Weekly News & Announcements

General Administration Announcements

Finals Schedule: May 27 - 30
Parents, please take note of the spring finals schedule. Monday, May 26 is a non school day for Memorial Day. The finals schedule begins on Tuesday, May 27. A great way to help support our students during finals is to help out with Finals Fuel (see below).

APC in Action

MAY DONS DIALOGUE - Friday, May 16 at 8:45am
Please join us for our final Dons Dialogue of this school year. We will start at 8:45am with a brief general meeting to vote on our 2025-26 Board of Directors slate (see below) and then we’ll proceed with the Dons Dialogue discussion. Grab a friend and join us for another informative forum - coffee and treats will be served!
 
2024-2025 Parents Club Board Nominees
Presidents: Jocelyn Birrell
VP Special Projects: Jennie Dobies
VP Communications: Kendra Uffelman
VP Community Partners: Lynna McPhatter-Harris
VP Fundraising: Jen Ruhl
VP Services: Ali Krick
Co-Head Liaisons: Sarah Cusumano & Amy Lewis
Secretary: Kimberly Grover
Treasurer: Rick Phillips
Assistant Treasurer: Sierra Culbertson
Auditor: Courtney Griffin
Past President/Parliamentarian: Michele Colaco & Andrea Hilsabeck
 
If you have any questions, please contact APC Parliamentarian, Sarah Cusumano.
 
AHS AND PRESIDENTIAL SERVICE AWARDS CELEBRATION - MAY 21
Congratulations to those students who have been awarded AHS and Presidential Service Awards! Acalanes students volunteered a total of 16,580 community service hours this past year for over 480 different organizations! We thank your students for making a difference to those individuals and organizations in need in our community and we hope they’ll continue their community service in the future. 
 
Please note that all community service award recipients have been notified via email. If your student has received a service award, please remind them to come to the front quad at lunchtime on May 21 to pick up their service award certificate and enjoy a celebratory treat! 
 
FINALS FUEL - VOLUNTEERS & SNACKS
Finals are just around the corner…..and that means FINALS FUEL is back! During finals week, APC provides snacks for the students during brunch period.  You can help refuel and recharge our Dons in several ways:

• Purchase snacks prior to finals week and deliver to a private residence near AHS
• Purchase snacks from the 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 (Wednesday, May 28  - Friday, May 30)

Sign up here for shifts and food drop off: SignUpGenius and Amazon Wish List. Please reach out with any questions: reganscovic@gmail.com or stephquinn@hotmail.com. Thank you in advance for your support!

Acalanes Community Always (ACA)

Recording of Supporting Your Teen Through Grief and Loss. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our community partners—Hospice of the East Bay and the Contra Costa Crisis Center—for joining us for last Thursday’s webinar, and to Las Lomas Wellness Coordinator Amelia Whalen for organizing and moderating the event. If you missed it, you can watch the webinar Supporting Your Teen Through Grief & Loss at the link provided. Webinar Link
 
🚗 Le Pit Club Presents: Acalanes High School Pit Stop! 🏁
Join us on Saturday, May 17 from 10am to 1pm on campus for a car show to support Acalanes!
Featuring:

• Super cars & exotic vehicles
• Classic & custom-restored cars
• Delicious food
• Family-friendly event
• Exciting prize giveaway

Free and open to the public!
Have a cool family car to show off? Contact Mr. Dukes, jdukes@auhsdschools.org to register.
Don’t miss this high-octane community event in support of Acalanes High School!
 
County Connection is launching Youth Ride Free, a pilot that will allow anyone 18 and under to ride their buses for free from Jun 1 - Jul 3. No IDs or applications are required.
As a test pilot program this summer, their goal is to enhance mobility on public buses and provide access to vital resources within the area like parks, shopping centers, and job opportunities for young riders. Please help to get the word out to students about Youth Ride Free by sharing news and information about the program. Attached are flyers (English and Spanish) for use or you can look at their webpage for more information.

Campus Culture Committee

Upcoming Important Dates:

• May is Asian/Pacific Heritage month
• May is Mental Health Awareness Month
• May is Jewish American Heritage Month
• Campus Culture Committee Meeting  -May 19 - check your email for invite

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, an annual observance founded by Mental Health America in 1949 to highlight the importance of mental wellbeing, educate the public, reduce stigma and promote support for those affected by mental health conditions. Each year, individuals and organizations come together to raise awareness and advocate for better mental health care and resources. Acalanes has many mental health resources on campus and students can head to the Wellness Center to learn about all of them.

Please get your ALL ARE WELCOME HERE t-shirts! For just $20 you can support the Campus Culture Committee of APC while wearing a stylish black T that lets everyone know what the Dons are all about. Or you can reach out here for payment information and how to get your shirt. Available in M and L only at this time.

If you’d like to help with any celebrations or join in our cultural discussions, please contact the Campus Culture Committee here and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook to keep up to date with what the students are doing to celebrate all of these wonderful cultures and special dates.

