• 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

  • Counseling

    December 5, 2020

    Senior Transcripts
    Seniors who need official transcripts for college apps due Jan 1 should order them on the webstore before winter break. Documents will be sent electronically through Naviance whenever possible. Please contact Mrs. Finn with questions. Students can review unofficial transcripts in Aeries.

    Friday, Dec 18 End of First Semester
    Official transcripts will not be updated until after the winter break. Mid-year reports (transcripts) with first semester grades will be available the second week of January.

    Counselor Appointments
    We love talking to our students! Email is the best way to reach us. Counselors have appointment slots for students and will email them a link for signing up. We are trying to reserve the limited slots outside of class time for students. Parents can schedule a time when students are in class. 

    A- Ed  Anne Schonauer
    Ee-Kr  Christine Todd
    Ku-Ros  Marissa Meadows
    Rot-Z  Susan Martin

  • School Nurse

    December 5, 2020

    Staying Safe During The Holidays

    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!

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

  • Performing & Visual Arts

    December 5, 2020

    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 Zoom video conference. Look for the Zoom link at http://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 5, 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.

  • General Announcements

    November 20, 2020

    No Newsletter Next Week… See you on Sunday, Dec 6!

    Dec 1 Giving Tuesday
    Please consider showing your support to LPIE as they work hard toward making their 2020-2021 goal! Click here to make a donation.

    Hybrid School Schedule
    Acalanes School Board approved the second semester hybrid schedule last Wednesday. Click here to review the plan in preparation for the District parent forum on November 30. Parents are asked to commit to either the Hybrid or 100% Distance Learning model by December 2.

  • Acalanes Community Always (ACA)

    November 20, 2020

    Give Thanks by Shopping Local
    Help local Lafayette business owners during this challenging economic time by shopping local for the holidays! A bonus is that sales tax from your purchases will be funneled back into our local economy. Now is a great time to express gratitude with gifts purchased locally. Visit here for more ways to support Lafayette businesses.  

    Get Your Spirit Card Here!

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

  • LPIE

    November 20, 2020

    It’s official: the Holidays are here! Need a Christmas tree or wreath? Shop Honey Bear Trees across from Acalanes for your Christmas tree and holiday decor! Choose a Noble Fir, Grand Fir, Fraser Fir, or Douglas Fir. Phone orders and a drive-through or delivery option are available this year. Bring this flyer, and Honey Bear will donate 20% of your purchase price back to LPIE.

    LPIE recognizes the sacrifices families are facing, and knows that the ask to donate is a big one. Therefore, we are excited to launch our Matching Gift Opportunity on December 1!  Thanks to the generosity of two anonymous families, there is a dollar-for-dollar $60,000 match for all donations made between December 1-31. 

    Please join LPIE in helping us preserve an excellent education for our students, even during the most difficult times. Donate in any amount here. 

    Laura-Kate Rurka & Jennifer Palmer
    Acalanes LPIE School Chairs

    www.lpie.org

  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)

    November 20, 2020

    Week FOURTEEN in the Challenge to Build Habits Supporting Racial Equity: 

    November is Native American Heritage Month
    As we give thanks for our many blessings this Thanksgiving, let’s remember to reflect on historic events from the vantage point of the Native population. We have added a number of different articles/videos covering various issues for you. Pick and choose, or watch them all over the next week! 

    Nov 29 Ordering Deadline for Acalanes DEI Yard Signs
    Available at     shop.acalanes.com.

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