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Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)
Happy MLK Day! January is full of opportunities to engage, explore and support one another in striving to be our best selves. Highlighted below are activities ripe with potential to add value and enrich our lives.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Jan 16: If you are still trying to find a local event to help you honor the life, legacy and impact of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his groundbreaking social justice and equity work, check out this guide.
January is Poverty Awareness Month: Several of the local elementary schools are recognizing the month by participating in the “Life through Another Lens” Book Challenge. If you would like to follow suit, Oxfam recommends these books to better understand poverty. Additionally, the US Census Bureau shares thought provoking data and statisticson American poverty for those who want to learn more.
Asian/South-Asian/Asian-American Parents Happy Hour Jan 27 5:30-8pm
If you are a Walamorinda Asian, South Asian, or South/Asian-American identifying parent/guardian, please join us for an affinity space Happy Hour! There will be free light appetizers and drinks for purchase. The happy hour will take place at Town Bakery & Cafe in Moraga. Hope you can join us for this informal gathering (parents only event). Please RSVP here.
Questions, suggestions or feedback? Share here. -
Student Activities
Student Government 2023-2024
Is your student interested in participating in student government next year? Applications will be available beginning Jan 23 and due Feb 3. For current 9th, 10th and 11th graders there is an informational meeting at lunch on Wednesday, Jan 18 in room 314. There are elected and appointed positions. For the full list of committees, check out board descriptions.
2022-2023 Clubs
We had an amazing spring club day! We have 59 clubs set up for 2nd semester. Encourage your student to check 1 or 2 out. You can view all clubs here.
Environmental Council is taking place on Friday, Jan 20 during academy in room 314. We will be discussing eco-friendly driving and what that looks like at Acalanes. There will be donuts!!
A Night in New Orleans - An All District Dance
On Friday, Feb 3 from 7-9pm, Acalanes will be hosting an all-district dance. Tickets are $10 and available on Go Fan. Ticket prices include games, DJ, snacks & crafts. All proceeds benefit our Black Student Union.
Class Cup!
This year, Acalanes is introducing a friendly grade level competition that will promote school spirit and bonding between the classes. It will conclude with a trophy prize for the winning class at the end of year rally.
Throughout the second semester, students can participate in basketball (Jan), volleyball (Feb), and kickball (Apr) games on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during lunch. Encourage your student to participate! Basketball sign-ups are open now (your student can sign up using this link).
A couple dates to highlight:
Jan 27 at 7:30am: Senior Breakfast for the Class of 2023
May 13 at City Hall: Junior & Senior Prom
Katherine Walton, Leadership Teacher -
School Nurse
Getting Off to a Good Start in 2023
January is a great reason to use our energy towards setting intentions (vs resolutions). Goal-setting follows setting intentions. Focusing on intentions keeps us grounded and allows us to experiment and even fail (great value can be found in failing), and then return back to our intentions.
Use January as a motivation, excuse, whatever reason to focus on BALANCE in your family and with/for your student. Balance and resilience go hand-in–hand. Students will manage stress better with balance in their lives. Prioritize sleep, healthy eating, regular physical movement, and connection, in addition to school and studying. Please consider that each of us only has a 24 hour day. For our teens, 8-10 of those hours should be devoted to sleep. You can do the rest of the math, but the point is to factor in time for taking care of ourselves and also making sure to buffer in time for the unexpected. It’s especially important not to over-schedule - this in and of itself sets up a baseline of unmanageable stress. Please let me know what works well to support balance and resilience for your students.
What else would you like to see on my website?
Dvora Citron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org
925-280-2970 x7128
IG: acalanesschoolnurse -
College & Career
SENIORS
DVC Registration: Please tell your senior to join us during Academy on Wednesday, Feb 15 in the library for a DVC admissions’ presentation and registration details.
Acalanes College and Career Center Scholarship links. Diablo Valley AssistanceLeague, Rossmoor Scholarship Foundation, and AAUW are also available- large scholarships for students with financial limitations.
FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is available. The state is asking all seniors to fill out the FAFSA or to opt-out.
JUNIORS
Job Fair: Walnut Creek Arts & Rec is hiring students aged 15+ for many summer jobs. They are hosting a job fair on Feb 9 from 4:30-6:30pm at Shadelands Art Center Auditorium.
A Healthier Approach to College Admissions: Event sponsored by Challenge Success on Mar 9 from 4-5:15pm.
ACT/SAT Practice Tests: Revolution Prep is offering a practice SAT and ACT: Practice ACT: Saturday, Jan 21, 9am-1pm
Practice SAT: Saturday, Jan 28, 9am-1pm
Live Online! Register here
1:1 appointments: If you’d like your child to start exploring career interests and begin looking at Naviance, please have them schedule an appointment here.
SOPHOMORES/FROSH
Job Fair: Walnut Creek Arts & Rec is hiring students aged 15+ for many summer jobs. They are hosting a job fair on Thursday, Feb 9 from 4:30-6:30pm at Shadelands Art Center Auditorium. Looking for counselors, coaches, lifeguards, and more!
Volunteer Ideas: Have your student come by the CCC so I can learn about their interests. Check out this website for ideas too! It’s best to set a search filter for teens.
Please visit our College & Career Counseling website any time for additional information and support. -
Counseling
Counselor assignments are by last name:
A-Em Anne Schonauer
En-Kr Christine Todd / Christina Castillo-Gallardo during Spring 2023
Ku-Rog Marissa Meadows
Roh-Z Susan Martin
Late Sign Up for AP Exams: Late registration options are still available, but will incur a late fee. Please see here for more details.
Class Visits for Course Selection: Starting on Thursday, Jan 19 counselors will be visiting all Living Earth, Chemistry/ESS, and USH classes to review the course selection process with students for the next school year. Students will receive the form they will use, as well as instructions for how to enter requests in Aeries. We will finish visiting all classes on Wednesday, Jan 25 so students can attend the Open House on Jan 26 to hear more about classes! -
Wellness Center
We are so excited to have students back to start the new year! It’s very common for people to use this time to set new goals for the upcoming year. Goal setting is a great way to set up yourself, and your student, for success. Discuss setting SMART goals with your student:
- Specific- narrow goals are more efficient for planning and execution.
- Measurable- how will you know that you are making progress toward reaching your goal?
- Attainable- it’s important that goals are realistic and can actually be achieved.
- Relevant- be sure that your goals align with what you find important in the short and long-term.
- Time based- when setting an end date to assess whether you have met your goal, the date should be both motivating and achievable.
Setting, working toward and achieving SMART goals is extremely beneficial to mental health. Everyone likes to feel capable and accomplished. This can help improve self esteem as well as fostering an internal locus of control.
Finally, the next AUHSD Wellness Parent Education opportunity is taking place via Zoom on Tuesday, Jan 24 from 6-7:30pm. While these webinars are free to attend, we do ask that you register here prior to attending.
Happy New Year!
Kiara Thomas- Wellness Intake Specialist
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