Student Activities

THIS WEEK:
Wednesday @ academy: Grad cap decorating
Wednesday @ lunch: Innertube water polo
Thursday @ lunch: Frosh ice cream social
Friday @ lunch: ACA Buddies
Friday @ 7pm: Spring Choral Concert
Saturday @ 10am-1pm: Acalanes Car Show in the APL
Sunday @ 4pm: Senior Time of Reflection
 
Amin shirts are for sale via the webstore. Proceeds will be donated to the GoFundMe for Amin’s family💙Once ordered, feel free to have your student stop by room 314 to pick up.
 
Week of May 19: Summer Send-Off Spirit Week
We will have a jam packed week full of lunchtime fun culminating in our end of year rally on May 23 during academy.
 
DATES NEXT YEAR:
Aug 11 at 12pm: Frosh Orientation
Sep 28-Oct 4: Homecoming 2025
April 25, 2026: Junior & Senior Prom
 
Summer webstore is now open! Place your orders now through August.
 
Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.
 
Katherine Walton, Activities Director

College & Career

Seniors should log into MaiaLearning and fill out their 2025 senior exit survey on their dashboard. This is important, as it’s the only way our registrar knows where to send your student’s final transcripts.
 
The “Rising Senior” Parent Meeting is Tuesday, May 13, from 6:30-7:30pm in the library. Debbie Levy will lead this evening to discuss a brief overview of the 2026 admissions landscape. The focus will be on how to support your students with the college admissions process, as well as a brief introduction to our new college planning tool- Maia Learning. In addition, there will be tips for the summer, preparation advice for the fall, details about a summer essay writing workshop, and upcoming College 101 advice.

School Nurse

School gets even busier over this last month, and many students feel overwhelmed and also get ill. You can support your students’ health and well-being by modeling healthy habits. Another helpful strategy (though not intuitive in our fast-paced culture) is to assist them in scheduling rest breaks to pace themselves. This will help them practice being grounded and help prevent overwhelm. It’s like helping them “put their seatbelts on” - strapping in to stay safe.
 
But also think about what happens when they take “their seatbelts off”. When students finish AP tests and finals, when the weekend comes, and when they finish school and graduate, they often rush to “take their seatbelts off”. Please remember that parents are the #1 influence on their kids’ decisions to (OR NOT TO) engage in risky behavior. So consider the opportunity you have to connect with you students about:

• Boundaries, family values, and rules and expectations about alcohol and other risky behaviors.
• Ways to say “NO” to negative peer pressure, including underage drinking.
• Reminders about rules of the road – always wearing a seatbelt, obeying the speed limits, and never driving drunk or impaired or getting in the vehicle with someone who has been drinking, or who has used another impairing substance, or does not have a legal license to drive other passengers.
• Knowing a way out of a sticky situation and emphasizing that safety is most important. (We often talk about how it isn’t the first bad decision that is the problem, it’s the second one.)

Parents, please remember to talk with your teens about making calculated, mindful decisions at the end of the year, graduation, and beyond. Along with educators, community leaders, and other trusted adults, we are making strides to eliminate underage drinking and make our roads safer. Let’s keep up the great work as we celebrate the moments that matter over the next few months! responsibility.org

Please reach out to me for any support your students or family might need. You can access the medical forms page on my website HERE.

My office hours are:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and some* Thursdays
Tuesdays & Thursdays:  8am - 3:50pm
Wednesdays:  7:30am - 3:20pm

Dvora Citron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org, 925-280-2970 x7128
IG: acalanesschoolnurse, ​School Nurse Website

Performing & Visual Arts

Spring Choral Concert 2025
Join us for an evening of choral music at the Spring Choral Concert presented by the Acalanes Choir and Choral Student Groups.

• When:  Friday, May 16 at 7pm
• Where: AHS Performing Arts Center
• Admission Price: Free ($10 donation suggested)

Jazz Cafe Returns
This year’s final performances of the exceptional Acalanes Jazz Ensemble and Acalanes Jazz Combo will be at the Jazz Cafe at Stanley Middle School. Our Instrumental Dons are role models for the three Stanley jazz bands who will also perform.

• When: Friday, May 16 at 6pm
• Where: Multi-Use Room, Stanley Middle School
• Admission Price: Free

Acalanes & Campo Jazz Ensembles Perform at Yoshi's on Monday May 19, 8pm
Support the Acalanes & Campo Jazz Ensembles at this benefit concert at Yoshi's in Oakland. The Acalanes Jazz Ensemble includes a 2025 California All-State Jazz Band student member and the Ensemble and Combo have won multiple group awards this year. You won’t want to miss this show! All proceeds from the performance benefit the jazz programs at the schools. Tickets available here.


Acapalooza 2025!
Get ready for Acapalooza - the Acalanes Chamber Music Collage Concert - which brings our talented student musicians together for a relaxed evening of music. Featured ensembles include Brassworks, Trio Con Fuoco, Acastix, and other popular bands performing works by Cole Porter, Bizet, Bach and more. Whether you’re a chamber music fan or just looking to enjoy a unique night out, come join us for an unforgettable performance!

