Weekly News & Announcements

LPIE

LPIE Read-a-thon: Log ALL Pledges by Nov 17
The LPIE Read-a-thon has been off to a great start. We are so excited to see so many of our students participating in the Read-a-thon and sharing their love of reading while simultaneously supporting LPIE. The Read-a-thon ends on Tuesday, Nov 15 and all pledges need to be logged by Thursday, Nov 17.

Students who read 40 minutes or more per day during the Read-a-thon and log their minutes on Pledgestar by Nov 17 with at least one donation, will be entered into a raffle to win fun prizes! And the top readers in each grade win gift cards!

Questions? Please contact Andrea Hilsabeck or Michele Colaco
www.lpie.org, Follow us on Instagram 

Sports

This week’s can’t miss events!
 
Girls Water Polo
Tuesday, Nov 15 CIF NorCal quarterfinal
Thursday, Nov 17 CIF NorCal semifinal
Saturday, Nov 19 CIF NorCal championship
 
Football
Friday, Nov 18 or Saturday, Nov 19 NCS Semifinal at 7pm

The fall sport schedules are available on the AHS website. Click here.
 
If you have any questions, please contact Randy Takahashi at rtakahashi@auhsdschools.org or Haley Walsh at hwalsh@auhsdschools.org.

APC in Action

Staff Appreciation Fall Luncheon - Nov 16
APC is planning to treat our teachers and staff to a fall potluck lunch to show them how much we appreciate all that they do! The fall luncheon will take place on Wednesday, Nov 16. We will provide the entree, but are looking for help with sides and desserts. If you are able to contribute, please sign up here.

Finals Fuel - for Exam Week
Finals are just around the corner…and that means FINALS FUEL is back!

During finals week we provide snacks for the students during the brunch period.  
You can help refuel and recharge our Dons in several ways:

• Purchasing snacks and deliver directly to school Dec 5-7 to the College & Career Center.
• Purchasing from our Amazon Wish List and ship directly to Acalanes: College & Career Center.
• Donate money and we’ll shop for you.
• Volunteer: shop with us at Costco and/or hand out snacks on December 14, 15 &16.

 Please click on the Sign-up Genius and Amazon Wishlist for more information.

Thank you in advance for your support!

November Dons Dialogue - Friday, Nov 18 
Please join us for our November Dons Dialogue on Friday, Nov 18 at 8:45am in the Collaboration Center. This is the best way to stay in the know about what’s happening on campus. Plus, it’s always a fun way to connect with new and old friends…and we have coffee!

Meet and Greet for Transfer Parents
We've heard the feedback and requests for an opportunity for transfer parents to meet and connect. We hope you will join us for a casual Meet and Greet on Friday,  Nov 18immediately following our November Dons Dialogue.
 
A handful of experienced Acalanes parents will be on hand to help answer your questions. This will be your opportunity to connect with other transfer families, get answers to questions and hopefully meet some new friends. So please plan to bring your questions and appetite for a little nibble and some coffee!

When:  Friday, Nov 18 after Dons Dialogue (approx. 10am)
Where: Collaboration Center in the front quad (next to the Main Office)
RSVP:  Here on Evite

Acalanes Community Always (ACA)

THANK YOU to all the Acalanes students, parents and community members for coming out for our Campus Cleanup on Saturday. We had a great turnout with lots of ACALANES SPIRIT!

Parent Education

AUHSD Wellness Parent Education Series
Counseling Opportunities & Parent Education (COPE) presents:
Connecting with Your Teen
Tuesday, Nov 15 from 6-7pm
Register on Zoom here
 
Click here for more information on Wellness Parent Ed events.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)

November is National Native American Heritage Month
U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland, made history when she became the first Native American to serve as a cabinet secretary. She is a member of the Pueblo of Laguna and a 35th generation New Mexican. To learn more about Secretary Haaland, click here.
 
Visit this site for information on national events taking place this month honoring the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans.
 
Local DEIB Events This Month:

• Latinx/Indigenous People’s Festival Wednesday, Nov 9, 5:30-7:30pm at Miramonte. This is open to all of AUHSD. Click here for more details.  

• Community Conversation #6: See Us, Hear Us - The Renter’s Narrative of Life in Lafayette Wednesday, Nov 16 from 7-8:30pm at the Lafayette Library, Don Tatzin Community Hall. Open to all. Hosted by the Lafayette Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee. For more information, click here.

Possibilities Programs for ACA Alums and HBCU Undergrads
Goldman Sachs Possibilities Programs provide a masterclass in financial concepts and professional development to a diverse pool of undergraduates. Deadline to apply is Sunday, Nov 27. For more information and guidelines, check out their flyers:  PossibilitiesSummits and HBCU Possibilities Program.
 
Are we missing anything? Send us feedback or suggestions here.

Legislative News

GET OUT TO VOTE on Tuesday, Nov 8!
Cheers to all our Acalanes students voting for the first time this year. Make your voices heard!
 
If you are still seeking information to help you make an informed decision, visit here for recordings from the local Candidate Forums including our Acalanes Union High School Governing Board Candidate Forum.

Student Activities

November has a lot of wonderful programming for students - please encourage yours to opt in!
 
Addressing the Problem: Sustainability and Trash on Campus Week
Is your family looking to learn more about how to live sustainably? Maybe your student just wants to eat snacks? (Pocky!?) If so, the sustainability jeopardy tomorrow, Nov 7 at lunch in room 314 is just right for your student.
 
