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Calendar of Upcoming Events
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September
22-28 Homecoming Week
October
14
No School - Staff Development Day
18 Dons Dialogue
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The
APC Campus Clean-Up
last Sunday was a huge success! Over sixty students, parents and community members showed up to help trim trees & hedges, pull weeds, landscape the Main Quad garden beds, paint the Small Gym exterior wall, and power wash key areas on campus. The event was a perfect example of #DonsShowUp! (And make sure to check out
Blueprint's article
about it!) Thank you to ALL the volunteers who made the effort to participate and a special thank you to
AHS parents Matt & Jill Perlman
for helping to coordinate the clean-up.
If you missed our second
APC Dons Dialogue
last Friday, you can find videos of all past Dons Dialogues on the APC website. Notably, Principal Bell gave an informative overview of the new Sandy Hook Promise Anonymous Reporting System along with our school safety protocols.
Homecoming
is here! Encourage your student (#DonsShowUp!) to participate in all the activities. The events kick-off today with
Homecoming Hallway Decorating
on campus from 10am-3pm. Homecoming activities are often some of the most fun events of the whole year.
Speaking of Homecoming, it's not too late to purchase an ASB Card for your student. ASB stands for Associated Student Body, which is the leadership organization on campus that coordinates student activities. These events include student rallies, Class & Teacher/Student Dodgeball, Powderpuff Football, Club activities, discounted tickets to the upcoming Homecoming Dance & other dances, as well as FREE entrance to any non-NCS sporting event on campus. The card can ultimately save you money on school events.
Dawn Brightbill & Sarah Cusumano
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2019-20 Acalanes and President's Volunteer Service Award Information
Acalanes sponsors two
Volunteer Service awards programs
to provide students with the opportunity to be recognized for their strong commitment to volunteerism. There are two levels of awards, the nationally recognized
President's Volunteer Service Award
and the
Acalanes Volunteer Service Award
. Students may apply for one or the other depending on the total number of verified service hours during a 12-month period. Applications are due in early April 2020. For more details on the program requirements and application, click
here
. Forms can also be found in the Counseling Office.
Last Call for Fall 2019 APC Grant Applications!
Acalanes Parents Club will continue its APC Grant Program this year with a focus on ideas that will enhance the educational and campus experience of AHS students in new and innovative ways. Teachers, students and parents are welcome to submit a grant proposal. The application and grant criteria can be found on the
APC website. Email completed applications to
Laura White or deliver to the APC box in the office. Grant applications are due by noon this Friday,
September 27.
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Senior, Junior, Sophomore, Freshman
Class Updates
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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!
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We will we will ROCK YOU!
Homecoming week is here. We hope to see all senior students TODAY to help decorate the senior hallway from 10am-3pm. It's not too late to come down NOW!
A huge
THANK YOU
to all the parent volunteers for bringing snacks and helping today.
Homecoming week events:
Pease check out the Student Activities section below for a detailed list of daily activities!
Follow your class on social media: Instagram
: @acalanes_2020
Class of 2020 Liaisons:
Tori Heffelfinger
Kathy Hemmenway
Kat O'Donnell
Ellen Seiler
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Homecoming Hallway Decorating
Surf's Up and the Beach Boys are in full swing with Homecoming Hallway Decorations! We could use ALL THE HELP WE CAN GET from junior students TODAY. Send your student to the 100's hallway anytime between 10am - 3pm.
Homecoming week events: Pease check out the Student Activities section below for a detailed list of daily activities. Let's bring on the Junior SPIRIT!
Follow your class on social media: Instagram
: @acalanes_2021
Mary Caprio
Sierra Higgins
Darci Olson
Millie Tooker
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Welcome to Homecoming Week! It's going to be busy and FUN!
Thanks to those parents who are helping out with hallway decorating today and bringing some snacks to keep the kids well fed. We appreciate it!
Homecoming week events:
Pease check out the Student Activities section below for a detailed list of daily activities.
It's time to show your Sophomore spirit!
Football Concessions: There are still a few slots open for parents to help at the Homecoming game on Friday - sign up here. We are also still looking for some help at the Campolindo Game on October 18 - sign up here.
Follow your class on social media: Instagram
: @acalanes_2022
Class of 2022 Liaisons:
Jen Fish
Kristin McPhail
Judy Sandberg
Candy Stryker
Questions? Email us: [email protected]
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Homecoming Week is here! Looking forward to seeing any/all Freshman for hallway decorating today from
10am-3pm.
