• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)

    September 24, 2020

    It’s week six in our challenge to build habits supporting racial equity. Join us in celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month! 

    For week six, listen to NPR episode “Latinx Monuments We’d Like to See”. Ivy Queen, Jean-Michel Basquiet and Maria from Sesame Street are just a few of the Latinx featured in this episode. (28 minutes)

    Tuesday, Nov 10 from 7-8:30 - AUHSD Book Club Across that Bridge: Life Lessons and a Vision for Change by late Congressman John Lewis
    Thanks to everyone who participated in the book club last Tuesday, discussing How to Be An Antiracist by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi. The next AUHSD DEI Book Club book is Across that Bridge: Life Lessons and a Vision for Change by late Congressman John Lewis. Sign up here.

    Thursday, Oct 1 from 7-8:30pm - Parent Racial Equity Seminar Series - Session 1 (see the flyer here!)
    This Acalanes parent-specific series led by Dr. Lori A. Watson allows parents to intimately explore issues of race and identity, and gives us the tools to speak with our children, friends, and community members about this often difficult, uncomfortable topic. Spaces are limited to the first 50 people who sign up. Participants are encouraged to sign up for at least four sessions. Click here for the Google form with more information and to sign up. Series dates are:

    • Thursday, October 1
    • Monday, November 16 
    • Tuesday, January 19
    • Tuesday, February 9  
    • Wednesday, March 3 
    • Thursday, May 6

    Interested in joining our committee? Have questions? Email us.

  • Membership & Fundraising

    September 24, 2020

    October 16-31 - Virtual Lafayette Res Run For Education
    The Lafayette Chamber and the City of Lafayette co-sponsor the Lafayette Res Run for Education, traditionally held on an October Sunday. Due to COVID-19, the legendary race will be a virtual one this year, held from October 16-31, 2020. Join us for one of four races: 5k, 10k, 2 mile walk/run, or the 2.7 mile reservoir run/walk. Registration for all races is $25; reference Acalanes when you register and a portion of your fees go straight to our school. Race packets include the must-have traditional long sleeve t-shirt and race bib. Zoonies, the newest ASB Spirit Card partner, has a gift for the first 100 sign-ups from Acalanes (thank you, Zoonies!) Support Acalanes and     sign up now. Go Dons!

    If you have any questions, please contact VP Fundraising Kelly Daggs.

  • From the Activities Director

    September 24, 2020

    Student Activities Update for the Week (video)

    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 44 clubs!

    Through Monday, Oct 5 - School Supplies Drive for Stege
    Acalanes is holding a supplies drive for Stege Elementary School, our sister school since 2013. Each year we make personal bags for every student at Stege and work with their administration to hand them out. This year we are collecting pencils, erasers, crayons and colored pencils between now and October 5. There are bins at the flagpole. From 4-5 pm on Friday, Oct 2 and Monday, Oct 5, we will collect money as well as physical supplies. Soon, we will accept donations via the Acalanes Web Store. Thank you for your support.

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

    Katherine Walton, Student Activities Director

  • Wellness Center

    September 24, 2020

    Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Awareness
    In tomorrow’s Cohort Academy, students will be exploring this topic, and you will receive more information from Principal Bell about it. 

    Suicide can be a scary topic for parents to think about and discuss. You have our compassionate understanding on that! As mental health support professionals, we also know that it’s essential to talk about the reality of mental health challenges and suicidal ideation in adolescence. And it’s critical to know the signs and how to help. Being open about suicide does NOT cause a person to contemplate it more seriously. That’s one of the many myths surrounding suicide, and mental health challenges that we can all play a role in dispelling. 

    The Wellness Team will provide the content and resources for Monday’s discussion, and you can ask your student to share with you what they learned. To help you with the conversation, visit this resource from a wonderful organization called Each Mind Matters. If your student misses Cohort Academy, the entire presentation will be available to them in Canvas--you can suggest that you watch it with them. And as always, if you’re concerned about your student’s mental health, fill out a wellness referral HERE

    Allen Choi, Wellness Coordinator
    Casey Sasner, Intake Specialist

    For updates, tips and advice, follow Wellness on Social Media: Instagram @acalaneswellness

  • College & Career

    September 24, 2020

    All senior students should set up at least one appointment to discuss post AHS plans. Students can book an individual meeting with Ms. Reicher here. 

