Weekly News & Announcements

LPIE

LPIE IS LOOKING FOR JUDGES FOR PROJECT LPIE
 
Project LPIE is an exciting, project-based competition featuring 15 categories designed to showcase student talent at Stanley Middle School and Acalanes High School. Judges are needed in the following categories: 2D Visual Art, 3D Fine Art/Applied Design, Acting, Creative Writing, Digital Design, Editorial Writing, Entrepreneurship, Instrumental Music (Solo and Group), Journalism, Photography, Science/Engineering/Environmentalism, Video Production, Vocal Music (Solo and Group).
 
This is a fantastic opportunity to provide feedback, guidance, and support to students in our community. If you are interested or know someone who might be interested in judging any of the listed categories, please email Colleen Byrd, LPIE Events Coordinator, at colleen@lpie.org.
 
Note that to maintain fairness and avoid conflicts of interest, judges may not evaluate submissions from students they know or from a school in which they currently have a child enrolled.

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
 
Girls basketball
Monday, Jan 5 host Dublin HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7:00pm.
Thursday, Jan 8 Varsity at Berean Christian HS at 7:00pm.
Saturday, Jan 10 host Vanden HS. JV at 5:00pm and Varsity at 6:30pm.
 
Boys basketball
Tuesday, Jan 6 host Ygnacio Valley HS. JV 6:00pm and Varsity at 7:30pm.
Saturday, Jan 10 host Alameda HS. Freshmen at 12:00pm, JV at 1:30pm and Varsity at 4:00pm.
 
Girls soccer
Tuesday, Jan 6 host California HS.  Frosh-Soph at 3:30pm, JV at 5:00pm and Varsity at 7:00pm.
Thursday, Jan 8 host Northgate HS.  JV at 5:00pm and Varsity at 7:00pm.
Saturday, Jan 10 Freshmen host Miramonte HS at 9:00am and at Piedmont HS at 7:00 pm.
 
Boys soccer
Wednesday, Jan 7 Freshmen host James Logan HS at 6:00pm.
Saturday, Jan 10 host Atwater HS. JV at 3:00pm and Varsity at 5:00pm.
Saturday, Jan 10 Freshmen host Petaluma HS at 1:00pm.
 
Wrestling
Thursday, Jan 8 host Mt. Diablo HS and Ygnacio Valley HS at 5:00pm.
Friday, Jan 9 and Saturday Jan 10 Girls Napa Valley Classic at Vintage HS.
Saturday, Jan 10 Varsity Kermit Bankson Invitational at Albany HS.
Saturday, Jan 10 JV Red Devil Classic at Mt. Diablo HS.

You may view the full 2025-2026 Athletic Schedule by clicking HERE.

Finals Prep

We have your students covered as they prepare to finish the semester strong! Please be sure to visit our APC website for even more information on all events planned to support our students through finals.



And don’t forget to encourage your student to take advantage of these resources:

• Peer Tutoring on Monday, Dec 15, regular hours (lunch, 7th period and after school until 4:00pm); and Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (Dec 16-18) from 12:50-3:00pm.
• The Wellness Center is open for students to drop in Monday, Dec 15, regular hours (8:00am to 4:00pm); and Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday (Dec 16-19) from 8:00am to 1:00pm
• The Acalanes library's hours during Finals Week are modifed:
  • Tuesday, 12/16, 7:30-3:00 pm
  • Wednesday, 12/17, 7:30-3:00 pm
  • Thursday, 12/18, 7:30-1:00 pm
  • Friday, 12/19, 7:30-1:00 pm

Check out our Finals Prep Webpage for more information and resources!

Parents Club Pro-Tip

Here are some valuable pro-tips from seasoned student leaders that we want to share:

• Check in with your students about finals. Encourage them to take advantage of the many resources available to help study and de-stress. Visit the APC website for a reminder of resources available.
• Encourage your student to visit the RogerHub website to utilize their Final Grade Calculator. Some students find it helpful to calculate what score they need to achieve on their final exam in order to get the semester grade they desire in the class.