Thank you
parents for generously donating to make the hallway shine like diamonds and feed the hungry decorators.
Homecoming week events: Pease check out the Student Activities section below for a detailed list of daily activities! Let's bring on the Freshman SPIRIT this week!
And there's more...
Thanks to all those that have already signed up for Football Concessions. We have a few more open spots. Click on the date to sign up!
Sept 27 Homecoming Game
Oct 18 Campolindo
Nov 1 Alhambra
Enjoy this fun filled week!
Follow your class on social media:
Instagram
: @acalanes_2023
Looking forward to a great year!
Class of 2023 Liaisons:
Catherine Burns
Charlene Condy
Jen Dodge
Daniele Upp
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September
16-26 Canned Food Drive
22-28 Homecoming (See daily event details below!)
Canned Food Drive continues!
We are holding the canned food drive in conjunction with Homecoming. It is a class competition worth 600 points (skit is 800; halls are 800). Please consider donating cans at the flag pole each morning or cash donations at lunch. All proceeds go directly to the Contra Costa Food Bank. Goal: 10,000 cans (7 cans per student & staff member).
ASB Card Parents: It is not too late to purchase an ASB (Associated Student Body) Card for your student. By purchasing an ASB Card, you are funding all student activities on the Acalanes campus and your student gets free entrance to any sporting event (non NCS) plus discounts on dances. Buy it today!
Homecoming
2019 Homecoming kicks off today and the students couldn't be more excited! The schedule of events is below. A few things to highlight:
Monday, Lunch: Unified Soccer
on the field. Please encourage your student to show up and support our special education students as they compete.
Wednesday, 7pm: Student vs student dodgeball
in the big gym. Please encourage your student to come watch or play. It is a definite highlight of the year for students.
Friday,
5:30pm: Tailgate
. All of the Lafayette community is invited! We will have games, activities, popcorn, and 2 student bands playing. Please come out!
Friday, 7:00pm: Football Game
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Wear blue!
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Bring 1 or 2 canned foods to donate. This is the last chance for our community to come together and donate food to those who need a meal.
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There will be a halftime show with cheer, skit performances, Homecoming winner announcement, and a powder toss.
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Pep band and a DJ will be at the game.
Saturday, 7-10pm: Homecoming Dance. Tickets are on sale at lunch and online and prices increase at the door. The dance offers more than just music! There is a game truck, caricaturist, photo booth, air brush tattoos, tacos, boba, ice cream & a hypnotist. If your student wants to bring a guest, guest contracts are in the main office and due Wednesday.
Homecoming Week Events
TODAY
, Sunday 10am - 3pm
Hallway Decorating
Monday, the 23rd
Dress-up: Earth, Wind, Fire & Water
Seniors - Blue
Juniors - Red
Sophomore - White
Freshmen - Green
Lunch: Unified Soccer & tailgate
Tuesday, the 24th
Dress-up: Country vs Rock
Lunch: Tie Dye
Wednesday, the 25th
Dress-up: 70's (hippie)
Lunch: Student vs. Staff Dodgeball
7 pm: Student vs. Student Dodgeball (class vs. class)
Thursday, the 26th
Dress-up: Subthemes
Seniors - Queen
Juniors - Beach Boys
Sophomores - Red +Devil + Black + Leather
Freshmen - Beatles/60s Fashion + Yellow
Lunch: Karaoke
Last DAY of Canned Food Drive
Friday, the 27th
Dress-up (day): Class Shirts or Class Color
Seniors - black
Juniors - grey
Sophomores - blue
Freshman - white
Academy: Homecoming Rally (Students only)
Lunch: Carnival
5:30 pm: Pre Game Tailgate for the Lafayette Community
7 pm: Homecoming Game (EVERYONE Wear Blue!)
Saturday, the 28th at 7:00pm
Homecoming Dance
Tickets are on sale via the
Web Store
or at lunch. Ticket prices are:
$15 with ASB
$30 without ASB
$45 for guests*
Prices increase by $5 at the door.
*Want to bring a guest? Fill out the guest contract (found in room 314) and submit to the main office by September 25th.