• When: Thursday, May 22 at 6:30pm
• Where: AHS Performing Arts Center
• Admission Price: Free ($10 donation suggested)

Join Acalanes Performing Arts Boosters!
Performing Arts Boosters is a parent group that promotes and advocates for high quality performing arts education at Acalanes. There are open positions in the Instrumental Music subgroup as well as in the umbrella Boosters organization.

• Performing Arts Boosters
  • Member-at-Large
  • Treasurer 26-27 shadow role (QuickBooks)
  • Web Admin 26-27 shadow role (Wix & Google Workspace)
• Instrumental Music
  • Concert Attire Coordinator
  • Carpool Coordinator
  • Stanley Liaison
  • Publicity & Communications Coordinator
  • Programs & Posters Coordinator
  • House Manager

Please reach out if you have questions or are interested in joining us! info@ahsperformingarts.org or instrumental-co-vp@ahsperformingarts.org

Sports

*The game schedule below 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 tennis
Tuesday, May 13 NCS Team First Round
Thursday, May 15 NCS Team Quarterfinal
Saturday, May 17 NCS Team Semifinal and Championship
 
Baseball
Tuesday, May 13 College Park HS at 4pm. Varsity home and JV away
Thursday, May 15 College Park HS at 4pm. Varsity away and JV home
Friday, May 15 Varsity host San Ramon Valley HS at 4pm
 
Softball
Tuesday, May 6 Alhambra HS at 4:30pm. Varsity away and JV home.
Thursday, May 8 Clayton Valley Charter HS at 4:30pm. Varsity home and JV away.
 
Swimming
Friday, May 16 CIF Trials at Clovis West HS.
Saturday, May 17 CIF Finals at Clovis West HS.
 
Track & field
Saturday, May 17 NCS Tri-Valley Championship at Clayton Valley Charter HS.
 
You may view the full 2024-2025 Athletic Schedule by clicking HERE.

Legislative News

It's Time to Vote!
It’s the final few days of the campaign for YES on Measure T!  Measure T requires a two-thirds majority to pass. Our students are counting on you to turn in your Yes on T ballot!
 
As a reminder, ballots are due by May 6 at 8pm. In the final days, we have three critical asks:

1. Return your ballot if you haven’t done so already! You have until May 6 to cast your YES on T ballot to protect our top high schools. To learn more about voting locations, please visit this link. Ballots must be turned into a ballot drop box by 8pm on May 6 or postmarked by May 6 if you are voting by mail. Remember, no postage is required.
2. If you’ve already voted, text five friends to remind them to turn in their ballots too! Use the attached graphic!
3. Join us for our finalGOTV walks this week! You can sign up to reach last-minute voters using this link.

APC in Action

THIS WEEK IS TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK
Teacher Appreciation Week is this week! Please sign up HERE to bring something for our fabulous teachers for a special lunch on Friday, May 9. And please encourage your students to write a note of appreciation for our fabulous Acalanes teachers and staff.

FINALS FUEL - VOLUNTEERS & SNACKS
Finals are just around the corner…..and that means FINALS FUEL is back! During finals week the APC provides snacks for the students during brunch period.  You can help refuel and recharge our Dons in several ways: 

• Purchase snacks prior to finals week and deliver to a private residence near AHS
• Purchase snacks from the Amazon Wish list, 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 (Wed. May 28th  - Friday, May 30th)

Sign up here for shifts and food drop off: SignUpGenius and Amazon Wish List Reach out with any questions: reganscovic@gmail.com or stephquinn@hotmail.com  

Thank you in advance for your support!
Regan Scovic & Stephanie Asadorian 

AHS AND PRESIDENTIAL SERVICE AWARDS CELEBRATION - MAY 21
Congratulations to those students who have been awarded AHS and Presidential Service Awards! Acalanes students volunteered a total of 16,580 community service hours this past year for over 480 different organizations! We thank your students for making a difference to those individuals and organizations in need in our community and we hope they’ll continue their community service in the future. 
 
Please note that all community service award recipients have been notified via email. If your student has received a service award, please remind them to come to the front quad at lunchtime on Wednesday, May 21 to pick up their service award certificate and enjoy a celebratory treat! 

APC SPRING GRANTS HAVE BEEN AWARDED - SPRING '25
Thank you to the teachers, students, and staff who submitted proposals for an APC spring grant. APC grants are funded through parents’ annual donations - so THANK YOU parents!  We are pleased to announce the following grants have been awarded so far this spring:

Acalanes Community Always (ACA)

Parents supporting parents: Please join the Be Well Collective on May 8 from 6:30-8pm in the Acalanes library for an informal “fireside chat”. Bring questions, concerns, and topics meaningful to you for an honest conversation around parenting and adulting. All are welcome to join and make connections to deepen your support system within the Aca community. Questions may be sent in advance here.

County Connection is launching Youth Ride Free, a pilot that will allow anyone 18 and under to ride their buses for free from Jun 1 - Jul 3. No IDs or applications are required.
As a test pilot program this summer, their goal is to enhance mobility on public buses and provide access to vital resources within the area like parks, shopping centers, and job opportunities for young riders. Please help to get the word out to students about Youth Ride Free by sharing news and information about the program. Attached are flyers (English and Spanish) for use or you can look at their webpage for more