• Membership & Fundraising

    December 5, 2020

    Acalanes Flags
    ‘Tis the season for giving - and receiving - the perfect gift: Acalanes Flags! Flags are available in two sizes on the Acalanes webstore. Get yours today and share your school spirit. Go Dons!

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

  • From the Activities Director

    December 5, 2020

    Dec 17 and 18 - Spirit Wear Pick-Up
    If you ordered spirit wear, we will have pick up days the afternoon of December 17th and the morning of December 18th.

    Dec 11 from 3:15-4:30 - Adopt-a-Family Gift Drop-Off
    Thanks to our community’s generosity and support, we adopted 26 families! If you opted in, check your email for all the information you need. Coordinate with Katherine Walton if you cannot drop off the gifts on Dec. 11. Sign-up genius can be found here.

    Dec 8-10 - Frosh In-Person Study Groups
    We want to support the Class of 2024 as they approach their 1st set of final exams. We are holding in person study groups led by teachers. Freshmen can sign up here. 

    Equity Club Docu-Series: Queer Straight Alliance Video
    Take some time today to watch this incredible video featuring members of our QSA. Listen, engage, and educate. 

    Channel Kindness Book Club
    We have partnered with the Born this Way Foundation to read Lady Gaga’s newest book, Channel Kindness. Students can sign up, be given the book to read, and then in late January, attend a book club meeting where several of the authors of the book will join us to dialogue. The book encompasses themes around mental health, physical health, giving back to the community & kindness. Link to sign up. 

    Take a minute to read the November issue of the Diversity newsletter:

    Next week is our annual winter week! A fun way to end the first semester with multiple opportunities to engage. Here is an overview:

    Monday, Dec 7

    • Dress-up: No Mirror Monday (wear PJ’s)

    Tuesday, Dec 8

    • Dress-up: Tie Dye Tuesday
    • 3:15-4:45pm: In-person study groups for Class of 2024

    Wednesday, Dec 9

    • Dress-up: Wild Wednesday
    • Lunch: Staff/Student Bonding
    • 3:15-4:45pm: In-person study groups for Class of 2024
    • 7pm: DramaDons Performance

    Thursday, Dec 10

    • Dress-up: Time Travel Thursday
    • 3:15-4:45pm: In-person study groups for Class of 2024
    • 7pm: Choir Concert

    Friday, Dec 11

    • Dress-up: Face-off Friday
    • Lunch: Scribblio Lunchtime activity 
    • 3:15-4:30pm: Adopt-a-Family gift drop off in front of school

    2020-2021 Clubs Club meetings continue. Check out our 45 clubs!

    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

    December 5, 2020

    Periodically, we facilitate round table discussions on big issues, and this week, we had an important talk with student facilitators and attendees, featuring Contra Costa County District Attorney Colleen Gleason, who runs the County Sexual Assault/Child Molestation and Abuse Unit. The focus of the conversation was on supporting victims in getting help when they’ve suffered abuse. Students were able to ask questions and learn new perspectives on what “support” and the process of getting justice looks like. Most importantly, DA Gleason shared advice you can give your kids: if they go to a party, use the buddy system AND if they get assaulted, tell someone (and assure your child that they will not “get in trouble” for doing so). Finally, it’s important that the individual go to the hospital as soon as possible following an assault. 

    Here is a fantastic resource with videos on consent and other important topics: Community Violence Solutions. These conversations are so important and we think you’ll find that if you lean into them, you - and your student - will be happy you did. 

    Allen Choi    , Wellness Coordinator
    Casey Sasner, Intake Specialist

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

  • College & Career

    December 5, 2020

    Monday, Dec 14 from 7-8pm - Sophomore Student/Parent College Check-in
    Join     Acalanes College & Career Advisor Wendy Reicher for an informal check-in regarding college planning for sophomores. Learn about summer opportunities, Naviance overview, College & Career website resources, and more! RSVP to attend. 

    For Juniors: Upcoming College Planning Academy Sessions
    Students use Ms. Reicher’s Zoom link to attend. 

    • Wednesday, Jan 13: Things to Do
    • Wednesday, Jan 20: About Me/Personal Assessments
    • Wednesday, Jan 27: Building Your List

    AAUW Scholarship Application Opportunity
    $2000 awarded to a Senior woman who demonstrates a sustained commitment to community service as well as a grade point average of at least 3.0. Apply now!

    One-on-One Appointments
    Students can book an individual meeting with Ms. Reicher here. Please encourage your student to take advantage regardless of where they are in the process.

    Helpful Links:

    Freshman College Planning
    Sophomore College Planning
    Junior College Planning
    Senior Checklist

    Keep up the good work! 
    Wendy Reicher/College and Career Advisor: wreicher@auhsdschools.org

  • Counseling

    December 5, 2020

    Senior Transcripts
    Seniors who need official transcripts for college apps due Jan 1 should order them on the webstore before winter break. Documents will be sent electronically through Naviance whenever possible. Please contact Mrs. Finn with questions. Students can review unofficial transcripts in Aeries.

    Friday, Dec 18 End of First Semester
    Official transcripts will not be updated until after the winter break. Mid-year reports (transcripts) with first semester grades will be available the second week of January.

    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

  • School Nurse

    December 5, 2020

    Staying Safe During The Holidays

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

    Improve Mental Health- Cook meals together as a family!
    It doesn’t have to be complicated; it can be as easy as arranging a fruit platter or putting a salad together.

    This is a perfect opportunity with the upcoming holidays and our plans to STAY HOME. There are so many benefits - more to come!

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