President's Message
Thank you to all who attended the Public Information Meetings
regarding the Budget last week. As you know, we are in a serious
situation with the budget. I've received input and opinions from many
of you. Thank you, all of your feedback has been meaningful and
thoughful. Please continue to send me your thoughts.
LASF - Please remember that the big event is this weekend! Please, if you have not already done so, get your tickets now! Go to: http://lasffun.homestead.com/ Tickets are $75 which includes all food and drinks. Just in case you can't make the LASF fundraiser this weekend - please check out the program by clicking on this link: http://lasffun.homestead.com/LASF_Event_Program_2010_Draft_6.pdf to see the sign-up parties and/or buy raffle tickets by calling the LASF office at 925.299.0644.
Jaime
Rich is a community member and parent who has recently begun work as
the Lamorinda Alcohol Policy Coordinator. She works at the Center for
Human Development which is a non profit organization. Her work is
funded by the Contra Costa Alcohol and Other Drug Advisory Board. The
goal of the project is to reduce underage drinking in Lamorinda. Along
this path, Jaime will be conducting one-on-one interviews with
community members from all three cities/towns. Two important groups
that need to be represented are parents and youth. If you would like
to schedule an interview with Jaime pls. contact her at jaime@chd-prevention.org. Go Dons!
Astrida Lalor
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Legislative News
We all know the
state budget crisis continues, and this year's budget will require the toughest
choices yet, choices that could affect our students for years to come. If
you missed last week's budget workshops, here is your next
opportunity to get the facts and make a difference.
Superintendents
Forum: "Addressing Our Education Crisis and Its Impact on Our
Community,"
Thursday,
Feb. 4
at 7 p.m. at Acalanes High School Small Theater, 1200 Pleasant Hill
Road, Lafayette.
Hear
a panel discussion with our six neighboring superintendents, including LAFSD
superintendent, Fred Brill and Acalanes Union High School District superintendent,
John Stockton. This forum is sponsored by your Las Trampas Creek Council of
PTAs Legislation Team.
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| Student Activities
Welcome to Second Semester! We will kick off the semester with a rally
on Friday. Come check out the Spirit Board's production at lunch. After
the disastrous earthquake in Haiti, Acalanes has created a charity
group, Heroes for Haiti, they will be sponsoring fundraisers throughout
the weeks. Help Haiti by supporting these relief efforts! |
Art and Music
I'm pleased to announce the official launching of our new Acalanes Instrumental Music Website, sponsored by the newly formed Acalanes Instrumental Music Boosters. The web-address is: http://acalanesmusic.com/
You can find an updated calendar of events, downloadable forms and handouts, schedules, music tour & field trip information, parent music booster information & meeting minutes, information on how you can help the music department, student awards & recognition, performance photos, and other wonderful tidbits. Mostly it will be a way to get updated information of a myriad of topics. We hope you will find it a useful tool as time progresses.
Many thanks to Mr. John McCormick (Dad of Emily & Scotty) for helping develop and creating the website, and also for serving as our Webmaster. The website is a continuous work in progress and will evolve over time. Bookmark the page and come back frequently to find out what's new with the great students in our department. Also feel free to contact us at webmaster@acalanesmusic.com to tell us how it's working and to share suggestions.
The Acalanes Instrumental Music Boosters' next meeting is on Monday February 22nd from 6:30-7:30 PM in the Acalanes Bandroom. We're still looking for more volunteers to join us in supporting the program. Please visit the website for more details and contact information. Best wishes to all.
Sincerely,
Norman Dea
Director of Instrumental Music
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Counseling Notes
Course Selection
Signing up for next year's classes will begin during the first week of the new semester. The counselors will make presentations to freshmen, sophomores, and juniors. We will be returning to the classes two weeks later to answer any further questions and collect the studentsŐ course requests forms.
Due to the impending cuts in funding students will need to make careful choices in their course requests. Students may request seven courses however it is likely that they will be limited to six. It is also very important for students to give multiple alternates for each elective including academic elective courses as these classes will be impacted.
Click here for course descriptions. Course request forms may be downloaded from the counseling office blackboard site if your student misplaces his or her form.
