APC in Action

APC Fall Grants Have Been Awarded
Thank you to the parents and staff who submitted proposals for an APC Grant this Fall.  We had a healthy number of submissions and are pleased to announce four grants have been awarded through APC and two additional grants will be supported through our partnership with LPIE:

• Members of the Black Student Union (BSU) will attend a field trip (with other Acalanes Union district high school students) to San Francisco to tour the Museum of the African Diaspora. 
• A book entitled How She Did It by Molly Huddle and Sara Slattery will go to each member of the women's cross country team. The authors are professional runners who interview other female runners on their path to success.
• A new sturdy carport-type covering (wind and weather resistant) will go up to shelter visual arts students working outside. This expanded space will allow students to work on larger and outdoor projects throughout the school year.
• Planting materials will be purchased for the revitalization of the Acalanes garden area outside 505/507 wing. Please click here to read more about the AHS Garden Restoration Group, their plans and how you can help.
• Spanish 3 students will experience a cultural evening at Pena Pachamama in San Francisco. Supported by LPIE.
• The San Francisco Shakespeare Festival will come to Acalanes to perform A Midsummer Night’s Dream. They will also host a Playshop on campus for students to participate and perform. Supported by LPIE.

Pizza with Dr. Z! How to Study Math
Peer Tutoring will host “Pizza With Dr. Z,” on Thursday, Oct 28 at lunch. Acalanes Math Department Head, Vicki Zalewski, will lead students in a discussion on best practices for staying on top of math concepts and will also give tips on how to study for assessments. Pizza will be provided to the first 40 students who attend!
 
Peer tutoring aims to better the educational, social and emotional well-being of all Acalanes High School students and gives students the skills necessary to succeed in academics and life post high school. Peer Tutoring is off to a great start this year, with over 1000 student visits to date this year! Thank you to the Acalanes Parents Club, who fully funds this important student program.
 
Peer tutoring is located in Room 107. Hours are: Academy, 7th period, lunch and every day 1 hour after school.
 
Meet our Outstanding Acalanes Custodial Team!
Earlier this month, APC honored National Custodian Day by presenting our hardworking custodial team with a full platter of fresh baked goodies. This invaluable team works day and night to take care of our campus and keep our students safe. Next time you are on campus and see one of these hardworking Dons, please give them a wave and thank them for all they do for our students and the Acalanes community.
 
From left to right; Rosabel, Francisco, Daniel, Jorge, Edgar, Federico. Plus Pedram, not in photo.
 
Follow Acalanes Parents Club on Instagram. Contact APC here with any questions.

Parents Club Pro-Tip

ATTENDANCE Q&A - PART 2
What does my student do if they are marked absent by their teacher and it is an error?
Have the student come into the attendance office to get a teacher correction form.
 
Do I need to excuse my student if they already have an early dismissal for sports?
No. Early sports dismissals are included in the Daily Don (email and/or text) sent from the office each morning.
 
If my student returns with a medical/dental note, do I still need to call the attendance line?
Yes, the absence still needs to be verified by a parent. Please call the 24-hour attendance line at 925-280-3973.

APC Membership & Fundraising

Lafayette Res Run for Education – Next Weekend! 
Show your community spirit, and support Acalanes (Go Dons!) - sign up for the Lafayette Res Run for Education on Sunday, Oct 23. 15% of Acalanes designated registrations + donations go back to Acalanes Parents Club. Every registration counts! Be sure to select Acalanes when you register!

In 2021, the Lafayette Res Run for Education donated a record $42,568.75 to our local public schools. Learn more and registerTODAY.

Acalanes Community Always (ACA)

Campus Clean Up - Saturday Nov 5, 11am-2pm
It’s time for our Fall Campus Clean Up! Earn service hours, connect with our Acalanes community, and share in Dons’ pride. Students, parents, teachers, and community welcome. Click here to sign up. Questions? Email denisecain4@icloud.com

Parent Education

The Emotionally Naked Truth About Youth Suicide
Speaker: Anne Moss Rogers
Tuesday, Oct 18, 6:30-8:30pm
Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church (49 Knox Dr. Lafayette)
Hosted by LafSD, AHS, St. Perpetua, APC, and DPEC
For more information and to register click here  

We are excited to Introduce the AUHSD monthly Wellness Parent Education Web Series
Counseling & Parent Education (COPE) Presents:
Recognizing Depression, Anxiety, and Stress in Yourself and Your Child
Tuesday, Oct 18, 6-7 pm on Zoom
Register Here
Click here to view full series and Save the Date now for all of these important discussions.
All sessions will be recorded and shared on the District website.

AHS and APC present - Internet Safety Night
Thursday, Nov 3
6:30pm in the PAC
Hear directly from Daryl Holcombe with our Contra Costa County District Attorney’s office on internet safety for your teenagers. From online trolling to social media, what parents need to know for their new high schoolers as well as those getting ready to graduate and what happens in college and the postgraduate world.

