• Helpful Resources for Course Selection

    January 15, 2024

    Course selections for the 2024-2025 school year are due the week of February 5! Acalanes has a wealth of resources available to assist you and your students in the process.

    IN HOUSE COURSE PREVIEW
    This month, we will inform all of our rising 9th, 10th and 11th grade students of the courses and choices they have to make to register for classes for the next school year at our In House Course Preview Program. 9th through 11th graders will be required to attend one academy program in the PAC. Teachers will share the elective course options available to that grade level for next year:

    • Wednesday, Jan 17 - All current 9th graders ("rising sophs")
    • Friday, Jan 19 - all current 10th graders ("rising juniors")
    • Wednesday, Jan 24 - all current 11th graders ("rising seniors")

    Students will attend regular academy when their grade is not participating in their In House Course Preview presentation.
     
    COURSE PREVIEW & OPEN HOUSE - for Students and Parents
    Thursday, Feb 1:

    • 5:30pm | Acalanes Parents Club Hosted Reception
    • 5:45pm | Incoming 9th Grade Family Meeting
    • 6:15 - 8:00pm | Drop-In Opportunities
    • 6:30 - 7:00pm | Break-Out Session 1
    • 7:05 - 7:30pm | Break-Out Session 2
    • 7:35 - 8:00pm | Break-Out Session 3

    The night is a valuable resource for current frosh, sophomores and juniors who are mapping out their future courses, as well as an excellent way for incoming 9th grade students to experience all that Acalanes has to offer. It's also a great way to connect with fellow Acalanes parents.

  • APC in Action

    January 15, 2024

    DONS DIALOGUE - FRIDAY, JAN 19 at 8:45am in the Collaboration Center
    We hope to see you for our January Dons Dialogue. Join us to hear all about the course selection process and timeline from the Counseling Department. Plus, teachers will join us to discuss HSD/Ethnic Studies, PE Considerations, AP African American Studies, AP Psychology, Data Science & Statistics, and Instrumental Music & Beginning Band. And of course there will be Q&A time plus coffee and treats!

    We know it's hard to believe, but course selections for next year are due the week of February 5! So be sure to attend (and encourage your students to attend) all the events available to assist with the course selection process (Dons Dialogue, Open House & Course Preview and class academies).

    WANT TO GET MORE INVOLVED?
    Help do something positive for our school and students?     APC is looking for parents who want to make a difference and enhance our students' high school experience. There is no better way than joining our vast APC Board. From big roles to smaller event driven jobs, the 2024-25 APC Board slate is opening soon. Click here to learn more about all the APC roles and how you can help AHS next year. If interested, please email past-president and Parliamentarian, Veronique Kuhner.

  • Parent Education

    January 15, 2024


    GOVERNMENT BENEFITS FOR 18+ STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
    Parent Ed presented by Public Benefits Consultant, Jim Huyck
    Learn about SSI, SSDI, IHSS, SLS, MediCal, MediCare, Regional Center Benefits
    Tuesday, Jan 30 at 7pm in the Acalanes Library

    SEED HIGH SCHOOL FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE
    Where our special needs high schoolers hang out with their typical peers.
    Upcoming regular meeting dates:

    • Thursday, Jan 18: 5-6:30pm
    • Thursday, Feb 15: 5-6:30pm

    Volunteers and participants should RSVP here (volunteers get 2-hour community service validation per session).To receive SEED High School updates, sign up to the High School newsletter here.

  • Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)

    January 15, 2024

    Upcoming Important Dates:

    • Jan 15: Martin Luther King Jr Day
    • Jan 16: National Day of Racial Healing
    • Jan 25: Mahayana New Year
    • Jan 27: International Holocaust Remembrance Day

    Drawing inspiration from both his Christian faith and the peaceful teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led a nonviolent movement in the late 1950s and ‘60s to achieve legal equality for African Americans in the United States. He is the only non-president to have a national holiday dedicated in his honor and is the only non-president memorialized on the Great Mall in the nation’s capital. He is also memorialized in hundreds of statues, parks, streets, squares, churches and other public facilities around the world as a leader whose teachings are increasingly relevant to the progress of humankind. Please learn more here.

    As we approach February, we are supporting our students in celebrating Black Excellence month. They have requested parent assistance in decorating and informing Acalanes students and families about the many contributions of Black Americans in our world. If you would like to help please reach out to us at diversityandinclusion@acalanesparentsclub.com.

  • Performing & Visual Arts

    January 15, 2024

    The Acalanes Choir will be performing at the Lafayette Schools Concert with all of the elementary schools and Stanley on Thursday, Jan 25 at Stanley Middle School at 7pm. We're really looking forward to singing with all of the kids. It's always a very special and sweet performance. We hope to see you there!

  • Student Activities

    January 15, 2024

    We are back! A few invitations and reminders as we cruise into week 2 of 2nd semester!
     
    Club Applications
    Did your student want to start a club in the fall but didn’t get the chance? Now is the opportunity! Applications are available and due on Monday, Jan 16. A google form application is in the daily bulletin and on canvas. This Friday, Jan 19, during lunch is our Spring Club Day. Please encourage your student to stop by, check out our clubs and get involved.
     
    Get ready for semester 2 and organize your school supplies!
    Join us on Thursday, Jan 18 in the library at lunch! We will have snacks and school supplies to organize your backpack. This is a chance to get organized coming back from break. Encourage your student to sign up so we know who to expect!
     
    Is your student looking for a BLUE CREW shirt and didn’t get one? Have them stop by room 314 with $2 to get their shirt!
     
    SAVE THE DATE: Lunchtime Rally on Friday, Jan 26 in the Chris Huber Gym!
    YOU (our community!) are invited to attend a lunchtime rally celebrating our very successful fall sports teams who went into playoffs and won (flag football, cross country, football) and to also welcome our winter sports athletes. The rally will feature sideline cheer, along with our jazz band. Want to feel the positive energy of Acalanes High School? See you at the lunchtime rally!
     
    Future events:

    • Jan 22: Leadership applications available for 2024-2025 school year
    • Jan 22 & 24: Class Cup Trivia at lunch
    • Jan 26: Senior Breakfast (7:30am), Senior Speaker Series (academy) and a lunchtime rally for students and community (lunch). All are invited to attend the lunchtime rally to recognize our fall sports and highlight our winter athletes!
    • Jan 31: Staff/Student Trivia

    Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.
     
    Katherine Walton, Activities Director