Thur. Nov. 12, 2009
I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all who voted last week in support of Measure G. I was surprised to learn that the majority of our voters do not have children enrolled in our k-12 schools, yet 74% voted to pass Measure G! Thank you to Mr. Tom Mulvaney for educating us all on the Parcel Tax and working so hard on this campaign. The parcel tax will allow us to fund 70 full time teachers, or, enough teachers to staff one high school. Thank you!
It was great seeing so many of you at this months Friday Forum. Thank you to Mr. John Stockton for setting aside the time to come meet with us and answer our questions.
Directory Supplements are still available for pick up in the main office. You must be a Parents Club member to sign one out. If you have not yet joined Parents Club, it's not too late. Please contact me at AstridaLalor@sbcglobal.net for more information.
Wed. Nov. 4, 2009
Measure G - Thank you to all who voted and gave their support to this very important measure. I am in awe of the support that our schools receive from this amazing community. Thank you!
Friday Forum - This Friday, Nov. 6 at 8:30 a in the Faculty Dining Room. Our featured speaker will be our very own Superintendent, Mr. John Stockton. Open Forum time will follow with Principal Aida Glimme.
"BEAT CAMPO'' T-shirts will be on sale everyday in the student store after 2:10 and Friday 11/6 at lunch in the main quad. $15.
See you at the game!
Go Dons!
Wed.Oct. 28
Homecoming week is just around the corner. Please be sure to pay special attention to the "Student Activities" section in the newsletter for all the Homecoming news.
Please Vote on November 3rd. Measure G renews and continues the existing parcel tax in the Acalanes Union High School District. There is no increase to the tax rate you currently pay. Since it was first approved in 1991, this local tax has raised stable, reliable funds for all of the district's comprehensive high schools - Acalanes, Campolindo, Las Lomas and Miramonte.
Please cast your Yes vote for Measure G. Our students are counting on you!
Directory Supplements will NOT be mailed this year. If you are a member of Parents Club, they may be picked up in the Attendance Office by you or your student. It is imperative that you sign out your copy on the sign out sheet provided.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions at: AstridaLalor@sbcglobal.net
Go Dons!
Wed. Oct. 21, 2009
Greetings Acalanes Families!
I hope that you are enjoying the wonderful Fall weather; rain and all!
Directory Supplements have arrived. Please note that we will NOT be mailing the supplements this year. You or your student may go pick up the supplement in the Attendance Office. It is imperative that you sign out your supplement on the sign out sheet in the Attendance Office. The supplements are provided to those families who are members of Acalanes Parents Club.
If you have not joined the Parents Club, it's not too late to do so. Please visit the web store at www.acalanesparents.org.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions at: AstridaLalor@sbcglobal.net
Go Dons!
Wed. Oct. 7, 2009
The month of October is upon us. I hope that those of you who were able attend the Friday Forum and General Membership meeting came away feeling informed and connected. I would like extend a thank you to Laura Reiling - 1st Vice President who filled in during my absence and to Joni Avery for her assistance as well. Thank you both very much.
Sports Sale is behind us. Hopefully many of you were able to stop by and browse and buy. The hope is to grow this into a highly anticipated and well attended event over the coming years A tremendous amount of time and energy went into the sale and many thanks go to Sue Thoren who worked so tirelessly on this.
Measure G - Please go to www.AboutMeasureG.com to learn more about this important upcoming Ballot Measure.
Wed. Sept. 30, 2009
Friday Forum - October 2, 8:30 AM - Faculty Dining Room. This month we will hear from Joan Karr - College and Career Center, Karen Findlay - Library Resources, and Dvora Citron - Nurse. Please join us for this very informative morning.
Parents Club General Meeting-October 2, 9:30 AM (faculty dining room)- Parents Club will be asking the general membership to vote on the 2009-2010 proposed budget. Please plan on attending to learn more about where your donation dollars go!
Picture Make-up Day - Friday, October 2 - 11:30am to 3:30pm in the small gym. Students taking retakes are to bring their old packages of photos with them in order to have retakes. Students will not be called out of class.
Sports Sale - Sat, October 3, 10am to 4pm.
It's finally here! Our newest fundraiser. Please come support Acalanes High School and shop for some "new to you" sporting goods. Please pass this information on to your friends and neighbors, particularly those with younger children who are outgrowing those cleats!
Wed. Sept. 23, 2009
Happy Fall!
