Weekly News & Announcements

LPIE

Did you know that LPIE is made up of over 50 dedicated volunteer board and committee members?
We’re excited to spend the next two weeks highlighting these incredible individuals who give their time and talents to support our schools and students. Stay tuned as we shine a spotlight on the amazing people who make LPIE’s work possible!

Lori MacLeod
My name is Lori MacLeod, and I have four children who have gone through the Lafayette public schools. With my oldest now in college, two sons at Acalanes, and my youngest at Stanley, I can confidently say I’ve seen firsthand how LPIE has profoundly impacted each of their educations.

As the lowest-funded high school district in the state of California, LPIE’s support is crucial for maintaining the quality of education at Acalanes, ensuring our students are set up for successful futures. First and foremost, LPIE funds teachers and educators in positions that the state of California does not cover including 17 class sections at Acalanes. Beyond that, LPIE provides funding for essential supplies across a wide range of departments at Acalanes—from science to PE, photography to auto shop.

And it doesn’t stop there. LPIE is the reason Acalanes students have access to full-time counselors, field trips, and laptops. There’s virtually no area at Acalanes that LPIE hasn’t touched.

I am forever grateful for the foresight of this community’s leaders over four decades ago, ensuring that my children would receive an excellent public school education. I’m honored to continue being part of this process for future students as one of the Acalanes co-chairs.

Sports

*The game schedule below reflects dates and times as of last Friday. Games may change for several reasons, including weather. If you have questions or comments, please contact Acalanes Sports Boosters.

This week’s can’t miss events:

Girls volleyball
Tuesday, Oct 15 at Campolindo HS.  Frosh at 4:30pm, JV at 5:30pm, Varsity at 6:30pm.
Thursday, Oct 17 host Las Lomas HS. Frosh at 4:30pm, JV at 5:30pm, Varsity at 6:30pm.
 
Girls tennis
Tuesday, Oct 15 Las Lomas HS at 4pm. Varsity is home and JV is away.
Thursday, Oct 17 Northgate HS at 4pm. Varsity is away and JV is home.
 
Girls golf
Tuesday, Oct 15 Varsity v. Las Lomas HS at Boundary Oak GC 3:30pm.
Thursday, Oct 17 JV v. Campolindo HS at Moraga CC 3:30pm.
 
Boys water polo
Wednesday, Oct 16 at Northgate HS. JV at 4pm and Varsity at 5pm.
Thursday, Oct 17 host Castro Valley HS. JV at 6pm and Varsity at 7pm.
 
Girls water polo
Wednesday, Oct 16 at Northgate HS. Varsity at 6pm and JV at 7pm.
Friday, Oct 18 and Saturday Oct 19 NorCal JV Tournament at Soquel HS.
 
Flag football
Wednesday, Oct 16 Northgate HS at 6:45pm, College Park HS at 8pm at Northgate HS.
 
Football
Thursday, Oct 17 Frosh host Clayton Valley Charter HS at 5pm.
Friday, Oct 18 at Clayton Valley Charter HS. JV at 4:30pm, Varsity at 7pm.
 
Cross country
Saturday, Oct 19 Mariner Invitational at Redwood HS.

You may view the full 2024-2025 Athletic Schedule by clicking HERE.

General Administration Announcements

MAKE-UP SCHOOL PHOTOS: Tomorrow, Monday, Oct 7
Did your student miss school photos at the beginning of the year? If so, your student will receive a pass tomorrow morning to come to the PAC lobby at a designated time to get a school photo taken and pick up a student ID card. If your student needs to have a photo retaken, they can come to the PAC lobby during brunch to have a new photo taken and ID card printed. 

APC in Action

PEER TUTORING PRESENTS NOTE TAKING 101!
If your child is struggling with note taking, or just looking for new/different strategies, this will be a helpful seminar. Pizza lunch provided for the first 40 students.
Wednesday, October 9, Lunch in Room 107

APC Membership & Fundraising

All APC members should have received an email with a link to the Acalanes 2024-2025 Online Family Directory! If you donated to the APC and did not receive the email, please contact our Communications Team at vpcommunications@acalanesparentsclub.com.
 
It is not too late to donate here. With a donation of any amount, you will receive the directory, and you can also get an Acalanes tote bag. If you have any questions, or if you have donated and would like a tote bag, please contact Carrie Daughters.

Acalanes Community Always (ACA)

SHOE DRIVE FOR WOMEN’S SCHOLARSHIPSThe Community Outreach and Improvement Program is hosting a shoe drive for the Lamorinda branch of the American Association of University Women from Monday, Sept 30 to Friday, Oct 11. Please donate your gently used sneakers to the bins outside the front office. The donations fund scholarships for women in our community! Please check out our website for more donation options and information about us: https://sites.google.com/view/coip-ahs/home!

LAFAYETTE RESERVOIR RUN: Sunday, Oct 20
The Race Before the Race Continues - Register NOW
Lafayette's public schools are beneficiaries of this event, with 15% percent of each registration going back to Acalanes - so be sure to choose Acalanes during the registration process! The school who most increases their number of runners compared to last year will receive an additional $500 beneficiary check! (We’ve got this Dons!)
 
