Weekly News & Announcements

School Nurse

Happy 2022 Acalanes! It’s traditional to start off the new year with resolutions for good health. It’s possible the current COVID surge has already thrown a wrench in your plans.  Despite our vaccination status and attempts to stay safe and healthy, many of us have friends and family who’ve had Covid or even had it ourselves.  It’s still important for us to set an intention to maximize our health and wellness, and to cultivate those practices we know will support that- healthy eating, optimal sleep, exercise, calm practices (meditation, yoga), connection, to name the most important.

COVID VACCINE
Most students are now eligible to get boosters - PLEASE DO!!!   Despite the burden of COVID virus, our community is working hard to stay healthy and the high vaccination rate and observance of health department guidelines makes a significant difference and helps keep students in school learning. If  you haven’t yet, please submit your students’ COVID vaccine records.

COVID isolation, quarantines, and test kits:  The current guidelines for return to school after COVID illness require a negative COVIDt (if returning before 10 days). School sites do NOT have more test kits to distribute. Please see Principal Shawn’s COVID FAQ’s and Dr. Nickerson’s Covid Update for more details.

Make sure you always have your proof of vaccination - Try this site: https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov/  iPhone users: you can now put your vaccinationrecord in your Apple Health app (and Apple Wallet).

This week’s recipe Chocolate Pie (we all need a “little” indulgence once in a while).

Please be in touch with me to discuss any medical, health, or wellness concerns. Stay healthy and be well.

Dvora Citron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org
925-280-2970 x7128
Acalanes School Nurse Google Site
IG:  acalanesschoolnurse

LPIE

Happy New Year! It's that time of year when the kids get back to work in the classroom and LPIE is also hard at work keeping our Lafayette schools flourishing with exceptional programming and funding.
 
One way you can help to grow your child's education is by contributing to our spectacular LPIE Gala on April 23, 2022 at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco. It will feature both a live and silent auction and many prize-winning opportunities. We hope every one of our Lafayette families will contribute to the auction as it is this dedicated community who provides the donations and prizes for this successful event.
 
We are grateful for any auction items you would be willing to donate...nothing is too small! Ideas include- gift certificates, fine wine, event tickets, connection to a vacation home or trip and unique experiences.
 
The money raised from this year’s LPIE Gala will help us meet the $3.5 million goal that supports academic and enrichment curriculum in our six public schools. We cannot do this without you! Please contact Danielle Gallagher or Michelle Berolzheimer to coordinate auction donations or Pay to Play parties or click here to fill out a donation form. Thank you for your support!
 
Jennifer Palmer and Michele Colaco, Acalanes LPIE School Chairs
www.lpie.org, Follow us on Instagram

Sports

Saturday, Mar 19 at Contra Costa Country Club, 2022 Luck of the Dons Booster Bash. The leprechauns made us do it! The Booster Bash is back! Come shake your shamrock at the Bash, which will include dinner, dancing, and other festive activities. May the Luck of the Dons be with you! Boosters support EVERY SINGLE ATHLETE AND TEAM at Acalanes, and the Bash is our largest FUNdraiser of the year. Tickets go on sale Tuesday, Jan 18th at 10am. More info to come soon!
 
Boys basketball
Tuesday, Jan 11 host Las Lomas HS. Freshmen at 4pm, JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Saturday, Jan 15 Tamalpais HS in the MLK Shootout at Berkeley HS at 11:30am.

Girls basketball
Tuesday, Jan 11 at Las Lomas HS. JV at 5:30 pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Saturday, Jan 15 Carondelet Jamboree.

Girls soccer
Tuesday, Jan 11 host Las Lomas HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Thursday, Jan 13 host Ygnacio Valley HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.

Boys soccer
Thursday, Jan 13 at Campolindo HS. Freshmen at 3:30 pm, JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Saturday, Jan 15 host College Park HS. Freshmen at 12pm, JV at 2pm and Varsity at 4pm.

Wrestling
Wednesday, Jan 12 Campolindo HS at Miramonte HS at 5pm.
Saturday, Jan 15 Kermit Bankson Invitational at Albany HS.

Click here for the full Winter Sports Schedule (subject to change)

APC in Action

Hot Lunch Help 
We will continue to support our Cafe Staff this semester on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays. This is a great way to get on campus and see our students in action. Ideally, we need 4 parents from 12:45 to 1:15 pm to help serve lunch and provide line management so that our staff & administration can focus elsewhere.  Please sign up here if you are able to lend a hand.  

Nominating Committee Volunteers NEEDED!
APC Nominating Committee needs your help! We are looking for volunteers to join the 2022 Nominating Committee to help fill our 2022-2023 APC Board. This role has small time commitment with large importance. The committee will begin shortly after we return from Winter Break. To volunteer, please contact Angela Ketcham, APC Parliamentarian at theketchams@sbcglobal.net or 925-286-9907. We look forward to working with you! We can’t do it without you!

A huge thank you to our volunteers who kicked it into high gear before the break!
Kendra Uffleman and Jennifer McCarthy created a magical morning for staff with APC’s Annual Staff Cookie Exchange and Amy Madrigal and Ruth Donner coordinated donations and volunteers for Finals Fuel for our students. Thank you for wrapping up the semester for our students and staff on a high note! 

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)

How did you celebrate New Year’s? Counting down the seconds to the “ball drop” in New York has become a popular tradition in this country that came about in the early 20th century. Event organizers had to come up with a new plan after the ban on fireworks was put in place. 

Different cultures ring in the new year in many different ways, with most customs intended to instill hope, optimism, and luck for their communities in the year ahead. Many Chinese Americans celebrate the Lunar New Year, the most important holiday in China, observed by millions of people around the world. Some Colombian Americans carry empty suitcases at midnight in hopes of bringing a year full of travel. Greek Americans might eat Vasilopita, or Saint Basil’s cake, baked with a silver or gold coin inside to bring its finder good luck throughout the year. 

However your family celebrates, Happy New Year!

Parent Education

You made it through 2021 which is no small feat! Now take a deep breath and center...here comes 2022!

ICYMI, here is a recording of Colin Seale’s talk - The Question is the Answer: Practical Strategies to Unleash Critical Thinking at Home, hosted by MVLA’s parent speaker series.

Thursday, Jan 20 at 6:30 pm via Zoom The Well-Balanced Student with Laura Easley and Douglas Tsoi (Challenge Success)
When we are too focused on grades and performance, we deny our children the time and energy they need to tackle the demanding work of growing up. In this presentation, you’ll learn how you can establish a healthier home environment for your school-aged child, reduce academic stress without sacrificing achievement, and increase your child’s resilience, creativity, and well-being. This talk is especially timely given all of the challenges our teens have had to face through the pandemic. Registration information to follow soon. 

Finally, if your teen is struggling with academics or feeling down or frustrated about school, don’t forget to connect with our Counselors, our Nurse, and our Wellness Center.

Feel free to reach out and connect with us with ideas for future topics, shareable resources, or thoughts at parented@acalanesparentsclub.com.