Principal's Message
Dear Acalanes High School Community,
Spring is just around the corner and our students have been
staying busy with their studies, various co-curricular activities and athletic
teams. We have had several student groups with high achievements in the recent
month. I would like to
congratulate the Academic Decathlon Team on taking 1st place in the
county and I wish the team best of luck as they prepare to compete at the
California State Championships in Sacramento on March 12th and 13th.
Acalanes Mock Trial had a fantastic showing at the County competitions. They
will compete against California High School for 3rd place. The Bella
Voce Ensemble placed 5th in the North Golden State Women's Choir
Competition. I would like to congratulate all our students on these great
accomplishments.
We have had a very exciting winter sports season with all
teams being represented in the NCS playoffs. Congratulations to the Girls
Basketball and Wrestling teams on their good season and participation in the NCS
tournament. Boys' Basketball was defeated in the NCS quarterfinals and had a
fantastic all around season. Both Boys and Girls Soccer had a thrilling season
and competed in the NCS Semi-finals. We look forward to our spring sports as
they are off to a good start.
We are currently administering a school survey. We are
strongly encouraging all parents, students and staff to take a few minutes and
complete this survey. It will be used in our continuous self-evaluation process
and WASC accreditation. Following are the links to the parent and staff
surveys. They can also be found on our website and in the Daily Bulletin.
Please encourage your children to participate. We would like to hear from all
parents and students.
Parent Survey
Student Survey
Acalanes is currently participating in few exciting
technology pilots. English classes are piloting E-readers where 60 students
were given electronic readers to take home and use for reading of the assigned
textbooks. In addition we also have 30 students reading books on iTouches
checked out to them by their English teachers. Our world language department is
piloting iTouches and the science department is using flip cameras to make digital
science stories. These are just a few exciting technology projects and we will
keep you informed on the progress of these pilots.
Acalanes Swimming Pool will be undergoing construction
beginning April 1st 2010. This renovation project is part of a bond
measure. Our pool will be closed until mid January of 2011. We will continue to
have water polo and swimming teams and we are working with the athletes,
parents and coaches on providing our athletes with best alternate
accommodations.
Unfortunately the budget situation at the state and district
level continues to be bleak. On February 3rd, the AUHSD Governing
Board approved release of 56.9 certificated staff positions. Additional cuts of
classified positions will be discussed at the March 3rd Board meeting.
In an effort to save programs and avoid severe cuts, AUHSD Governing Board
approved a resolution for an Emergency Education Act of 2010 (Measure A).
Measure A is an emergency parcel tax for the period of 5 years and $112 per
parcel.
We will be holding our monthly Friday Forum on Friday, March
5th in the Faculty Dining Room at 8:30 am. We will hear from our
Visual and Performing Arts, Tech Ed. Department, Leadership class, and our Superintendent,
John Stockton. We encourage parents to come and become informed on school and
district issues.
Thank you for reading
Aida Glimme
Principal
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President's Message
Friday Forum, 3/5 at 8:30 in
the Faculty Dining Room. This month, we will hear from Visual and
Performing Arts, Tech. Ed., ASB and Superintendent John Stockton. Please plan on attending the upcoming International Night on March 18th, 6:00 - 9:00pm in the Small Gym. ~Astrida Lalor
President
Acalanes Parents Club
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Measure A
Measure A up for community
vote
Emergency mail-in parcel
tax ballot, which must be postmarked by April 28th, would raise funds
needed to avoid severe cuts for Acalanes High School.
The state's continuing budget
crisis has forced our top-rated Acalanes Union High School District to reduce
its budget by more than $4.8M.
Without passage of Measure A by a two-thirds majority, all students will
be impacted via:
· Severe loss of science, foreign language, English
social studies, arts and math classes
· Elimination of 50 teaching positions and associated
academic programs, including AP electives
· Reduction from a seven-period to six-period school
day
· Curtailed counseling and college preparatory
resources
At $112 per parcel (less
than 31 cents per day), Measure A is
a temporary and reasonable response to an immediate funding crisis. It will sunset in five years, and
offers an exemption for residents age 65 and older.
