Weekly News & Announcements

Acalanes Community Always (ACA)

Summer 2026 Travel
Does your student love to travel? Consider a trip to Spain and Morocco! Sign ups are already happening for summer 2026. Sign up by Apr 1 and receive a $400 discount. Set up a direct debit plan to avoid putting down a deposit and lock in a low monthly payment. Students from any grade and any of the four district high schools can attend! The only requirement is an interest in travel! This trip has a little bit of everything -- ancient/historical sites, awe-inspiring locations, amazing food, and a once-in-a-lifetime bonding experience with your Lamorinda peers. Send your student on the trip of a lifetime where they become a global citizen who values travel and exploration.
 
For anyone interested in going on the trip to Europe NEXT summer (2026), please click here to preview the trip and to register.
 
And check out our Instagram page to see photos from the last two summers!
 
If you have any questions please reach out to Erin Barth or Tina Gullberg. This is not a school-sponsored trip.

Campus Culture Committee

Upcoming Important Dates:

• Women’s History Month (March)
• Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (March)
• Gender Equality Month (March)
• Feb 28 - Mar 29 Ramadan
• Mar 5 - Apr 17 Ash Wednesday and Lent
• Mar 14 Holi Celebrated
• Mar 16  Annual ACA Color Run/Holi Celebration! Go Dons! Register
• Mar 20 Nowruz- Persian New Year
• Mar 31 Trans Day of Visibility

Please join us as we celebrate the many religious holidays and festivals in our world this month. Along with that, we will spotlight some amazing women and celebrate those with developmental disabilities. If you have someone or something you would like to highlight please let us know here.
 
Ash Wednesday is a holy day of prayer and fasting in many Western Christian denominations. It is preceded by Shrove Tuesday and marks the first day of Lent, the six weeks of penitence before Easter.
 
Do you use Facetime or Zoom? Thank prolific inventor Marian Croak, owner of 200+ U.S. patents. Croak was one of the first two Black women to be inducted to the Inventors Hall of Fame. She is best known for developing Voice Over Internet Protocols (VoIP), technology that converts your voice into a digital signal. Among her inventions is the text-to-donate function which has helped to raise millions of dollars for disaster-relief efforts.

ALL ARE WELCOME HERE t-shirts are for sale! For just $20 you can support the Campus Culture Committee of APC while wearing a stylish black tee that lets everyone know what the Dons are all about. Reach out here for payment information and how to get your shirt. Available in M and L only at this time.

If you’d like to help with any celebrations or join in our cultural discussions, please contact the Campus Culture Committee here and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook to keep up to date with what the students are doing to celebrate all of these wonderful cultures and special dates.

Student Activities

SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEK:

• Monday @ lunch: Championship 3 v 3 staff/student basketball + Legally Blonde watch party to celebrate Women’s History month
• Tuesday @ lunch: Intramural Flag Football informational meeting in rm 314
• Wednesday @ lunch: Legally Blonde watch party to celebrate Women’s History month
• Thursday @ lunch: Frosh Carnival
• Friday academy: Enviro council on changing weather & water
• Friday @ lunch: Legally Blonde watch party to celebrate Women’s History month

UPCOMING:

• Color Run + Holi celebration: Mar 16 at 9am
  • Get your ticket on Go FAN today!
  • A wonderful community event
• Talent Show: Mar 18 at 7pm
  • A not to miss event for our community!
• Junior & Senior Prom: Apr 19
  • Get your ticket on Go Fan now before prices go up on Mar 28
  • Bus assignments start Mar 26 at lunch
• Special Olympics @ Acalanes: Apr 25
  • Volunteer opportunities are now open in room 314!
• Intramural girls flag football sign-ups: tournament play is Apr 27
  • Informational meeting this Tuesday at lunch in room 314

On Mar 7 during Academy, students are invited to room 314 to listen to a presentation on the changing weather and water on our planet. Students will be educated on how the environment has changed and what that will cause in the future. The purpose of the event is to show students what is going on around us, as well as ways to help fix it.
 
