• Parent Education

    December 11, 2020

    Jan 12 at 7 pm - Challenge Success presents “A Healthy Approach to College Admissions”
    The college admissions process can be a source of stress and anxiety for students and parents alike. This research-based workshop addresses many of the important questions we hear from families. What do college rankings really measure? Are students who attend more selective colleges better off later in life? What is “fit” and why does it matter? Participants will learn practical strategies to help reduce unnecessary pressure around the college admissions process and ways to support their student’s overall well-being and readiness for life in college and beyond. Stay tuned for more information and registration details.

  • School Nurse

    December 11, 2020

    PTG (Posttraumatic Growth): Using Challenge To Cultivate Resilience
    During this pandemic, we are ALL experiencing trauma, grief, and loss, individually and collectively, and that cannot and should not be minimized in any way. This, undoubtedly, is going to be the hardest holiday season that most of us have ever experienced. But I want to encourage everyone to look for opportunities for growth and resilience. We can set an intention to practice anchoring ourselves in core values that support health and wellness, including gratitude, self-care, and generosity (to name a few). Try visualizing those values as “eyeglasses” that you put on (ex: now I am putting on my gratitude glasses. What does my perspective look like from here?).

    In anticipation of the opportunity to return to our school sites to some degree in January, I implore you and your families to be vigilant about staying healthy and taking whatever precautions you can to prevent the spread of Covid in your households and families, and in our community. Our school district is working hard to create a protocol to promote safety and health on our school sites and in our school community. We need to be cohesive partners in working together to promote health and safety in our community.  Thank you for your commitment!

    Updated Medical Forms
    Parents, please make sure you turn in any pertinent medical forms for your students for this school year, especially if your students will be in the Hybrid Model. See this page on my website and let me know if you have any questions.

    Be Covid Proactive!
    See update on my google site. Stay healthy by keeping this symptom checklist in mind.

    Improve Mental Health
    Cook meals together as a family! It doesn’t have to be complicated; it can be as easy as arranging a fruit platter or putting a salad together.

    This is a perfect opportunity with the upcoming holidays and our plans to STAY HOME. There are so many benefits - more to come!

    Happy Healthy Holidays to all!

    Dvora Citron    , RN, MS
    Acalanes School Nurse Google Site
    dcitron@auhsdschools.org
    IG:  acalanesschoolnurse

  • Performing & Visual Arts

    December 11, 2020

    Performing Arts has as NEW website!!! Check out our event details and more at ahsperformingarts.org

    WINTER PERFORMANCE EVENTS

    Tuesday, Dec 15 at 7pm-  2020 Choral Music Virtual Winter Concert, “Together, from a Distance”
    This streamed concert will feature music from the Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque and Classical eras, as well as some solo acts. Look for the YouTube link on the Acalanes Performing Arts website on the day of the concert.

    Thursday, Dec 17 at 7pm - AHS Instrumental Virtual Winter Concert
    Enjoy the amazing musical talents of the Acalanes Instrumental Bands. Instrumental Music Director Ms. Lauren Gibson will be showcasing performances by each ensemble (Jazz Ensemble, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, and Orchestra) as well as chamber music. Best of all, you can hear all this beautiful music safely from the comfort of your home via this Zoom live webinar link. Look for more details at acalanesinstrumentalmusic.com or on our website.

    Tuesday, Dec 22 at 7 pm - DramaDons Holiday Special
    Happy Holidays from the DramaDons! The DramaDons have a present for you! The premiere of our Holiday Special will include selections of work that the DramaDons have created over this past semester. Pieces include original puppet stories, dialect monologues, an 8-minute Zoom movie adaptation, and an original children's theatre Zoom play. YouTube link to the Holiday Special will be available on the day of the performance on our website as well as on Instagram @ahs_dramadons.

  • Sports

    December 11, 2020

    The California Department of Public Health has postponed the issuance of its updated youth sports guidance. The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) does not expect the CDPH will issue any guidance allowing for schools to return to full practice and competition until after January 1, 2021, at the earliest. All full practice and competition start dates are officially on hold until updated guidance is issued. Read the full press release here.

