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School Nurse
Teens and Energy!?!
Which do your students like the best – Monster? Red Bull? Many others are also popular. You probably won’t be surprised that it’s not hard to find scientificevidence proving that these drinks are NOT HEALTHY for our teens to consume. What’s important to consider is WHY they are drinking them (what are they NOT getting?). When we see students drinking these during the school day, we can make some quick assumptions: they haven’t slept enough (length and quality) and/or they haven’t eaten breakfast (or anything). Translation: not only are these energy drinks actually dangerous, they’re being used as a replacement for something healthy that supports your student’s well-being. Please consider having a positive, non-judgmental and open-minded dialogue on how you can best support your student to cultivate and practice healthy habits that support optimal learning and performance. Need ideas and help? Let me know.
Browniesforbreakfast? Why not?Always Your School Nurse,
DvoraCitron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org, 925-280-2970 x7128,
IG: acalanesschoolnurse, SchoolNurseWebsite -
Wellness Center
In recent years you may have noticed a boom in the usage of the term “self-care.” It may seem as if this term is a new and trendy buzzword, but the benefits of self-care are endless when it comes to overcoming the challenges of everyday life. Self-care is an umbrella term for anything that an individual does to maintain their physical, emotional and spiritual health. It seems like a no brainer. It seems that taking care of yourself is pretty rudimentary and self-explanatory. Unfortunately, taking care of ourselves is extremely difficult when considering some of the challenges that we face on a day-to-day basis. Some barriers to self-care may include the mindlessness of daily routines in which we are driven by autopilot, yielding to others needs before our own, or even avoiding specific tasks that lead to the rationalization of why you just don’t have the time.
This week, I challenge you to consider the benefit of self-care not only for your personal wellbeing but for the wellbeing of your loved ones; specifically, your AHS student. Many of us have heard the phrase, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” If your physical, emotional and spiritual health are depleted, are you really showing up for your loved ones to the best of your ability? In addition to replenishing our cups, prioritizing self-care models effective health and wellness behaviors to your student. If your students can see that you are making it a point to take care of yourself, they are more likely to follow suit. Talk to your student about the importance of self-care and what that looks like for either of you. So, start that mindfulness practice, dance around the house to your favorite music, find what feels nourishing to your soul!
Kiara Thomas- Wellness Intake Specialist -
Sports
This week’s can’t miss events:
Girls golf
Monday, Oct 16 DAL Championship at Blue Rock East GC at 9am.
Girls volleyball
Tuesday, Oct 17 at Campolindo HS. Frosh at 4:30pm, JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 6:30pm.
Thursday, Oct 19 host Miramonte HS. Frosh at 4:30pm, JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 6:30pm.
Girls tennis
Tuesday, Oct 17 Miramonte HS at 4pm. Varsity is away and JF is home.
Unified soccer
Tuesday, Oct 17 at Ygnacio Valley HS at 1pm.
Boys water polo
Wednesday, Oct 18 host Miramonte HS. JV at 4pm and Varsity at 5pm.
Friday, Oct 20 host College Park HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 6pm.
Girls water polo
Wednesday, Oct 18 host Miramonte HS. Varsity at 6pm and JV at 7pm.
Friday, Oct 20 and Saturday, Oct 21 NorCal Varsity Invitational at Sacred Heart HS.
Cross country
Wednesday, Oct 18 DAL Center Meet at Newhall Park at 3:30pm.
Football
Thursday, Oct 19 Frosh host Menlo School at 5pm.
Friday, Oct 20 at Miramonte HS. JV at 4:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
You may view the 2023-2024 Athletic Update by clicking HERE. -
General Administration Announcements
HOMECOMING WEEK IS HERE!
For more details on how your student can join the activities listed above, see Student Activities section below. Let’s Go Dons!! -
APC in Action
THANK YOUR APC CLASS LIAISONS!
Do you know your Class Liaisons? If not, get to know this dedicated team of parent volunteers.
