President's Message
Vote Yes on Measure A: Measure A necessary to avoid drastic cuts to our top rated and underfunded Acalanes Union High School District. Scroll down for more information and contact Ellen Whittom at ewhittom@comcast.net to get involved.
Yes on Measure A Rally March 28th 3-5pm at Lafayette Downtown Plaza
We
will be showcasing the amazing talents of our students from each
school. Come out and support Measure A and the extraordinary programs
at our schools. Let's celebrate our accomplishments and show voters
what's at risk.
Astrida Lalor
Acalanes Parents Club President
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| Vote Yes On Measure A
Avoid drastic cuts to our top rated and under funded Acalanes Union High School District
Our high school district is top-ranked, but very poorly funded due in part to very low housing turnover. We already receive substantially lower funding than
other high performing school districts because the property taxes we
collect do not cover the cost of our schools. To a greater degree than
other districts, we depend on unreliable state funding.
We need local, reliable funding to bridge the gap. Piedmont, a K-12 district with comparable scores and situation, has an annual parcel tax of $2500. Adding $112 per parcel (just 31 cents a day) to our communities still makes our annual total a fraction of Piedmont's, with similar quality results.
Once programs are cut, they can take years to restore - if they return at all.
The current system works as an overwhelming number of our graduates
(95-98%) and attend college. These excellent programs are the result of
years of development, teacher collaboration, and fine tuning.
Unfortunately, studies show that once successful programs are cut, they
never come back.
Fight for education reform in California, but do not risk your child's educational experience over the next five years. We
are all frustrated by the chronic under-funding of public education in
California and rightly want true structural reform. This will take
time. Measure A is the only solution for maintaining programs in the
short term while we push for longer term structural reform. It will sunset in five years, and offers an exemption for residents age 65 and older.
100%
of Measure A funds go directly to save classes and programs, as well as
support services for students such as librarians and counselors.
Be part of the solution:
· Get to know the facts about Measure A
· Endorse Measure A online
· Vote Yes on Measure A (ballots to arrive early April and must be mailed by April 28th)
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Fundraising
Your Dollars at Work
The
Parents Club supports the outstanding Leadership Program here at Acalanes.
Examples of the program are: New Crew Freshman-Student Mentor
program, Homecoming activities, Diversity Week, the annual Talent Show and
Battle of the Bands, Community Service Fair and ongoing arranged service trips,
last year's Save Our School Benefit Concert, and the recent International
Night. The school rallies, dances, and spirited activities are just the
beginning of the Leadership program that expands all students' educational
experience outside of the classroom. Thank you for your donations to the
Acalanes Parent's Club! |
Community Service
Community Service Hours Are Due Wednesday, April 14th
Please check the AHS website for verification forms, guidelines and plenty of service opportunities sponsored by the AHS Leadership class as well as the Volunteer Center of Contra Costa County. Service projects range from the Special Olympics and the Pleasant Hill Library to Walnut Creek Open Space and the Bay Area Rescue Mission. No forms will be accepted beyond the April 14th deadline. Please email ahscommunityservice@acalanes.k12.ca.us with any questions. |
Counseling Notes
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. 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.
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College and Career Center
Our second annual Career Day is
Thursday, March 25. We have over
seventy presenters who have generously volunteered to share their experiences
with our students. We have placed
the ninth, tenth, and eleventh graders in career presentations of their
choosing. Our parent club
Hospitality chairs, Debbie Warren and Tracy Chaparro have coordinated a welcome
coffee for our presenters in the C&CC.
Joan Karr
College and Career Advisor
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Class of 2013
PEER TUTORING
Is your student Puzzled by Geometry, Baffled by Chemistry,
Swamped by Biology,
Demoralized by English, Plagued by Languages?
Then come to
Peer Tutoring
OPEN EVERY DAY
LUNCH
7TH PERIOD
AFTER SCHOOL
UNTIL 4
P.M.
