Weekly News & Announcements

Student Activities

Homecoming 2023 Oct 9-14: Acalanes celebrates music genres!
Check out the overview of Homecoming 2023 and encourage your student to get involved! It is one of the best weeks on campus and we want every student to feel a part of it. The week has multiple “entry” points so everyone can participate.
 
HOCO Night Out is on Saturday, Oct 14 from 7-10pm. It is a campus wide event (1100+ attended last year) and a night not to miss.The night features a game truck, laser tag, arcade games, caricaturist, henna, food for purchase, pool tables, ping pong, air hockey, dancing & more. Tickets are on sale via Go Fan and are:

• $25 with ASB
• $52 without ASB
• $75 for an outside guest

Students with ASB need to use their ID number as the promo code in order to get the correct ticket price. Outside guests need to fill out and return a guest contract by Tuesday, Oct 10 to the main office.
 
In order to make sure it is a safe event for all, we are in need of 30 parent chaperones. Please consider signing up!
 
The annual Acalanes Blood Drive is here! Anyone 16+ years old can donate (adults encouraged). It is on Tuesday, Sep 26 from 8am-3:35pm in the small gym at Acalanes. People can sign up to donate through the link or scan the QR codes in all senior and junior English classrooms. High schoolers should make sure to bring their signed permission forms to room 314 by tomorrow, Monday, Sep 25. Snacks will be provided! Contact Katherine Walton if you have any questions!
 
Clubs at Acalanes
This year we have 72 approved clubs at Acalanes and they are a great way to connect with a passion and get involved. Please encourage your student to attend meetings, reach out to the presidents and get involved! Check them out here!
 
Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.
 
Katherine Walton, Activities Director

College & Career

Seniors

• College Visits This Week in the CCC: Students MUST pick up a pass from the College & Career Center to attend.
  • Monday: Tufts University, Landmark College, LSU, Wash Univ. St. Louis, Colorado State
  • Tuesday: UC Merced, Claremont McKenna
  • Wednesday: Harvey Mudd College, Davidson College
  • Thursday: Oregon State, Western Washington, Vanderbilt
  • Friday: Union College, University of Rochester
• College Application Academy Support: Remind your student to come to academy sessions in the CCC. 6th and 7th period is OPEN for seniors to DROP BY anytime! No appointments needed.
  • Wednesday, Sep 27 - Common App Supplemental Support in Academy!
• New FAFSA Changes and How They Impact Your Family: This is a very informative video on the new changes to FAFSA, which opens in December.

Juniors

• International University College Fair: Acalanes is hosting an International College Fair in the library on Thursday, Sep 27 from 6:30-8pm. 15+ universities will share information on applying to schools abroad. Please sign up here.

Sophomores/Frosh

• Check out the 2023 Bay Area Youth Climate Summit! Interested in Environmental Issues?

Please visit our College & Career Counseling website any time for additional information and support. 

Counseling

Counselor assignments are by last name:
A-Em AnneSchonauer
En-Kr Erika Vasquez
Ku-Rog MarissaMeadows
Roh-Z SusanMartin

Progress Reports for the first grading period were available in Aeries as of Friday, Sep 22. The next grading period will be quarter grades the week of Oct 16.
 
Dropping Classes: Students may still drop a class until the end of the first quarter, Friday, Oct 13. If the class is in the middle of the day, a student may add a TA period. TA is the only class a student can still add to their schedule.   
 
Senior Appointments: Counselors are currently doing individual appointments with seniors. We will discuss the student’s plans for after high school. We will go through necessary steps to apply to college, arrange for relevant documents, and review deadlines. 
 
The CSF application period is open! CSF (California Scholarship Federation) is an honor society. Current 11th and 12th graders are encouraged to apply. A complete CSF application has 2 parts - an application form  and a payment on the webstore. Turn forms in to the Counseling Office. The deadline is Saturday, Sep 30 for both the form and the payment! Students who are members for at least 4 semesters, including during senior year, will get special stole to wear at graduation. Read the FAQ on the application form and contact Ms. Schonauer for any clarification.

School Nurse

Happy Fall!
It’s a great time to have you and your family get flu shots. If you have a college student, encourage them to go to the Student Health Center on campus to get their flu shot and see what resources are available.

Here’s a great Autumn recipe to try: RedLentil & PumpkinSoup

Always Your School Nurse,
DvoraCitron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org, 925-280-2970 x7128,
IG: acalanesschoolnurse, ​SchoolNurseWebsite

Wellness Center

Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE) has developed a new online guide titled, “Substance Use, Mental Health, & Teens: A Guide for Parents & Other Caring Adults,” which focuses on information and resources to protect and care for teens facing substance use and mental health crises. Created by the agency’s Tobacco Use Prevention Education (TUPE) program, in collaboration with community partners, the resource was inspired by CCCOE Education Champion April Rovero, Founder/Director of National Coalition Against Prescription Drug Abuse (NCAPDA). The guide is intended to equip adults with the knowledge and resources they need to support young people in their lives to make pro-health decisions.

The Parent Guide is available to view and download in English and Spanish: www.cocoschools.org/ParentGuideSUMH

Performing & Visual Arts

LPIE

Sports

This week’s can’t miss events:

Girls golf
Monday, Sep 25 Northgate HS at Boundary Oak GC at 3:30pm.
Friday, Sep 29 JV v. Campolindo HS at Rossmoor GC at 3:30pm.
 