For more information, go to www.AboutMeasureA.orgMeasure A Phone Bank Volunteers Needed!
Callers
(teachers, students, and parents) are needed to contact supportive
voters to get the word out about Measure A. We provide the resources: a
concise script, FAQs, Fact Sheet, and snacks. You provide the
enthusiasm, cell phone, and charger. If you wish to keep your number
private, it's as easy as dialing *67 before the outgoing number.
Acalanes High School is responsible for phone banks on the following
four nights: Wednesday, March 17, Sunday, March 21, Tuesday, March 30
and Tuesday, April 13. The phone banks will take place at our Walnut
Creek headquarters, located at 2033 North Main Street, Suite 200). We
need 25 volunteers for each of our phone bank nights!
If you are available to help out on any of the nights detailed above, please e-mail Ellen Whittom at ewhittom@comcast.net.
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Student Activities
Got talent??? The Talent Show auditions are next week, from
Monday-Wednesday. Be a part of the best student production of the
year! Room 314 has sign-ups and more information for anyone
interested. International Week is in two weeks, and we still need your
help. If you have any costumes, decorations or specialty dishes,
contact ahsdiversityboard@gmail.com if you can help in any way. There
is a new crew informational meeting at lunch, Thursday, March 4th, for
everyone interested in becoming or returning to be a new crew leader.
Find out what it means to be a great leader, pick up an application!
Thanks for the help and participation.
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Music and Arts
The Acalanes High School Music Department is proud to present the 2010 Musical: Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella Performances will take place March 3, 4, 5, and 6, 2010 at 7:30pm in the PAC. All seats are General Admission and there will be no saving of seats this year. or at lunch in the front quad on 2/26, and March 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. Tickets are $15 for adults and $13 for Seniors 60 and older and Students
Don't wait and miss out on this classic tale of transformation and living Happily Ever After.
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Counseling Notes
Progress
Reports:
The third quarter progress reports will be mailed home on Friday, March 12th.
Summer
School: Summer School registration information is
available on the district website ( www.acalanes.k12.ca.us/summerschool
). Summer School will be limited
to remediation this year. There
are not any classes offered for advancement.
Course
Selection: During the third quarter counselors are
meeting individually with juniors to review course choices for next year,
graduation status, and college plans. We are also reviewing freshman and sophomore course choices. Freshmen and sophomores may
request an appointment with their counselor to discuss their course selections
if they have questions. Final decisions on course requests must be made the
middle of March, prior to spring break.
Course
descriptions are in the catalog available on the district website http://www.acalanes.k12.ca.us/curriculum/distcoursecat/DistCourseCat.pdf
STAR
TESTING
All
ninth, tenth, and eleventh graders will take the STAR test the week of April 19th. More details will follow regarding the
exact days and times for STAR testing. ________________________________________________________________________________
Once again this year, the CSU system is encouraging high
school juniors who are considering attending a CSU school to take the Early
Assessment Program (EAP). The EAP consists of an essay that will be
administered on March 10th and an additional 15 multiple choice
questions to be answered at the end of the English and Math STAR tests in
April. (Note: if your student opts to take the essay portion, they will need to
take the additional multiple choice questions as well during STAR testing.)
A letter will be sent home with your student with
information about the test. If your student is considering attending a college
in the California State University system, they are encouraged to sign up to
take the essay portion of the test, which is on March 10th from 7:30
- 8:30 A.M. in the cafeteria (note that this is a late start morning, so
students will not miss class). Taking the test now is free. Should your student
not take the test now but decide to attend a CSU college, they will need to pay
for the test. If your Student is interested, please remind them to sign up
on the clipboard in the Counseling office. Deadline is March 4th.
If you have questions, please contact Terri Humann, Acalanes
Testing Technician.
Here is a link for the AP Registration information. http://acalanes.acalanes.k12.ca.us/bbcswebdav/courses/ahs_counseling/AP%20Information.pdf
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College and Career Center
The outreach coordinator from DVC will visit the C&CC on
Thursday, March 18 at 10:00 to present an overview of the steps to attending
DVC in the fall. The following
Tuesday, March 23, seniors can take the DVC assessment in math and English at
Acalanes at 3:00 in the computer lab.