This adult-only event is free for all AUHSD parents/guardians.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)

October is LGBTQ History Month, an annual, month-long observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer history. The month, meant to highlight and celebrate the history and achievements of LGBTQ people, was founded in 1994 by Rodney Wilson, a social studies teacher in Missouri who wanted to address the failure of textbooks to address LGBTQ issues. October was chosen because it built on existing traditions such as National Coming Out Day (Oct 11) and the anniversaries of the first two LGBTQ marches in Washington in 1979 and 1987. Each year, a growing number of educators find ways to bring LGBTQ history into their curricula, opening up a dialogue that will hopefully lead to a deeper exploration of LGBTQ themes throughout the school year. If you are interested in learning more, here are resources that you might find useful:

• Timeline of events @ Glsen
• San Francisco LGBTQ history museum

Watch It: Our captivating zoom with Doris Anahi Munoz is available to watch here. Students will likely find her grind - from being a busy student leader taking APs, to double majoring, to forging a career through sheer determination - relatable, eye opening and inspiring. Doris concluded by telling students to say yes to themselves and their dreams, and the path will unfold.

Upcoming Events:

• AAPI Parent Affinity Group: Tuesday, Nov 1 at 7pm in Campo Library. Please RSVP
• Latinx/Indigenous People’s Festival: Wednesday, Nov 9, 5:30-7:30pm, Miramonte. Flyer here 

Have something to contribute or a question? Contact us

Legislative News

Las Trampas Creek Council of PTA's (LTCC), in partnership with the League of Women Voters of the Diablo Valley, hosted several school board Candidate Forums this month. To view recordings of these forums, including the AUHSD Governing Board Candidate Forum, please visit the LTCC website here.
 
Additionally, the AUHSD Governing Board Candidates Forum will be televised.

Student Activities

THANK YOU - Breaking Down the Walls
Just a brief thank you to the Parents Club for helping to bring this important program to our campus this past week. We believe that our campus is better today than it was one week ago and look forward to continuing to watch students build relationships and belonging across social groups and grade levels.
 
CARE Leaders - Applications Now Available
Acalanes is continuing our education around issues of equity. One of the ways we will do this is through CARE Week & CARE Workshops. They are all student led.

We are looking for 50 leaders to lead a workshop during an academy period either on Wednesday, Nov 2 or Friday, Nov 4. We are looking for students who care about furthering equity education on campus and can be comfortable leading uncomfortable conversations.

Applications are now available and due no later than Tuesday, Oct 18. This opportunity is for current Juniors and Seniors.

Volunteer Opportunities & Awards Informational Meeting Wednesday, Oct 19 during Lunch
The 2022-23 volunteer program year has kicked off for the Acalanes and President’s Service Awards so please make sure your student is logging those hours! It’s a great opportunity for students to give back AND to be recognized for their service. Visit the Service Award page on the College & Career site or email communityservice@acalanesparentsclub.com with any questions.
 
As always, if there is anything we can do for you or your student, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
 
Katherine Walton, Leadership Teacher

College & Career

SENIORS
California State Applications: Every day during the month of October and November, the CCC is open to help with the Cal State application. It takes less than 1 hour.
FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid opened Oct 1. The state is asking all seniors to fill out the FAFSA or to opt-out.
UC/Common App: Sign up for Levy academy sessions to get support.
College Visits This Week in the CCC Office: Sign up on the Naviance home page. Scroll to the bottom of the home page to see “What’s New” or email to register at least 24 hours in advance. Have your students speak with their teachers to get permission. Follow the CCC instagram @ahs_college_career for timing each week.

• Tuesday, Oct 18: University of Michigan @ 12pm
• Wednesday, Oct 19: Whitman @8:35am;  University of Richmond @9:20am;  Tulane @ 2:20pm
• Thursday, Oct 20: Franklin Univ. of Switzerland, American Univ. of Paris
• Friday, Oct 21: William& Mary Univ @8:35am; UCLA @ 1:35pm

UC/Common Application Support: Your student can click here to make an appointment to work on essays or get help with the entire process.

JUNIORS
Internship Opportunity: Junior Achievement is looking for future entrepreneurs for a year-long business program
College Visits: Please have your student join college visits if they are interested in learning more about universities. It’s a fun way to check out majors, clubs, and study abroad options.
Volunteer Opportunities: Encourage your child to check out these great places to give back!

SOPHOMORES/FROSH
Internship Opportunity: Junior Achievement is looking for future entrepreneurs for a year-long business program
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

Letters of Recommendation Counselors are all busy this month writing letters of recommendation for Seniors with early deadlines for college applications. Each counselor has 30-40 letters to write by Nov 1. We apologize in advance if we are not as responsive as we usually are.
 
AP Exam Registration Deadline is Nov 6
Sign up for AP Exams until Sunday, Nov 6. Late registration options are available, but will incur a late registration fee. Please see here for more details.