Girls tennis
Tuesday, Sep 26 Miramonte HS at 3:30pm. Varsity is home and JV is away.
 
Girls water polo
Wednesday, Sep 27 at Miramonte HS. JV at 4pm and Varsity at 5pm.
Saturday, Sep 30 JV v. Miramonte HS at 11am and Varsity v. Clovis North HS at 12pm at Miramonte HS.
 
Boys water polo
Wednesday, Sep 27 at Miramonte HS. Varsity at 6pm and JV at 7pm.
Saturday, Sep 30 Jesuit JV Jamboree.
 
Cross country
Wednesday, Sep 27 DAL Center Meet at Hidden Valley Park at 3:30pm.
 
Flag football
Wednesday, Sep 27 Campolindo HS at 6pm, Miramonte HS at 7pm at Miramonte HS.
 
Girls volleyball
Thursday, Sep 28 at Miramonte HS. Frosh at 4:30pm, JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 6:30pm.
Saturday, Sep 30 JV and Frosh in East County tournament at Pittsburg HS.
 
Football
Thursday, Sep 28 Frosh at Dublin HS at 5:30pm.
Friday, Sep 29 at Vallejo HS. JV at 4:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
 
You may view the full 2023-2024 Athletic Schedules by clicking HERE.

General Administration Announcements

FROSH CONNECT
Frosh Connect is happening Thursday, Sep 21 and Friday, Sep 22 in Living Earth classes. New Crew leaders will lead 45 minute small group sessions where they talk about the start of the year, provide Canvas tips and answer questions, and then talk about the various involvement opportunities on campus. All Frosh will attend during their Living Earth class. This is the first of four Frosh Connect sessions planned for the year with relevant content to help guide the freshmen class through their first year at Acalanes.

PICTURE DAY ORDERS & MAKEUPS
Picture retakes and make-ups will be this Wednesday, Sep 20 from 7:45-11:30am in the PAC Lobby. To order school photos visit Studio One Photos. The online code is your student’s ID number.

APC in Action

PEER TUTORING PRESENTS:  NOTE-TAKING 101
Peer Tutoring is here to help set your student up for academic success! Encourage your student to come to Peer Tutoring on Wednesday, Sep 20 at lunch to learn basic note-taking strategies and how to use those notes to study effectively. The seminar is designed for Frosh students, but all are welcome! Space is limited to the first 40 students and pizza will be served!
 
Peer Tutoring is 100% funded by your generous donations to APC. Thank you for your ongoing support! It’s the only way we can continue to serve our students.
 
DONS DIALOGUE & APC GENERAL MEETING
Please join us on Friday, Sep 22 at 8:30am in the Collaboration Center for our September Dons Dialogue. We will start with a brief APC General Meeting including a review and vote on the 2023-24 APC budget. Our Dons Dialogue with Principal Shawn will immediately follow.

APC will provide coffee and treats. All parents/caregivers welcome.
 
APC FALL GRANT APPLICATION WINDOW IS NOW OPEN!
We invite all AHS teachers, staff, students, and parents to submit a grant application for programming, materials or projects that enhance the educational experience for our school community; all ideas are welcome. Click here for criteria and application.  The deadline isFriday, Oct 6! Completed proposals and questions can be submitted to Nicole Sanders or delivered to the APC Box in the front office

Follow the Acalanes Parents Club on Instagram to keep up to date on what's happening at Acalanes and reminders for important dates.

Please reach out to APC here with any questions.

APC Membership & Fundraising

APC has promised nearly $185,000 to Acalanes this school year. As of today we have $30,000 more to raise before we reach our goal! Please consider donating so we can provide all of our students with the resources they have come to expect. Click here to donate!

You may be able to make your donation go twice as far with Corporate Matching! Please check if your company has a matching program and, if so, contact corpmatch@acalanesparentsclub.com for further information.

We need your help and appreciate any and all donations! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Parent Education

ACALANES HIGH SCHOOL HOSTS A COMMUNITY PARENT EDUCATION NIGHT:
What Everyone Needs to Know about the Drug Landscape Today
Thursday, Sep 28 at 5:30pm
Acalanes Performing Arts Center (PAC)
RSVP Here

Join Song For Charlie, Local Law Enforcement Agencies, and the Acalanes Administration as they present What Everyone Needs to Know About the Drug Landscape Today. This is an opportunity for our parent community to come together to learn the facts about fentanyl and take empowered action to protect yourself and your loved ones.  

We will host a student presentation with this content for our Juniors and Seniors on Friday, Sep 29 during Academy.

CAMPUS AND GUN SAFETY EVENT
Tuesday, Oct 3 from 7-8pm
Acalanes Performing Arts Center (PAC)
Lafayette parents with students in grades K-12, are invited to an upcoming presentation and panel discussion on the important topic of campus and gun safety. Speakers include:

• City of Lafayette Mayor Carl Anduri
• Police Chief Ben Alldritt
• Lafayette School District Superintendent Dr. Brent Stephens
• Acalanes Unified High School District Superintendent Dr. John Nickerson
• Acalanes High School Principal Eric Shawn

We will hear about our city’s work to keep students and families safe from gun violence, and parents will learn how they can stay informed and do their part to keep our community safe. Please join us!