• LPIE

    October 30, 2020

    The LPIE Podcast series turns its attention this week to the arc of student growth into adulthood.
    Though Acalanes students have made it through the middle school years, Episode 4's focus on Stanley Middle School gives us good insights into how to prioritize the whole student, regardless of where our children are in their growth path. Adam speaks with three prominent Stanley staff members, Stanley Principal Betsy Balmat, Counselor Mary Nolan, and Psychologist Melodi Dewey. The panel explains how distance learning has provided a unique opportunity to reach the entire student body, enabling staff to foster communities and create spaces to check-in and discuss topics and issues that are relevant to students right now on a weekly basis – both personal and academic. Click here to listen!

    Laura-Kate Rurka & Jennifer Palmer
    Acalanes LPIE School Chairs

    www.lpie.org

  • APC in Action

    October 23, 2020

    Online Peer Tutoring
    Now is a great time to remind your student to take advantage of Peer Tutoring. Thanks to your APC donations, Peer Tutoring is FREE and available for all academic subjects. No appointment is necessary and it’s easy to participate. Click here for the schedule. Students can access Peer Tutoring using the link emailed through Canvas every Monday morning.

  • Acalanes Community Always (ACA)

    October 23, 2020

    Thursday, Oct 29 at 6:50pm - ACA Night at the Drive-In Movies, Solano Drive In
    Mark your calendars for the final celebration of ACAtober! Join your friends & family (socially distanced) for a fun movie night under the stars! The theater is showing Monster House, an animated family movie that is perfect for Halloween. We encourage you to get there a few minutes early!

    ACA E-Thanks to Acalanes Teachers & Staff
    The first quarter is over and November will focus on gratitude and giving back. Let’s let our awesome teachers and staff know NOW how much we all appreciate what they do for our students. This week, please email at least one - if not all! - of your student’s teachers with a brief note of thanks. Not sure what to write? It can be as simple as: “Thank you for all you’re doing to help support my student during Distance Learning. Your efforts are thoroughly appreciated.” Emails to Acalanes administrators and staff are encouraged too!

    Questions, comments or feedback, email aca@acalanesparentsclub.com.

  • Parent Cohort Preview from AHS Admin

    October 23, 2020

    Tomorrow’s Monday Cohort focuses on how to have hard conversations. Encourage your student to continue the dialogue at lunch on Wednesday with Keith Hawkins. It will be facilitated by two student leaders, Scott Ruegg & Claire Rowell.

  • Legislative News

    October 23, 2020

    Have you sent your ballot in yet? Don’t delay - get those votes counted! In addition to the presidential election, there are several critical state propositions and local elections which will directly affect our schools and students, so be sure to fill out your entire ballot.  

    Prop 15: California Schools and Local Communities Funding Act
    This initiative, which is supported by the California Teachers Association, endorsed by Governor Newsom, and opposed by the California Business Roundtable, would require commercial and industrial real estate property worth $3 million or more to be taxed on current market value. This money would be allocated to schools (40%) and other local governments (60%). It is estimated to result in $11.5 billion in additional funding statewide, and between $1.9 million and $3.4 million for AUHSD. For more information see: Quick Guide: Proposition 15, the proposed ’split-roll’ tax on commercial property.   

    Prop 16: Repeal Proposition 209 – Restore Affirmative Action
    This constitutional amendment would permit the use of race, gender, and ethnic diversity as factors (but not decisive factors) in education including college admissions, government hiring, and government contracting. CSU Trustees endorse repeal of affirmative action ban. For more information, see: Proposition 16 — Allow Public Agencies to Consider Diversity.  

    You can also find impartial analysis of all the propositions at https://votersedge.org/ca. 

  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)

    October 23, 2020

    Week TEN in the Challenge to Build Habits Supporting Racial Equity:
    What is implicit bias and how does it work? Watch here. (8-minute YouTube video)

    Support Lamorinda Community for Racial Equity
    Buy a great T-shirt created by local residents. Proceeds will be donated to the     Tides Foundation for Black Lives Matter. Sale ends this Wednesday, Oct 28. Purchase here!

    Lafayette School District Equity Committee
    Be sure to watch this inspiring video produced by this grassroots parent movement that collaborates with Lamorinda school districts and across all sectors of our community. 