No appointment ever necessary
Never any charge
Come with friends
Stay for
a minute or an hour
Location: in the main hallway near
The door to the quad
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| Class of 2012
We'll see you this Saturday
Friends ~ Food ~ Wine Tasting
Saturday, March 27, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Wine Thieves 3401 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette
Purchase tickets through Acalanes Web Store: http://acalaneshs.revtrak.net/tek9.asp
(click on the FunFest tix link on the left)
Or send checks made payable to Acalanes Class of 2012 to:
Richard Whitmore 1119 Glen Rd., Lafayette, CA 94549
All Proceeds to Benefit the Acalanes Class of 2012
Everyone Welcome
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Questions? Contact your Class of 2012 Liaisons:
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Class of 2011
Jr. Prom!
A few more donation opportunities for Junior Prom!!
We are collecting funds to
provide prizes for the Junior Prom Casino. Would you consider sending
a check... for $5.00 or $10.00? Any little bit helps. If you would like
to do more, contact Darci Chan at dlynnchan@yahoo.com
for a list of $20.00 gift cards she is collecting for the Big Night!
Checks should be made payable to: AHS Class 2011 and sent to: Darci Chan, 4 Joplin Ct., Lafayette.
* We are also looking for one more 'poker table' top. Seen one of those lying around? Let Darci know!
Dear Junior Parents,By now we hope you have all received the
information announcing the upcoming Junior Prom. We are sure the
students will enjoy a fantastic evening! As our children dance and
gamble the night away, they will get thirsty. Therefore, the Prom
Committee is looking for donations of soda to keep them happy. We are
looking for donations of: Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Diet Sprite and Root
Beer. We still need lots more of all these drinks. If you are able
to donate some, please email Pais Barton at paisabar@gmail.com.
As the date of the Prom nears, we will have a place in the Acalanes
office for you to drop off your donation, or you can bring it to my
home. I am keeping a list of all those parents who contact me and I
respond to everyone. Nearer to the date of the Prom I will be sending
out an email reminding you that it is time to Come Forth and Bring
Soda!!
Thanks for your help, Pais Barton
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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
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GRAD NIGHT COMMITTEES NEED HELP NOW
The following committees are
looking for volunteers who are willing to get started right away and
help plan our fabulous Senior Grad Night: ARTS and CRAFTS CONSTRUCTION DECORATION PHOTOGRAPHY Time commitments vary. Please contact Ardice Hartry at ardicehartry@yahoo.com for more information ______________________________________________________________________________ Please make sure you have the following important dates marked on your calendars: Senior Ball -- Saturday, May 22nd from 7:00 -11:30pm at the Bentley Reserve in San Francisco. Time of Reflection -- Saturday, June 5th at 3:00pm at Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church Graduation -- Friday, June 11th at 5:00pm at Acalanes Grad Night -- immediately following Graduation until early a.m. on Saturday, June 12th ______________________________________________________________________________
Questions? Contact your Class of 2010 Liaisons:
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LASF
Does
a single donor count? Yes, you do!
Maile
Broad, a generous 8 year old from Lafayette, recently donated her birthday
money - a total of over $400 - to LASF. Not only is it a big
donation, it is a big inspiration to our schools, our teachers and to us at
LASF. Thank you Maile! To read more, see her story in the Lamorinda
Weekly.
http://www.lamorindaweekly.com/archive/issue0401/Giving-Back-for-her-Birthday.html
If
Maile's story inspired you..... LASF needs donation day and phonathon volunteers. It
is a brief time commitment and we provide lots of training and support (and
snacks!). See the schedule below and let us know if we can count you in.
Contact our Phonathon Volunteer Coordinator Shoshana Mark
(themarkteam@comcast.net) or your LASF head rep. Robin Album (Albums4@yahoo.com).