All of the class meetings are behind us. I hope that you found them to be very informative. A huge thanks to the Class Liasons who keep us connected and prepared.
Sports Sale: We are still accepting donations of gently used (and clean) sports equipment. In particular, if you have any LaCrosse, Golf, Tennis, Skis (snow and water), we would love to accept your donations. A tax receipt will be provided. Volunteers are also needed to help on Friday and during the sale on Saturday. Please contact Sue Thoren sthoren2@yahoo.com.
Please help get the word out to all of your friends and family. This is a new fundraising effort for Parents Club and we want it to be a smashing success! It is our hope to make this an annual event with ever increasing popularity. We need your help to get it off the ground!
Picture Make-up Day: Friday, October 2, 2009 from 11:30am - 3:30pm in the Small Gym. Students taking retakes are to bring their old packages of photos with them in order to have retakes. Students will not be called out of class.
Enjoy your week.
Go Dons!
Wed. Sept. 15, 2009
Greetings! What a great turn out we had at Back to School Night. It's such a pleasure to be a part of a school community with so many active and caring parents.
I'd like to extend a warm thank you to the Hospitality Committee - Terry Chaparro and Debbie Warren and Joni Avery and Dawn Lynn Lanier for the lovely refreshments.
October 3rd, save that date for our first ever Sports Sale Fundraiser. Volunteers are needed to help with the planning, set-up, sale and it's aftermath! Please contact Sue Thoren if you are interested in helping. Sthoren2@yahoo.com.
Go Dons!
Wed. Sept. 9, 2009
Thank you to all who attended our first Friday forum of the school year. I hope that you are able to make it a regular part of your Acalanes experience.
Please be sure to attend your Class Meetings scheduled over the next several weeks. These meetings are an excellent way to glean information specific to each class. Class Liaisons work tirelessly throughout each year to fundraise, promote events and keep parents informed and connected.
Back to School Night - Tuesday, September 15th, 6:00 pm. Refreshments will be provided by Acalanes Parents Club thanks to the generous donations of time and snacks by you; our parent community. Thank You!
I hope that you all enjoyed a peaceful and restful weekend.
Wed. Sept. 2, 2009
Friday Forum
Friday, September 4th at 8:30 am in the Faculty Dining Room. Principal Aida Glimme and Associate Principal Steve France will be our featured speakers. This is a great opportunity to communicate with Administration in a relaxed and informal environment. I look forward to seeing you there.
Communication
Please take a moment to thoroughly browse and familiarize yourself with the weekly e-newsletter. There are many useful links to keep you informed and connected.
Have a very restful and relaxing long weekend.
Aug. 26, 2009
Dear Parents,
Warmest back to school greetings to all of our Acalanes families. I hope that each of you had a smooth start today. It was great seeing and meeting so many of you during Dons Days, this is truly going to be an amazing school year.
Thank You's- We extend a huge thank you to Joni Avery (President 08-09), Janet Klemmedson (Finance Secretary) , Sheree Bauer (Parent Volunteer- on line reg.), Winnie Lohman (Parent volunteer - Directory) for their tireless work during the spring and summer. Our Dons Days Chairs - Leigh Benner, Christine Flanagan and Wendy Poling deserve a round of applause for coordinating all of the volunteers who worked so hard during Dons Days. Thank you to each and every volunteer who gave their time so generously. We are indeed fortunate to have so many parents who are always willing to help and do so with a smile.
Student Directory - If you have any corrections or additions please send them to ahsdirectory@yahoo.com by the Sept. 13 deadline. A Directory Supplement will be ready for pick up in the office in October.
PE Uniforms - The Student Store will be open during lunch period, 6th period and after school for the 1st week of school for students to pick up, purchase or exchange PE Clothes. If you pre-paid - Please be sure that your student brings their receipt - without a receipt they will not be able to collect their items.
Friday Forum - Sept 4 at 8:30am in the Faculty Dining Room. This is a great opportunity for parents to have a dialogue with Principal Aida Glimme and other faculty and staff during the year. Our Sept meeting will feature Aida Glimme and Steve France. Please join us.
Have a pleasant first week of school and I look forward to seeing you around the campus!
2008-09
Joni Avery, Acalanes Parents Club President
Wed. June 3
Final Friday Forum - Friday June 5 - 8:30am
Please join us for the final Friday Forum on the school year. Athletic Director Randy Takahashi will be there and we will wrap up the year with Principal John Nickerson. We will meet in the Faculty Dining Room.