    Subscribe to the New LPIE Podcast Series!
    The latest episode features Acalanes Ethnic Studies and Leadership teacher Katherine Walton. In this episode, Ms. Walton talks about equity, campus climate, inclusion, and the support that she receives from LPIE and the school administration for her DEI efforts.

    Tuesday, Nov 10 from 7-8:30pm - AUHSD DEI Book Club
    There is still time to read and join the book club discussion! The book selection is “Across that Bridge: Life Lessons and a Vision for Change” by late Congressman John Lewis. Sign up here. Please consider purchasing the book from Orinda Books.

    Monday, Nov 16 from 7-8:30pm - Racial Equity Workshop #2 with Dr. Watson
    This session will further explore language around race and identity. There are just a few spots available! (After the second session, registration will close, so be sure to sign up soon.) To secure your spot, register     here. 

    We are social! Come join us @acalanesdei on Facebook and be sure to follow us @acalanesdei on Instagram too!

  • From the Activities Director

    October 23, 2020

    ACA Spirit Week: Wicked Week October 26-30
    Students have a very fun spirit week planned and there are multiple ways to get involved and engaged. The week will be a competition in cohorts. Cohorts will compete in daily challenges including GooseChase (scavenger hunt), dress up days, and two lunchtime activities. In addition, we have four evening activities planned throughout the week. 

    MONDAY, OCTOBER 26 

    • Cohort GooseChase Competition Begins - Encourage your student to opt in to the scavenger hunt via GooseChase. Students & their cohort teacher will compete against other cohorts for points to crown the winner at the end of the week. It is a great opportunity to connect with students & staff and have a little bit of fun. Every day new challenges are released through the goosechase app.

    • Acalanes Walk Through Haunted House 6-8pm - Students MUST sign-up ahead of time via the sign-up genius. 

    TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27

    • Cohort GooseChase Continues (check your app for details)
    • Lunch - Staff-student Shark Tank. Students will compete along with staff members to pitch their best invention to the judges (aka admin team). Encourage your student to opt in.

    WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28 

    • Cohort GooseChase Continues (check your app for details)
    • All day - Our first dress-up day of the week is Wacky Wednesday. Consider making it a household dress-up day!

    • Lunch Live with Keith Hawkins. Our last lunch to dialogue with Keith and the last 2 have been so powerful, real & uplifting. Please encourage your student to attend. 

    THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29 

    • Cohort GooseChase Continues (check your app for details)

    • ACA Night at the Drive-In 6:50pm - Don’t miss out on watching Monster House as a community at the Concord drive-in.

    FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30 

    • Last day - Cohort GooseChase (check your app for details)
    • All day Dress up Day: Recreate a childhood costume. 
    • Lunch - Join the zoom as we watch students compete in bathtub boat races. Boats are made out of cardboard and duct tape and we will see which boat can hold the most dried beans. Should be fun!

    • Virtual Rally 7 pm

    Oct 16-30 - Canned Food Drive for the Contra Costa Food Bank
    Bins are at the Acalanes flag pole. For a quick look at the need for our support, check out the Food Bank’s August report.

    Friday, Oct 30 during Academy
    Is your student interested in issues of equity or wanting a place to dialogue more about it? Encourage them to attend the Acalanes student equity council. Club Presidents and equity student leaders meet monthly to engage, hear updates and more. This month our admin team will be sharing more about the Bias Incident reporting system and reports for the months of August and September.

    The tech board within leadership is creating an equity documentary series to highlight equity clubs and current issues in our nation, in our community, and on our campus. The first video features our Black Student Union and students from the club. Please take 10 minutes to listen and reflect on the students' powerful narratives. Find the video here.

    Take a minute to read the October equity newsletter. 

    2020-2021 Clubs
    Club meetings continue this week. Encourage your student to attend even if they missed the first meeting last week. Check out our 45 clubs!

    Save the Date: Equity Week Nov 16-20

    • Wednesday, Nov 18 at 7pm - “ Be an upstander, not a bystander” Equity speaker Lori Hayes will join us to dialogue about how we can address issues of equity on our campus and in our community. Register here!
    • Everyday, our equity clubs will be holding lunchtime events that will allow students to engage in education and dialogue about various issues of equity. Stay tuned for the calendar of events!

    If I can ever do anything to help you or your student, don’t hesitate to reach out!
    Katherine Walton, Student Activities Director