Donation
Day: Friday April 16
Phonathon
(evenings): Sun 4/ 25, Tues 4/ 27, Thurs 4/ 29, Sun 5/2, Mon 5/3 or Thurs 5/6
Calling Every Brass Musician! Brass Clinic with Mic Gillette &Tommy Davidson
Any student playing the trumpet, trombone, tuba or French horn, grades 4-12, whether beginner or advanced, can take advantage of this rare opportunity. Participate in a brass music clinic with professional musicians and educators, Mic Gillette, leader of the world-renowned Tower of Power horn section, and LASF instructor Tommy Davidson. Join us for a spectacular learning experience with these musical greats. Every student will walk away from this music clinic with invaluable lessons learned, smiles and inspiration to last a lifetime.
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Acalanes Sports
Last
week the baseball team defeated highly ranked El Cerrito HS 3-1, while the
softball team split by defeating Skyline HS 8-2 and falling to Bishop O'Dowd
HS 3-1. The track & field team swept the boys and girls divisions
against Dougherty Valley HS and Dublin HS, and the swim team did the same
against Alhambra HS. The boys lacrosse team split by defeating Amador
Valley HS 12-11, but fell to Monte Vista HS. The girls lacrosse team
defeated Marin Catholic HS, while suffering in defeat to Amador Valley HS and
Monte Vista HS. The boys golf team defeated Campolindo HS and the boys
tennis team split by defeating Alhambra HS, but losing to Campolindo HS.
The boys volleyball team played well in defeat to Amador Valley HS.
This
week finds the track & field team and the swim team in elite competition
with the track team competing in the Stanford Invitational on Friday and
Saturday, and the swim team competing in the Mission Viejo Invitational on
Saturday. Before leaving south, the swim team has a meet Wednesday at
Dougherty Valley HS at 3:45. The lacrosse teams open DFAL play this week
with Friday games against Las Lomas HS as the boys are home and the girls are
away, with jv at 5:00, and varsity at 7:00. The baseball team travels to
Merrill West HS in Tracy on Wednesday, and hosts Redwood Christian HS on
Friday, both games at 4:00. The softball team hosts Pittsburg HS Saturday
at 1:00. The boys golf team has a match Wednesday against Alhambra HS at
Franklin Canyon GC at 3:00, and Friday against Miramonte HS at Rossmoor GC at
3:30. The boys tennis team hosts Dougherty Valley HS Thursday at
3:30. The boys volleyball team plays at Las Lomas HS Friday, with jv at
5:00, and varsity at 6:00. 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. Acalanes Parents Our ANNUAL SPORTS BASH IS COMING SOON. DON'T GET LEFT OUT! Come and join other Acalanes parents for a fun filled night on Sunday May 15th @ Temple Isaiah Social Hall 6pm -11pm This Years Theme is DON'S SPORTS CAFE come dressed in your favorite teams jersey or your athlete's Acalanes Don's Jersey!
DO DONS! Randy Takahashi
Athletic Director
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Parent Education
Preparing Parents for the College Transition: Coping with the Many Decisions and
Emotions that Lie Ahead.
Monday,
April 19, 2010,7:00 to 9:00pm
Miramonte
High School Theatre
Maisha Beasley, Director of New Student
and Family Programs at St. Mary's College, will present a workshop for parents
of juniors and seniors (and, of course, interested parents of younger students)
who are preparing to send their students to college. Topics will include: 1)
communicating effectively with your budding college student; 2) understanding
the changing nature of the parent/child relationship during the senior year and
the first year of college; 3) helping your student become academically and
financially independent and responsible, and 4) getting the most out of new
student orientation programs. Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to ask your
questions and help your student on the road to success!
Maisha Beasley, M.A., in Higher
Education Administration, has worked in the field of new student and parent
programs for over ten years. She
serves on the Board of Directors for the National Orientation Directors Assoc.
of the US and Canada.
For
more information, contact Sherri Williams at: Jbswilliams27@yahoo.com.
