Weekly News & Announcements

Performing & Visual Arts

Your donations support a year full of high-quality extracurricular choral, instrumental and drama performances -- if you haven't yet had a chance to donate, you still can here.

Mark your calendars with these performance dates!

LPIE

LPIE Makes Its Largest Investment Ever in Acalanes High School – Thanks to YOU!
Because of the incredible generosity of the Acalanes parent community, LPIE was able to make its biggest-ever investment in Acalanes High School this year—directly enhancing the education every student receives. From salaries for teachers of 20 elective and AP class sections, to technology tools, classroom supplies, and enhanced learning resources, your support touches every classroom, every teacher, and every child.

Every student benefits from LPIE’s funding—and that’s why we ask every family to join in. Your gift to the Annual Giving Campaign ensures we can continue to fund the programs and resources that make our schools exceptional.

Ways to Give:

• Acalanes Webstore – your gift will automatically be directed to LPIE.
• lpie.org – give online anytime.
• Monthly Donor – spread your gift across the year for easier budgeting.
• Stock or Donor Advised Fund – maximize your impact.
• Employer Match – double or triple your gift at no extra cost to you.

Save the Date!
LPIE’s 5th Annual Poker Tournament will be held October 18th at a private home in Lafayette. It’s always a sold-out night of fun, food, and fundraising!
Thank you for creating possibilities for every student, every day. Together, we’re making a difference that lasts a lifetime.

Learn more or make your gift today at lpie.org

Sports

*The game schedule 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:

Boys water polo
Wednesday, August 20 Varsity hosts Clayton Valley Charter HS and College Park HS scrimmage at 5:30 pm.
 
Girls volleyball
Wednesday, August 20 JV in Marin Academy Jamboree at 3:30 pm.
Saturday, August 23 Varsity in NorCal Jamboree at Vintage HS at 8:30 am.
Saturday, August 23 Freshman in Campolindo Jamboree at 1:00 pm.
 
Girls water polo
Friday, August 22 hosts Carondelet HS scrimmage.  JV at 6:15 pm and Varsity at 7:15 pm.
Saturday, August 23 JV in Monte Vista scrimmage day.
 
Tackle football
Saturday, August 23 hosts Kennedy, Fremont HS, Tamalpais HS, Vallejo HS scrimmage.  JV at 5:00 pm and Varsity at 7:00 pm.
 
Flag football
Saturday, August 23 hosts Berkeley HS and Skyline HS scrimmage at 9:00 am
 
You may view the full 2025-2026 Athletic Schedule by clicking HERE.

General Administration Announcements

First Week of School Schedule
We have an adjusted bell schedule for the first week of school. Please share with your students. Tuesday and Wednesday are Anchor Days (aka “see all days”), Thursday and Friday will follow the regular block schedule.

Student Parking Permits
The Acalanes Parking Pass is $85.00 per student for our 25-26 school year.  Payment is at checkout on the web store with your registration. permits are ONLY for current 11th & 12th grade students with a valid driver's license. 

To Pick Up Your Pass At Dons Day:

1. Prior to Dons Day, please complete the Acalanes Parking Permit Google Form indicating you have read and agreed to AHS Parking Expectations.  Pay for your permit through the web store.
2. On Dons Day YOU MUST bring and show your  CURRENT AND VALID DRIVERS LICENSE.

See the APC in Action section below for more important dates.

APC in Action

Important reminders from APC to help make back to school time a success.

• Dons Day is tomorrow, Monday, Aug 11 from 7:30-11:30am! Please complete your annual online registration in Aeries before coming to Dons Day. As a part of registration, please visit the Acalanes Web Store and check out how to support all Acalanes partners, such as APC. You can also purchase yearbooks, class activity funds, ASB card, apparel and more!
• If you are a 9th or 10th grade family and still need residency verification, please come to the collaboration center starting at 7:30am. Please bring all of thenecessary proof of residency documentation listed here. We recommend bringing copies to expedite the process.
• Frosh Orientation will be held from 12-1:30pm and meets in the Performing Arts Center (PAC).
• New Parent Orientation meets in the library from 12-1pm.
• Transfer students are invited to meet near the flagpole at 11:30am for an orientation and tour.
• Please remember there is an adjusted bell schedule for the first week of school. Tuesday and Wednesday are anchor days (aka “see all” days”). Thursday and Friday follow the regular block schedule.
• Volunteer opportunities: In case you missed it in the registration process, please complete this volunteer form so we know what you’re interested in helping with this year. There are plenty of parent volunteer opportunities, starting with Homecoming this fall!
• Hungry for fun this Dons Day? Swing by Ofie’s Kitchen between 9:30am and 1:00pm this Monday, Aug 11, and fuel your fun with their flavor-packed food truck! Treat yourself to delicious eats that are sure to hit the spot! 

