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Sports
This week’s can’t miss events:
Boys Golf
Monday, Apr 8 Varsity v. Northgate HS at Contra Costa CC at 3:30pm.
Boys Volleyball
Tuesday, Apr 9 host Berean Christian HS. JV at 5pm and varsity at 6:30pm.
Thursday, Apr 11 host Las Lomas HS. JV at 5pm and varsity at 6:30pm.
Saturday, Apr 13 Granite Bay Varsity Invitational.
Softball
Tuesday, Apr 9 Varsity host Mt. Diablo HS at 4:30pm.
Thursday, Apr 11 Las Lomas HS at 4:30pm. Varsity is away and JV is home.
Saturday, Apr 13 Vanden HS at 11am. Varsity is away and JV is home.
Baseball
Tuesday, Apr 9 Northgate HS at 4pm. Varsity is away and JV is home.
Thursday, Apr 11 Northgate HS at 4pm. Varsity is home and JV is away.
Saturday, Apr 13 Frosh at James Logan HS doubleheader at 11am and 1pm.
Boys Tennis
Tuesday, Apr 9 College Park HS at 3:30pm. Varsity is away and JV is home.
Thursday, Apr 11 Campolindo HS at 3:30pm. Varsity is away and JV is home.
Boys Lacrosse
Tuesday, Apr 9 at Washington HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Thursday, Apr 11 host Alhambra HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Girls Lacrosse
Tuesday, Apr 9 at University HS. Varsity at 3:30pm and JV at 5pm.
Friday, Apr 12 at Northgate HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Saturday, Apr 13 Frosh-soph at Miramonte HS at 9am.
Swimming
Thursday, Apr 11 host Clayton Valley Charter HS at 4pm.
Track & Field
Friday, Apr 12 and Saturday, Apr 13 host Bob Warren Relays.
Competitive Sport Cheer
Friday, Apr 12 Las Lomas HS at 5:30pm and Clayton Valley Charter HS at 6:30pm at Las Lomas HS.
Diving
Friday, Apr 12 host AUHSD meet at 4pm.You may view the full 2023-2024 Athletic Schedule by clicking HERE.
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APC in Action
DONS DIALOGUE - Listen to the Recording!
Don’t miss the video or slides from our most recent Dons Dialogue on Friday, Mar 22.
The agenda included a great discussion of the following;- Special Education Highlight with Claire and Erin*
- Special Olympics review from Walton
- English and Social Science Department Highlights from Barth and Schottland
- ASB Student Report with Zoya
*In case you missed it, please visit here to enjoy the recent National News Clip that highlights some of the amazing work happening in our SPED classrooms! Congratulations to Ms Hall and Mason!
SPRING CAMPUS CLEAN UP: Sunday, Apr 14, 11am - 2pm
Help us make our campus shine! Earn volunteer service hours, connect with your Acalanes community, and share in our Dons pride! All are welcome. Students can sign up on the Helper Helper app (click HERE for instructions) and adults can volunteer through the Sign Up Genius. Thanks for your help and GO DONS!
DONS SHOWED UP FOR ROBERT PAYLOR
Our Lamorinda community really showed up last week for the inspirational talk with Robert Paylor. See below for some important takeaways from the talk.
If you were unable to attend and hear Robert's story, "Paralyzed to Powerful", we encourage you to read more about his story here.
APC is proud to bring important events like this to our Acalanes Community. Thank you to everyone who contributes to APC. Your support enables events like this.
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Acalanes Community Always (ACA)
ACABOTS IS LOOKING FOR SPONSORS!
Acabots, the Acalanes High School Robotics team, engages students in engineering and robotics, aiming for victory in FRC California competitions. We rely on sponsorships to fund new parts, equipment, registration fee, and create wonderful experiences. Our club welcomes all students, covering diverse tasks from design to programming. We're seeking business and personal sponsors to support our endeavors. If you are interested in supporting us, please contact lucas.ulbrich25@auhsdschools.org or dongjoo.ahn24@auhsdschools.org . Visit our website to learn more and share our sponsorship infographic!!
