 Foothill HS scrimmage at 11:00am. Varsity is away and JV is home.
 
Boys volleyball
Saturday, Feb 14 Freedom Jamboree.

General Announcements

AI Tools for Students
Students now have access to two AI tools through their school accounts:

• Gemini – Google’s large language model (School version)
• NotebookLM – Google’s research, analysis, and content generation tool (School version)

With teacher authorization, students may use Gemini and NotebookLM for appropriate tasks such as research, individualized academic support, and studying. Additional information about the use of AI in the Acalanes Union High School District is available on the District’s website: AI in AUHSD.

Acalanes Union High School District 8th-9th Grade Transition Series 2026 The Acalanes Union High School District is excited to welcome our incoming 9th grade students (Class of 2030!) and their families to the AUHSD community. To support a successful transition to high school, AUHSD will be hosting a four-part Transition Activities Series this January and February.
 
Please join us for the final event in the series:
 
Feb 5, 2026 — AUHSD Annual Special Education Panel
Time:  6:00-7:00pm
Hear directly from AUHSD staff about special education programs and the transition to high school for students with an IEP. Additional details and registration links will be shared via email and the AUHSD website. We look forward to partnering with you throughout this exciting transition into high school!