Weekly News & Announcements

Wellness Center

Please encourage your AHS student to stop by the Wellness Center during lunch time tomorrow, Monday Dec 18, to visit with therapy dogs before finals officially begin.
 
We will also be open for students needing support during finals week with a modified schedule:
Monday- regular hours
Tuesday- Friday, 8am-1pm
 
While winter break is a great time for self care and connection, this time of year can also be difficult for many. Thankfully, the CCCOE Wellness In Schools Program (WISP) has done the heavy lifting in compiling a list of easyto access local and national resources should you find your AHS student in need while away from school. As always, dialing 211 will connect you with a database of community resources, including Contra Costa Crisis Center, and dialing 988 will connect you to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. 
 
The Acalanes Wellness Center wishes you a happy holiday season!

LPIE

Project LPIE 2024 is here! Open to all Acalanes High School students, this competition is an annual event that showcases students for their project-based learning. With 15 categories in a variety of disciplines, the contest is open to any AHS student. Awards will be given in every category and announced at our in-person awards ceremony in February. The timeline:

• Tuesday, Jan 23 - Projects due
• Friday, Feb 23 - Winners announced & reception at the Lafayette Library

Please refer to the Project LPIE Webpage for more specific information
 
Honey Bear Christmas Tree Fundraiser
Embrace the holiday spirit while raising money for LPIE by purchasing your Christmas tree and holiday wreath from Honey Bear Christmas Trees (across the street from Acalanes)! If you mention this flier at the time of purchase, Honey Bear will donate 20% of your purchase to LPIE. Help give the gift of an incredible education by shopping at Honey Bear Christmas Trees this year!


LPIE Pay-to-Plays
Tickets for LPIE's Pay-to-Play Parties are on sale NOW! Don’t miss your chance to go to a Toga Party, a Family Friendly Fiesta, or a school based Light Up Fitness class. These parties are hosted by generous Lafayette families and enable you to support our schools while having fun! Click HERE to buy your tickets today!

Sports

This week’s can’t miss events:
 
Taking the week off to focus on finals.
 
Girls basketball
Friday, Dec 22 host Concord HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
 
Boys basketball
Friday, Dec 22 at Concord HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
 
Girls soccer
Friday, Dec 22 host Las Lomas HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
 
Boys soccer
Friday, Dec 22 at Las Lomas HS. Frosh at 4pm, JV at 5:15pm and Varsity at 7:30pm.
 
Wrestling
Saturday, Dec 23 Albany Girls Invitational.
 
You may view the 2023-2024 Athletic Update by clicking HERE.

Finals Prep

We have your students covered as they prepare to finish the semester strong! Please be sure to visit our APC website for even more information on all events planned to support our students through finals.

EXAM JAM
Wednesday, Dec 13 from 3-5pm in the Library
Kick start your finals studying and preparation during Exam Jam. We will have teachers from each department along with peer tutors on hand to support and answer questions. It is a great opportunity to finish up study guides and begin studying while enjoying delicious snacks and a quiet environment. Exam Jam is open to all students. See you there!

FROSH FINALS INFORMATIONAL MEETING
Thursday, Dec 14 during lunch in the Library
Come hear from teachers in English, Math, World History, Living Earth & World Language about best practices to prepare for finals. They will not only share information on finals but best ways to study as well. Finals goodie bags will be given to the first 200 Frosh thanks to APC! 
*The Frosh will also all participate in a special Frosh Connect session in PE classes on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. The topic is all about final exams and tips to prepare from juniors and seniors.

WELLNESS WINTER WORKSHOP
Friday, Dec 15 during Academy
Our Wellness in the Winter session is a space to gather together and practice coping skills to thrive during finals and a long break with family. Sign up for this academy.

CANINE STRESS BUSTERS
Friday, Dec 15 during lunch in the Front Quad
Come hug it out with your favorite four-legged friends. Therapy dogs will be on campus to provide smiles and tail wags to help reduce stress and provide a general sense of connection to our students. In addition, there will be tables with various stress free activities!
 
And don’t forget to encourage your student to take advantage of these additional resources:

• Peer Tutoring during every academy, lunch, 7th period, and every day for 1 hour after the final school bell.
• Wellness Center is open for students to drop in Monday through Friday from 8am - 4pm (with teacher approval during class hours).
• Acalanes Library is open from 7:30am to 5pm daily.

Check out our Finals Prep Webpage for more information and resources!

General Administration Announcements

Please see the finals schedule below for Tuesday, Dec 19 through Friday, Dec 22.

Please review all the Finals Prep resources available to your students as described above and encourage your students to participate!

APC in Action

FINALS FUEL -  A much loved Acalanes APC Tradition!
This is a wonderful way to get on campus and make a difference! Help our students finish strong by providing snacks in between their finals.You can help refuel and recharge our Dons in several ways:

• Purchase snacks prior to finals week and deliver to a residence near AHS
• Purchase snacks from our Amazon wish list and items will be sent directly to a residence for transport to AHS
• Donate money and we’ll shop for you: Venmo @Stephanie-Asadorian (any amount is welcome and appreciated)
• Volunteer to hand out snacks on campus Tuesday, Dec 19 - Friday, Dec 22

We need more help, please sign up!