    Tuesday, Sept 29 at 7pm - Financial Aid Night
     Join Tim Lenahan for an online presentation about college costs. The meeting link is here, and you can review this helpful handout for details. Learn more about presenter Tim Lenahan.

    Mark your calendars for Senior events:

    • Wednesdays and Fridays Senior Academy - Academy is available on Wednesdays and Fridays for all Seniors working on college applications. The Zoom link is in Naviance. Please have students check their AUHSD gmail accounts for all communications from Ms. Reicher. 
    • Tuesday, Oct 13 at 7pm FAFSA Night - The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form allows students to request federal grants, work-study, and loans all in one application. Join us online to learn more. 

    For Juniors: Tuesday, Oct 6 at 7pm - Class of 2022 Parent/Student Presentation
    Lots of great college planning information. Hear from your Class Liaisons, as well as Wendy Reicher and Counselor Susan Martin. Watch your email for the Zoom link!

    Check out the Fall CCC Newsletter for updates!

    ICYMI
    If you weren’t able to attend our webinar on “Navigating the College Admissions & Testing Landscape”, watch the replay here.

    Freshman College Planning
    Sophomore College Planning
    Junior College Planning
    Senior Checklist

    Wendy Reicher/College and Career Advisor: wreicher@auhsdschools.org

    Wendy Reicher

  • Counseling

    September 24, 2020

    Progress Reports
    Grades were updated in Canvas this past week. Parents should make sure they have observer status to see updates. Please encourage your students to use Peer Tutoring and use Academy time to check in with a teacher or counselor. 

    Transcripts
    For Seniors ordering transcripts, have your list of colleges updated on Naviance and pay the $5 fee for official transcripts on the webstore. Mrs. Finn, the registrar, will process requests. Please contact Mrs. Finn with questions. Students can review unofficial transcripts in Aeries.

    Deadline Wednesday, Sept 30 - CSF Applications Due
    California Scholarship Federation (CSF) is an honor society. The application period this semester will be Sept 15-30. Payment of $7 must be made on the webstore. All grades of “CR” last semester will count toward eligibility for the September application period. The application form is online. Students need to be logged in with their school account to fill out the form. 

    Counselor appointments
    We love talking to our students! Email is the best way to reach us. Counselors have appointment slots for students and will email them a link for signing up. We are trying to reserve the limited slots outside of class time for students. Parents can schedule a time when students are in class. 

    Counselor Assignments Student last names:
    A- Ed  Anne Schonauer
    Ee-Kr  Christine Todd
    Ku-Ros  Marissa Meadows
    Rot-Z  Susan Martin

  • School Nurse

    September 24, 2020

    Be Covid Proactive!
    See update on my google site. Stay healthy by keeping this symptom checklist in mind.

    School Immunization Requirements are still in place.
    Please check in with your local pediatrician’s office, Primary Care Provider, or our     County Health Department.

    Flu Vaccine
    Beginning in October, please have everyone in your family get a Flu vaccine. We all want to stay as healthy as possible, individually and collectively as a community. Reduced illness from flu will also ease the burden of illness from Covid in our hospital facilities.

    Medical Forms and Medications at School
    Please turn in any relevant medical forms your student might need for the 2020-21 school year. Those forms should be dated no earlier than June 2020. You can access forms here.

    Here’s a great article on How To Be Stronger Co-Parents During The Pandemic

    Please get in touch with me with any questions, concerns, and/or requests. I look forward to being in touch and connected!

    Is your student interested in joining the Acalanes Health & Medicine Student Club? Check it out here.

    Dvora Citron, RN, MS
    Acalanes School Nurse Google Site
    dcitron@auhsdschools.org
    IG:  acalanesschoolnurse