Weekly News & Announcements

Sports

This week’s can’t miss events!

Boys soccer
Tuesday, Dec 13 host Ygnacio Valley HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Thursday, Dec 15 at Northgate HS. Frosh at 3:30 pm, JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Friday, Dec 16 St. Mary’s HS in the De La Salle Showcase at 4pm.
 
Girls soccer
Tuesday, Dec 13 at College Park HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
Thursday, Dec 15 host Northgate HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 7pm.
 
Boys basketball
Friday, Dec 16 host Concord HS. Frosh at 4pm, JV at 5:30pm and Varsity at 7pm.
 
Wrestling
Saturday, Dec 17 Bill Martell Invitational at Northgate HS and Castro Valley Girls Invitational.

The winter sport schedules will be found on the AHS website by clicking here.
 
If you have any questions, please contact Randy Takahashi at rtakahashi@auhsdschools.org or Haley Walsh at hwalsh@auhsdschools.org.

Finals Prep

We have your students covered as they prepare to finish the semester strong! Please be sure to visit our website for even more information on all the events planned to support our students through finals.
 
Tuesday, Dec 6 Frosh Finals Informational Meeting at Lunch in the Library
Come hear from teachers in English, Math, World History, Living Earth & World Language about best practices to prep for finals. They will not only share information on finals, but best ways to study as well.

Finals goodie bags will be given to the first 150 Frosh thanks to APC!
 
Wednesday, Dec 7 ‘Wellness in the Winter’ Session during Academy
Our Wellness in the Winter session is a space to gather together and practice coping skills to thrive during finals and a long break with family.
 
Wednesday, Dec 7 Exam Jam from 3-5pm in the Library
Kick start your finals studying and preparation during exam jam. We will have teachers from each department, along with peer tutors, on hand to support and answer questions. It is a great opportunity to finish up study guides, begin to study while enjoying delicious snacks and a quiet environment. See you there!
And don’t forget to encourage your student to take advantage of these additional resources this week:

• Peer Tutoring during every academy, lunch, 7th period, and every day 1 hour after the final school bell.
• Wellness Center will be open for students to drop in Monday through Friday from 8am - 4pm (with teacher approval during class hours).
• Acalanes library will be open from 7:30am to 5pm daily.

Check out our Finals Prep Webpage for more information and resources!

General Administration Announcements

Acalanes Teacher Wins Master Teacher Fellowship Appointment
Sydney Johnson was selected as one of twelve candidates internationally for the ABE (Amgen Biotechnology Experience) Master Teacher Fellowship.
 
This program will support Ms. Johnson in collaborating with experts from STEM fields, developing curriculum infusing research-based pedagogy, inclusive classroom practices, and cutting-edge biotech concepts and technologies.
 
This was a very selective process and a big honor! Ms. Johnson teaches Biotechnology, Chemistry, and Earth and Space Science at Acalanes.
 
Please join us in congratulating Sydney Johnson!
 
View full press release here.

Parents Club Pro-Tip

At our recent Dons Dialogue we heard some valuable pro-tips from seasoned student leaders that we want to share broadly:

• Check in with your students about finals. Encourage them to take advantage of the many resources available to help study and destress. Visit the APC website for a reminder of resources available. You can even print the handy exam schedule here.
• Encourage your student to visit the RogerHub website to utilize their Final Grade Calculator. Some students find it helpful to calculate what score they need to achieve on their final exam in order to get the semester grade they desire in the class.

Let’s face it, finals can be a stressful time not only for our students, but also us parents, so hang in there!

APC in Action

We have two great opportunities to treat our well deserving teachers, staff and students!
 
Staff Appreciation Holiday Cookie Exchange on Friday, Dec 9
We need lots of volunteers to pull this off and give our teachers and staff a much deserved treat. Please sign up here if you are able to bake and/or purchase holiday goodies.
 
Finals Fuel Help Needed!
Finals are almost here, which means it's your last chance to help with FINALS FUEL! Come offer some snacks and some words of encouragement to our Dons as they wrap up the fall semester.  

Please use this Sign-Up Genius for detailed information about signing up to volunteer or purchasing snacks for us to hand out.

We especially need volunteer help on Friday, Dec 16! Even if you've already signed up to help on a different day, come join us again if you can. We can't do it without you!

Thank you for your support and GO DONS!!

APC Membership & Fundraising

Remember to keep ACA in mind for your holiday shopping! Every time you shop on Amazon, you could also be contributing to Acalanes - it’s never been so easy!
 
Click this link to shop smile.amazon.com and designate Acalanes Parents Club as your charity of choice!
 
And, since most of us also shop Amazon on our phones, don’t forget to add Smile to your Amazon app too. It’s super easy and you only have to do it once:

1. After you’ve clicked the link above and joined Amazon Smile via your desktop or laptop, open the Amazon app on your phone
2. Open settings within the app
3. Tap AmazonSmile
4. Tap the button for “turn on AmazonSmile”

Happy ACA shopping…and THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Acalanes Community Always (ACA)

A very special Acalanes community event will take place on Saturday, Dec 10 at 6:30pm in the main gym. For those families fortunate enough to have had Chris Huber as their PE teacher and/or coach, the time has finally come to properly honor our treasured Don. The dedication ceremony of the Chris Huber Memorial Gym will take place during the Chris Huber Annual Memorial Basketball Tournament that evening. APC has been honored to support the efforts of renaming the gym and this special dedication. We hope you will join us.