Join us on Mar 16 for Acalanes’ annual Color Run, a vibrant Hindu holiday Holi celebration sponsored by local businesses! The event features student speeches about Holi, an exciting raffle, and a 1 or 2 mile run through our campus course where participants will be showered with colorful powder, and plenty of snacks. This fun-filled day is a chance to celebrate culture, community, and school spirit while supporting the classes of 2026 & 2027. Tell your family and friends, spread the word, and make this our biggest Color Run! Go Dons! Register today!
 
Does your student have a small business? Would they be interested in selling used items? Do they want to make money? Then they should fill out this form for the Acalanes Makers Market in April (tentatively Apr 15) to show interest! This is a wonderful opportunity for clubs to fundraise and small businesses to expand their business.
 
The Enviro board is holding a prom dress drive this year through Mar 29. There will be two locations with bins where people can drop off prom dresses and accessories: the Lafayette Community Center and in front of the Acalanes attendance office. The dresses will go to the San Francisco Princess Project which distributes the prom dresses to people who need them.
 
Support the Garden Club and buy Acalanes grown succulents! Plants are purchased through the Acalanes webstore for $5.25. Once purchased you will receive an email with pick up instructions. Thanks for your support!

Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.
 
Katherine Walton, Activities Director

Counseling

Counselor assignments are by student last name:
A-F Anne Schonauer  
G-Ka Erika Vasquez
Ke-Re Marissa Meadows 
Rh-Z Susan Martin

8th Grade Appointments Counselors will be meeting with current 8th graders during the month of March to discuss transition to high school.
 
3rd Quarter ends on Mar 14 There are two weeks left in the third quarter of the school year! Continued eligibility for spring sports will be determined by the quarter grades the week of Mar 17.  

School Nurse

Adolescents need between 8-10 hours of sleep per night.  This supports optimal health, wellness, and academic success! I’ve included a few “sleep hygiene” tips below. Please let me know if I can give you information/support.

Tips for Better Teen Sleep

• Set a Consistent Bedtime: Aim for a regular sleep-wake schedule.
  • Parents: Help your student create a schedule that works for them.
• Limit Screen Time: Switch off devices 30 minutes before bed.
  • Parents: Offer to talk with your student about where they can recharge their devices overnight that is not within reach from their bed.
• Watch Caffeine & Late-Night Snacks: Both can disrupt deep sleep.
  • Parents: Schedule family dinner time to be finished by 7 pm so students can go to sleep by 10 pm.  It’s ideal to have 3 hours between finishing dinner and going to sleep.
• Create a Relaxing Wind-Down: Try reading, journaling, or light stretching before bed.
  • Parents: Does your student have a yoga mat, Kindle and/or journal? What a nice way to encourage them to have down time.
• Optimize the Bedroom: Keep it cool, dark, and quiet for solid rest.
  • Parents: Help your student design a sleep-promoting room.

(some information borrowed from @thebraindocs)

Please reach out to me for any support your students or family might need.

My office hours are:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and some* Thursdays
Tuesdays & Thursdays:  8am - 3:50pm
Wednesdays:  7:30am - 3:20pm

Always Your School Nurse,
Dvora Citron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org, 925-280-2970 x7128
IG: acalanesschoolnurse, ​School Nurse Website

Wellness Center

Did you know there is a difference between regular listening and active listening? Active listening differs from passive listening in the fact that you are intentionally going out of your way to show the speaker that they are being heard. Mastering the art of active listening can greatly improve all of your relationships, especially your relationship with your student. Instead of listening to your child intending to respond, try to listen to your child intending to understand what, exactly, they are trying to convey. Here are a few tips that might help you improve your active listening skills:

• Face the speaker and make eye contact while they are speaking.
• Pay attention to body language as well as verbal language.
• Listen without interrupting, judging or jumping to conclusions.
• Ask questions if you need clarification.
• Reflect back what is being said so the speaker knows you are understanding.
• Stay focused and don’t multitask.
• Don’t insert your opinions or solutions unless asked.