2019 Homecoming Shirt.
For $5 Dons can purchase a limited edition Homecoming Shirt, Bleed Blue. Shirt can be purchased on the
Web Store
and at lunch before Wednesday-we are selling out so buy yours quick! Shirts will be distributed 5th period Friday and at the tailgate.
Spirit Wear
is still available via the Acalanes
Web Store
. All spirit wear orders benefit the Class of 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023! Spirit wear will be delivered to your students 5th period class.
6th Man Jersey. Order a personalized 6th man jersey to wear to any athletic event including basketball! Jerseys can be customized with last name and graduation year on the back. Orders need to be placed by October 8 as they take 4 weeks to be produced and shipped (just in time for basketball season!).
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From Matthew Gahagan, Wellness Counselor Trainee
What identities does your student hold? High school is an important, and hectic, time in an adolescent's life. With all the academics, social and extra-curricular activities they engage in, they hold many identities. Think about your student. What do they do? Are they academically-oriented? Athletic? Artistic? Creative? Politically engaged or social action oriented? Talented at gaming? It is important to recognize these other identities, because solely holding the identity of a "student" can be very stressful. Having a narrow view on the identity of a student can make a low test score, bad quiz, or missing assignment devastating. Celebrate all of your student's talents and abilities through the ups and downs of adolescent life and they'll feel supported as a whole person.
Allen Choi, Wellness Coordinator (ext. 7150)
Casey Sasner, Intake Specialist (ext. 7136)
Follow us on Instagram (acalaneswellness) and Twitter (@acalaneswellness)
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College and Career Center
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Lots of opportunities to work on college apps at brunch, lunch and academy. Make sure to have your student sign up for academy, as space is limited to 20 students.
| Oct 12 |
Mock ACT 9a-12p ($30 fundraiser for AAUW) Sign Up Here
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| Oct 15 |
AUHSD Military Career Night @AHS Gym 6:30p-8p
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Oct 19
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PSAT (registration is now closed)
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| Oct 23 |
SAT/ACT Info Night @AHS 6:30-7:30p
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College Rep Visits this Week! The following schools will be on campus:
Whitworth
University of South Carolina
PItzer
Landmark College
Willamette Univ.
Boise State
Univ. of Delaware
Marymount California Univ.
Puget Sound
Drexel
American University
Vassar
Worcester Poly
Indiana
Elon
Cal State Maritime Academy
Check Naviance for date/times to sign up...
Important Reminder
! S
tudents need to get
permission from their teacher
the Monday before the visit AND pick up a
pass
in College & Career before school or during brunch the morning of the event. Students
may not miss a test
for a rep visit.
We have many students working at local businesses and we want to celebrate that! The College & Career Center is creating a "Dons in the Workforce" bulletin board. Please have your student bring me a picture of them at work!
Did you miss the presentation at Senior Parent Night? Here are the College & Career Center and Counselor's slides about colleges, the application process, Naviance and all things related to "Life after Acalanes!"
As always, email me with any questions!
Wendy Reicher
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Progress reports.
Teachers updated School Loop this week. Paper report cards were only mailed home if no parent was registered on School Loop. The next progress report is the end of the quarter,
October 11
.
CSF applications
due
September 30
. CSF is an honor society. Students who are members at least 4 semesters in grades 10-12 get a notation on their final transcript and get a stole to wear with graduation robes. At least one of the semesters must be based on grades earned in senior year. Students must turn in a completed application and pay dues on the Web Store to be a member. See the Web Store or look
here
for more info.
Counselors visited seniors in their government classes last week to talk about post-high school planning and next steps on college apps. We will be meeting with seniors individually throughout the month of September and early October. Students who need a letter of recommendation or school report from their counselor should make sure to have an appointment at least a month in advance of the deadline.
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Coming Soon: The Acalanes Community Education Speaker Series!
Acalanes Parents Club is excited to offer speakers, film screenings, and workshops for
community members during the academic year. Past topics have included: risky behaviors; vaping, tobacco, and marijuana awareness; balance for teens; reducing stress; improving decision-making.
We'd love to hear from you! The Parent Ed Team welcomes ideas, recommendations, and learning about your interests
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Let's Talk About Vaping
I want to share a valuable resource from the American Lung Association that parents can use to begin a dialogue about vaping. The website is very informative and you can download The Conversation Guide
here
.
I am also including more resources on my
Google School Nurse Website.