Go Dons!
SEED HIGH SCHOOL FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE: Where our special needs high schoolers hang out with their typical peers.
Upcoming regular meeting dates:- Thursday, Apr 18: 5-6:30pm
- Thursday, May 16: 5-6:30pm
Volunteers and participants should 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. -
Parent Education
TRANSITION IEPs, PLANS AND GOALS -- HOW TO BUILD THEM
Please join us on Wednesday, Mar 27 at 7pm for an informative workshop presented by Sarah Fairchild of the Tollner Law Firm on transition IEPs, plans and goals and how to build them. We will look at students' legal rights and entitlements as well as practical strategies for creating effective transition plans and evidence-based best practices in transition planning. This event will take place in the Acalanes library. -
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)
Upcoming Important Dates:
- Women’s History Month (March)
- Disability Awareness Month (March)
- Gender Equality Month (March)
- Mar 25 Holi celebrated
- Mar 31 Easter and Trans Day of Visibility
Holi has immense religious significance for Hindus and is one of the most popular Hindu festivals celebrated with much enthusiasm and fanfare across India. Also known as The Festival of Color, in West Bengal, Assam and Tripura, it is also known as the 'Dol jatra' or 'Basanta Utsav'. Traditionally celebrated in late February or early March in the Gregorian calendar, Holi marks the arrival of spring and the end of winter, coinciding with the full moon or Purnima on the evening of the Hindu month of Phalguna. It's a time for people to come together, put aside their differences and celebrate life's brighter moments.
Easter, also called Pascha or Resurrection Sunday, is a Christian festival and cultural holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, described in the New Testament as having occurred on the third day of his burial following his crucifixion by the Romans at Calvary c. 30 AD.
International Transgender Day of Visibility (often referred to as TDOV or Trans Day of Visibility) is an annual event occurring on Mar 31 dedicated to celebrating transgender people and raising awareness of discrimination faced by transgender people worldwide, as well as a celebration of their contributions to society. Joe Biden officially proclaimed Mar 31, 2021 as a Transgender Day of Visibility, saying in part, "I call upon all Americans to join in the fight for full equality for all transgender people." Biden was the first American president to issue a formal presidential proclamation recognizing the event. Biden issued a similar proclamation a year later, welcoming Jeopardy! contestant and local transgender woman Amy Schneider to the White House and announcing a set of measures intended to support transgender rights.
Please check out the new AUHSD DEIB website for many great resources and events! And follow us on Instagram and Facebook. -
Student Activities
The first annual Sophomore Field Day is this Wednesday, Mar 27 during lunch and period 6! We’re going big for our sophomores with this day-o-fun that includes lunch, games, a raffle and music. Look for a parent waiver for the bungee course that students will be getting from Chemistry class: Parent help is needed to make this event a success and you can sign up here.
The Acalanes Annual Talent Show is happening on Thursday, Apr 18 and hosts and acts are needed! If your student is interested in being a senior host or performing at the event, please encourage them to fill out the following forms below by Wednesday, Mar 27:Sophomores and juniors can apply for the 2024-2025 New Crew Leader program! New Crew leaders are essential to mentoring our incoming class and building relationships with them. It is a great leadership opportunity at Acalanes and the deadline to apply is Mar 29. Students can access the application here.
The Special Olympics is just around the corner. Acalanes is hosting this all day event on Friday, Apr 19 and we are still in need of volunteers to make this happen. Please encourage your student to grab a permission form in room 314 and sign up for a spot. The forms need to be completed and turned in this week, before we go on spring break. Adults are also welcome to help as parking monitors and you can sign up here if you’re interested.
The 2024 Junior & Senior Prom is Saturday, Apr 27 at the San Francisco Exploratorium. Prom tickets are on sale now through Apr 19 via Go Fan.
Ticket prices increase by $20 as of this Saturday, Mar 30 so your student should consider buying one this week!