Students must complete the online DVC application prior to taking the
assessment test at www.dvc.edu. Please sign
up for the March 18 meeting and the March 23 assessment in the C&CC.
Juniors who plan
to apply to four year colleges should register for the SAT or ACT with Writing at
the websites below this spring. The UC's also require two subject tests in
different areas as part of their admission requirements. Always check testing requirements of
all schools on your list.
Joan Karr
College and Career Advisor
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Fundraising and eScrip
eScrip Online Shopping
By signing into the eScrip website you can discover hundreds of
stores that give back. Nordstroms. eBay, Barnes & Nobles.com,
Nutrisystems give a chunk of your purchase back to Acalanes. The Apple
Store, Dell Computers, saks.com and office depot also generously give a
percentage back to our school. Remember, just go to www.escrip.com, sign in and shop, shop, shop! Every bit adds up. You will be getting great deals and giving to our school.
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Class of 2011
_______________________________________________________________________________
Questions? Contact your Class of 2011 Liaisons:
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Class of 2010
ATTENTION
SENIORS/PARENTS: We've changed the Grad Night authorization form in
two important ways so EVERYONE needs to sign a new one. Grad Night
runs till 4am (not the time initially listed) plus we've added great
games and activities, and our new form reflects these important
changes. Even if you've already completed the form, you MUST do it
again (really). No one can be admitted without the form on file,
signed by the student and both parents. Here's the form, ready to download. You can also find a copy in the main
office at school or on the parents club or grad night websites.
You
may return the signed form to the main office in the box marked "Grad
Night," or you may bring it with you to the All Senior Parent Meeting
for Grad Night on April 21st at 7pm in the Acalanes Cafeteria.
As an alternative you may mail it to: Lori Franzke 3972 S Peardale Dr Lafayette
______________________________________________________________________________
SENIOR PARENTS:
HOW ARE YOU HELPING WITH GRAD NIGHT?
Let's all work together to put on a safe and fun Grad Night for our seniors. ALL senior parents should plan to help out with Grad Night. We have lots of exciting and entertaining positions still available, including: --Help with photography team --Coordinate the memory slide show -- a real highlight of the night! --Lead outdoor games --Provide food and beverage service (no cooking required!) We have many shifts throughout the night, so volunteer early, because the 8:30pm time slots are filling up! Visit the Grad Night website at http://acalanesgrad10.weebly.com/volunteers.html to see a list of available positions, or contact Ardice Hartry-Covey at ardicehartry@yahoo.com or 925.962-9739 to volunteer now! Help make our Seniors' Grad Night Great!______________________________________________________________________________ Please make sure you have the following i mportant 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. ______________________________________________________________________________ Questions? Contact your Class of 2010 Liaisons:
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LASF
What Can LASF Do Next Year? The Answer Depends on You!
As state funding shrinks, our schools become more reliant on
the fundraising and volunteer efforts of parent organizations and our education
foundation, LASF. Our success depends on you...your donations, of
course, but also your volunteer efforts. We are recruiting volunteers at
every school site for next year and we would love to have your help.
Would you be interested in being
a Donation Day representative or Phonathon caller? Do you have graphic
design, photography or writing skills that you can offer? We have all
sorts of volunteer jobs of varying size and requiring various skills. To
learn more, please contact our your LASF High School Representative
Chris McCann at cmccann@ci.danville.ca.us or LASF
Recruitment Chair, Mary Bakos mlbakos@yahoo.com
Are there any open spots on your social calendar?
If so, we have a suggestion ....sign up parties! Don't miss the raucous fun of the
"Masquerade Madness" Halloween Party sponsored by several Acalanes
parents and featuring the rock band OPM (Other People's Money). How
about a night relaxing with "Moms, Mai Tais and Movies" or a
"May Fashion Lunch"? For kids there are swim parties, rocket
launches and a brass musicians' clinic. Sign up and buy tickets at
our website www.lasf.org Spaces are
limited so sign up with your friends now!