During February and early March, counselors will meet individually with all of the juniors to review course choices for next year, graduation status, and post high school plans. Final decisions on course requests must be made by the end of March.
IMPORTANT DATES FOR SOPHOMORES
On the mornings of February 2nd and 3rd we will be administering the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE). Passing both the Language Arts and Math sections of the CAHSEE is a requirement for high school graduation.
ALL SOPHOMORES ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE THE CAHSEE THIS FEBRUARY. THE TEST WILL START AT THE BEGINNING OF FIRST PERIOD EACH DAY. THE TEST WILL START AT 8:00 ON TUESDAY AND AT 8:35 ON WEDNESDAY.
Students will take the test in the small gym and should report there on time each day of the test.
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College and Career Center
The College and Career Center and
the Counseling Department will host the Sophomore/Junior Parent Night on
Tuesday, February 9 at 7:00 in the PAC.
Our presentation will focus
on the college application process, testing requirements, and the admissions
landscape followed by a question and answer period. We hope you will join us.
Our second annual Career Day is
March 25th. All 9th,
10th, and 11th graders will attend one presentation of
their choice. We have a wide array of presenters, thanks to the response of the
parent community.
Joan Karr
College and Career Advisor
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Fundraising and eScrip
Don't be "Just Another Brick in the
Wall..."
Be a part of history and help
support Acalanes Parents' sponsored
programs at the same time! Purchase a Brick for the Wall of
Excellence (located by the front
office) for your student or a special teacher or coach. This can be
a great Graduation Gift, a Special Thank you, or simply a Family Memory of your
years spent at Acalanes. Bricks
can be purchased from the APC webstore. Questions?
Contact Julie Neff @ jneff52@msn.com.
Install the OneCause
ToolbarYou could contribute about $67 per year
just by using the toolbar to search and shop the Web. Spread the word! Tell your friends and family, make OneCause part
of your shopping routine and support Acalanes Parents Club. http://onecause.com/ And, don't
forget about EScrip! 
And, don't forget Susan Foord on Wednesdays!
Susan will donate a portion of your Wednesday purchase back to the Acalanes
Parents Club.
Please educate yourselves on the budget issues we are
all facing. It is critical that we all stay involved and look for ways to
continue to support our students. If you have any creative fundraising
ideas, please contact Anne Bone at campbone@comcast.net or Ann Baer at annkathrynbaer@yahoo.com. Link to Fundraising...
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Class of 2013
Wednesday the 27th (today): Freshman concessions at
basketball.
Come
as family or send your student to the basketball game(s) today (4:00pm - JV
boys, 5:30pm -varsity boys, 7pm - varsity girls) and buy dinner or a snack
at the freshman run concessions (your second and final opportunity to support
this freshman class fundraiser this year).
Saturday,
January 30th: LASF's Starry Starry Night
Support
Lafayette's education foundation, LASF, by attending the annual event
this Saturday. Call the LASF office (299.1644) now to get your tickets!
Wednesday,
February 3rd: Drugs, Alcohol and the Brain Presentation- For 9th grade parents only
7:00
- 9:00 p.m. - AHS Cafeteria- Presentation by Ralph Cantor, Educator and Counselor
All students in the 9th grade PE/Health Classes will participate in a
presentation by Mr. Cantor regarding the physiology of addiction, including
alcohol, tobacco and drug use. In the evening, the parents will
have an opportunity to hear the same presentation to enable you to have a
dialogue with your student.
Thursday,
Feb. 4th: A Superintendents Forum
7
pm, Acalanes High School Small Theatre
All
six local school superintendents will discuss the budget crisis and its effect
on our School Districts.
Wednesday,
February 17th Advocacy Day
Frustrated
with Sacramento and the Governor's Budget? Hop on a chartered bus to
Sacramento for a one day crash course on how the budget works (and doesn't),
who our legislators are and what they are trying to do for education, and what
parents can do. The more of us that go, the bigger impact it has on
Sacramento. Registration and information available online at www.signmeup.com/67766.