Parent Education

Be sure to bookmark the AUHSD Parent Education website for all the information you need for AUHSD Parent Education events. And, great news! There are recordings of the past events in case you missed them!
 
Next event: 
Parent Presentation by Contra Costa Crisis Center
Suicide Awareness
Tuesday, Dec 6 from 6-7pm
Register on Zoom here
 
Click here for more information on Wellness Parent Ed events.

Student Activities

Winter Week begins tomorrow! Our schedule of events:

• Monday's dress up is BYOB (bring your own blanket) and the lunch activity is cookie decorating in all quads, along with a winter carnival in the big gym!
• Tuesday's dress up is candy cane day (wear red and white) and there will be mini candy canes passed out in all quads during break.
• Wednesday's dress up is winter weather (ski gear) and there will be a snowball fight (dodgeball) at lunch in the big gym.
• Thursday's dress up is lumberjack (flannels) and there will be a hot cocoa bar in the morning before school!
• Friday's dress up is jam jam day (pajamas) and we are making smores at lunch!

Finals Preparation Opportunities
As we approach final exams, there are a few opportunities for students:

• Frosh: On Tuesday, Dec 6 at lunch in the library, join new crew leaders and teachers to discuss best study practices by subject area AND hear more about finals in English, World History, Living Earth, World Language & Math.
• ALL: On Wednesday, Dec 7 from 3-5pm in the library, kick start studying at Exam Jam. Teachers from every department, along with peer tutors, will be there to support, answer questions and provide delicious snacks 🙂

 
Does your student want to start a club but didn't get the chance to in the fall? They can create one now! The work done within a club is so important and we want to support that. Please fill out this google form in its entirety by Friday, Dec 16. Spring Club day is Friday, Jan 13 at lunch.
 
Adopt-a-Family this Holiday Season!
Thank you for all of your support with adopt-a-family. We were able to support 60 families this year. If you adopted an individual or family, please check your email and plan to drop gifts off at Acalanes on Friday, Dec 9 either between 7:30-8:30am or 10-11am in front of the small gym. Questions? Email Katherine Walton.
 
This Saturday, Dec 10 - Chris Huber Memorial Gymnasium Dedication
This will be held at 6:30pm at the school. Chris Huber was a beloved educator and basketball coach at Acalanes and our gym will be named for him. There will be a reception to follow and we hope you’ll join us!
 
Buy Gratitude Grams now! These are a great way for students to appreciate classmates, friends, staff members and teachers by sending them a little goodie bag filled with love and appreciation. Each gram is $5 and they are available for purchase on the webstore.
 
As always, if there is anything we can do for you or your student, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Thank you and go Dons!

Katherine Walton, Leadership Teacher

College & Career

SENIORS

Scholarships: Acalanes College and Career Center Scholarships Links: https://www.acalanes.k12.ca.us/Page/2549

• Are you a vegetarian? Here is a scholarship for you - Better Vegetarian Scholarship: https://www.vrg.org/student/scholar.htm
• Do you want to be a lawyer? Here is a scholarship for you - Future Lawyer Scholarship: https://www.salvimaher.com/scholarship
• Are you creative? 2023 Creative Youth Awards: https://www.bayareacreativefoundation.org/creative-youth-awards

 Diablo Valley Assistance League, Rossmoor Scholarship Foundation, and AAUW are also available- come by to learn more! 
 
FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is available. The state is asking all seniors to fill out the FAFSA or to opt-out.
 
Common App Support: Your student can click here to make an appointment to work on essays or get help with the entire process.
 
JUNIORS
 
1:1 appointments: If you’d like your child to start exploring career interests and begin looking at Naviance, please have them schedule an appointment here.
 
SOPHOMORES/FROSH
 
Volunteer Ideas: Have your student come by the CCC, so I can learn about their interests. Check out this website for ideas too! It’s best to set a search filter for teens.
 
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 Christine Todd  
Ku-Rog Marissa Meadows 
Roh-Z Susan Martin

Frosh Appointments Counselors are checking in individually with their frosh students - their first final exams are one school week away! 
 
Students with D/F Grades Counselors are calling these students in to offer support in making up work and re-taking tests in order to get grades up going into finals. Any student that earns a D or an F in a required class may want to or need to sign up for summer school to make up the grade. Information about summer school will be coming in the spring.
 
Late Sign Up for AP Exams Late registration options are still available, but will incur a late fee. Please see here for more details.

School Nurse

Start Getting Ready for Finals
One week to go before finals. Support your student by encouraging them to get organized and schedule study time starting NOW. Provide them with lots of healthy snacks, good sleep patterns (8-10 hours/night) and refreshing recreation in between study sessions. 
 
Healthy Feet
Support your student’s growth and development by encouraging healthy foot care - that includes choosing supportive shoes.
 
Starting to think about holiday gifts? How about things that make being healthy fun!

• Fun water bottles to stay hydrated through the school day
• Beanies to stay warm through cold weather
• Workout clothes and equipment to encourage physical activity
• Journals to encourage mindful time and thought
• Board games to encourage fun and connection
• Fun shoes for walking/hiking (and socks to match!)

No time for breakfast?
Ask your student what kind of portable healthy food you can make available for them to grab on their way to school:

• Green smoothie
• Fruit (fresh and dried)
• Nuts
• PB&J
• Healthy muffins

Dvora Citron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org
925-280-2970 x7128
IG: acalanesschoolnurse