• Wellness Center

    November 6, 2023

    Cognitive distortions, also called “thinking traps”, are common ways in which we trick ourselves into believing negative thinking patterns. Anyone can experience these cognitive distortions, but, for some, these distortions can lead to anxiety and depression. Do you or your AHS student ever fall into these traps?

    • Black-and-white (or all-or-nothing) thinking: I never have anything interesting to say.
    • Jumping to conclusions (or mind-reading): The doctor is going to tell me I have cancer.
    • Personalization: Our team lost because of me.
    • Should-ing and must-ing (using language that is self-critical that puts a lot of pressure on you): I should be losing weight.
    • Mental filter (focusing on the negative, such as the one aspect of a health change which you didn't do well): I am terrible at getting enough sleep.
    • Overgeneralization: I'll never find a partner.
    • Magnification and minimization (magnifying the negative, minimizing the positive): It was just one healthy meal.
    • Fortune-telling: My cholesterol is going to be sky-high.
    • Comparison (comparing just one part of your performance or situation to another's, which you don't really know, so that it makes you appear in a negative light): All of my coworkers are happier than me.
    • Catastrophizing (combination of fortune-telling and all-or-nothing thinking; blowing things out of proportion): This spot on my skin is probably skin cancer; I'll be dead soon.
    • Labeling: I'm just not a healthy person.
    • Disqualifying the positive: I answered that well, but it was a lucky guess.

    One effective way to combat these cognitive distortions is by practicing mindfulness. Being present in the moment without judgment is one of mental health’s most powerful tools. If you can catch your thoughts when negative thinking patterns arise, try countering your thoughts with facts instead of emotional reasoning. Another idea for combating cognitive distortions is to talk to yourself like you would the 5-year-old version of yourself or a close friend.

    (Source: health.harvard.edu)

  • LPIE

    November 6, 2023

    Thanks to all of you, we raised our participation to 47.85% at Acalanes as of Oct 17, making strides toward our total fundraising goal for this school year. We appreciate your support and wouldn’t be able to deliver vital school programming without your help!

    As a reminder, your contributions to LPIE shape our students’ Acalanes experience in a big way every day. Every amount given helps fund small class sizes, supports elective and AP classes, including credentialed teachers and supplies, and student wellness support services…just to name a few areas of impact.

    We sincerely THANK YOU for your continued support of LPIE and our Acalanes community. Together, we can and will continue excellence in education for all Acalanes Dons. If you haven’t had a chance to donate, please donate or pledge HERE today!
     
    Gala Tickets on Sale Now!
    Tickets for the 6th Annual LPIE Gala are on sale NOW! Click HERE to make sure you don’t miss out on this amazing event!

    Gala Raffle Tickets
    There are only 15 Raffle Tickets left! Click HERE for a chance to win one of these three amazing trips!

    Jocelyn Werner and Jaime Roder, Acalanes LPIE School Chairs
    www.lpie.org, Follow us on Instagram

  • Sports

    November 6, 2023

    Girls golf
    Monday, Nov 6 CIF NorCal Championship at Berkeley GC.
     
    Girls volleyball
    Tuesday, Nov 7 CIF NorCal first round playoff at 7pm.
    Thursday, Nov 9 CIF NorCal Quarterfinal at 7pm.
    Saturday, Nov 11 CIF NorCal Semifinal at 7pm.
     
    Football
    Friday, Nov 10 or Saturday, Nov 11 NCS Quarterfinal at 7pm.
     
    Girls water polo
    Saturday, Nov 11 NCS Championship.
     
    Boys basketball
    Saturday, Nov 11 host California HS scrimmage. Varsity at 10am, JV at 12pm and Frosh at 1:30pm.
     
    Girls basketball
    Saturday, Nov 11 Pinole Valley Jamboree.

    You may view the 2023-2024 Athletic Update by clicking HERE.

  • General Administration Announcements

    October 30, 2023

    INSTRUCTIONAL AIDES NEEDED - Great Part-Time Job for Parents!
    The district is currently seeking applicants for classroom Instructional Aides.  Instructional Aides need no previous training, just a willingness to learn new skills and help students succeed. It is the perfect job for a parent of school-aged children.  Applications should be submitted on Edjoin.com.

    AHS GARDEN UPDATE
    We have a garden club this year and have been meeting Monday's at lunch. The club spends time harvesting and weeding (though we are not keeping up) and last week we saved seeds from our harvest and other vegetables that were brought in to use for our spring crops this year. Now that homecoming is over, we have our first work day to weed and pull out the old harvest plants. If you can join us anytime between 10am and 2pm Sunday, Nov 5 we could use your help!! 

    We are grateful for the APC grant funding we received in the fall and spring last school year. We hope to secure an additional grant this year to help us replace all the gopher ridden raised beds in the farm and to get a grow stand so we can use our saved seeds for crop plants.  We also need to add gravel to the meditation garden and replace the plants that died over the summer due to an irrigation problem (that is now fixed). We've updated our wish list and appreciate any donations! It is linked here!

    If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me:  LTewksbury@auhsdschools.org.

  • APC in Action

    October 30, 2023

    DONS DIALOGUE - Listen to the Recording!
    Thank you to everyone who joined us for our October Dons Dialogue on Friday, Oct 20. Principal Shawn led the discussion with an overview of Acalanes Academic Success sharing key metrics. Debbie Levy joined to discus the incredible resources available to our students from College and Career Services. We heard an overview of emergency preparedness plus Powers shared key takeaways from the Internet Safety program. And finally the program closed with Q&A. 

    If you were not able to attend, you can view the slideshow or watch the video recording. Save the date for our November Dons Dialogue on Friday, Nov 17 at 8:45am.

    Follow Acalanes Parents Club on Instagram. Please reach out to APC here with any questions.

  • Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)

    October 30, 2023

    November is National Native American Heritage month. And some important upcoming dates include:

    • Oct 31-Nov 2     Dia de los Muertos
    • Nov 11               Veterans Day
    • Nov 12               Diwali
    • Nov 12-18          United Against Hate Week

    The Day of the Dead (el Día de los Muertos), is a Mexican holiday when families welcome back the souls of their deceased relatives for a brief reunion that includes food, drink and celebration. A blend of Mesoamerican ritual, European religion and Spanish culture, the holiday is celebrated each year from Oct 31-Nov 2. While Tuesday, Oct 31 is Halloween, Thursday, Nov 2 is All Souls Day or the Day of the Dead. According to tradition, the gates of heaven are opened at midnight on Oct 31 and the spirits of children can rejoin their families for 24 hours. The spirits of adults can do the same on Nov 2. For more information click here.
     
    If you would like to learn more about the DEIB committee please contact us. Our next meeting is Sunday, Nov 5. And please follow us! We post activities and opportunities happening around the Bay Area.  

    Follow us on Instagram and Facebook