Weekly News & Announcements

Helpful Resources for Course Selection

The selections for the 2024-2025 school year are due THIS WEEK! As you discuss any final selections with your student, these grade level slides might be helpful:

• Presentation to current 9th graders ("rising sophs") - view slides
• Presentation to current 10th graders ("rising juniors") - view slides
• Presentation to current 11th graders ("rising seniors") - view slides

As a reminder, students should enter their course selections into Aeries BEFORE they meet with their counselors. Students will come to the appointment with their courses submitted and with a completed and signed form in hand to give to their counselor. Students can check their course selection form for the date and time of their appointment with their counselor.
 
If you have any questions or need any further information, please visit the counseling page on the Acalanes website.

Student Activities

Student Government (Leadership) Applications due Tuesday, Feb 6
Applications for the leadership program for current Acalanes students are due Tuesday. There is a place for everyone in leadership and the program drives student activities at Acalanes. If your student is an incoming 9th grader, applications can be found here and are due Feb 22. Any questions, please contact Katherine Walton.
 
Valentine's Grams are now available for purchase online for $4 on the Acalanes web store. You can also buy one in person at lunch on Feb 6-9 and Feb 12 in the frosh and sophomore quads. Anyone can purchase, including teachers and parents. Gram recipients will receive them in their 5th period class on Wednesday, Feb 14. The grams include candy, a flower, an eraser, and a note. Happy Valentine's Day!
 
The annual Acalanes blood drive is coming soon on Tuesday, Feb 27! Anyone 16+ years old can donate (adults encouraged). Appointments are available from 8am-1:45pm in the small gym at Acalanes. People can sign up to donate through this link or scan the QR codes located in all junior and senior and English classrooms. If a student is 16/17, a permission form is needed and is available in room 314. Donors will get a complimentary shirt, as well as a $20 Amazon gift card. Contact Katherine Walton If you have any questions!
 
There is a blanket making event happening on Feb 9 in room 314 during academy. All blankets made will be donated to a local shelter in Richmond! There will be hot cocoa and cookies for everyone who shows up and it will count as volunteer hours. Interested students should sign up here by Wednesday Feb 7.
 
February is Black Excellence Month! Every Friday there is an event that students can opt into. There is also a district wide Mardi Gras dance on Friday, Feb 23 from 7-9 pm at Miramonte High School! Along with dancing and an awesome DJ, there will be food, a 360 open-air video booth, a place to hang out with friends, and an airbrush tattoo artist! Tickets are $10 and available on GoFan.


 
Acalanes Spiritwear Available for Purchase!
Looking for Acalanes gear? Our spring webstore is open with new sweatshirts, shirts, sweatpants and a lanyard. The webstore closes on Monday, Feb 26 and items will be available for pick-up in late March. All proceeds benefit the classes of 2025, 2026 and 2027.
 
We also have 2028 frosh spirit packs available for purchase. Spirit packs feature a limited edition 2028 hoodie, string backpack and lanyard. The last day to order these is Thursday, Apr 18 and items will be available for pick-up beginning Wednesday, May 1. All proceeds benefit the class of 2028.
 
There is a Dress Drive happening through Friday, Mar 1. Bring any kind/type of dress (all will be accepted) to AHS (outside the front office) or to the Lafayette Community Center. Donations will be going to the Princess Project in San Francisco.
 
Is your student looking for a BLUE CREW shirt and didn’t get one? Have them stop by room 314 with $2 to get their shirt!

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

College & Career

SENIORS:
DVC Application: Send your student to discuss community college opportunities and majors. DVC will be visiting on Wednesday, Feb 7 for an admissions presentation during academy in the library. Sign up for Levy academy.
Scholarship: Calling senior women with a 3.5+ GPA interested in a local community service scholarship through AAUW - the American Association of University Women. Deadline for application is Wednesday, Feb 14.

JUNIORS:
 Free AP Exam practice tests/scoring:  Are you interested in taking a free AP Calc AB
AP Calc BC, AP U.S. History, AP Biology, AP Physics, or AP Chemistry exam? Sign up here for several free practice exam sessions.
 
Leadership Opportunity for Girls: Apply for the free annual Young Women’s Leadership Summit (YWLS) held at Stanford University on Saturday, Mar 2 from 9:30am - 4pm.  T​he theme is “Preparing to be a Disruptor in Business,” with key pillars​ in Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Personal Growth. ​The application deadline is​ Feb Sunday, 11.

Please visit our College & Career Counseling website any time for additional information and support.

