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Calendar of Upcoming Events
May Dates:
21, 23       Pops Concerts: "At the Movies", 7pm, PAC
27            No School - Memorial Day
31            Dons Dialogue

June Dates:
3-6           Finals Week
6              Last Day of School
7              Senior Graduation Day
Co-Presidents Message
We hosted our APC Transition Reception last week to thank many of our long-standing volunteers who are moving on and we welcomed numerous incoming volunteers for the 2019-20 school year.
 
Of special note, we appreciate the years of active volunteering from:
Ali Minden : APC Treasurer and Board Member
Velia Leung : APC Auditor and Board Member
Meredith White : APC VP of Services and Board Member
Stacey Bauer : Acalanes Registration Summer Mailer Coordinator
Jamie Cronk : APC Editor  
Suzanne Everly & Wai Siv : Student Directory & Parent Handbook Coordinator
Glen Garfein: APC Webmaster
Kelsey Kobayashi : Wellness Liaison
Liz Lee & Kaisa Lyon : APC Hospitality Chairs (for 6 years!)
Sharon Nagle : Volunteer Coordinator and Legal Advisor
Molly Wendt & Wendy Pratt : Finals Fuel Co-Chairs (for too many years to count)
We are so lucky to work with such a terrific group of dedicated volunteers.
 
Please review the slate below for our incoming 2019-20 Board of Directors. We hope you'll attend our APC General Membership Meeting to vote on the slate and to participate in our final Dons Dialogue of the school year on Friday, May 31 .
 
Have a great week!
Dawn & Sarah
APC In Action
Acalanes Volunteer Service Awards Celebration Luncheon: Tuesday, May 21
It's great to see so many Acalanes students giving back to a variety of communities! If your student submitted a Volunteer Service application earlier this month, they should soon receive information at school confirming their award level along with an invitation to the Awards Celebration Lunch hosted by Principal Bell on Tuesday, May 21, located in the quad between the Main Gym and Small Gym.


Dons Dialogue:  Friday, May 31
Be sure to attend the last Dons Dialogue of the year on Friday, May 31 at 8:45am in the Collaboration Center, immediately following the APC General Membership Meeting. Principal Travis Bell will be on hand to provide updates on all of the events taking place in June for our Seniors. We'll also hear from Leadership, HSD (Acalanes' Health and Social Development program), learn about Unified Sports and hear details about the Spring APC Grants recipients. Parking will be set aside in the lot by the Main Gym. Coffee and treats are provided. See you there!


Approval of APC Board of Directors Slate
Please see below for the proposed slate for 2019-20 Acalanes Parents Club Board. The slate will be voted on at the APC General Membership Meeting on Friday, May 31 at 8:45am, in the Collaboration Center (next to the College & Career Center). All APC members are invited and encouraged to attend to vote on the slate. Any comments on the slate prior to the vote, please send to Meg Fellner , APC Parliamentarian. A huge thanks to these parents for stepping up to be on the Board! The final Dons Dialogue of the year will follow the APC General Membership Meeting.
APC Spring Grants
APC had approved $10,000 in spring grants through our grant application process. With your support, the Wellness Center will now have an outside garden area, the attendance office will be able to get a much-needed renovation/update and all can look forward to an election simulation in the future. The APC could not provide these grants without your support and we thank you!

Senior, Junior, Sophomore, Freshman 
Class Updates
Senior-Junior-Sophomore-Freshman Class Updates
Just a Reminder:  Dons Families can click on each Class Heading to link through to our Webpage to find lots of great information and useful contacts. Be sure to keep up to date as lots of fun things are on the horizon!

May 20
Senior Symposium and Picnic, at Acalanes
June 2
Time of Reflection, 3pm Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church
June 3 - 6
Finals Week
June 7
Graduation Rehearsal, 9-11am Mandatory Attendance! (Complementary breakfast served)

Graduation, 6pm

Grad Night, 8pm busses leave for Umigo

Senior Symposium and Picnic
Tomorrow morning , Monday May 20 will begin with a Senior Send-Off where students will get all the details about graduation, hear from Eryn Reeder our social worker about transitioning to adult life and college, hear from two police officers and also hear from six alumni. The picnic will follow from Noon - 2 pm. Top Dog will provide dogs and sausages but we still need additional food items and parents to volunteer to work a shift. Please sign up here .
 
Graduation Leis
The last day to order leis is this Wednesday, May 22 so order now!  These beautiful White Orchid Leis will be shipped directly from Hawaii and may be picked up by graduating seniors before the graduation ceremony on June 7 . Leis are $25 each and may be purchased here .  Leis will not be sold on graduation day.  
 
Senior Memory Frames
If you missed the deadline for ordering a Senior Memory Frame through the Web Store, you can still order through Michaels here. Once you have completed your student's photo collage/memory frame, you can turn it into the Attendance Office by June 4. Make sure your student's name is on the front and your name, number and a hook for hanging is on the back. Memory frames will be displayed on June 7.

