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APC in Action
Finals Fuel - We’re Almost There!
Thank you to all the families who have already contributed. We are close, but still need some more help to pull off this beloved Acalanes/APC tradition.
Help our students finish strong by providing snacks in between their finals. You can help refuel and recharge our Dons in several ways:- Purchase snacks now and deliver to a residence near AHS
- Purchase snacks from our Amazon wish list and items will be sent directly to a residence for transport to AHS
- Donate money and we’ll shop for you: Venmo @Stephanie-Asadorian (any amount is welcome and appreciated)
- Volunteer to hand out snacks on campus Wednesday, Dec 18 - Friday, Dec 20
Please click on the SignUpGenius and/or Amazon Wish List to help.
Contact Regan Scovic and Stephanie Asadorian with any questions. Thank you in advance for your support! -
Parents Club Pro-Tip
Here are some valuable pro-tips from seasoned student leaders that we want to share:
- Check in with your students about finals. Encourage them to take advantage of the many resources available to help study and de-stress. Visit the APC website for a reminder of resources available. You can even print the handy exam schedule here.
- Encourage your student to visit the RogerHub website to utilize their Final Grade Calculator. Some students find it helpful to calculate what score they need to achieve on their final exam in order to get the semester grade they desire in the class.
Let’s face it, finals can be a stressful time not only for our students, but also us parents, so hang in there!
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Campus Culture Committee
Important December Dates
- Dec 21 Winter Solstice
- Dec 25 Christmas
- Dec 25-Jan 2 Hanukkah
- Dec 26-Jan 8 Kwanzaa
The winter solstice, also called the hibernal solstice, occurs when either of earth's poles reaches its maximum tilt away from the sun. Since prehistory, the winter solstice has been a significant time of year in many cultures and has been marked by festivals and rites. This is because it is the point when the shortening of daylight hours is reversed and daytime begins to lengthen again. In parts of Europe it was seen as the symbolic death and rebirth of the sun. Some ancient monuments such as Newgrange, Stonehenge, Cahokia Woodhenge and Ahu Tongariki are aligned with the sunrise or sunset on the winter solstice.
Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa will all be celebrated during our winter break and we wish all who celebrate times full of joy and peace. To learn more about each celebration please click on the holiday above.
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
I am so proud of our students and our community - what an incredible first semester! There is a long (and I do mean long) list of why our community ROCKS and YOU are one of those reasons. Thank you for your support of so many things on our campus!
This semester has truly been wonderful and makes us all very excited to come back and kick off 2nd semester Jan 7, 2025. There are some pretty awesome things in store. For a small taste, see the list below and mark those calendars!
KEY 2ND SEMESTER DATES:
Jan 24: Senior Breakfast + All School Rally + Boys Basketball vs. Campo
Jan 29 @ lunch: Spring Club Day
Jan 30: Open House
March: 1st ever community rally (date TBD)
Mar 18: Talent Show
Ap 18: Special Olympics
Apr 19: Junior & Senior Prom
Apr 23-26: School Musical
Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.
Katherine Walton, Activities Director -
College & Career
Senior Scholarships
- Outstanding musician scholarship with a disability (deadline Jan 8)
- AAUW scholarship for a female senior with significant community service
- Tri Counties Bank scholarship for seniors with financial need or merit
Frosh/Sophomores: Parents, please join us for our 9th and 10th Grade Parent Night on Thursday, Jan 16 from 6:30-7:30pm in the library. We will cover essential information on course selection, graduation/4-year college requirements, and provide a brief overview of course offerings. We will also introduce our College and Career Center and highlight the resources available to support your student’s academic and career planning. Looking forward to seeing all of you.
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Counseling
Counselor assignments are by student last name:
A-F Anne Schonauer
G-Ka Erika Vasquez
Ke-Re Marissa Meadows
Rh-Z Susan MartinWishing everyone the best of luck with final exams! Here is the finals schedule.
Final semester grades will be available on Friday, Jan 10. Transcripts will be updated, and mid-year reports for Common Application schools will be sent for seniors’ college applications.
Juniors ONLY SAT in March - REGISTER NOW: The webstore link is now live/activated to pay for SAT fees for juniors only. The price per exam is $60 and is scheduled during the school day on Wednesday, Mar 5, 2025. The deadline to submit payment through the webstore is Monday, Jan 6, 2025. Your webstore receipt is your confirmation of your registration. If you have any questions, please contact our Testing Coordinator, Jamielle McDonald by email jmcdonald@auhsdschools.org. -
School Nurse
SUPPORTING YOUR STUDENTS DURING FINALS
Sometimes less is more, which doesn’t always feel intuitive. Support your students in taking breaks when studying. Go for a walk, have a healthy snack (keep those available), stay well hydrated and do a mindfulness practice (try the CALM app). Making sure to have family meals also gives your students a chance to connect with you while eating healthy food, have downtime from studying, and to “release”.
Also, this is a good time to think about making appointments for regular MD check-ups for the upcoming year. Fostering your student’s connection with their pediatrician cultivates their sense of support and commitment to health and well-being.
My office hours are:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and some* Thursdays
Tuesdays & Thursdays: 8am - 3:50pm
Wednesdays: 7:30am - 3:20pmAlways Your School Nurse,
Dvora Citron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org, 925-280-2970 x7128
IG: acalanesschoolnurse, School Nurse Website -
Wellness Center
The Acalanes Wellness Center wishes you a happy holiday season! We will be open for students needing support during finals with a modified schedule:
Monday: Regular Hours
Tuesday-Friday: 8am-1:30pm
While winter break is a great time for self-care and connection, this time of year can also be difficult for many. Thankfully, the CCCOE Wellness In Schools Program(WISP) has done the heavy lifting on compiling a list of easy to access local and national resources should you find your AHS student in need while away from school.
As always, dialing 211 will connect you with a database of community resources including Contra Costa Crisis Center and dialing 988 will connect you to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. -
Performing & Visual Arts
Acalanes Performing Arts Boosters would like to recognize the 16 Acalanes musicians who were selected for the prestigious Contra Costa County Honor Band. Acalanes Instrumental Music Dons made a record showing this year and we look forward to their concert in February!
Koto Watanabe, Flute*
Serina Eun, Clarinet*
Monique Khouw, Clarinet*
Noah Frankel, Clarinet
Claire George, Clarinet
Melina Galacatos, Bass Clarinet*
Emme Young, Bass Clarinet
Aya Watanabe, Bassoon
Jonathan Judson, Tenor Saxophone
Bennett George, Trumpet
Emerson Boudreau, Horn
Harrison Mrachek, Horn
Emmett Brummel, Trombone*
Leah Dong, Tuba
Jake Rennie, Percussion
Naoto Watanabe, Percussion
Asterisk indicates 1st Chair - Principal -
LPIE
Pinstripes in Walnut Creek is OPEN and the LPIE Bowling Tournament is ON!
Kick-off Super Bowl weekend on Friday, Feb 7, 2025 at 6pm by joining us for some bowling fun! We will take over the 2nd floor of Pinstripes, enjoy an evening filled with bowling, drinks, a delicious buffet-style dinner from Pinstripes’ scratch kitchen, and vie for a chance to be the LPIE bowling champ! Tickets go on sale Tuesday, Dec 17 at 9am. Grab a friend and check out the new Pinstripes while raising money for our schools!
Social Media