Counseling

Counselor assignments are by last name:
A-Em Anne Schonauer  
En-Kr Erika Vasquez
Ku-Rog Marissa Meadows 
Roh-Z Susan Martin

Course selection for the 2024-2025 school year -  Counselors visited 11th and 9th grade classes two weeks ago and 10th grade classes last week. Forms are due this week! Please have your student check their appointment time with their counselor this week and go to their appointment. Make sure their form is filled out, signed and classes are entered into Aeries.

Individual counseling appointments with all 9th, 10th and 11th graders to discuss and collect their course requests will happen this week, Feb 5 - 9. If your student misses their appointment, please reach out to their counselor to reschedule.

The CSF application period is open!   CSF (California Scholarship Federation) is an honor society. Current 10th, 11th and 12th graders are encouraged to apply. A complete CSF application has 2 parts - an application form and a payment on the webstore. Turn in forms in the counseling office. The deadline is Thursday, Feb 29 for both the form and the payment!  Students who are members for at least 4 semesters, including during senior year, will get a special stole to wear at graduation. Read the FAQ on the application form and contact  Ms. Schonauer for any clarification.  

School Nurse

Valentine’s Day and the F Word
Show your kids some love this February. Here are two things your family can focus on to boost your health and spread the love!

• Focus on FIBER and how to include that in what they eat throughout the day. Foods that are naturally high in fiber also have the highest “nutrient density”. This not only helps general health and well-being, it contributes to brain health (better academic success!).  HERE is a great handout on fiber in foods.
• Gratitude:  A regular gratitude practice helps stimulate our “feeling good” neurotransmitter hormones. HERE is a great handout with daily practices that help strengthen our relationships.

You can never be too young to begin heart health practices!

The Water Bottle Craze
There’s something great about the fact that water bottles are the current craze. Health conscious teens want to make sure they are drinking enough water, but also want to quench their thirst in style! Many of them are carrying their entire day’s worth of water with them.
Why is it important to stay hydrated? “Waterregulatesourbodytemperature, keepsourjointslubricated, helpspreventinfectionsanddeliversnutrientstoourcells” writes Lisa Drayer, R.D.

How much water should teens drink? In general, most teens should aim for 6-8 8 oz. glasses of water. This does not include juice and soda (not the best nutritional choices regardless of their fluid status).

I applaud the goal of hydrating regularly and using vessels that are more ecofriendly than plastic disposable bottles. I do think it’s important to be aware of the fact that carrying a water bottle such as a full 40 oz. Stanley Quencher adds almost 4 pounds to what that student is carrying. No doubt that most parents know that students typically carry very heavy backpacks that may impact their spinal and musculoskeletal health. Please pay attention to the implications of adding more weight to these already heavy loads.

Consider that your student can carry a smaller water bottle and refill it during the day.  We are fortunate to have multiple “hydration stations” on campus where anyone can fill up their bottles, and our EBMUD tap water is reliable and safe to drink.

Another way to stay hydrated is to consume multiple servings of fresh fruits and vegetables, which have a high percentage of water. 

See my website for more information.

Always Your School Nurse,
DvoraCitron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org, 925-280-2970 x7128,
IG: acalanesschoolnurse, ​SchoolNurseWebsite

Wellness Center

February is upon us. For many people, February is seen as a month of love but it's important to reflect on what “love” brings to mind. Romantic love is not the only type of love that should be celebrated this Valentine’s Day! Personally, I think the most powerful form of love is the one that we think of the least.
 
Self-love means a respect, positive regard for, and appreciation of ourselves. Self-love can affect every aspect of our lives and when self-love is nurtured, the possibilities for positivity in our lives flourish. Self-love lends itself to healthier interpersonal relationships, healthier ideas around self-image, healthier self-care habits, and an overall more positive outlook on life. With self-love, boundary setting becomes easier and low self-esteem and comparison to others becomes less frequent. This Valentine’s Day, discuss the power of self-love with your AHS student. Try out these self-love affirmations:

• I am kind to myself
• I am worthy of good things
• Everything I need is within me
• I accept love from myself

LPIE

Read-a-thon
The LPIE Read-a-thon ends TODAY! Our students have shown tremendous enthusiasm for reading and witnessing these avid readers in action is inspiring. Make sure your student finishes up that book they started, logs their final minutes, and collects at least one donation. We can’t wait to see who will win these amazing prizes!
 
Gala
We need your help! Violet & Aster is in need of extra hands in preparing and delivering florals for this year's LPIE Gala. If you love flowers, like to be around them, and want to support LPIE, please join us! Getting all of the florals done for this annual event could not be done without the hands and help of volunteers. Yummy snacks, beverages, good laughs and a bit of insight into floral arranging is promised. Click HERE to help out (Mar 3 - Mar 9 at various times) and have fun!