  • APC in Action

    December 5, 2020

    Peer Tutoring
    As students prepare for final exams, be sure to remind your Don to take advantage of Acalanes’ FREE Peer Tutoring program. Fellow students are ready to support their peers in any academic subject. Students can get help with test prep, essay writing guidance, lesson clarification, how to create a weekly work schedule, and much more. The tutors and directors connect personally with each student to provide an encouraging and engaging environment. Students can book peer tutors on TeachMore. 

  • Acalanes Community Always (ACA)

    December 5, 2020

    Shop Local For the Holidays
    Help Lafayette business owners during this challenging economic time by shopping local! A bonus is that sales tax from your purchases will be funneled back into our local economy. Visit here for more ways to support Lafayette businesses.  

    Questions, comments or feedback, email aca@acalanesparentsclub.com.

  • LPIE

    December 5, 2020

    Tell them LPIE sent you! Shop Honey Bear Trees across from Acalanes if you are in the market for a Christmas tree and holiday decor! Bring this flyer, and Honey Bear will donate 20% of your purchase price back to LPIE.

    Thanks to the generosity of two anonymous families, there is a dollar-for-dollar $60,000 match for all donations made in December. LPIE recognizes the sacrifices families are facing, and knows that the ask to donate is a big one. Therefore, we hope this matching gift opportunity encourages you to support at the level that is meaningful to you. Participate here.

    Laura    -Kate Rurka     & Jennifer Palmer
    Acalanes LPIE School Chairs

    www.lpie.org

  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)

    December 5, 2020

    Week FIFTEEN in the Challenge to Build Habits Supporting Racial Equity
    Winter is here and what is better than cozying up with a good read? This week’s challenge is to save the date for our next district-wide book discussion, Thursday, Feb 4 at 6:30pm! The groups are teacher-moderated and discussions are informative and interesting. This time, the book is the critically-acclaimed “Between the World and Me” by Ta-Nehisi Coates. Order your copy from Orinda Books and receive it in time for holiday gift giving! And, HBO adapted the book into a movie and a podcast, available until Sunday Dec 27. 

    • Sign up to attend here.

    December 10-18 - Hanukkah is coming!
    Also written as Chanukah, this is the Jewish eight-day, wintertime “festival of lights,” celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers, and foods. If you are so inclined, try this recipe for delicious latkes. 

    Speaking of holidays, the DEI group at Acalanes would like to recognize all the cultures represented at our school. Please let us know any special events that we can learn about and honor throughout the year. For starters, how do you celebrate your winter holidays? Email us! 

    Join the Grassroots Law Project (AUHSD) for Students and Parents
    The group aims to     bridge the gap between grassroots organizing and legal expertise in criminal justice reform. With over 75 student volunteers, backed by parent and teacher allies, GLP functions as a unit with members in each school. The group is not a club affiliated with individual schools, but a district-wide chapter powered by students and supported by parents and teachers. To get involved, fill out this Google Form. Check them out on Instagram too!

    More information or questions?
    Email us! Stay current by visiting our webpage, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. 

  • Membership & Fundraising

    December 5, 2020

    Acalanes Flags
    ‘Tis the season for giving - and receiving - the perfect gift: Acalanes Flags! Flags are available in two sizes on the Acalanes webstore. Get yours today and share your school spirit. Go Dons!

    If you have any questions, please contact VP Fundraising Kelly Daggs.

  • From the Activities Director

    December 5, 2020

    Dec 17 and 18 - Spirit Wear Pick-Up
    If you ordered spirit wear, we will have pick up days the afternoon of December 17th and the morning of December 18th.

    Dec 11 from 3:15-4:30 - Adopt-a-Family Gift Drop-Off
    Thanks to our community’s generosity and support, we adopted 26 families! If you opted in, check your email for all the information you need. Coordinate with Katherine Walton if you cannot drop off the gifts on Dec. 11. Sign-up genius can be found here.

    Dec 8-10 - Frosh In-Person Study Groups
    We want to support the Class of 2024 as they approach their 1st set of final exams. We are holding in person study groups led by teachers. Freshmen can sign up here. 