Most people, including your child, just want to be heard and supported. Taking the time to practice active listening and employ your skills with your student not only models good listening behaviors but supports the idea that you are a safe and trustworthy person for them to confide in.

Performing & Visual Arts

Announcing the Acalanes Performing Arts Boosters 2024-25 Senior Scholarship!
Seniors currently enrolled in an Acalanes performing arts class (Choral, Drama or Instrumental) are eligible to apply for this $1,000 scholarship. Additional requirements are:

• Must have been enrolled in an Acalanes performing arts class for two or more years
• Must have a minimum 3.0 GPA
• Must have an intent to major or minor in a performing arts program (e.g., Theatre Tech, Drama, Musicology, Music Education, Performance, Composition, etc.) in a community college, 4-year college, university or performing arts school or conservatory.

Download the application at AHSPerformingArts.org. Applications are due Monday Mar 24.

LPIE

Final Week to Enter Project LPIE!
Registration and entries are due Thursday, Mar 6. Cash prizes for 1st and 2nd place in every category! Awards announcement and reception for all entrants and their families and supporters will be on Friday, Apr 11 at 5pm in the Don Tatzin Community Hall at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center.
 
Enter Here:  https://www.lpie.org/project-lpie-acalanes
 
Acalanes Student Art Exhibition at the Lafayette Library
Lafayette Partners in Education (LPIE) is thrilled to showcase a special art installation created by the talented students of Acalanes High School! This collaborative project is a testament to their creativity, vision, and artistic expression, bringing a fresh and inspiring addition to our community space.

A heartfelt thank you to Acalanes art teacher Robert Porter for his dedication to fostering student creativity and for guiding this project with such passion and expertise. We also deeply appreciate our LPIE board members, Siena Naaman and Ivana Pignatelli, for their leadership and hard work in bringing this showcase to life, ensuring that these incredible student pieces are beautifully displayed for the community to enjoy. We are incredibly grateful for the collaboration between the Lafayette Public Art Commission and LPIE, which has made this meaningful exhibition possible.

The student artwork will be on display throughout March and April, and we invite everyone to stop by and appreciate the incredible talent of our young artists.

We hope you’ll take a moment to visit the Lafayette Library and celebrate the artistic achievements of our students!

Sports

Ticket sales for the 2025 Booster Bash are LIVE! Remember to text the friends you huddled with in the cold while cheering on our Dons athletes so you all buy tickets to the Booster event of the year - April 26 at the Circle G Ranch! https://acalanesboosters.ejoinme.org/PurchaseTickets

*The game schedule below reflects dates and times as of last Friday. Games may change for several reasons, including weather. If you have questions or comments, please contact Acalanes Sports Boosters.

This week’s can’t miss events:
 
Girls basketball
Tuesday, Mar 4 or Wednesday, Mar 5 CIF NorCal first round.
Saturday, Mar 8 CIF NorCal Semifinal.
 
Boys golf
Monday, Mar 3 Albany HS at Contra Costa CC 3pm.
Tuesday, Mar 4 Foothill HS at Castlewood CC 3:30pm.
Wednesday, Mar 5 Bentley HS at Rossmoor GC 3:30pm.
Wednesday, Mar 5 JV Tournament at Bridges GC.
Friday, Mar 7 JV v. Northgate HS 3:30pm.
 
Boys tennis
Monday, Mar 3 Varsity hosts Branson HS at 3:30pm.
Tuesday, Mar 4 Heritage HS at 3:30pm. Varsity away and JV home.
Friday, Mar 7 and Saturday, Mar 8  Fresno Invitational.
 
Baseball
Tuesday, Mar 4 St. Ignatius HS at 3:30pm. Varsity away and JV home.
Saturday, Mar 8 at Berkeley HS at 10am and 12:30pm.
 
Softball
Tuesday, Mar 4 Encinal HS at 3:30pm. Varsity home and JV away.
Thursday, Mar 6 Las Lomas HS at 3:30pm. Varsity away and JV home.
 
Boys volleyball
Tuesday, Mar 4 host Monte Vista HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 6:30pm.
Wednesday, Mar 5 host Freedom HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 6:30pm.
 