 
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GRAD NIGHT INFORMATION

Acalanes High School parents have a proud tradition of offering a safe, alcohol and drug-free event for our graduating students. Grad Night is held Friday, June 7 immediately following the Graduation Ceremony at Acalanes and includes transportation to and from Umigo , dinner, snacks, drinks, games, dancing and lots of entertainment options for grads to spend the last moments as Acalanes Dons together.

Tickets
Now until Friday, May 24: Purchase your 2019 Grad Night Ticket
on the Web Store.  
May 24: Web Store tickets closed.  Payment via check only.
Note: as of May 10, we are no longer refunding tickets.
 

Permission Slips
Two permission slips are required to attend Grad Night. They can be found here and here .  Return permission slips one of the following two ways :
    1. Mail to Angela Ketcham, 7 Greene Place, Lafayette, CA 94549, OR
    2. Drop off in the Grad Night basket in the Counseling Office
Note : Grad night scholarships are available so all seniors can attend. School Counselors can provide information regarding scholarships.  
Items Needed for Grad Night
Grad Night would not be possible without the donations and help from our wonderful senior parents. Please look through this year's SignUp Genius to see how you might help with this special event: Grad Night SignUp Genius .
Grad Night Volunteers Needed
Now open to ALL parents of Seniors. This is your chance to be part of this special celebration. Don't miss out! Sign up here .

Grad Night Fundraiser
Get wonderful Father's Day and Graduation gifts while raising funds for the Class of 2019 Grad Night. Check out Boon Supply via this link Acalanes High School - Grad Night . 50% of the proceeds sold go to the Class of 2019 Grad Night and everything is shipped directly to your home . Started by the founder of Serena & Lily, Boon Supply has amazing selection of practical and affordable home, tech, kitchen, lifestyle and outdoor items. Most items are under $25!
 
Grad Night Slideshow
Please submit pictures for the slide show that will be showing at Grad Night here!  These pictures should include AHS seniors and do not have to be just when they were in high school. All ages welcome!

Questions?  Contact us

This is the last full week of classes for the 2018-19 academic year!  Remind your Juniors to check School Loop for any possible missing assignments that may be corrected or made up.
 
Not sure what your Junior should do this summer?  Encourage your student to visit the College and Career Center to learn about options.
 
Enjoy the long Memorial Day weekend with a school holiday on Monday, May 27. Check out lots of events around the Bay Area you can explore here.  


Questions?
Tori Heffelfinger
Kathy Hemmenway
Kat O'Donnell
Ellen Seiler


Wow!  Hard to believe our students are soon-to-be juniors!  Our leadership team has one more event on the calendar for the Sophomore Class: a final lunch time class bonding event with pizza and Boba tea this Friday, May, 24 .  (Free except $2 for Boba.)
The next two years will be busy with fundraising activities to help pay for Junior/Senior prom.  As always, we welcome any parent involvement! Please reach out to us if you would like to help with Junior/Senior year activities!

Good luck during these last three, busy weeks of school! Please email us at class2022@acalanesparentsclub.com if you'd like to get involved next year. We've started to do some planning and appreciate any and all help!
Questions? contact us
Jen Fish
Kristin McPhail
Judy Sandberg
Candy Stryker
Student Activities
May Dates:
22        Dons on the Lawn
29       Battle of the Bands

Dons on the Lawn
Mark your calendar! May 22 from 5-7 come the community is invited to Dons on the Lawn on the football field. Come out with your family, eat, enjoy inflatables, lawn games, carnival games and more!!!!

Battle of the Bands
Does your student play in a band? Encourage them to participate in the annual Battle of the Bands competition on May 29 at 3:15pm. A link to enter is posted on school loop. Event is open to all!

 
Spirit Wear
We have just a few spirit items left for the 2018-2019 school year! Consider ordering something from the Web Store for an end of year gift!

Questions? Email Katherine Walton, the leadership teacher, Room 314.
From Acalanes the Wellness Center
Whether your student needs to focus on studying, test-taking, or calming down their emotions, the same tools apply. When we encounter the overwhelm that can accompany pressure, performance, procrastination, and inability to focus, generally speaking-- the limbic system is in charge. Connecting with our senses is one of the best ways to calm the nervous system and activate the prefrontal cortex where we do high level thinking. When we tune in to the "felt" senses we're using inquiry.  Before advising your kids on this, try it for yourself and check your own outcomes. Check your breathing, spend a few moments with it-- really notice it. Scan your body for where you might be holding tension, notice where it feels supported or alert. Listen to the sounds in your current environment-- notice the sounds that are primary and then tune in really closely for the quieter ones. Scan your environment but slowly and patiently and see what you notice.
Eryn Reeder, Wellness Coordinator (ext. 7150)
Casey Sasner, Intake Specialist (ext. 7136)
Follow us on Instagram (acalaneswellness) and Twitter (@acalaneswellness)
College and Career Center
ALL GRADES

Value Priced College Night
Tuesday, June 4 from 6:30-7:30pm in the Las Lomas Library.
Come hear from a financial aid expert, Tim Lenehan, who has researched and compared the costs of colleges across the nation. Learn about affordable instate and out of state public colleges in the Western US. Tim is a CPA and College Advisor and will share his insights and top picks that cost as little as $16k to attend!