Please call me to discuss concerns you have if you think or know your student is vaping.
Dvora Citron, RN, MS
Acalanes School Nurse
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Friday mornings
925.280.3970 x7128
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Performing and Visual Arts
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Calling All Dons!
Beginning this year, all students are welcome to participate in the school musical! There will be an informational meeting in the Drama Room during Academy on
October 18
. Information about audition sign ups as well as rehearsal information will be communicated at this meeting.
Auditions will be
November 4 and 5
from 3:30p-5:30p in the Performing Arts Center (PAC) with Call Backs during Academy on
November 6 and 8
in the PAC.
Acalanes Pep Band
The next Pep Band performance will be
September 27
(Friday) when the Acalanes football team plays against Oakland. Come show your school spirit!
Acalanes Fall Pops Concert - The Dons go to the Movies!
Acalanes High School's award winning Instrumental Music Department is excited to present its first concert at the Acalanes PAC on
October 10 at 7pm
.
Come listen to the Symphonic Band, Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Orchestra perform favorite soundtracks and classic music from popular movies!
United States Marine Band Performance at Acalanes
The Acalanes Instrumental Music Program is honored to host an open concert on Wednesday,
October 16 at 7:30pm
in the gym, featuring The United States Marine Band.
The last time this band toured in California was ten years ago.Their appearance in Lafayette is the ONLY performance in the immediate Bay Area. This is once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in our Lamorinda community! The United States Marine band is the country's oldest continuously active professional musical organization. Established in 1798, this band made its White House debut over 200 years ago. It performs at state dinners, White House and other events of national significance.
Tickets are free, with a four-ticket limit per request. Tickets available starting
September 18
. Click on the following link for the ticketing site
here
.
Please note, no bags or backpacks will be allowed in the gym at the performance.
For inquiries, contact
Paulie Proffett
or Instrumental Music Director
Lauren Gibson
.
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All in For Our Kids! Support LPIE at the first ever Texas Hold 'Em Tournament on Friday,
December 6
, at a private residence. Tournament run by professional dealers featuring dinner and a hosted bar. Ticket sales start
Sept 26 at 9am
. Extremely limited availability. For more details, click
here
.
Calling All Writing Tutors
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The LPIE Writing Tutor Program at Acalanes is hiring tutors
to provide written feedback on essays, and meet one-on-one with Social Studies and English students during the school day. Tutoring begins in October. Training provided. Tutors must be available Tuesday-Friday, 9am-3:05pm, October-May. Applicants preferably should have professional writing and/or teaching experience. A humanities degree is recommended. Please email your resume to program coordinator Christina Engelbrecht,
[email protected].
LPIE is also seeking an art instructor to teach historical art projects to 6th grade students. Interested candidates should contact LPIE Executive Director Myrna Kimmelman at [email protected] or (925) 299-1644.
With gratitude,
Laura-Kate Rurka & Rachel Berkowitz
Acalanes LPIE School Chairs
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This week's can't miss events
Girls volleyball
Tuesday,
Sept 24
host Campolindo HS. Freshmen at 4:00 pm, JV at 5:00 pm and Varsity at 6:30 pm.
Thursday,
Sept 26
host Alhambra HS. Freshmen at 4:00 pm, JV at 5:00 pm and Varsity at 6:30 pm.
Girls tennis
Tuesday,
Sept 24
College Park HS at 3:30 pm. Varsity is away and JV is home.
Thursday,
Sept 26
Las Lomas HS at 3:30 pm. Varsity is away and JV is home.
Girls golf
Wednesday,
Sept 25
Las Lomas HS & Northgate HS at Boundary Oak CC at 3:30 pm.
Boys water polo
Wednesday,
Sept 25
at Campolindo HS. Varsity at 6:00 pm and JV at 7:00 pm.
Friday,
Sept 27
and Saturday,
Sept 28
Pleasanton Invitational at Amador Valley HS & Foothill HS.
Girls water polo
Wednesday,
Sept 25
at Campolindo HS. Varsity at 4:00 pm and JV at 5:00 pm.
Football
Friday,
Sept 27
host Oakland HS. JV at 4:30 pm and Varsity at 7:00 pm.
Cross country
Saturday,
Sept 28
Capitol Invitational at Arcade Creek GC, Sacramento at 9:00 am.
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