Weekly News & Announcements

Parent Education

POWERFUL COMMUNITY EDUCATION EVENT TUESDAY, MAR 19
Students, parents and community members are encouraged to attend “Paralyzed to Powerful” with Robert Paylor on Tuesday, Mar 19 at 7pm. This event will take place in the Acalanes Performing Arts Center (PAC) and while the event is free, we ask that you RSVP so we can plan accordingly.

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, Mar 21: 5-6:30pm
• 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.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)

Upcoming Important Dates:

• Women’s History Month (March)
• Disability Awareness Month (March)
• Gender Equality Month (March)
• Mar 19 Nowruz - Persian New Year
• Feb 14 - Mar 28 Lent
• Mar 25 Holi Celebrated
• Mar 31 Easter and Trans Day of Visibility

According to National Geographic, Nowruz stems from a religious holiday in Zoroastrianism dating back close to 3,000 years in Persia (now Iran), in which the coming of spring was celebrated as a triumph of good over evil. The holiday now extends into several different faiths and areas of the world.
 
Lent, in the Christian church, is a period of penitential preparation for Easter. In Western churches it begins on Ash Wednesday, six and a half weeks before Easter, and provides a 40-day period for fasting and abstinence (Sundays are excluded), in imitation of Jesus Christ’s fasting in the wilderness before he began his public ministry.
 
As we celebrate Women’s History Month let us not forget those women with disabilities who have accomplished so many things despite their disadvantages. Please check out this link to discover 7 firsts to celebrate the accomplishments of deaf women.

Please check out the new AUHSD DEIB website for many great resources and events! And follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

Student Activities

Is your student looking for something new to do? Check out the thriving Acalanes club communities and the club promotional videos on the Acalanes You Tube channel here!
 
March is Disability Awareness Month and on Thursday, Mar 21 we are asking the student body to wear crazy socks in recognition of World Down Syndrome Day.
 
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:

• Acts: https://forms.gle/62tZWkLhE5tYQDAKA
• Senior hosts: https://forms.gle/5M6A3cvysTWDynEG7

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.
The Special Olympics is just around the corner. Acalanes is hosting this all day event on Friday, Apr 19 and volunteer sign ups are available in room 314 if your student would like to help. A permission form also needs to be completed. Some of the volunteer opportunities include working as a torch runner, working at the ribbon station, handing out signs, helping with the parade, and helping with events such as the turbo-jav, the standing long jump, and much more. Adults are also welcome to help as parking monitors and you can sign up here if you’re interested.
 
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.

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

College & Career

CAREER ACADEMY & TRADE FAIR!
The Acalanes College and Career Center will host a Creative Arts and Design Career academy on Wednesday, Apr 10 at 10am. One of our committed speakers is Joel Flory, the co-founder of VSCO. We would like to invite other interested parents, alumni, and community members to share their career
experiences/pathways in graphic design, film/screenwriting, animation, sculpture, painting, fashion, photography, graphic design, etc. with our students. If you would like to be a presenter or know someone who would be a good fit, please email Debbie Levy and provide your name, industry, and phone number. We will follow up with all contacts.
 
In addition, we are hosting a Trade Fair during lunch on Wednesday, Apr 24 and are looking for more organizations to be represented. Please email Debbie Levy with any suggestions for us and we will follow up.
 
SENIORS:
Water Polo Scholarship: The Lafayette Water Polo Foundation is accepting applicationsfor seniors who play water polo.
 
The Matt Lynn Memorial Scholarship is now available. It will be awarded to college-bound seniors from Acalanes who have participated in a high school varsity sport(s) and who intend to continue playing a varsity or club sport in college.
 
Diablo Valley Assistance League  is offering a $6000 need-based scholarship for students attending a 4 year university and $4000 for those going to community college.
 
JUNIORS, SOPHOMORES, FROSH:
SAT/ACT Free Practice Exams: Practice ACT and digital SAT exams are available with Revolution Prep. Click here to register. The ACT practice exam is on Saturday, Apr 20 from 9am - 1pm. The SAT practice exam is on Saturday, Apr 20 from 9am - 12pm.

Summer Ideas: DVC Career Academies: St. Mary’s College of California SummerAcademy for High School Students: UC Berkeley Summer Sessions:UC Berkeley Collegeof Environmental Design: Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Summer Springboard:
Girls Who Code Summer Program

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 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. 
 
First Week of 4th Quarter!
Counselors will begin monitoring seniors in danger of not graduating - letters from the Associate Principal will be sent home in late March.
 Athletic eligibility will be determined this week - using 3rd quarter grades. Students need a 2.0 average or higher to remain eligible for their sports.

School Nurse

IT’S SLEEP AWARENESS WEEK!
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)

WHAT ARE UPFs?
UPFs are ultra-processed foods, which are so readily available and consumed by most Americans. In guiding your family towards optimal health and well-being, consider what options you might have for substituting just one UPF you regularly consume with a healthier option. HERE is a current article referencing UPFs in the school setting.
 
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

Sports

This weeks can't miss events:

Boys Golf

Monday, Mar 18 De La Salle JV Tournament at Lone Tree GC.
Wednesday, Mar 20 Varsity v. Las Lomas HS at Boundary Oak GC at 3:30pm.
Wednesday, Mar 20 JV v. Miramonte HS at Rossmoor GC at 3:30pm.
 