Tier 1 pricing: Mar 11-29 - $95
Tier 2 pricing: Mar 30-Apr 19 - $115
Guests/Other Grades: $140
Click HERE for the printable permission slips!
We hope your student will plan to celebrate diversity and promote cross-cultural understanding at the Cultural Fair on Wednesday, Apr 17 during lunch! Students can showcase the richness of their heritage by signing up for a booth at the Cultural Fair. They will have the opportunity to represent a country and be responsible for bringing and serving food from their chosen country and educating others about the cultures and traditions of their country. This can be done by sharing interesting facts, displaying flags and objects of cultural importance, or creating a poster board filled with relevant information. The event will be held throughout campus and participants will receive an email regarding their booth location closer to the date. Students can sign up here.
We still 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. -
Counseling
Counselor assignments are by last name:
A-Em Anne Schonauer
En-Kr Erika Vasquez
Ku-Rog Marissa Meadows
Roh-Z Susan MartinCourse Selection for 2024-2025 School Year
Students may still ask to change their course requests for next school year. Counselors are keeping a wish list of student requests and will fill these requests as we are able.
4th Quarter!
Counselors are monitoring seniors in danger of not graduating - letters from the Associate Principal will be sent home in late March. -
School Nurse
IT’S SLEEP AWARENESS MONTH!
Acalanes students need SLEEP to:- Excel in the classroom by maximizing attention, memory and learning abilities
- Perform better in sports by being faster, stronger and more accurate
- Feel positive and have a more optimistic attitude toward life
- Look their best and maintain a healthy weight
- Have fun and enjoy life by making better decisions and staying safe
Teens need between 8-10 hours of sleep per night. Working backwards, if your student can get to school on time if they sleep until 7am, they should be considering going to bed as early as 9pm but not later than 11pm. Parents can assist their students in prioritizing their sleep environment and sleep windows.
To optimize sleep quality, parents can help by:- Keeping digital devices out of the room
- Leaving 3 hours between eating and going to sleep
- Having a wind-down time before bed
- Being prepared for the next day before going to bed (including having breakfast and snacks ready/available)
See my website for more information.
Always Your School Nurse,
Dvora Citron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org, 925-280-2970 x7128
IG: acalanesschoolnurse, School Nurse Website -
Wellness Center
Radical acceptance is a powerful tool that can be used to cope with difficult situations that are out of our control. The premise is that by accepting things as they are, instead of internally fighting circumstances, we are able to reduce suffering. Radical acceptance is a challenging concept for many because it’s human nature to want to fight against things we don’t agree with. However, when utilized in a mindful manner, it gives us the opportunity to process in ways that better serve us. Keep in mind, radical acceptance is not choosing to be okay with something we don’t like or agree with but instead accepting “it is what it is”.
As we approach spring break, many of our AHS students know that the end of the school year is near. Practicing radical acceptance with your student might be the perspective shift they need to motivate themselves to finish the year strong. This is especially important for students that might be struggling t
o turn in work or keep their grades up. It can often feel overwhelming for students to fall behind but with radical acceptance the hope is they can accept the reality of their situation while empowering themselves to make choices to move forward in a positive manner. -
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 AcalanesSportsBoosters.
This week’s can’t miss events:
Softball
Monday, Mar 25 Varsity at Mt. Diablo HS at 4:30pm.
Thursday, Mar 28 College Park HS at 4:30pm. Varsity is home and JV is away.
Baseball
Monday, Mar 25 JV hosts Berean Christian HS at 4pm.
Monday, Mar 25 Frosh at Miramonte HS at 4pm.
Tuesday, Mar 26 Pinole Valley HS at 4pm. Varsity is home and JV is away.
Wednesday, Mar 27 Frosh at Miramonte HS at 4pm.
Thursday, Mar 28 Miramonte HS at 4pm. Varsity is home and JV is away.
Saturday, Mar 30 Varsity v. Antioch HS in Concord Invitational at 2pm.
Saturday, Mar 30 Frosh at Las Lomas HS doubleheader at 10am and 12pm.
Boys Golf
Monday, Mar 25 Varsity v. Campolindo HS at Contra Costa CC at 3:30pm.
