Weekly News & Announcements

APC in Action

Save the Date! Friday, Oct 16 from 10-11:30am - Dons Dialogue with Principal Bell
Join Principal Bell online for updates on the latest AHS topics. Friday’s Dons Dialogue will include information on: 

• California Healthy Kids Survey results
• Distance Learning Updates
• Student Leadership News

Watch your email this week for a link to register.

ACA 101 How To Stay Connected During Distance Learning
Hopefully you picked up this flyer at Thursday’s Campus Drive-by. This handy guide provides a wealth of resources for students and their families, especially during distance learning. 

2020-21 Acalanes & President's Volunteer Service Awards Program
The 2020-21 program year continues to be challenging for identifying volunteer opportunities. It is very important that students looking for opportunities to volunteer in our local community follow safety guidelines in order to keep yourself, families and neighbors safe. This year we are reducing the volunteer service hour minimum to 20 hours and adding in flexibility to volunteer requirements. This reduction applies only to the Acalanes Volunteer Service Award. The President's Volunteer Service award is a federal program and we cannot modify their program requirements. We encourage students to be creative with ideas that can turn into volunteer opportunities. Ideas to consider (verification of hours is still necessary):

• Grocery shopping or running errands for senior, disabled or at-risk neighbors
• AHS Stege Elementary pen-pal program
• 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!

Acalanes Community Always (ACA)

It’s already been an exciting month for all things ACA. Our first ever ACA Day was a tremendous success with so much Dons Spirit on campus, ACA Chat Live had its debut hosted by Andrea Powers and Katherine Walton (click here for follow-up info highlighted in the forum) and the ACA Campus Clean-Up made such a big difference to the front of the school (thanks to the over 50 students who helped out)! 

The ASB Spirit Card Just Got Even Better. Four more local businesses have joined the program! ASB Spirit Card Holders can receive a special discount at 360 Burrito, Pancoast Pizza, R&R Barber Salon and Zoonies. Here's the link to participating businesses.

Finally, a special shout out to Team ACA’s Sarah Cusumano who was awarded the AUHSD’s Su Stauffer Friend of Education Award at last week’s board meeting! Congratulations, Sarah! 

Questions, comments or feedback, email aca@acalanesparentsclub.com.

Parent Cohort Preview from AHS Admin

We had our first week with Keith and it was powerful. We encourage you to watch his video message to students and continue the dialogue with your student. We don’t have a Cohort session this week but will continue with Keith on October 19th looking at mental health & Temporary vs. Permanent.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)

Week EIGHT in the Challenge to Build Habits Supporting Racial Equity
Let’s continue celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month! Do you know the difference between the terms Latino, Chicano, Hispanic and LATINX? Read this article to explore more about the history and development of the different terms. 

Tuesday, Nov 10 from 7-8:30pm - AUHSD DEI Book Club
The book selection is “Across that Bridge: Life Lessons and a Vision for Change” by late Congressman John Lewis. Sign up here. 

Thank you for joining us for the first session in our Parent Racial Equity Seminar Series. If you missed it, spots are still available! For details, program dates, and registration click here. Our next session is November 16 and we hope you’ll join us.

We are social! Follow us @acalanesdei on Instagram! 

Legislative News

Our ballots are here! The presidential race is on our minds but there are lots of other important items on the ballot as well. Several state propositions and local elections will directly affect our schools and students, so be sure to fill out your entire ballot!  

Tuesday, Oct 13 at 7 pm - AUHSD Board of Education Candidate Forum
Not sure which of the four candidates for the AUHSD school board should get your vote? Only two positions are open. Tune in to a livestream candidate forum (no pre-registration required) and hear from candidates Michael Bonino, Christopher Grove, Kristin Braun Connelly, and Rupy Ahluwalia Krishnan directly.  

Prop 15: California Schools and Local Communities Funding Act
This initiative would require commercial and industrial real estate property worth $3 million or more be taxed on current market value. This money would be allocated to schools (40%) and other local governments (60%). It is estimated to result in $11.5 billion in additional funding statewide, and between $1.9 million and $3.4 million for AUHSD. How Prop. 15 would increase K-12 districts’ funding. For an even-handed discussion of the pros and cons, see here: Quick Guide: Proposition 15, the proposed ’split-roll’ tax on commercial property. 

Prop 16: Repeal Proposition 209 – Restore Affirmative Action
This constitutional amendment would permit the use of race, gender, and ethnic diversity as factors (but not decisive factors) in education including college admissions, government hiring, and government contracting. CSU Trustees endorse repeal of affirmative action ban  For more information, see: Proposition 16 — Allow Public Agencies to Consider Diversity.  

Note: The California PTA supports both Prop 15 and Prop 16: State Ballot Measures. 

APC Membership & Fundraising

October 16-31 - Virtual Lafayette Res Run For Education
There’s still time to register. Encourage a friend to join you for this race, get some exercise and earn money for your school! Support Acalanes and sign up now. Go Dons!

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