The Liaisons serve as the primary link between parents, the Associated Student Body (ASB) Class Officers and the AHS Leadership class. They work closely with the elected class officers to raise money and plan events from Freshman through Senior years. These hard working teams can be seen staffing the snack shack, planning the parent parties, and assisting with HOCO, Prom, Grad Night and so much more. They share weekly class updates in our APC newsletter (see APC Class Updates below). Please read their sections carefully and sign up help!
Next time you see your Class Liaison, please thank them for all they do for our students and the Acalanes community.
Co-Head Liaisons: Sarah Cusumano and Heidi Keely
Class of 2024: Claire Gallacher, Beth Goldberg, Becki Hanson, Joy Martin, Amy Parlett
Class of 2025: Alison Cocotis, Samantha Duff, Jen Fish, Holly McShane, Sherry Quinn
Class of 2026: Andrea Hilsabeck, Stefania Kaplanes, Heidi Keely, Gretchen La Rotonda
Class of 2027: Hazel Blackhart, Stephanie Hamilton, Erica Mason, Jeannine Palmer
APC FALL GRANT APPLICATIONS - Deadline Extended till Friday, Oct 13!
There is still time to submit an APC grant request, as the deadline has been extended until Friday, Oct 13. If you have an activity or project idea, we want to know more! The application is open to any AHS student, staff, teacher or parent. Any grant requests for programming, materials or projects that enhance the educational experience for our school community are welcome.
Click here for criteria and application. Completed applications and questions can be submitted to Nicole Sanders or delivered to the APC Box in the front office.
Follow Acalanes Parents Club on Instagram. Please reach out to APC here with any questions. -
APC Membership & Fundraising
APC is 100% PARENT FUNDED!
We are very close to reaching our pledged amount of $185,000 and only need $30,000 more to get there! Our suggested donation is $350 per student and we ask that you consider donating today if you haven’t already - truly, any amount counts! -
Parents Club Pro-Tip
Encourage your student to show up and participate in all the fun planned for homecoming week. There are so many different ways to get involved and its a great opportunity to make new friends or spend time with old friends. Go Dons!
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Acalanes Community Always (ACA)
JUNE 2024 TRIP TO FRANCE & SWITZERLAND
Does your student love to travel? Acalanes staff is taking students on a trip to Europe this summer and students in any grade can attend. The only requirement is an interest in travel! This summer we are going to France and Switzerland. This trip has a little bit of everything -- ancient/historical sites, relaxing beaches, awe-inspiring locations, amazing food, and a once-in-a-lifetime bonding experience with your Acalanes peers.
For anyone interested in going on the Europe trip this summer, please follow this link to preview the trip and to register.
Here is the link to the meeting video to learn more.
The deadline to sign up is Dec 1, so please do so as soon as you can if you're interested.
Thank you,
Erin Barth and Tina Gullberg -
Parent Education
SONG FOR CHARLIE - VIDEO
Last week Acalanes Administration hosted an impactful presentation with Song for Charlie (family-run nonprofit) and local First Responders on the topic of Fentanyl and “Fake Pills”. It was great to see so many parents and caregivers in attendance. This was not the old drug presentations we saw as kids. The information is new and important for all to see. We highly recommend parents sit down with their students to view the video!
Song for Charlie Website and Presentation
HOW TO NAVIGATE LIFE - EVENT REMINDER
Campo DEIB Presents: “How to Navigate Life" Book Discussion
Wednesday, Oct 11 at 7pm
Campolindo High School Performing Arts Center
RSVP Now at Event Create.Acalanes High School and APC present
INTERNET SAFETY NIGHT
Tuesday, Oct 24 at 6:30pm
Acalanes Performing Arts Center
Event is free for all parents/guardian. -
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)
There are several groups to recognize in the month of October. It is the second half of National Hispanic Heritage Month, National Arts and Humanities month, Filipino Heritage Month, LGBT History Month and National Disability Awareness Month. Indigenous People’s Day will be celebrated on Oct 9 and National Coming Out Day is Oct 11. We will have information on many of these topics in the coming newsletters, so keep an eye out!