Wednesday, Mar 27 Varsity v. Miramonte HS at Rossmoor GC at 3:30pm.
Wednesday, Mar 27 JV v. Campolindo HS at Moraga CC at 3:30pm.
Girls Lacrosse
Tuesday, Mar 26 host Justin Siena HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Thursday, Mar 28 host College Park HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Saturday, Mar 30 Frosh-Soph v. Campolindo HS and Clayton Valley Charter HS at Campolindo HS at 9am.
Boys Lacrosse
Tuesday, Mar 26 at Clayton Valley Charter HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Boys Volleyball
Tuesday, Mar 26 host College Park HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 6:30pm.
Boys Tennis
Tuesday, Mar 26 Northgate HS at 3:30pm. Varsity is away and JV is home.
Track & Field
Wednesday, Mar 27 host Miramonte HS at 3:30pm.
Friday, Mar 29 and Saturday, Mar 30 Stanford Invitational.
Swimming
Thursday, March 28 host Berean Christian HS, Concord HS and Mt. Diablo HS at 4:00 pm.
Competitive Sport Cheer
Thursday, Mar 28 host Miramonte HS at 5:30pm and Las Lomas HS at 7:30pm.
Diving
Friday, Mar 29 host AUHSD meet at 4pm.You may view the full 2023-2024 Athletic Schedule by clicking HERE.
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General Administration Announcements
ACALANES JOB FAIR - THIS WEDNESDAY, MAR 20 DURING ACADEMY
Acalanes is sponsoring a student Job Fair to bring local businesses and summer jobs onto campus to connect students with employment opportunities. Parents, please encourage your students to participate. We are encouraging students to do some research ahead of time on the organizations attending, come prepared to talk to employers, and bring copies of their resume.
Check out the list of confirmed employers for our Acalanes Job Fair! -
APC in Action
DONS DIALOGUE THIS FRIDAY AT 8:45AM
Join us on Friday, Mar 22 in the Collaboration Center for coffee, treats, great company and dialogue! This month we will hear department highlights from the English, History and Special Ed departments, plus our usual student activities update and open Q&A.
We hope to see you there!
ANNUAL COLOR RUN: Sunday, Mar 24 - sign up now!
Acalanes is having its Annual Color Run on Sunday, Mar 24 at 9am. This is a super fun 1 or 2 mile run around the Acalanes campus with different colored powder stations scattered throughout the course. This event is inspired by the traditions of Holi, the Hindu Festival of Color. Holi celebrates the arrival of spring, and its beautiful harvests and colors, with festivals involving colored powder. The Color Run is a community wide event and we encourage you to run or walk! You can register on Go Fan and the ticket cost includes a t-shirt, a gift from Zoonie's and snacks at the end of the race. This is a great event for all ages so please encourage others to come as well! Hope to see you there!
SPRING CAMPUS CLEAN UP: Sunday, Apr 14, 11am - 2pm
Help us make our campus shine! Earn volunteer service hours, connect with your Acalanes community, and share in our Dons pride! All are welcome. Students can sign up on the Helper Helper app (click HERE for instructions) and adults can volunteer through the Sign Up Genius. Thanks for your help and GO DONS!
ACALANES SERVICE AWARDS DEADLINE APPROACHING: Friday, Apr 19
Thanks to APC, the Acalanes and Presidential Service Awards have gone digital. New this year, APC funded the Helper Helper app where students can find and record volunteer hours and earn a community service award. To qualify, all hours must be entered ANDvalidated by the student’s supervisor by Friday, Apr 19 so please encourage your students to get their hours entered now!!
Since April 2023, over 250 students have created Helper Helper accounts and logged over 6,900 volunteer service hours and we’re hoping that number will keep increasing! Students who volunteer at least 30 hours by Friday, Apr 19, will get an Acalanes Service Award so please encourage your students to get those hours entered, as that deadline is quickly approaching! To learn more and/or join the Helper Helper app, check out the volunteerwebsite.
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