Follow Acalanes Parents Club on Instagram. Please reach out to APC here with any questions.

Perfect Holiday Gift for Students & Staff

Starting to think about holiday gift ideas? Look no further than the Acalanes Legacy Wall! This wall is a memorial of bricks honoring the legacy of people who have made Acalanes the school it is today. Why not celebrate your Acalanes student with an everlasting brick on the memorial wall? Or let your favorite teacher or administrator know how much you truly appreciate them with a brick in their honor. There is no better way to show your love than the eternal gift of an Acalanes memorial brick!  Buy a Legacy Wall Brick here! For more information about the Acalanes Legacy Wall, please reach out to Leanne Zimmerman, leanne.zimm@gmail.com.

Parents Club Pro-Tip

At our recent Dons Dialogue, we heard some valuable pro-tips from seasoned student leaders that we want to share broadly:

• Check in with your students about finals. Encourage them to take advantage of the many resources available to help study and de-stress. Visit the APC website for a reminder of resources available. You can even print the handy exam schedule here.
• Encourage your student to visit the RogerHub website to utilize their Final Grade Calculator. Some students find it helpful to calculate what score they need to achieve on their final exam in order to get the semester grade they desire in the class.

Let’s face it, finals can be a stressful time not only for our students, but also us parents, so hang in there!

Acalanes Community Always (ACA)

JUNE 2024 TRIP TO FRANCE & SWITZERLANDLooking for the holiday gift that your child will remember for the rest of their lives? Give the gift of travel! Acalanes staff are taking students on a trip to Europe this summer. Students of any age can attend! The only requirement is an interest in travel! This summer we are going to France and Switzerland. This trip has a little bit of everything - ancient/historical sites, relaxing beaches, awe-inspiring locations, amazing food, and a once-in-a-lifetime bonding experience with your Acalanes peers. Final deadline to sign up is Thursday, Feb 15!
 
For anyone interested in going on the Europe trip this summer, please follow this link to preview the trip and to register:  June 2024 Trip to France & Switzerland!

SEED HIGH SCHOOL FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE:  Where our special needs high schoolers hang out with their typical peers.

• Upcoming Regular Meeting Date:  Thursday, Dec 14 from 5 - 6:30pm
• Special Holiday Movie Date:  Saturday, Dec 16 from 11 - 12:45pm
• Volunteers and Participants RSVP here
• (Volunteers get 2-hour community service validation per session)

To receive SEED High School updates, sign up to the High School newsletter here.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)

Upcoming Important Dates:

• Dec 10               Human Rights Day
• Dec 7-15            Hanukkah
• Dec 25               Christmas
• Dec 26- Jan 8    Kwanza

The month of December is a time set aside by many to celebrate a variety of traditions and enjoy time with family, friends and community. If you have some information you feel is important for the DEI committee to share about a celebration you partake in, please let us know. 
 
Hanukkah (Chanukah) is the Jewish eight-day, wintertime “festival of lights,” celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers and fried foods. The Hebrew word Chanukah means “dedication,” and is thus named because it celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple. More information can be found here.

Contact the DEIB committee here. And follow us on Instagram and Facebook!

Performing & Visual Arts

WINTER CONCERTS CONTINUE Our Winter Choral Concert is this week! Tuesday, Dec 12 7pm in the Performing Arts Center (PAC) Please join to enjoy our wonderfully talented students as we get in the holiday spirit!

Student Activities

WINTER WEEK IS HERE- A fun and supportive week as we near the end of the first semester! The schedule of events:
 
Monday
Dress-up: Pajamas
8am: Hot cocoa in the front quad
 
Tuesday
Dress-up: Any sweater, holiday or not
Lunch: Movie in 314 with snacks
7pm: Winter Choral Concert
Frosh Connect in PE classes covering final exams and tips to prepare
 
Wednesday
Dress-up: Fuzzy socks or slippers
3pm: Exam Cram in the library with peer tutors and teachers
Frosh Connect in PE classes covering final exams and tips to prepare
 
Thursday:
Dress-up: Groutfit (all gray outfit)
Lunch: Frosh finals informational meeting in the library
Last day to purchase a raffle ticket for the 2026 gift baskets

Friday:
Dress-up: Blue, White or ACA Gear
Adopt-a-Famiy drop off (either 7:15-8:30am or 10-11am in front of the small gym)
Lunch: Therapy dogs & frosh cards and candy canes
 
Class Fundraiser @ Minted
Looking to buy holiday cards or holiday gifts? Consider purchasing from Minted! You will receive 20% off and Acalanes classes of ‘24, ‘25, ‘26 and ‘27 will receive 15% back. Use the code FUNDRAISEACALANES
 
Adopt-a-Family Drop Off is THIS WEEK!
Thank you to those contributing to adopt-a-family this holiday season! Together, we are supporting over 70 families in our local community. If you opted in, please get prepared this week! We need you to drop-off your wrapped gifts this Friday, Dec 15 either from 7:15-8:30am or from 10:15-11am in front of the small gym. We take the gifts to the non-profit Friday afternoon so we must collect all gifts during those windows. See your email for more information.
 
If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to reach out to Laila Vivek at laila.vivek24@auhsdschools.org or Katherine Walton at kwalton@auhsdschools.org!
 
Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.