Let’s face it, finals can be a stressful time not only for our students, but also us parents, so hang in there!

Acalanes Community Always (ACA)

Donation Drive for Grateful Gatherings
We are collecting new or like new kitchen items for Grateful Gatherings, a nonprofit that helps furnish homes for families transitioning out of homelessness or crisis. Collection bins will be in front of the main office all day from Dec 8 through Dec 19. If you have any questions, please email Molly Aldrich at molly.aldrich26@auhsdschools.org 

Campus Culture Committee

Acalanes Parent Club – Campus Culture Committee (CCC) Update
As we continue the 2025–2026 school year, the Campus Culture Committee (CCC) is focused on building a stronger parent support system for all student groups on campus. We’re also working closely with staff on issues that impact our students.

 
🌟 December Days of Recognition & Celebration

• Dec 14–22 – Hanukkah
• Dec 25 – Christmas
• Dec 26–Jan 1 – Kwanzaa

 
Join Us Monthly! (In-Person & Virtual Meetings)
Meeting Schedule | 6:00–7:30pm

• Dec – No Meeting
• Jan 12 – Virtual
• Feb 9 – In-Person
• Mar 16 – Virtual
• Apr 20 – In-Person (Final Meeting)
• May – No Meeting

Student Activities

It has been a wonderful 1st semester! Thank you for your support of student activities on this campus. We are really proud of our students, their engagement, their spirit, and their commitment to one another & our Acalanes community.
 
Acalanes Winter Spiritwear pick-up!
If you ordered Acalanes spiritwear via the winter webstore, it is available for pick-up beginning tomorrow before school, brunch & lunch in room 314. If you have any questions, please email Katherine Walton
 
ADOPT-A-FAMILY:  Thank you!
This year we supported 64 families in our community and dropped all the gifts off Friday at our partner organization in Concord. Thank you for all your support!
 
When we return for 2nd semester, here are a few highlights to look forward to:

• Jan 12-16: Senior Portraits
• Jan 21: Spring Club Day
• Jan 23: Senior Breakfast
• Jan 29: Club Day
• Feb 27: All district dance at Acalanes; Acalanes rally
• Apr 25: Junior & Senior prom

If you ever have any questions or are looking for ways for your student to get involved, please reach out!

Happy Holidays & let’s have a great start in the New Year!

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

Final Exam Week and Final Grades GOOD LUCK ON FINALS! Finals take place Tuesday, Dec 16 through Friday, Dec 19, with Periods 0 & 4 on Tuesday, 1 & 2 on Wednesday, 3 & 7 on Thursday and 6 & 5 on Friday.  Final semester grades will be available on Friday, Jan 9.  
 
Mid-Year Reports for Colleges Counselors will send Mid-Year Reports to all Common Application schools once grades have been finalized and transcripts have been updated— the week of Jan 12.

Wellness Center

As we approach first semester finals, the Acalanes Wellness team is pleased to offer opportunities for students to relax and prepare themselves for both finals and winter break.
Finals Week Hours:

• Monday, Dec 15, regular hours (8:00am to 4:00pm).
• Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday (Dec 16-19) from 8:00am to 1:00pm.

If your student is unable to attend or looking for a quick and easy coping strategy they can use today, practice these skills with them!

Listen to Music- Put on your favorite song, but pretend you’re listening to it for the first time. Focus on the melody and lyrics (if there are any). Does the song give you chills or create any other physical sensations? Pay attention to the parts that stand out most to you.

Describe a Common Task- Think of an activity you do often or can do very well, such as making coffee, locking up your office, or tuning a guitar. Go through the process step-by-step, as if you’re giving someone else instructions on how to do it.

Deep breathing-  Inhale slowly through your nose and exhale slowly through your mouth. You can also try "square breathing," where you inhale for a count, hold for a count, exhale for a count, and hold for a count.

LPIE

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