For flyer see http://www.acalanes.k12.ca.us/parents/. Click on "High School
Information"
Link to Parent Ed
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From The School Nurse
Red Watch Band Training - Spring 2010
The Red Watch Band movement is designed to end alcohol overdose deaths by teaching students how to handle alcohol emergencies and summon professional help. The Spring 2010 Acalanes Red Watch Band Training will take place on Saturday, April 17th and Sunday, April 18th. This program will be taught by Dvora Citron, Acalanes School Nurse, and Chris Clark, Acalanes Athletic Trainer and ROP Sports Medicine Teacher. Students interested in participating in the Spring 2010 Red Watch Band Training, please click here. Students MUST sign up for both days. If you already have current CPR certification, plase speak with the school nurse first.
For more information, please see the School Nurse Blackboard website below.
Prescription Drug Use
Click here to see the current SFGate.com article by our own Dr. Gurley. See the AHS School Nurse Blackboard website below for more resources and tools including a medicine cabinet inventory. Go to the 7th purple tab to the left, "Parenting Resources", where you will find a section on prescription drug use.
Dvora Citron
Acalanes School Nurse
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Events at The Lafayette Library
The
Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation is pleased to present
its 2nd Annual fashion show, "East Meets West...a Journey Along the
Silk Road" on Wednesday, May 5th, at the Veteran's Memorial Building in
Lafayette from 11 am to 2 pm. Enjoy view spring fashions from
designers whose backgrounds are from cultures along the historic Silk
Road trading route. Shop at the clothing designers' trunk shows and at
trunk shows from Bay Area cultural artists and accessory designers.
Tickets, $85 per person, go on sale Friday, March 19. The event sold
out last year, and seating is limited so please RSVP soon at rsvp@lllcf.org or
by calling 283-6513. The event features a raffle with prizes ranging
from restaurant gift certificates to jewelry to a weekend stay in St.
Helena. Raffle tickets are $20 per ticket or 6 tickets for $100.
Winners need not be present to win. For more event details, please
visit the foundation's website at www.lafayettelib.org. Proceeds from the event go to the Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation.
Friends of the Lafayette Library Bookmark Contest - Artists Wanted
Enter the Friends of the Library Bookmark Contest beginning March 1st ending March 24th. Forms are available at the Lafayette Library or your school library. Please submit your entry form to your school library or the Lafayette Library. Winners will be notified Monday, March 29th and an Award Ceremony will take place on Tuesday, April 13th at 6:30pm.
Sweet Thursdays
The Friends of the Lafayette Library is proud to present an evening of poetry with Amy Greacen and fellow poets Lisa Horner and Kerry Krouse. The featured poets live and write in the East Bay and are considered "emerging" voices. An accomplished and diverse trio, they demonstrate something of the breadth of style and mode and subject matter that characterizes the best of the current generation of younger poets. April is national Poetry Month. Come celebrate - poetry comes alive when it's read aloud. Thursday April 29th, at 7:30pm - Lafayette Library and Learning Center Community Hall. For more information, visit http://www.lafayettelib.com. ________________________________________ Oakland Museum of California
Thursday, April 1 | 7:00 - 9:00 pm | Community Hall
The de la Guerra Wedding: Intermarriage and the Family Economy of Mexican California
Power and Patriarchy in Mexican California...A model of how 19th
century marriages of European men and Californian women changed history.
Date: Thursday, April 1
Time: 7-8:30 PM
Located in the Community Hall at the LLLC
Teens and Adults: No fee
Sponsored by the Oakland Museum
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Community Events
Acalanes' buildOn
will be hosting an E-waste drive at Acalanes on Saturday March 27th and Sunday March 28th
from 9-3pm. It will be free to recycle TVs, electronics, clothing,
shoes and accessories. E-waste will also be accepting large household
appliances. Large appliances will cost $40.00, small refrigerators will
cost $20.00, and microwave ovens will be accepted with a $5.00 fee.
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ORINDA IDOL 2010 AUDITIONS MAY 15
Start
warming up your voices now and making your song selections....the
Orinda Arts Council invites K-12th graders to audition for a chance to
be a 2010 Orinda Idol Finalist!
All auditions will take place at Orinda Intermediate School (OIS). Auditions for soloists in grades 9-12 will be held on Saturday, May 15, from 11 am-12 pm and from 4-5 pm. Auditions for groups in all grades will take place on Saturday, May 15, from 2-4 pm.