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Class of 2012
Basketball
concessions next Tuesday, February 2 vs. Las Lomas
Here is what we need asap:
3 cases Gatorade, any flavor
1 case chips, snack size
2 boxes Cuties
4 dozen baked goods (individually wrapped)
3 cases water
1 tubs Red Vines
1 case Skittles
1 case Starbursts
1 box M&Ms
5 boxes granola bars, any variety
Shift work help: 3.45-6 and 6-8.15
$12 donation, made payable to AHS Class
of 2012 for pizza/burrito purchase; send to Meg McNiece 1329 San Reliez Ct.
Please email Meg McNiece mmcniece@gmail.com
to let her know what you are able to contribute.
Donations can be dropped off at the McNieces:
1329 San Reliez Ct. OR at the Figones: 1028 Lindsey Ct OR in the Attendance Office Monday afternoon/Tuesday morning (please have it
marked)
Hope to see you there!
4-5:30 (JV Girls, not boys as previously
listed)
5:30-7:00 (V Girls)
7-8:00(V Boys)
_________________________________________________________
Questions? Contact your Class of 2012 Liaisons:
Dawn Lynn Lanier dllanier@comcast.net
Kim Figone kimfigone@ebsan.com
Meg McNiece mmcniece@gmail.com
Richard Whitmore richard.whitmore@gmail.com
Link to Class of 2012... |
Class of 2011
_______________________________________________________________________________
Questions? Contact your Class of 2011 Liaisons:
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Class of 2010
Senior Year Events!
Welcome to 2nd Semester Senior Year. Please make sure you have the following important dates marked on your calendars:
Senior Ball -- Saturday, May 22, 2010 from 7:00 -11:30 p.m. at the Bentley Reserve in San Francisco.
Time of Reflection -- Saturday, June 5, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. at Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church
Graduation -- Friday, June 11, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. at Acalanes
Grad Night -- immediately following Graduation until early a.m. on Saturday, June 12, 2010
Planning is underway for all of these events and more details/information will be forthcoming.
If
you'd like to get involved and help out with Grad Night, there will be
an all parent meeting in April (date to be announced), and work parties
will take place on Saturdays beginning on the second Saturday of April,
2010. Construction week will take place from June 4-10, 2010.
If you have questions or want more information, contact one of the Class of 2010 Parent Liaisons. ______________________________________________________________________________
Seniors/Parents: No one will be admitted to grad night without a permission slip on file, signed by both parents and student. Please go to the website, download the form, and turn it into the main office in the box marked "grad night". Forms also available in box. Thanks!
Download Permission Form
______________________________________________________________________________ Questions? Contact your Class of 2010 Liaisons:
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Acalanes Sports
The boys basketball team is gaining steam as they march through
the DFAL season. They overwhelmed Alhambra HS before notching a crucial DFAL
victory at Miramonte HS 60-54. The girls also continue to play well as they
cruised to victory over Alhambra HS, then gave Miramonte HS all they could
handle before falling in the waning minutes 38-34. The boys soccer team continues
to play well as they defeated Pinole Valley HS 1-0 to improve their overall
record to 12-2-1.
With
the end of finals, our Winter sports teams get busy again. The basketball
teams host two big games. Wednesday they host Dougherty Valley HS, with jv
boys at 4:00, varsity boys at 5:30, and varsity girls at 7:00. Friday Dublin
HS comes to town, with jv girls at 4:00, varsity girls at 5:30, and varsity
boys at 7:00. The soccer teams resume DFAL play with Las Lomas HS on Wednesday
as the boys are home and the girls are away. JV plays at 4:15 and varsity at
6:15. The boys soccer team hosts Northgate HS Friday, with jv at 5:00 and
varsity at 7:00, then travel to San Ramon Valley HS, with jv at 1:00 and
varsity at 3:00. The girls soccer team hosts El Cerrito HS on Saturday, with
jv at 10:00 and varsity at 12:00. The wrestling team competes in the Lou
Encalada JV Invitational at Rodriguez HS in Fairfield on Saturday.
The
spring season begins Monday, February 8th. Complete your athletic
clearance now. Go to www.logiforms.com/formdata/user_forms/18563_4921855/72765/,
complete the entire online process, and submit the necessary forms to Coach
Takahashi. Students may submit the forms in room 207 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday,
and Friday from 7:30 to 7:50am, or Monday through Friday at brunch and lunch.