Boys Tennis
Tuesday, Mar 19 Miramonte HS at 3:30pm. Varsity is away and JV is home.
Thursday, Mar 21 Las Lomas HS. Varsity is home and JV is away.
 
Boys Volleyball
Tuesday, Mar 19 host Northgate HS. JV at 5pm and varsity at 6:30pm.
Thursday, Mar 21 at Campolindo HS. JV at 5pm and varsity at 6:30pm.
 
Softball
Tuesday, Mar 19 Berean Christian HS at 4:30pm. Varsity is home and JV is away.
Thursday, Mar 21 Las Lomas HS at 4:30pm. Varsity is home and JV is away.
 
Baseball
Tuesday, Mar 19 JV at James Logan HS at 4pm.
Wednesday, Mar 20 Piedmont HS at 4pm. Varsity is home and JV is away.
Friday, Mar 22 San Leandro HS at 4pm. Varsity is away and JV is home.
Saturday, Mar 23 Frosh at Campolindo HS doubleheader at 10am and 12pm.
 
Boys Lacrosse
Wednesday, Mar 20 host University HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Saturday, Mar 23 at Casa Grande HS. JV at 10am and Varsity at 12pm.
 
Girls Lacrosse
Wednesday, Mar 20 at Bishop O’Dowd HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Friday, Mar 22 at Miramonte HS. JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
 
Track & Field
Wednesday, Mar 20 at Northgate HS at 3:30pm.
 
Swimming
Thursday, Mar 21 host Campolindo HS at 4pm.
 
Competitive Sport Cheer
Friday, Mar 22 College Park HS at 6:30pm and Concord HS at 7:30pm at Concord HS.
 
You may view the full 2023-2024 Athletic Schedule by clicking HERE.

General Administration Announcements

ACALANES HIGH SCHOOL HOSTS SONG FOR CHARLIE
What Students Need to Know About Fentanyl to Protect Themselves and Others
Wednesday, March 13, 2024 | Academy 
Acalanes Performing Arts Center (PAC)

Song For Charlie joined us this past fall for a presentation to our current juniors and seniors. Because of its impact, we are partnering with Song For Charlie again to provide this valuable opportunity to our sophomore students.

All Sophomores will join Song For Charlie, HSD Staff, and the Acalanes Administration as they present What Students Need to Know About Fentanyl to Protect Themselves and Others. This is an opportunity for our students to come together to learn the facts about fentanyl and take empowered action to protect themselves and their loved ones.

This presentation will be given to all Sophomores during Academy on Wednesday, March 13th. All school support will be available to answer questions and provide support. This includes our HSD staff, counselors, wellness center, and administration.
 

PARENTS, WE NEED YOU!
Acalanes Parents/Guardians, here is where you can play an important part in the incredible things happening at Acalanes!

1.  Job Fair:  If your business hires high school students (or you know someone who does) please reach out to Katherine Walton to be part of the Job Fair on Wednesday, Mar 20. We can help you recruit some incredible employees!
2. Creative Arts and Design Career Academy: Parents, alumni, and community members are invited to talk with students about their career experiences/pathways in the creative arts and design fields. Please email Debbie Levy for more info about this event on Wednesday, Apr 10 at 10am.
3. Trade Fair: The College & Career Center is hosting a Trade Fair for Roofing, Electrical, Plumbing, Linesman, Cosmetology, Automotive, and more during lunch on Apr 24. We are looking for more organizations to be represented so please email Debbie Levy with any suggestions.

 
STATE TESTING IS HERE!
CAASPP testing begins tomorrow, Monday, Mar 11. All juniors will take the math, English, and science tests over the three weeks prior to spring break.
 
We greatly appreciate our parents and community's encouragement of our students to do their absolute best, participate, and show up for our school in taking these tests seriously. Don't stress, but please do your best!

Our school has outstanding achievement, and these test scores are critical as a public measurement of our students' progress. Students will also receive their score reports, which are included in their academic file. CAASPP scores are also used by colleges for course placement.

APC in Action

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 AND validated by the student’s supervisor by Thursday, Apr 19, 2024 so please encourage your students to get their hours entered now!!
 
Since April, 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 Thursday, Apr 19, 2024, will get an Acalanes Service Award so please encourage your students to get those hours entered as that deadline is quickly approaching!


DON'T MISS THE COLOR RUN!
Acalanes is having its Annual Color Run on Sunday, Mar 24 at 9 am. This is a super fun 1 or 2-mile run around the Acalanes campus with stations of different colored powders 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 want to encourage you to run or walk! You can purchase your registration on Go Fan which includes a t-shirt, 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 Community Always (ACA)

DONS SHOWED UP FOR THE PRINCESS PROJECT DRESS DRIVE!
We collected 183 very nice prom dresses which will go to very deserving young ladies. The Huskins family is delivering them on Saturday on behalf of Acalanes, with a lot of pride and appreciation for our awesome ACA community!  Thank you ACA for always SHOWING UP!
 
BOOK DRIVE FOR THE LAFAYETTE LIBRARY
The Community Outreach and Improvement Program is hosting a drive for the Friends of the Lafayette Library and Learning Center from Mar 4-15!

Please donate gently used books, DVDs, puzzles, and games to the bins outside the Acalanes front office!

Donations help fund programs and other parts of the Lafayette Library and Learning Center! Please check out our website for more information and donation options. Thank you in advance!

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

• Thursday, Mar 21: 5-6:30pm
• 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.