Join us for the Dons Dialogue Friday, Aug 22 at 8:45am in the Collaboration Center:
Acalanes Parents Club is pleased to invite you to our first Dons Dialogue of the 2025-2026 school year! Dons Dialogues are the best way to find out what’s going on at Acalanes! These monthly forums provide parents with the opportunity to hear directly from Principal Eric Shawn and other AHS faculty regarding academics, student activities, department information, hot topics on campus, plus open Q&A. APC will provide coffee and treats. All parents/caregivers welcome. 

Please reach out to APC here with any questions.

APC Membership & Fundraising

Acalanes Parents Club has committed $219,000 to Acalanes this school year, which will provide vital services for our entire AHS community. As of today, we have yet to reach that goal and we need your help!

We are tremendously grateful for your support, which funds the following programs for all Acalanes students and staff:

*Peer Tutoring        *College & Career Services        *Campus Enhancements

*Grants Program    *Staff & Teacher Development    *Parent Ed

*Communications   *Volunteer Opportunities             *and more...

If you haven’t had a chance to donate, please consider doing so here. The suggested amount is $450 per student, but any amount is needed and greatly appreciated. 

Another important source of funds is making your donations go twice as far with Corporate Matching. Please check if your company has a matching program and, if so, contact corpmatch@acalanesparentsclub.com for further information.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Acalanes Community Always (ACA)

A Few Important Dates!

• Saturday and Sunday, Sept 20-21 is the annual Lafayette Art & Wine Festival.  We look forward to seeing many of you there!
• Sunday, Oct 19 is the Annual Lafayette Reservoir Run. Signup now and support our local schools.

Student Activities

Welcome to the 2025-2026 school year! We are ready to have an incredible year together and look forward to all of the amazing things to come.

Peek @ the week:

WB Rally attire:
Grades 9/10/11: Wear BLUE
Grade 12: Wear WHITE

ASB Stickers
ASB cards cost $115 and are available for purchase on the webstore. ASB cards support all student activities at Acalanes, support athletics (25% of every card sale goes directly to athletics) and helps to pay for AHS's finance tech's salary and get students discounts/free entry to the following:
-Home athletic events (Except playoffs). This year we have 6 home football games (totaling $35 without ASB).
-Free or discounted tickets to dances (For Homecoming, you will save $25 with ASB)
-Free Acalanes t-shirt at Dons Day (worth $10)
-Discounts at 10 local businesses when you show your ASB sticker on your ID card.

Class Shirts & Spiritwear
Didn’t get a chance to order your class shirt yet? You still have a chance via the webstore. Deadline to order is August 18th and class shirts will arrive mid September.
Looking for new Acalanes gear? Check out our summer webstore open now through Monday, Aug 18. All proceeds benefit the Classes of ‘26, ‘27, ‘28 & ‘29! The last day to purchase is Monday, Aug 18. Items will be available for pick-up in September.

Clubs
Clubs are one of the best ways to get connected to Acalanes and provide a wonderful opportunity for students to socialize, pursue a passion, network, & learn.
Clubs are all student led with a teacher as the advisor. Most clubs meet during lunch! We encourage you to join one or several.
Fall Club registration will run Aug 14-27. Look for the club application in the Daily Don. To start a club, you need 4 things:
1. 4 students and a teacher advisor
2. A Constitution
3. A completed club application
4. A budget or budget waiver
 We completed spring club re-up for returning clubs and have 37 approved clubs. Check them out!

Homecoming
Voting for the 2025 Homecoming theme will run this week-Monday through 2pm on Thursday! The winning theme will be revealed at Friday’s rally. Homecoming runs Sunday, Sep 28- Saturday, Oct 4. Informational meetings for ALL grades will  be Monday, Aug 25 at lunch and important skit & hallway decorating information will be shared. Homecoming at Acalanes is magical-encourage your student to get involved!

Staying in touch with student activities
Our goal at Acalanes is that every student is connected to at least one adult and one activity outside of school. If I can support you in any way, please don’t hesitate to reach out! There are multiple ways in which we push information out to both students and parents:
Monday morning announcements
Daily Bulletin
APC Newsletter
On campus publicity: posters, weekly flush, bulletin boards, canvas & more

Instagram (@ahs_dons)

Let’s have a great year, Acalanes!
Katherine Walton

Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.

Counseling

Counselor assignments are by student last name:
A-F Anne Schonauer  
G-Ka Erika Vasquez on campus MWTh
Ke-Re Marissa Meadows 
Rh-Z Susan Martin
 
DONS DAY: Please come pick up your schedule from your counselor on Dons Day.  We are looking forward to seeing all of you! 
 
SCHEDULE CHANGE REQUESTS: Schedule changes will be made if there is an error in your schedule, such as the wrong class, or a gap (missing a period). All other requests will be reviewed on a case by case basis and approved by the principal only. A schedule change request form will be posted on the AHS website at the end of the first day of school.  Students may submit requests to change their schedule via the form. If a schedule change is approved, the student’s name will appear on a list on the Counseling Office window.

College & Career