    Equity Club Docu-Series: Queer Straight Alliance Video
    Take some time today to watch this incredible video featuring members of our QSA. Listen, engage, and educate. 

    Channel Kindness Book Club
    We have partnered with the Born this Way Foundation to read Lady Gaga’s newest book, Channel Kindness. Students can sign up, be given the book to read, and then in late January, attend a book club meeting where several of the authors of the book will join us to dialogue. The book encompasses themes around mental health, physical health, giving back to the community & kindness. Link to sign up. 

    Take a minute to read the November issue of the Diversity newsletter:

    Next week is our annual winter week! A fun way to end the first semester with multiple opportunities to engage. Here is an overview:

    Monday, Dec 7

    • Dress-up: No Mirror Monday (wear PJ’s)

    Tuesday, Dec 8

    • Dress-up: Tie Dye Tuesday
    • 3:15-4:45pm: In-person study groups for Class of 2024

    Wednesday, Dec 9

    • Dress-up: Wild Wednesday
    • Lunch: Staff/Student Bonding
    • 3:15-4:45pm: In-person study groups for Class of 2024
    • 7pm: DramaDons Performance

    Thursday, Dec 10

    • Dress-up: Time Travel Thursday
    • 3:15-4:45pm: In-person study groups for Class of 2024
    • 7pm: Choir Concert

    Friday, Dec 11

    • Dress-up: Face-off Friday
    • Lunch: Scribblio Lunchtime activity 
    • 3:15-4:30pm: Adopt-a-Family gift drop off in front of school

    2020-2021 Clubs Club meetings continue. Check out our 45 clubs!

    If I can ever do anything to help you or your student, don’t hesitate to reach out!

    Katherine Walton, Student Activities Director

  • Wellness Center

    December 5, 2020

    Periodically, we facilitate round table discussions on big issues, and this week, we had an important talk with student facilitators and attendees, featuring Contra Costa County District Attorney Colleen Gleason, who runs the County Sexual Assault/Child Molestation and Abuse Unit. The focus of the conversation was on supporting victims in getting help when they’ve suffered abuse. Students were able to ask questions and learn new perspectives on what “support” and the process of getting justice looks like. Most importantly, DA Gleason shared advice you can give your kids: if they go to a party, use the buddy system AND if they get assaulted, tell someone (and assure your child that they will not “get in trouble” for doing so). Finally, it’s important that the individual go to the hospital as soon as possible following an assault. 

    Here is a fantastic resource with videos on consent and other important topics: Community Violence Solutions. These conversations are so important and we think you’ll find that if you lean into them, you - and your student - will be happy you did. 

    Allen Choi    , Wellness Coordinator
    Casey Sasner, Intake Specialist

    For updates, tips and advice, follow Wellness on Social Media: Instagram @acalaneswellness

  • College & Career

    December 5, 2020

    Monday, Dec 14 from 7-8pm - Sophomore Student/Parent College Check-in
    Join     Acalanes College & Career Advisor Wendy Reicher for an informal check-in regarding college planning for sophomores. Learn about summer opportunities, Naviance overview, College & Career website resources, and more! RSVP to attend. 

    For Juniors: Upcoming College Planning Academy Sessions
    Students use Ms. Reicher’s Zoom link to attend. 

    • Wednesday, Jan 13: Things to Do
    • Wednesday, Jan 20: About Me/Personal Assessments
    • Wednesday, Jan 27: Building Your List

    AAUW Scholarship Application Opportunity
    $2000 awarded to a Senior woman who demonstrates a sustained commitment to community service as well as a grade point average of at least 3.0. Apply now!

    One-on-One Appointments
    Students can book an individual meeting with Ms. Reicher here. Please encourage your student to take advantage regardless of where they are in the process.

    Helpful Links:

    Freshman College Planning
    Sophomore College Planning
    Junior College Planning
    Senior Checklist

    Keep up the good work! 
    Wendy Reicher/College and Career Advisor: wreicher@auhsdschools.org