Boys lacrosse
Tuesday, Mar 4 host Sacred Heart Cathedral HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Friday, Mar 7 at Bishop O’Dowd HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
 
Girls lacrosse
Tuesday, Mar 4 at Monte Vista HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Friday, March 7 host Carondelet HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
 
Track & field
Thursday, Mar 6 at California HS at 3:30pm.
Saturday, Mar 8 host Bob Warren Relays.
 
Stunt
Friday, Mar 7 Alhambra HS at Clayton Valley Charter HS at 8pm.

You may view the full 2024-2025 Athletic Schedule by clicking HERE.

College & Career

Seniors

• Please encourage your senior to update their admissions’ decisions on MaiaLearning. This is important!

Juniors: During the following academy sessions, juniors will be called into the library by last name to learn how to use our college planning tool, MaiaLearning. Feb 26 (G-Ka), Feb 28 (Ke-Re), Mar 7 (A-F), and Mar 19 (Rh-Z)

General Administration Announcements

We are still looking for parents, alumni, and community members to join us for our highly anticipated Career Fair on Wednesday, Mar 12 at 10am. This is an important event for our students to learn more about career options. We'd love to have you join us!  Please contact Debbie Levy at dlevy@auhsdschools.org if you are available.

APC in Action

February APC Dons Dialogue
Thank you to all who attended our Dons Dialogue on Friday, Feb 21. It was a great turnout. This month's topics included Artificial Intelligence update, No Hate Speech zone discussion, CAASP Testing review, Student Activities report and Q&A with Principal Shawn. If you were not able to attend, here are the slides and video from the discussion.
 
Thank you to our APC Hospitality Co-Chairs, Mia Heglie and Monica Stassi, for providing the welcoming coffee and treats! The next Dons Dialogue will be on Friday, March 21.  Click here for the full schedule of upcoming Dons Dialogues.
 

Acalanes Student Community Service Awards: Deadline Friday, Apr 18
The Acalanes community service awards program year is in full swing so please make sure your students are logging those hours!  It’s a great opportunity for students to give back AND be recognized for their service. Students who volunteer at least 30 qualifying hours by Apr 18 will get an Acalanes Service Award and there is an opportunity to receive a Presidential Service Award with additional levels of service hours. For more information on how to create a Helper Helper account, what qualifies as community service, and the additional requirements for a Presidential Service Award, please check out our volunteer website or email communityservice@acalanesparentsclub.com with any questions. Please remember that your student’s hours must be entered AND validated by their supervisor by the deadline.
 
Follow Acalanes Parents Club on Instagram. Please reach out to APC here with any questions.

Campus Culture Committee

Upcoming Important Dates

• February: Black Excellence Month
• Feb 24 Campus Culture Committee Meeting
• Feb 28-Mar 29: Ramadan

Black Excellence Month continues with BSU student meetings each Wednesday of February. Please support them by encouraging your students to attend the club’s events, especially the Quad City Dance this Friday night on 2/28. It is the only event for all ages and all schools in our district! Please visit the Sign Up Genius to help our students make this a successful event.

Monday, Feb 24 is our next Campus Culture Committee meeting at 6pm in the Collaboration Center. Parents and guardians of all current Acalanes students are invited to attend.

Ramadan is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting (sawm), prayer (salah), reflection, and community. Occurring during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, it is a commemoration of Muhammad's first revelation, the annual observance of Ramadan is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam and lasts twenty-nine to thirty days, from one sighting of the crescent moon to the next. Please let your students know that cafeteria staff will have lunch boxes for students to take home that are observing the fast during the day.

ALL ARE WELCOME HERE T-shirts have arrived! For just $20 you can support the Campus Culture Committee of APC while wearing a stylish black T that lets everyone know what the Dons are all about. Reach out here for payment information and how to get your shirt. Available in M and L only at this time.

If you’d like to help with any celebrations or join in our cultural discussions, please contact the Campus Culture Committee here and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook to keep up to date with what the students are doing to celebrate all of these wonderful cultures and special dates.