Jocelyn Werner and Jaime Roder, Acalanes LPIE School Chairs
www.lpie.org, Follow us on Instagram

Sports

This week’s can’t miss events:
 
Boys basketball
Monday, Feb 5 DAL Playoff First Round
Tuesday, Feb 6 DAL Quarterfinal
Thursday, Feb 8 DAL Semifinal
Saturday, Feb 10 DAL Championship
 
Girls basketball
Tuesday, Feb 6 DAL Quarterfinal
Thursday, Feb 8 DAL Semifinal
Saturday, Feb 10 DAL Championship
 
Girls soccer
Tuesday, Feb 6 host Northgate HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Thursday, Feb 8 Varsity at Mt. Diablo HS at 5pm.
Saturday, Feb 10 Frosh-Soph at Berkeley HS at 9am and host College Park HS at 2pm.
 
Boys soccer
Tuesday, Feb 6 at Northgate HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Thursday, Feb 8 host Mt. Diablo HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
 
Wrestling
Saturday, Feb 10 DAL Championship at Clayton Valley Charter HS.

You may view the 2023-2024 Athletic Update by clicking HERE.

Acalanes Community Always (ACA)

PRINCESS PROJECT - DRESS DRIVE
The Leadership Team at Acalanes High School is excited to host a dress drive benefiting the Princess Project of San Francisco. The Princess Project is a non-profit whose mission is to "promote self-confidence and individual beauty by providing free prom dresses and accessories to high school teens who cannot otherwise afford them."

Acalanes HS is now collecting semi-formal and formal dresses that teens can wear to their high school prom, free of charge. We are hoping to collect as many dresses as possible through Friday, Mar 1. We ask that all dresses be clean and in good condition. There are two drop-off locations:

1. Acalanes High School in front of the Main Office
2. Lafayette Community Center at 500 St. Mary’s Road
To learn more about the Princess Project, and to obtain a tax deductible receipt for your donation, click here.

AHS GARDEN UPDATE

Big things have been happening in the Acalanes Garden! Please read the Full Garden Update Here to hear all about what Ms Tewskbury, the Garden Club and the dedicated crew of supporters and volunteers have accomplished in the Garden. 

Don't miss their wish list included. And please join for the next Garden Work Day on Sunday, Feb 25 from 10am-2pm. All are welcome!

  

Parent Education

SAVE THE DATE: Powerful Parent & Student Education Event
Robert Paylor “Paralyzed to Powerful”
Tuesday, Mar 19 at 7pm in the Acalanes Performing Arts Center (PAC)
Stay tuned for more information and link to RSVP

Robert’s story: “In the 2017 Collegiate Rugby National Championship, I broke my neck and my life changed in an instant. Immediately, I was told I would never walk or move my hands again. I didn’t accept that reality and willed myself to walk again, against all odds.”

Everyone is paralyzed by something, whether it be physical, mental, or emotional. Robert’s story and the tools that he continues to use to overcome his challenges helps others to both identify and conquer that which paralyzes them. His message stirs others to cultivate purpose in their lives, fully access their inner resilience, develop a reflexive sense of gratitude, and maintain positivity through even the most daunting challenges.

Save the date and plan to join us for the powerful discussion!


COLLEGE COUNSELING & COLLEGE ALTERNATIVES FOR STUDENTS WITH IEPs
Wednesday, Feb 7 at 7pm in the Acalanes Library
This parent workshop will be presented by Education Consultant, Melissa Masland, on post high school education options and the college application process for students receiving special education services.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)

Upcoming Important Dates:

• Black History/Excellence Month (February)
• Feb 6 AUHSD Parent/Caregiver Workshop Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth
• Feb 10-24 Lunar New Year
• Feb 19 Day of Remembrance
• Feb 23 BSU Dance at Miramonte

Miramonte’s BSU and leadership group are hosting a district-wide Mardi Gras dance for all students on Friday, Feb 23 from 7-9pm! Along with dancing and an awesome DJ, there will be food, a 360 open-air video booth, a place to hang out with friends, and an airbrush tattoo artist! Tickets will be $10 and can be purchased on GoFan here.
 
Do you have a recommendation or highlight to share about Black Excellence Month? Please chime in and we will do our best to share!
 
On Tuesday, Feb 6 from 6-7:30pm in the AHS library, the Contra Costa Office of Education Wellness in Schools Program will share more on how to support the LGBTQ Youth in your family and community. Learn about being an adult ally and how to create a culture of acceptance. Stay informed about common terminology. Learn about gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation. Learn about the important role that families play in promoting well being for LGBTQ young people. Register here.
 
Please check out the new AUHSD DEIB website for many great resources and events! And follow us on Instagram and Facebook.