• Wellness Center

    May 10, 2020

    We’re having many rewarding interactions with students right now that are interesting for two reasons. Firstly, we notice how productive it is for them to name their challenges right now. Whether it’s procrastination or motivation or fear over uncertainty, they feel better just by voicing it and having the news met with understanding (versus judgment or advice). “That makes sense because this is hard!” is the best response you can offer. The second interesting thing is that by being curious and asking follow up questions we find that they have many answers to the challenges presented by the shelter-in-place. What is in short supply for them right now is self-kindness.

    Finally, we must share The Importance of Safe Gun Storage During the COVID-19 Pandemic. If you have them in your home, make sure firearms are locked, unloaded, and stored separately from ammunition.

     

  • Co-Presidents’ Message

    May 10, 2020
    Happy Mother’s Day to all the special Dons Moms! Our families and community are fortunate to have so many supportive, engaged moms supporting all things Acalanes - especially Moms who are working hard to recognize their seniors.  The second Dons Dialogue Webinar was as equally successful as the first and we appreciate the almost 200 parents who took the time to participate. If you missed it and would like to check out the content, you can find a webinar video here.   Principal Bell provided an overview of the current plan for the Class of 2020 Graduation during the webinar and the good news is there will indeed be a live graduation on campus! While it won’t look the same as graduations in year’s past, our seniors will have the chance to walk across the stage and receive their diploma on Thursday, June 4. We are fortunate that Mr. Bell and his leadership team have figured out a way to let our seniors safely walk while so many schools across the state have migrated to a postponed or virtual graduation.  The Community Can’t Be Canceled campaign continues in earnest with the following efforts:
    • AUHSD Food Drive The drive met and exceeded every expectation raising over $16.5K along with a donation of 4,500 pounds of food (2,800 from the AHS food bins). AUHSD was the TOP fundraising team in the area thanks to you opening up your wallets and pantries to support the effort. 
    • Lafayette Community Foundation Matching Grants Program LCF has raised a record $45,000 in the month of April which includes AHS family donations! This will allow LCF to award more than $120K in grants to nonprofits in the next several weeks. 
    • Paint the Town Blue Cowgirl Parade! Tomorrow, May 11, the Farmyard Darlings will be “Painting the Town Blue” by parading through Lafayette on horseback arriving at The Coop 32 at 12:30pm followed by stops at Zoonies (horses love peppermint) and Diablo Foods. While practicing social distancing, you can check out their twist on Community Can’t Be Canceled!
    Finally, we’d like to acknowledge the talented AHS student winners of the Project LPIE. From photography to essay writing and so much more, you can check out the student award winners here.  Dawn Brightbill and Sarah Cusumano

  • Acalanes Community Always

    May 10, 2020

    Thanks to your tremendous support, your donations of cash and food will provide 53,000 meals to our neighbors in need, far surpassing the goal our district set in partnership with the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano Counties. If you would still like to donate, it’s never too late. #DonsShowUp

     

  • Acalanes Community Always

    May 10, 2020

    Mother’s Day is today, Sunday, May 10, and Lafayette retailers have put together some last-minute gift ideas in case you haven’t found the perfect gift for your Mom. You can check out a selection of gifts from local businesses on the Lafayette Chamber’s website here. Buying local helps our Lafayette businesses survive and provides sales tax dollars to the City of Lafayette.

     

  • General Announcments

    May 10, 2020

    We have a handful of positions open to finalize our team for next year. Please let Nominating Committee Chair Meg Fellner know if you’re interested in one of the following roles:

    • Student Directory/Parent Handbook Coordinator: We are considering an online directory option and are looking for someone who can research options and manage the student directory & parent handbook process. 
    • Volunteer List Coordinator: This is a great small role for a new(er) parent to get their feet wet. Responsibilities include breaking down of the volunteer file from Dons Day into smaller lists by event (e.g., teacher appreciation, Dons, Day, hospitality, Concessions) and emailing lists to the appropriate coordinators. 

  • General Announcements

    May 10, 2020

    With summer on the horizon, we know many students will have job opportunities, which includes submitting work permits to employers. Please keep this information handy as it details what working students need to do.

    1. Download this California Work Permit.
    2. Students fill out and sign the student information; parents and employers fill out and sign their respective sections.  
    3. Scan the work permit to both Mrs. Perlman and Mrs. Gullberg in the main office. 
    4. Once Mrs. Perlman and Mrs. Gullberg receive and process your application, it will then be available for pickup on Mondays and Thursdays from 11am - 1pm in the main office.  

    Call us or email us with any questions - we are always here for you.
    Mrs. Gullberg - 925.280.3970 ext. 7126 or tgullberg@auhsdschools.org 
    Mrs. Perlman - 925.280.3970 ext. 7125 or jperlman@auhsdschools.org

     

  • Membership & Fundraising

    May 10, 2020
    There’s no better way to honor a Don than with a customized 2020 Legacy Brick on our Dons Legacy Wall. Prominently displayed in the Main Quad, our Dons Legacy Wall provides families a lasting way to recognize their special student, teacher, coach, team, performance group, club and more. Purchase your brick through the Acalanes Web Store for $200 until May 15; after that, pricing reverts back to the original cost of $250. Questions? Contact Legacy Brick Coordinator Melissa Arends.

  • Counseling

    May 4, 2020
    Counselors Counselors are working from home and are still here to support our students. We miss seeing our students! Please contact us if you have questions or want to check in. DVC summer classes Diablo Valley College (DVC) published a schedule of summer classes. It looks like they are preparing to offer all summer classes online. If your student is looking to take a college course for enrichment purposes, it could be a good opportunity. Students need to apply to DVC online ahead of time. Check back with DVC after May 4 for a paperless concurrent enrollment process. Transcripts Students can still request official transcripts on the webstore. Our registrar is processing requests regularly. Unofficial transcripts can be requested from our registrar or a counselor. Community Resources We want to remind you of some valuable community resources:
    • 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.