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Acalanes Sports
Last
week saw the end of the Winter sports season. The boys and girls soccer
teams finished successful seasons as the fell in the NCS semifinals. The
boys at the hands of Bishop O'Dowd HS and the girls to Alhambra HS.
The boys basketball team defeated Drake HS in the first round of the NCS
playoffs only to fall to El Cerrito HS in the quarterfinals. The girls
basketball team was defeated by Encinal HS in the first round of the NCS
playoffs.
Spring
sports are here, and competition is heating up. The baseball team will host
Northgate HS and the softball team will play at Albany HS both on Friday at
3:30.The boys lacrosse team will host Granite Bay HS on Friday, with jv at 5:15
and varsity at 7:15. The swim team has a meet at San Ramon Valley HS
Wednesday at 4:00. The track and field team competes in the East Bay
Invitational at Monte Vista HS on Saturday. The boys tennis team has a
match at Dublin HS Thursday at 3:30. The boys golf team has a match
against Salesian HS at the Richmond CC at 2:30. If
you still need to complete your athletic clearance go to www.logiforms.com/formdat/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
I would like to extend my deepest appreciation and thanks to all t he
parents/families and students who helped support for the Acalanes Blood Drive.
This was by far the most successful
drive in the last several years! We had 109 people register to donate and a
count of 88 actual donors. We had a RECORD-BREAKING drive with a total of 112
units of blood collected!!!!
Please know what a significant contribution you have made.
One day, either we or someone we love and care about will need blood.
Maybe that's already something you've experienced.
By supporting the students' participation in the blood drive, we
are cultivating a new generation of blood donors.
Supporting the blood drive does require sacrifice on several levels,
which deserves acknowledgement and appreciation.
But it is a profound investment that I think is deserving of all our
support and recognition.
For me, hosting the high school blood drive is a very important and
special opportunity. Of course donating blood contributes to saving lives and
health of others. There is no substitute for
blood. It cannot be manufactured. It is the "gift of life" that
only human beings can give to one another. High school
students who are willing to become blood donors will hopefully have a positive
experience on many levels and will become lifelong blood donors. This is
an opportunity for older teens to participate in a health activity independently,
in which they need to evaluate their personal health status and make individual
healthy choices. Their participation in this community service
event also supports increased self-esteem.
Dvora Citron
Acalanes School Nurse |
Parent Education
Tonight!
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.
_______________________________________________________________________________
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Challenge Success
Challenge Success Parent Coffee - Monday, 3/15
How's the stress level
in your home these days? Come and share your concerns, observations
and ideas at a parent coffee on Monday 3/15 from 8:30-10:30am at 3950
N. Peardale Drive. You do not have to come for the whole time -
drop-ins are always welcome. We only need an rsvp to determine the
right amount of coffee. To RSVP or for info contact either Denise
Murphy, ddmurphy@sbcglobal.net or Susan Schoenrock, ssarock@comcast.net. Hope to see you
there:-)
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Community Events
Fundraiser for Haiti Relief
E-Waste Recycle
Where: Bentley High School 1000 Upper Happy Valley Rd Lafayette, CA
When: Saturday, March 27th 9:00AM to 2:00PM
ELECTRONIC ITEMS ACCEPTED
Televisions Monitors Computers Computer Components
Fax Machines Printers Toner Cartridges Telephone Equipment
VCR's & DVD's Cell Phones Microwaves Video Game Systems
Audio/Vis. Equip. & More!
Please keep these items out of our landfill!!
PLEASE - NO Household Appliances, Furniture, Fluorescent Bulbs, or Paint.
For More Info:
WWW.NOEWASTE.COM
Toll Free: (866) 335-3373
___________________________________________________
Sweet Thursday at the Lafayette Library
The Friends of the Lafayette
Library "Sweet Thursday" series welcomes Christine Carter, author of
RAISING HAPPINESS: 10 Simple Steps for More Joyful Kids and Happier Parents.