Run/walk downtown Lafayette in the 2-mile fun run/walk or 5k, or strive for your best 10k time, which includes going around the Lafayette Reservoir on race day, Sunday, Oct 20. There is also a virtual option around the paved trail of the reservoir from Oct 12-19.
Thank you for supporting our schools!
 

Parent Education

Song for Charlie - Educational Presentation about the Dangers of Fentanyl
This is a district wide Parent Education Night on fentanyl awareness. Join us on Oct 8 from 6:30-8pm at Los Lomas High School Theatre to view a documentary produced by the nonprofit organization Song for Charlie followed by a Q & A panel.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)

Important Dates

• • Sep 15-Oct 15 National Hispanic Heritage Month
  • LGBTQ History Month
  • Filipino American History Month
  • Oct 10 LatinX Heritage Month Speaker: Anthony Rodriguez Yao
  • Oct 10 World Mental Health Day
  • Oct 11-12 Yom Kippur
  • Oct 14 Indigenous Peoples’ Day
  • Oct 31 Diwali

  Latinos Unidos has a few more fun activities for students for the remainder of Hispanic Heritage month. Please check out our IG and the Daily Don to find dates and times.
  
  LatinX Heritage Month Speaker: Anthony Rodriguez Yao. On Oct 10 at 5:30pm in the library, we are excited to welcome Anthony Rodriguez Yao as our featured speaker for LatinX Heritage Month. Anthony is an immigration attorney who will share his story and shed light on his experiences. There will also be an opportunity for questions, so come prepared! We look forward to seeing you there!
  
  
  Oct 10 is World Mental Health Day. The overall objective of this day is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health.The day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.
  
  Oct 11 at sundown to Oct 12, Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. It is traditional to fast for the day to reflect on the year and end the holiday with a break fast meal after sun down. Students may be in services all day, fasting and spending the holidays with family. Please extend them grace during these days.

If you would like to get involved please email us at diversityandinclusion@acalanesparentsclub.com. All are welcome.

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

Student Activities

Don’t miss the Homecoming recap video produced by Val Grossi and the tech team in leadership. It details out what an amazing week HOCO 2024 was!
 
The annual Acalanes Fall Blood Drive is Oct 30. You can make appointments through the Red Cross website (link to page). You must create an account and find the Acalanes Blood Drive on the Find a Drive page. Our goal is to have 46 donors. If you have any questions please reach out to Ms. Walton or marshall.stirling27@auhsdschools.org.
 
Breaking Down the Walls From Oct 22 - 24 all 10th and 11th grade students will participate in Breaking Down The Walls. The Breaking Down the Walls program is a unique opportunity for students and staff to connect, share their stories, and realize…

"It's hard to hate someone whose story you know."
Thanks to APC funding, this program creates a safe environment for students to build empathy and understanding through a "play, trust, learn" model. By first helping students laugh together, they start to trust one another and eventually want to learn from those outside their regular friend group. The assembly, training, and workshops leave everyone with the realization that we are truly BETTER TOGETHER! 

Breaking Down the Walls strengthens social and emotional learning (SEL), specifically building social awareness and relationship skills vital to student growth and success. 

• Meaningful connections and positive relationships
  • Bring students together and provide dedicated time for them to connect and build relationships. 
• Empathy and Understanding
  • Allow students to share their stories, hear their peers' stories, and learn they are better together. 
• Thriving Campus Culture
  • Create an inclusive culture where students say, "I belong here; I am safe here; I can learn and grow here." 

Here is a 4-minute video from the organization with testimonials from students. Students will be participating during one of the three days, assigned by last name. Look for more specific information next week. 

October is PINK for breast cancer awareness! Get your Dons pink shirt to wear at the various Pink Out games including football on Oct 11 vs. Miramonte. Only a few left! 

LatinX Heritage Month Speaker: Anthony Rodriguez Yao. On Oct 10, 2024, at 5:30pm in the library, we are excited to welcome Anthony Rodriguez Yao as our featured speaker for LatinX Heritage Month. Anthony is an immigration attorney who will share his story and shed light on his experiences. There will also be an opportunity for questions, so come prepared! We look forward to seeing you there! 

Starting to think about holiday cards and gifts? Shop at Minted. Not only do you get 20% off, Acalanes gets 15% of all sales when you use the code FUNDRAISEACALANES.

The Community Outreach and Improvement Program is hosting a drive for the Lamorinda branch of the American Association of University Women from Sep 30 to Oct 11. Please donate your gently used sneakers to the bins outside the front office! The donations fund scholarships for women in our community! Please check out their website for more donation options and information. 

If you ordered spiritwear from the Gryco webstore and haven't picked it up, please email Katherine Walton and she can leave it in the attendance office for you. 

2024-2025 Clubs
Looking to connect your student to a passion? Here are 77 unique clubs on campus, from Archery Club to the Red Cross Club. 
 

Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.
 
Katherine Walton, Activities Director

College & Career

Seniors: Please come by the College and Career Center during 6th, 7th, academy, lunch and/or brunch to work on your Cal State, Common, and UC applications. Tips and strategies provided during all sessions. MaiaLearning tutorials are also provided at each visit. Great tips here!
 
Speaker Series: Join this fall for a speaker series of respected college admissions leaders. Sign up here for the first talk on Oct 8.
 
Senior Scholarships: Digital Marketing Scholarship application due Dec 1 and Stand up to Distracted Driving Scholarship application due Nov 13.