Custodial Appreciation
Do you feel the custodians are underappreciated? Then please encourage your student to come to the custodial appreciation poster signing!! It is taking place on Tuesday, Nov 8 in the front quad during lunch. Students can say thanks to all of our wonderful custodians who put so much time and effort into keeping Acalanes clean!!
 
Support the Environment
Be part of the solution, not the pollution. Encourage your student to join  the enviro council meeting on Wednesday, Nov 9 during academy room 314 to learn and discuss how they can help improve the trash issue at our school. There will be cupcakes and Izze's. BE THERE!
 
Be clean, be green, be a recycling machine! In the 10-minute passing period on Thursday, Nov 10 after lunch, students are encouraged to clean up trash in their quad before heading to class. Let’s do our part to keep our campus clean.
 
Please Donate to the Coat and Sock Drive!
Students can bring new or gently used coats and new socks to the front office from Oct 31 through Nov 10. Everything collected will be donated to a homeless encampment in Martinez.
 
Garden Clean Up - Come Help!
You and/or your student can sign up here to help clean up our garden. Our work day is Nov 13 and hours can count toward volunteer awards.
 
Adopt-a-Family this Holiday Season!
With the holiday season approaching, it's time for Acalanes’ annual Adopt-a-Family event!! Adopt-a-Family’s mission is to give to those in need during the holiday season. If you have the desire to make a difference in the community, we encourage you to sign up to help! We will connect you with families or individuals, along with their wish lists of gifts. All gifts need to be dropped off on Dec 9 and then brought to Uplift Family Services and Pacific Clinics in Concord, an organization Acalanes has been working with for the past 10+ years to support local families during the holidays. If you would like to adopt a family, please fill out our Google Form. If you are interested in adopting one person, sign up on our Sign-Up Genius. We would love for you to participate!
 
SAVE THE DATE - Chris Huber Memorial Gymnasium Dedication
The Chris Huber Memorial Gymnasium dedication will be held on
Saturday, Dec 10 at 6:30pm at Acalanes High School. Chris Huber was a beloved educator and basketball coach at our school and our gym will be named for him. There will be a reception to follow and we hope you’ll join us!
 
Buy Gratitude Grams now! These are a great way for students to appreciate classmates, friends, staff members and teachers by sending them a little goodie bag filled with love and appreciation. Each gram is $5 and they are available for purchase on the webstore.
 
As always, if there is anything we can do for you or your student, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Thank you and go Dons!

Katherine Walton, Leadership Teacher

College & Career

SENIORS
Scholarships:  Please send your student to the CCC this week. There are several significant scholarships available through the Diablo Valley Assistance League, Rossmoor Scholarship Foundation, and AAUW. 

California State Applications: Every day during the month of November, the CCC is open to help with the Cal State application. It takes less than an hour.
 
UC Applications: Have your student come by any day this month to work on the UC applications due on Wednesday, Nov 30.
 
FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is available. The state is asking all seniors to fill out the FAFSA or to opt-out.
 
UC/Common App Support: Your student can click here to make an appointment to work on essays or get help with the entire process.
 
JUNIORS
Parent Night: Counselor Susan Martin and College and Career Center Advisor Debbie Levy will discuss post-high school options on Wednesday, Nov 9 in the PAC from 6:30-7:30pm.
 
Out of State College Fair: Sign up here to meet college admission counselors from more than 20 colleges in the Acalanes library on Wednesday, Nov 30 from 6:30-8:30pm. Learn about the benefits of out of state schools, scholarship opportunities, financial aid and costs, and how to find your “match” school.
Volunteer Opportunities: Encourage your child to check out these great places to give back!

SOPHOMORES/FROSH
Out of State College Fair: Sign up here to start learning a bit about colleges early! Meet college admission counselors from more than 20 colleges in the Acalanes library on Wednesday, Nov 30 from 6:30-8:30pm. Get excited about the benefits of out of state schools, scholarship opportunities, financial aid and costs, and how to find your “match” school.
 
Volunteer Opportunity: This is also a good site to search for teen volunteer work.
 
Please visit our College & Career Counseling website any time for additional information and support.  

Counseling

Counselor assignments are by last name.
A-Em Anne Schonauer  
En-Kr Christine Todd  
Ku-Rog Marissa Meadows 
Roh-Z Susan Martin

Frosh Appointments Now that the big push to get letters of recommendation done for seniors, counselors will begin to check-in individually with their frosh students - their first final exams are only FOUR school weeks away! 
 
Sign up for AP Exams through Today, Nov 6. Late registration options are available, but will incur a late fee after today. Please see here for more details.
 
Junior Parent Night Wednesday, Nov 9, 6:30pm in the PAC
We are hoping that many junior parents can come to the PAC on Wednesday, Nov 9 for a presentation by Debbie Levy, our College and Career Advisor, and Susan Martin, one of our counselors. We will be speaking about post-high school options for your students and things to think about now.

Performing Arts

Musical festivities continue in November with the Fall Jazz Concert, Thursday, Nov 17. Director Lauren Gibson and her amazing Acalanes Jazz Ensemble will be joined by special guests, the talented Stanley Messengers (Todd Minson, Director). Join us for a night of wonderful music!

Date: Thursday, Nov 17
Time: 7pm
Location: AHS Performing Arts Center
Music Groups: Acalanes Jazz Ensemble and Stanley Messengers
Admission Price: Free ($5 donation suggested for adults)