Carter, the Executive Director of UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center,
draws on psychology, sociology and neuroscience, as well as her own experiences
as a parent, to show that happiness (as in confident, kind, mindful and
creative) is a learned behavior and that it's never too late to help our kids,
not to mention ourselves, be happy. Thursday March 11 at 7:30 pm in the
Community Hall at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center. For more
information, http://www.lafayettelib.com.___________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Earnest is coming! Thursday, February 25, marks the first preview of Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest at
Town Hall Theatre Company. Director Susannah Martin has taken this
brilliant Victorian comedy and spiced it up with a splash of 1920's
charm and flare. The Importance of Being Earnest runs February 25 to
March 27. Teen Actors Guild shadow cast will perform on March 14 and
March 21 at 7pm. For tickets, contact the Town Hall Theatre Box Office
at 925.283.1557 or purchase online at www.townhalltheatre.com
_______________________________________________________________________________
EVENTS at the Lafayette LibraryDEPRESSION: TALES OF COURAGE & INNOVATION Thurs. Mar. 4th 7-9 PM GSLC Partner: JFK University
Enjoy historian Marjorie Schwarzer's illuminating talk about what museums did during the Great Depression to uplift & inspire communities & what we can learn from them in today's recession. Community Hall at LLLC Teens, Adults No fee
EARTHQUAKES: BUILD IT, SHAKE IT...BREAK IT...?
When:
Tues. Mar. 9 Session 1: 3:15-4 PM
and Session 2: 4:15-5 PM
GSLC Partner: Chabot Space & Science Center
Learn
about different types of seismic waves & what it takes for structures to
remain standing, then "be the quake"
& see what happens!
Where: Arts
& Science Discovery Center at LLLC
Session
I: Grades 4 & 5, Session 2: Grade 6 and COST: No fee
consortium@lafayettelib.com
CALIFORNIA ARTS & CRAFTS MOVEMENT Explore the evolution of this 20th Century art form with Associate Curator Julie Muniz. Wednesday Mar. 17th 7:30-9:00 PM Location: Community Hall at LLLC Teens, Adults - No fee Sponsored by Oakland Museum
consortium@lafayettelib.com
STEVE
POIZNER, CA INSURANCE COMMMISIONER AND REPUBLICAN
GUBERNATIONAL CANDIDATE shares his plans to address the state's economy
& other challenges as he positions his run against Meg
Whitman. When: Thursday, March 18 5:30 PM check in, 6:30 PM
program Location: Veterans Memorial Building, 3780 Mt. Diablo
Blvd. Teens, Adults Tickets: 415. 597.6705 or commonwealthclub.org Sponsored by Commonwealth Club
_______________________________________________________________________________
TEEN
ADVENTURE
Make new friends and sail the seas
with the teen crew of the S.S.S. (Sea Scout Ship) Sea Witch as
they cruise Friday March 12th from Martinez to Richmond, California.
Our crew will be learning seamanship skills Saturday March 13th with other
teen Sea Scout crews from all over the Bay Area at the base of the S.S.S.
Northland. Saturday evening
we tour the World War II transport ship Red Oak Victory and
see a movie w/ popcorn aboard this historical
ship. Our awesome 46 foot Sea Witch ship has sleeping
bunks, computer navigation, a DVD player and a kitchen! All teens
welcome...No experience required. Ship departs Martinez dock 6pm
Friday 3/12 and will return 1pm Sunday 3/14. Cost of $30 covers all
meals and fuel. Space is limited. Contact Communications
Officer Rolf Lindenhayn at lindenhayn@sbcglobal.net or
917-0573. Advance registration
required.
Sea Scouts is a non-profit
co-ed youth maritime program. Teens learn how to operate
and maintain large ships and small boats such as sailboats, kayaks and canoes
while gaining leadership skills and seamanship skills in areas such as
water safety, knot tying, weather, first aid, navigation, firefighting,
engineering, engine repair, compass, radio communications and
sailing. Monthly boat trips and 10 day summer cruise in August.
No experience is required. The crew of the Sea Witch ship meets
year round Tuesdays 6:30pm - 8:30pm at the Sea Scout Base, 225 N. Court
St., Martinez and Saturdays 9-3pm on the ship at the dock in
Martinez. Visitors always welcome. For more information or to
visit contact Rolf Lindenhayn at lindenhayn@sbcglobal.net or 917-0573
or go to www.seascout.org.
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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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