The registration form and relevant documents will go live on April 1 on the Orinda Arts Council's website at http://www.orindaartscouncil.org/orindaidol.html. Registrants will be added on a first come, first served basis--so register early! Registration will close on April 21, 2010.
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Lafayette Girl Scouts Celebrate start of the Centennial Celebration April 13th
Tuesday, April 13th every Girl Scout in Lafayette (girls and adults) is asked to "show her colors" by wearing green and something Girl Scout. This year is the first year of the three year celebration of the centennial anniversary of the start of Girl Scouting. The Lafayette Service Unit is recognizing this important time in Girl Scout history by showing its Girl Scout spirit. Lady Olave Baden-Powell founded Girl Guides in 1910 in the United Kingdom. She was the wife of Lord Baden-Powell who created the Boy Scouts in 1909. Two years later, on March 12, 1912 Juliette Gordon Low started the first Girl Scout group in Savannah Georgia with 18 girls. The Girls Scouts became a national organization, and was chartered by the U.S. Congress on March 16, 1950. Today, there are over 10 millions girls involved with Girl Scouts/Girl Guides worldwide. Interested in becoming a Girl Scout? Please check out our website at lafayettegirlscouts.org ____________________________________________________________________________
Town Hall Kids (Lafayette)School Partner Discount for summer 2010 classes: 10% off classes for Acalanes students from April 1st through April 15th! There is something for everyone this summer at Town Hall Theatre Kids! Classes expose children of all ages to theatre arts while developing confidence, leadership, team-building skills and acting techniques. Sessions vary in length from one week summer camps to three-week rehearsed presentational productions. Please see our class selection at www.townhallkids.com and select "SCHOOL PARTNER DISCOUNT" on Vendini when signing up for a class. __________________________________________________________________ Host an Exchange Student
Wanted: Friendly Families interested in sharing their American lifestyle and learning about another culture. CCI exchange students are:
- Boys and girls, ages 15-18 years old
- Here for 5 or 10 month programs or just a few weeks in the summer
- Thoroughly screened and proficient in English
- Eager to experience life in America and share their culture
- Individually matched to your family's interests
- Prepared to assume responsibilities of daily life
A CCI host family provides:
- A separate bed and a quiet place to study
- Daily meals with the family
- Local transportation
- Open communication, encouragement and sound advice
- Treatment as a member of the family (including chores, rules, privileges)
CCI provides:
- 25 years experience as a non-profit international exchange organization
- Local representative to assist you the entire length of the stay
- Full insurance coverage
- Dedication to the promotion of cultural understanding, environmental consciousness, and world peace.
Earnest Is Coming!
Thursday, February 25th, marked 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 through March 27th. Teen Actors Guild shadow cast will perform on March 21st at 7pm. For tickets, contact the Town Hall Theatre Box Office at 283-1557 or purchase online at www.townhalltheatre.com
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Teen Adventure
Sea Scout Seafarer's Regatta on Saturday March 27th
Teens! Get ready to rock at the 30th Annual Seafarer's Regatta in Martinez. Hundreds of Sea Scouts will be cruising in and driving in from all over the Bay Area to compete in various physical and intellectual events such as rope climb, breeches buoy, heaving line, compass, knots, sailing recognition, engineering quiz, ring buoy, bosun's chair, scuttlebutt, marlinspike, dinghy race, radio communications and more.
Event will be held Saturday, March 27th at the Sea Scout Base in Martinez, 225 North Court St. in Waterfront Park. Daytime events take place 8-4pm to be followed by a formal dance w/ DJ at 7pm. Visitors may come anytime to watch the exciting competitive events. Visiting teens are welcome to attend the evening dance if in dressy attire (jacket/ tie or skirt/dress). Bring a friend and have fun! Questions? Contact Communications Officer Rolf Lindenhayn at lindenhayn@sbcglobal.net or 917-0573. Advance registration required.
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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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