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How to Successfully Engage with Homework
Wednesday, Mar 11 at 7pm in the Acalanes Library
Acalanes Union High School District (AUHSD) welcomes parents to a discussion on best practices related to homework. Administrative staff will review the updated 2019-2020 homework policy and share highlights, successes, challenges and next steps. This event is open to all AUHSD school parents; no advance registration is required.
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Sports
Thursday, April 9 from 7-8:30pm in the Acalanes Library.
Wrapping up the 2019-2020 Speaker Series, we have David Solo, President of Special Olympics Northern California along with a special guest. They will present a unique program to our community about inclusion in diverse circumstances. Please click here to reserve your seat.
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Co-Presidents’ Message
We hope all Acalanes families enjoyed the 4-day weekend! February is shaping up to be a busy month for Dons’ parents. We hope you will mark your calendar for the following upcoming events:
- Dons Dialogue: February 21
- APC Sponsored Just Mercy Screening for Black History Month: February 24
- APC Parent Education Event with Parent Expert Dr. Dan Peters: February 27
We are in the early stages of filling APC Exec Board and volunteer positions for the 2020-2021 school year. There are numerous ways to get involved and put your talents to good use! Take a look at all of the possibilities on the APC Job Descriptions page. If you’re interested in volunteering, please contact APC Parliamentarian Meg Fellner who is heading up the Nominating Committee.
Dawn Brightbill and Sarah Cusumano -
Friday, Feb 21 APC Dons Dialogue
Friday, Feb 21, 8:45-10am, Acalanes Collaboration Center
Join us for another Dons Dialogue this Friday. Topics include:
- Department updates from Math, Special Education and Career Tech Ed
- California State (CAASPP) Math Assessment Report
- Restorative Practices as a Response to Student Discipline
As always, parking will be reserved in the small lot adjacent to the gym, and refreshments will be served. See you there.
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Friday, Feb 21: Last Call for APC Spring Grant Program Applications!
The deadline for submission is this Friday, Feb 21 at noon. Teachers, students and parents are welcome to submit a grant proposal, utilizing the application form. Guidelines for grant submissions are also available. Email completed applications to Laura White or deliver to the APC box in the office.
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Volunteer Service Awards Program
With the support of the APC, Acalanes recognizes students for their volunteerism through the nationally recognized President’s Volunteer Service Award and the Acalanes Volunteer Service Award. All program information, including application and tracking forms, can be picked up in the Counseling office or downloaded from the Acalanes website (under College & Career Center). Quick links below.
- Volunteer Service Awards overview
- Guidelines & Requirements
- Application & Tracking forms
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APC Sponsored: “Just Mercy” FREE Screening
Monday, Feb 24 at 7pm in the Orinda Theater. Hosted by Acalanes BSU & ASB Leadership.
In celebration of Black History Month, the Acalanes Black Student Union (BSU) is hosting this highly acclaimed film. Acalanes Parents Club bought out the theater so the event for parents and students is free! Donations to the Acalanes Black Student Union will be accepted.
Film overview: In this adaptation of a true story, idealistic young lawyer Bryan Stevenson (Michael B. Jordan) takes on cases of death row inmates, but he risks being crushed by his biggest challenge yet when he tries to represent convicted murderer Walter ‘Johnny D’ McMillan (Jamie Foxx).
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College & Career
Tuesday, Feb 11 DVC Enrollment Event During 2nd Period
Seniors planning to attend DVC will meet in the Collaboration Center (504/IEP) or in the library with DVC counselors to register for fall of 2020. Students must have their social security number and sign up here so we can prepare a transcript.Job Opportunity: Teaching Assistant, MCVT Glee Club Enrichment Classes
MCVT Glee Club is a popular singing performance class taught daily after school at local Lafayette/Orinda schools. Facilitate games/activities, assist with special events, performances, caretaking of children. Must be energetic and good with children. Experience in performing arts a plus. Pay is $20/class. Contact Myeve Capozzi .Sunday, Feb 23 Gap Year Fair from 1-4p at Athenian High School
Register here.Thursday, Feb 27 Out of State College Fair at 6:30p, Miramonte HS
No sign up needed.Saturday, Feb 29 SAT Mock Exam at 9am in CCC
Cost is $35.00. Sign up here.Seniors
Please update Naviance as you continue to hear results from your college applications. Stop by the CCC to share your successes and add a marble to the jar for each accepted application. When you have committed to your school, you can also make a flag for our board!Juniors
Sign up for academy to learn how to research colleges and start personal assessments. You must attend one academy before setting up a 1:1 appointment. Please stop by the CCC with any questions.
Freshman College Planning
Sophomore College Planning
Junior College Planning
Senior Checklist -
Co-Associate Principals’ Message
The month of January was a busy one at the home of the Dons with the second semester kicking off with a flurry of activity. One of the highlights was our annual Open House Course Preview night last week. The Dons community showed up in droves for an excellent event with a kick off address by Principal Bell and followed by three breakout sessions, where students and parents could self-select into offerings of individual interest. Teachers and staff organized and facilitated sessions about course pathways, class curriculum overviews and expectations, and assorted other informational offerings.
Continuing the class selection theme, counselors have spent this week, and will continue next, meeting with all 9th, 10th and 11th graders for individual sessions based around students selecting their classes for next year. With graduation requirements, a huge array of exciting electives and an intriguing peppering of new classes, there are choices aplenty at every level. Our counselors' expertise, and recommendations from current teachers, is of great value and these individual 5-10 minute meetings have been a great way to clarify those challenging decisions.
Our final mention for this month is to reference the current #QuitLying campaign, orchestrated by our Leadership class in partnership with a nation-wide campaign. The purpose of this initiative is to spark curiosity amongst our youngsters to unearth some of the unethical and morally corrupt lies that big vape and tobacco companies are using to market vaping as a low-risk endeavor. Placards around campus exposing some of the myths, misconceptions and falsehoods, along with a slogan-adorned T-shirt and factual videos distributed by Ms Walton and the Leadership class are all parts of the campaign. This educational, factual approach, along with recent campus-wide policy changes designed to limit opportunities for our students to make bad choices, is all part of our school community;s response to combat the plague of vaping that is an issue on high-school campuses nation-wide.
As always, we want to state what a pleasure it is to work at Acalanes on a daily basis. Our exceptional staff and faculty, our engaging and kind students and our wonderful, supportive community all serve to make us proud and happy Dons.
All the best,
Andrea Powers and Mike Plant -
#QuitLying
By now you may have seen #QuitLying emails sent via SchoolLoop or your student perhaps has talked about the campaign at Acalanes. #QuitLying aims to educate our community about the dangers of vaping and the fallacy about the highly harmful and addictive nature of vaping products as well as the companies behind them. Acalanes Parent Club is proud to support #QuitLying on our campus by providing the funding for campaign signage. For more information about the campaign, please go to QuitLying.org.
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APC Spring Grant Program Applications due soon!
Acalanes is pleased to continue its Acalanes Parents Club (APC) Grant Program this semester with a focus on ideas that will enhance the educational and campus experience of AHS students in new and innovative ways. Teachers, students and parents are welcome to submit a grant proposal, utilizing the application form. Guidelines for grant submissions are also available. Email completed applications to Laura White or deliver to the APC box in the office. Grant applications are due by noon on Friday, Feb 21
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