Please join us on Tuesday, Oct 17 for a presentation with Alberto Ledesma in the Acalanes library at 7pm**. All parents and students in the district are invited. Alberto Ledesma, Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at UC Berkeley, will share his experience as an undocumented immigrant to “hyper documents” university professor, and more. Check out his book Diary of a ReluctantDreamer.
**Members of the DEI committee will be gathering prior to the presentation in the front quad at 6:40pm for a meet and greet. Please join us to connect and build a more robust parent community. Open to all parents and caregivers!
On Friday, Oct 23, there is also a Dia De Los Muertos Dance Concert at St. Mary’s College from 8-10pm presented by Baile Folklorico Guadalupano and SMC Dance Company. All are welcome! You can read more about it here.
If you would like to learn more about the DEIB committee please contact us. Our next meeting is Sunday, Nov 5. And please follow us! We post activities and opportunities happening around the Bay Area.
Instagram and Facebook -
Student Activities
HOMECOMING 2023 IS HERE!
Let’s celebrate together as a community! The fun begins tomorrow and we want to make sure you have all the information needed for your student to participate and have fun!
Tomorrow, Monday, Oct 9: Hallway Decorating from 10am-3pm
Encourage your student to come and support their class in transforming the halls. All students are welcome! Lunch will be served at 12:30pm.
We are also hosting a community walkthrough for families, our elementary schools, Stanley and the larger community from 5-6pm. Please stop by to see the magic!
Daily Schedule This Week
Tuesday:- Dress Up: Country
- Lunch: Wild West Festival on the pumpkin patch
Wednesday:
- Dress Up: Jerseys
- Lunch: Relay race on the pool deck
- 5pm: FAB tailgate prior to our flag football senior night
- 7pm: Student dodgeball - a not to miss event! Students should bring their ID to play.
Thursday:
- Dress Up: Concert/band merch
- Lunch: Cakewalk
Friday:
- Dress Up: Class shirts or color (9: white 10: blue 11: grey 12: black)
- Academy: Homecoming rally with class skits
- Lunch: Staff vs. student dodgeball - students should bring their ID to play.
- 5:30pm: Tailgate prior to the football game (wear white)
- 7pm: Football game with halftime show including a powder toss (wear white)
HOCO Night Out: Saturday, Oct 14 from 7-10pm
This is a campus wide event (1100+ attended last year) and a night not to miss! Tickets are on sale via Go Fan and are $25 with ASB, $52 without ASB, $75 for an outside guest.
Outside guests need to fill out and return a guest contract by Tuesday, Oct 10 to the main office. Homecoming will feature a game truck, laser tag, arcade games, caricaturist, henna, casino games, food for purchase and dancing. There is something for everyone!
Attire: Students are welcome to wear what they are comfortable in. Most students wear slacks, a collared shirt, or a semi-formal dress. Dancing is outside on the cement so please plan footwear accordingly.
Homecoming Resources:- Homecoming Overview Document
- Go Fan to purchase HOCO Night Out Ticket
- Google calendar with all the events
Canned Food Drive: Happening NOW through Friday, Oct 13
We will collect cans and money in the front quad in the morning and also have online donation links. The canned food drive is a part of class points for Homecoming. As a community, can we surpass the 40,000 can record set last year? Donation links:LatinX/Hispanic Heritage Month began Sept 15 and runs until Oct 15. Students have planned various events and celebrations. One opportunity for our entire community is to attend the speaker event on Tuesday, Oct 17 at 7pm in our library. Dr. Alberto Ledesma, Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at UC Berkeley will be with us to share his story, his experience as an undocumented immigrant, and more about the book he authored, Diary of a Reluctant Dreamer. Please save the date!
Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.
Katherine Walton, Activities Director
Social Media
