• Counseling

    February 5, 2021

    Friday, Feb 19 - Deadline for 2021-2022 Course Selection
    Students must enter their course selections for the 2021-2022 school year in Aeries by February 19. We are not collecting paper forms this year, so it’s important that choices with alternates are entered online. This     website has handouts, worksheets, info, and videos to help you. Virtual Open House will happen this week with videos from academic departments providing information on the choices in each subject area. Counselors have emailed their students with links to appointment calendars.

    Summer School
    The District will offer Summer School June 7-July 15. Summer school is for students who need to repeat a required course after earning a D or F grade. Email your counselor for an application.   

    Geometry for Advancement
    The District is also planning to offer a summer geometry class for those who want to advance more quickly through the math curriculum. This course is only open to students who are currently enrolled in Algebra 1 in 9th grade and have strong performance in Algebra 1. Email your student’s counselor if interested. 

    CSF Application Period Underway
    California Scholarship Federation’s spring application period began on February 1. Current students in grades 10-12 should apply to this honor society. Students need to complete an application and pay $7 dues on the webstore. This semester, the application is a Google form. Students need to use their school email to complete 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. 

    A- Ed      Anne Schonauer
    Ee-Kr  Christine Todd
    Ku-Ros  Marissa Meadows
    Rot-Z  Susan Martin

  • Legislative News

    February 5, 2021

    For many years, there have been complaints that the Local Control Funding Formula, which provides as much as 40% additional funding to schools with more low-income students, has a loophole which allows schools to use “leftover” money from each year for general purposes rather than for the direct benefit of the children in need. Governor Newsom has finally proposed a solution to this problem, but there are concerns that even the revised rules can be circumvented. Please see article here: Gov. Newsom calls for closing big ‘loophole’ in school funding for high-needs students. It could take years to determine whether the revisions are effective. 

    Questions? Email our APC Legislative Representative.

  • School Nurse

    February 5, 2021
    Parents! Please report any COVID-related absences to the Attendance Recorder as soon as possible so I can do appropriate follow-up. Is  your student coming back to school in Hybrid? Medical Documentation for Students We still need updated medical documentation for your student, especially if they will be participating in the Hybrid Model. Does your student need medication available at school? Does your student have updated medical issues/health issues? Do they have a new immunization record? Parents, please make sure you turn in any pertinent medical forms for your students for this school year, especially if your students will be in the Hybrid Model. See this page on my website and let me know if you have any questions. Team Vaccine! Interested in Volunteering with Contra Costa Health Services Covid Vaccine Administration? Here are the requirements to volunteer:   
    • Current license: RN, LVN, EMT, or DDS, PharmD, or MD. 
    • Completed background check and TB Test (provided by Contra Costa County)
    • Completed online mandatory trainings Covid-19 Vaccine Training (ca.gov)
    • Ability to volunteer 24 hours a week from Sunday through Saturday. Hours vary depending on assignment.
    • Candidates must be able to work at all Contra Costa sites and have reliable transportation. 
    • If you can meet the minimum requirements, please complete the Volunteer Information Form and send to: COVID19Volunteers@cchealth.org.  
    COVID District Protocol Available on AUHSD site and on my site. February is Heart Health Month We think a lot about what we can do as adults to promote heart health, and I want to put in a BIG PLUG for Lifestyle Medicine  These same strategies are important to promote good health in our kids/students and hopefully prevent/reduce in their development of cardiovascular disease (it doesn’t just appear in adulthood - it takes years to develop). Anyone can learn Hands-Only CPR Another site I really like is from AHA: GO RED Stay healthy and be well, Dvora Citron, RN, MS Acalanes School Nurse Google Site dcitron@auhsdschools.org IG:  acalanesschoolnurse

  • Sports

    February 5, 2021

    Sports Season Begins! Monday, February 1 marked the beginning of the high school athletic season. Cross country, track and field, swimming and diving, boys tennis and boys and girls golf are beginning. It is an exciting time to see our student-athletes enjoying this opportunity. The projected start of baseball, softball and girls lacrosse is Monday, March 1.

    The beginning of each sport may come quickly. Do not wait to complete your athletic clearance. Get it done now. You may access detailed instructions to complete the athletic clearance on Sportsnet here.

    The sport camps will continue. The programs are set and may not add participants at this time. The next sport camp session will begin Monday, March 1. Football, boys and girls volleyball, boys lacrosse and wrestling are expected to conduct camps. You may contact the coach for more information here.

  • General Announcements

    January 30, 2021

    AHS Course Preview & Open House
    As students begin to consider academic schedules for next year, there are several upcoming events to support our Dons:

    • Week of Feb 1-5 during Academy: Course Preview Presentations Current Frosh, Sophomore and Junior students join AHS Counselors to learn more about classes available to each grade next fall. Zoom information is emailed directly to students. Encourage your Don to join in!
    • Thursday, Feb 11 at 6pm Incoming Frosh Course Preview & Open House Webinar - Incoming 9th graders and their families and students new to Acalanes are invited to join Principal Bell for a live webinar outlining the course selection process and various ways for the family to get connected to the Acalanes Community. Register to attend this event here. 
    • Thursday, Feb 11 at 6pm AHS Course Preview & Open House - AHS students and parents are welcome to tune in to a series of pre-recorded videos from AHS teachers on both elective and required courses. Visit the AHS website to view.

    Valentine Grams
    Support the class of 2024 with your purchase of a Valentine Gram! All Acalanes families can participate, whether or not you have a 9th grader! More details in the Class of 2024 section below. 

    Reminder: Friday, Feb 12 Regular Instruction Day
    Please remember that Friday, February 12 is now a regular instructional day, not a school holiday for students. Monday, February 15 remains a school holiday. Refer to the district     calendar for details.

  • APC in Action

    January 29, 2021

    2020-21 Acalanes & President's Volunteer Service Awards Program
    Spring is the time for students to submit their volunteer service applications and now is the time to start getting organized! Given the limited volunteer opportunities, we reduced the service hour minimum to 20 hours to help more students qualify for the Acalanes Award. The President's Volunteer Service award is a federal program and we cannot modify their minimum number of hours/program requirements. 

    We encourage students to be creative with ideas that can turn into volunteer opportunities while following guidelines to keep yourself, families and neighbors safe.  Ideas to consider (verification of hours is still necessary):

    • Grocery shopping or running errands for senior, disabled or at-risk neighbors
    • Tutoring or Homework help (unpaid) for younger students in your neighborhood (non-family members)
    • AHS Clubs focused on service such as Key Club, Children's Hospital, Equip for Equality, Environmental, Asian Student Union, SAGE, Protect Animals Worldwide

    If you have a great idea about a way to be of service in your community and want to see if it qualifies under the AHS program, email us!  In the meantime, download the service award application forms here. Then submit completed, scanned applications between March 25 and April 10, 2021 to communityservice@acalanesparentsclub.com.