Rising Senior Night Presentation
Did you miss Thursday, May 9th's Rising Senior Night?  No worries. Check out a slide show of the entire presentation here .
Job Postings
There are more job postings coming in!!  If your child is looking for a summer job the College & Career Center is a good place to stop by.
Volunteer Opportunity
Does your student love science and love working with kids? Fun With Academics is hiring summer camp interns. Questions? jobs@funwithacademics.com.

Counseling
Course Requests
Students wanting to change a course request for next school year need to contact their counselors directly.  The schedule is being developed based on requests made earlier this semester and changes are not guaranteed. We have a Wishlist going for requests.
Summer School
Students who have a D or F in a required course should sign up for summer school. Summer School will be held at Las Lomas. Get an application and info here.
From Your School Nurse
Have an AWESOME weekend and try this AWE WALK practice (instructions included!).
Please visit the School Nurse website for valuable information on concussions, nutrition, stress management and so much more!  
Dvora Citron, R.N., M.S.
Acalanes School Nurse
Tuesdays & Wednedays 7:30-3:20, Fridays 7:30-11:30
925.280.3970 x7128
Performing and Visual Arts
POPS Concerts!
May 21 and 23 in the PAC at 7pm, both nights.
Please join us for our annual Pops Concerts: "At the Movies!" These are our most popular concerts of the year and feature all of the ensembles with solo acts and a live band on stage. Come hear music from Footloose, The Hunger Games, Mamma Mia, 9 to 5, Ferris Bueller's Day Off and many more. Tickets are available NOW  through this link!
Jazz Cafe
Friday May 31, 6-10pm, Stanley Multi-use Room
Stanley Middle School presents Jazz Cafe, a collaborative performance of jazz student musicians from Stanley, Campolindo and Acalanes. Support the fundraising efforts of the Stanley Middle School jazz program and enjoy a memorable evening of music. Food, raffles and silent auction also available.  Single tickets: reserved $20 (all ages); unreserved (at the door; cash only) up to $15. Donations encouraged. Click here for ticket sales and donations. For more info, email stanleymusic.org/jazz-cafe or contact Laurie Bankhead .

Legislative News
A number of state assembly bills were introduced recently in reaction to the national college admissions scandal.  Generally, these bills are intended to tighten the rules governing preferential admissions at public universities (such as for legacies or athletes) and to better regulate private admissions counselors.  In addition, some of the bills seek to eliminate the use of the SAT or ACT as an application requirement.
At the same time, however, a long standing effort to increase access to the SAT and ACT is coming closer to fruition.  The Assembly Education Committee has approved AB 751 ("Pathways to College Act"), a bill allowing school districts to administer the SAT or ACT during school hours at no cost to the students and to use those results in place of state-required assessments. The idea is that many or most students already take the SAT or ACT and that the state could reduce "test fatigue" by replacing the state's tests with the SAT or ACT.  Many schools with low-income students already offer the SAT or ACT for free as a way to boost college admissions.
Finally, AB 1792, introduced by the California Department of Education, would authorize giving the Smarter Balanced testing in 10th grade, rather than 11th grade, to provide earlier information as to whether students are on track for college and career.
For more information on all of these, please refer to these two articles:  


LPIE
Congratulations to all the students who participated in the 6th Annual Project LPIE competition! Acalanes students submitted over 150 projects in 17 categories. The projects were showcased at a reception at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center on Friday, May 10. Please follow this link for a list of winners.

Dons Sports Info
Recruited Athletes Recognition
On Thursday, May 23 at lunchtime in the main gym, Acalanes Boosters is proud to present a celebration of Acalanes' talented, hard-working student-athletes who have been recruited to play their sports in college (Division I, II, or III) while continuing their education.  Local media, parents, friends, AHS students, and the community are ALL invited. Please come out to celebrate and support these 13 student-athletes: Sydney Bell, Eddie Burns, Johnny Choi, Amanda Fingerut, Alex Franke, Emily Gebhardt, Alex Fellner, Laurel Park, Chris Rogers, Lexi Rowell, Jackie Samaniego, Jake Stone, and Max Stryker.

This week's can't miss events

Baseball
Tuesday, May 21 NCS Semifinals.
Friday, May 24 or Saturday, May 25 NCS Championships.
Softball
Tuesday, May 21 or Wednesday, May 22 NCS Semifinals.
Friday, May 24 or Saturday, May 25 NCS Championships.
Track & field
Friday, May 24 and Saturday, May 25 CIF Championships at Veterans Memorial Stadium at Buchanan HS in Clovis.
  Quick Links
email: editor@acalanesparentsclub.com