Weekly News & Announcements

Due Friday, May 1: Acalanes Performing Arts Booster Scholarship Available

The Acalanes Performing Arts Boosters are proud to announce its $1,000 scholarship available to a graduating senior who has demonstrated passion and commitment to the Performing Arts at AHS and who intends to pursue a major or minor college degree in the Performing Art. Applications are available now and must be submitted by May 1. Click here for the application.

Co-Presidents’ Message

Last week seemed to be one full of many silver linings. Our Dons community showed up for one another time and time again, in many cases as part of the new Community Can’t Be Canceled campaign started by Acalanes Leadership and expanded between AHS, APC, the Lafayette Chamber and many other community support partners.

The most visible sign of Community Can’t Be Canceled (CCBC) has been the ongoing Let’s Paint This Town Blue effort which displays our unity and spirit. Campaign posters were hung all around town and neighborhood spirit was on display with countless creative home decorations. AHS families also participated in Lafayette To Go to support local restaurants. Feedback from the Lafayette Chamber was positive and restaurants were tremendously appreciative of the increase in orders. You can find lots of inspiring images @ahs_dons on Instagram. Our AHS and town spirit is such a refreshing reminder of how we continue to support one another despite being separated.

The Class of 2020 Seniors woke up Friday morning to Graduation congratulations lawn-signs that magically appeared overnight thanks to the efforts of senior class liaison Tori Heffelfinger, Co-Head Liaison Gayle Burleigh and a team of thirty volunteers. While seniors have yet to graduate, the decision was made to get the signs out early to let seniors know they will be celebrated throughout spring.

Please join us for this Friday’s APC Dons Dialogue from 10-11am. We are excited this event will move forward in a virtual format. Principal Bell will provide an update on Distance Learning and we’ll get an update from AHS Wellness and Leadership. The last part of the meeting will be set aside for Mr. Bell to answer parent questions. Please email us your questions in advance. An email blast will go out next week with call-in details.

Finally, a few highlights for this week:

• Acalanes Wellness Center is now connecting with students by providing real-time, online programming. Check out more info in the Wellness section.
• Give Back Students are needed NOW to help support AHS teachers and staff with Zoom Babysitting & a new Video Library. Students get volunteer service hours for their efforts. See more on the CCBC page.
• Peer Tutoring is up & running virtually! See details in Peer Tutoring page.
  
  We hope your families remain safe and healthy.
  
  Dawn Brightbill and Sarah Cusumano

General Announcements

Zoom Babysitting
Students can volunteer to Zoom Babysit for our teachers’ and staff little Dons. Encourage your big Don to give back, help the AHS teaching team, and make a young kid’s day! Students can sign up here to participate, with more details to follow.

Student Video Library
Students can also make 15 to 60-minute videos highlighting any skill they’d like to share. These videos will be used by AHS teachers and staff to help keep their little ones entertained day or night. Let’s do this!

It’s Not Too Late to Give Back: AHS & President’s Volunteer Service Awards Applications due May 1

The goal of the program is to recognize students for their efforts in giving back. Get ideas on how you can give back during Shelter in Place and see our AHS program qualification changes here including a reduction of required hours from 30 hours to 20 hours.

Learn more about these efforts and more:

• Subscribe to Blueprint online so you can keep up with all the current news and views from our student community. They’ve been busy.
• If you’re not already following Acalanes leadership on Instagram @ahs_dons, now is the time. Their creative content reminds us why it’s good to be a Don. 
• Check out the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce’s website for more information on how you can support local businesses and restaurants. They are one of the key community partners collaborating on this campaign. 

Dons Dialogue Webinar

Join Principal Bell virtually for an update on Distance Learning and Student Activities, as well as time dedicated to your Q&A. Watch your email for details on how to participate. 

Distance Learning Student Communications

Families: please remind your student to check both School Loop and their AUHSD gmail accounts for communications from their teachers. Teachers are finding that students who only look at the assignments portion of School Loop are missing out on critical information.

Peer Tutoring is Up and Running

For students interested in peer tutoring, simply send an email to program coordinators Mrs. Taylor and Mrs. McCosker outlining the academic need. Students will be connected with the appropriate tutor; tutors will communicate directly with the student to set up a time to collaborate. Tutors will confirm their work with Mrs. Taylor and Mrs. McCosker, and provide proof of work to teachers as needed. Peer Tutoring is funded 100% by Acalanes Parents Club.

Wellness Center

Be sure to check out the Wellness section below for all the real-time, online programming to support and connect students to Wellness Staff and peers during distance learning. And help get the word out by following @acalaneswellness on Instagram.

Food Service – For All Students!

Two school sites in our District, Las Lomas High School and Campolindo High School, will be providing food to all community members Monday through Friday from 11am to 1pm.  Meals can be picked up at the cafeteria windows. 

Wellness Center

We are providing real-time, online programming to support and connect students to Wellness Staff and peers but we need your help to get the word out. Students can access the Zoom programs by checking their School loop mail or news. We’re helping the students by creating space for them to process the experiences and emotions that come with this difficult transition.  Our weekly programs will evolve to meet student needs and interests. They take place at noon each day as follows:

• Tuesday: Tea with Wellness
• Wednesday: Journaling through the Pandemic
• Thursday: Quarantine Cooking
• Friday: “Friday Focus” Mindfulness practices to manage stress

Parents can find important resources on Wellbeing and Mental Health here at the district website. You can continue to reach us during school hours at acalaneswellness@auhsdschools.org.  (CS @5:30 4/10)

Counseling

Summer School
Will be held at Acalanes this year and applications are available.  Summer school is for students who need to repeat a required class because they have a D or F grade for the semester.  Dates, times and more info is available here. Turn in application forms to your student’s counselor.

We want to remind you of some valuable community resources: 

Resource Reminder
For non-life threatening mental health support: Contra Costa Crisis Center:  call 211 or text HOPE to 20121 available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for mental health needs.  www.211cc.org   can help you reach other community resources. 

In the event of a mental health emergency, please contact 911.  

As a reminder, here are the counselor assignments and emails.  Counselors prefer using the auhsdschools.org email but School Loop messages are also fine.

College & Career

The CCC is alive and well, just remote!

Join me:
Fridays from 10:15-11am Zoom Academy “Things To Do for Juniors” Check school loop for invitation link.

Facebook Page for Students
Have your senior or junior join the College and Career Student FB page to post where they are going to college and share information about the process with each other.

Scholarships
This is a great time for seniors to look into scholarship options to support their college educations. Following are some to consider though there are hundreds to review online via a quick google search:

•  Matt Lynn Scholarship, email Ms. Reicher for details. Deadline April 10, 2020
• PB&J Scholarship Fund
• Wa Sung Community Service Club

Naviance Portal
Update Senior parents: now that many more decisions have come out, please ask your senior to update all college results on their Naviance Portal so that we can complete the senior survey and juniors can use the data in critical research.

Student Meetings
I will be available via School Loop or email: Wendy Reicher to support all students. Seniors and Juniors: meet with me on the phone! To schedule appointments use this Calendly link. We can discuss application acceptances and rejections for seniors; for juniors, let’s talk about application prep questions, list development, use of Naviance and more.

Internships
Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan is seeking summer interns. Rising juniors and seniors submit a resume and cover letter to RebeccaBauer-Kahan@assembly.ca.gov with “Summer Internship Application” in the subject line of your email.