The Acalanes Booster Sports Bash will be Saturday, May 15th. All are
welcome. You do not need to be the parent of an Acalanes athlete to attend
and participate. This year promises to be as much fun if not more than
last year. Tickets are $65 per person. For tickets or more
information call Mike Bloom at 284-7625, or Susana Maron at 962-9566.
Randy Takahashi
Athletic Director |
From The School Nurse
Acalanes 2010 Blood Drive
Thursday, February 23rd
8:30am - 2:30pm
Small Gym
Parents needed to help with the Blood Drive. You can help in many ways:
- Help staff the event: please choose from the following shifts:
- 8:00am - 10:30am
- 10:15am - 12:45pm
- 12:30pm - 3:00pm
- Provide breakfast items for the Donor Breakfast in the morning and/or healthy snacks/baked goods/beverages for the canteen during the Blood Drive.
- Coordinate the Donor Breakfast
To sign up to DONATE BLOOD go to:
Dvora Citron
Acalanes School Nurse
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Parent Education
New Driver in the Family?
Acalanes Parents Club Parent Ed is sponsoring a spring class of Drive Smart, Stay Safe.
The California Highway Patrol will offer this free class Wednesday, March 3rd , 5:45-8:00pm in the school cafeteria. This program, developed by the CHP, is for parents and teens to attend together. It is designed to reduce the number of teenage injuries and deaths resulting from motor vehicle collisions. You will learn about the dangers faced by young drivers, the driving restrictions placed on drivers under the age of 18, defensive driving, and strategies parents can use to reduce the chances of their child becoming involved in a collision.
Space is limited. To sign up for the class, please email LGSENDME@SBCGLOBAL.NET with "Drive Smart" written in subject line. Include parent and student names and grade. Please notify if canceling.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Overuse Injuries in the Young Athlete and Diagnosis and Management of Sports Related Concussions in the Young Athlete
Wednesday, January 27th 7:30-9pm
Miramonte Theatre
Miramonte will have Dr. Cindy Chang,
former head team physician for UC Berkeley's athletic teams, discuss
two relevant topics with regard to youth sports in Lamorinda. While
providing incredible opportunities to our children to excel in sports,
how can we help prevent overuse injuries? And how can we minimize the
dangers from head injuries in sports? Join us for an
informative talk and discussion.
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Community Events
Sweet Thursday at the Lafayette Library
On Thursday, January 28th at 7:30pm, The Friends of the Lafayette Library present Susan Wels, the author of the new biography of Amelia Earhart. Amelia Earhart was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean and the first person to fly solo across the Pacific. But Amelia Earhart was also a photographer, poet, hospital worker, fashion designer, social worker, and student of chemistry, physics, and medicine-before she vanished over the Pacific Ocean in July 1937. Join us for this special event and enjoy coffee and dessert in the Community Hall of the New Lafayette Library and Learning Center. For more information, visit http://www.lafayettelib.com. _______________________________________________________________________________
Lamorinda Teen Center Event: Request from Teens
Adult volunteers are needed for the LaMo Glo Dance sponsored by the Lamorinda Teen Center, Inc. on Saturday, January 30th at the Oakwood Athletic Club. Local teen leaders from all three Lamorinda high schools are putting on a neon dance to raise funds and awareness for the need for safe social events for teens. The long term goal is to have a physical Lamorinda Teen Center.
If you can come for a volunteer shift on January 30th, please contact Austin Controulis, 639-1484 or Sue Gibbons, 284-4625.
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| Classified Ads
Tutors, college advisors, carpoolers, sellers and renters advertise with APC The classified page of the Acalanes Parents Club website is a great way to advertise not only for business but for personal use too. You can advertise to sell an item, rent a timeshare or cabin, look for carpools, kid sitters, pet sitters, etc. Please contact Lucie Paladino at luciepaladino@sbcglobal.net to place your ad. The cost is 50 cents per word per month and all proceeds go to the Acalanes High School Parents Club. Thank you for your support.
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