Summer Volunteers Needed!
We need 15 - 20 volunteers to help stuff the summer mailer. If you are available, please join us July 8 9am-12pm in the AHS conference room. Drop in for an hour or stay the morning. It is a great way to catch up with friends! Contact Michelle Chan mmchan6@yahoo.com or Phyllis Frazer msfrazer@comcast.net.
Wed. May 13
Support our Students this Friday - I hope you will join us at the Benefit Concert this Friday at LOPC. Our energetic students have organized a fantastic evening event that will include talented musicians, beautiful art work and delicious food. The students have worked very hard for this event to raise money to support the many programs at Acalanes that they have come to treasure. Tickets are $20 for the concert and $7 for the meal deal. Festivities start at 6:00pm! We'll see you there!
Student Directory for 2009-2010 - All returning families, now is the time to sign up to be in the student directory for next year. Go to www.acalanesparents.org and click on the Student Directory link. You must sign up and give your authorization each year to be in the directory. The directory is distributed at Dons Days with a paid membership to Acalanes Parents Club.
Wed. April 29
Sometimes we ask ourselves if the time and money we give to the school really pays off. Well, I think the kids have shown that we as a community have created a special place here at Acalanes. As we all know, the budget cuts this year could drastically change the face of education. When the district asked for help from the Parent Clubs and Foundations, the students jumped right in. They wanted to help, to give back, to save the Acalanes they have come to love. So, they created a new club "Save-Our-School". This club is organized, passionate and motivated. As an example, a group of students (mostly Seniors I might add) worked an eScrip phone bank this last week. They have also organized a benefit concert and silent auction to help raise money for the school. Even the temporary closure of the PAC did not derail them! I hope you will all attend this concert and support our student efforts. (See the details below).
Friday Forum May 8th @ 8:30am - Mark your calendar for next Friday to attend one of the last Friday Forums of the year. Speakers will include Social Studies, Librarian and Special Ed. As always we will wrap up with an update and open discussion with Principal John Nickerson.
Student Directory for 2009-2010 - All returning families, now is the time to sign up to be in the student directory for next year. Go to www.acalanesparents.org and click on the Student Directory link. You must sign up and give your authorization each year to be in the directory. The directory is distributed at Dons Days with a paid membership to Acalanes Parents Club.
Joni Avery, APC President
President-Elect's Message
Parents Club is looking to fill several open positions on the Board for the 2009-2010 school year. This is a great way to get involved and get to know the Acalanes community better.
If you are interested in any of the positions listed below, please contact me for further details and/or information. Feel free to send an e-mail to:AstridaLalor@sbcglobal.net
Open Positions:
e-Newsletter (shadow)
Subscription Manager (shadow)
Friday Forum Secretary
Dons Days Coordinator (shadow)
Please consider volunteering with Parents Club.
Thank You,
Astrida Lalor
Acalanes Parents Club 2009-2010 President
Wed. April 21, 2009
Friday Forum & Parent Club Meeting - May date change: Please note the date is moved to Friday May 8th at 8:30am. Our guests this month include Special Ed, Librarian and Social Studies.
Student Directory for 2009-2010: Now is the time for all returning families to sign up to be in next year's Student Directory. Go to www.acalanesparents.org and click the "Student Directory Link". Please note that you must sign up and give permission to publish each year.
Wed. April 14, 2009
STUDENT DIRECTORY ONLINE SIGN UP
It's that time of year to start thinking about next year! All returning families need to fill out the information for the 2009-2010 Student Directory. Each year you must enter the information to be included in the directory and give permission to publish. It is ONLINE at www.acalanesparents.org under "Student Directory Link". It only takes a few minutes, so do it today! If you have technical problems, please contact Sheree Bauer at sheree_bauer@yahoo.com.
Wed. April 7, 2009
Welcome back! I hope everyone had a relaxing spring break. Now here we are for the final stretch....
Friday Forum: Please join us this Friday April 10th at 8:30am in the Faculty Dining Room. This month we will hear from the English and Science Departments, as well as open dialog with Principal John Nickerson.
Parent Club General Board Meeting: Plan on attending the spring General Board Meeting Friday April 10th immediately following Friday Forum (approx. 10am). We will be voting on the proposed slate of officers for next years Board.
Proposed Executive Board for 2009-2010 year:
President Astrida Lalor
1st Vice President Laura Reiling
2nd Vice Presidents Anne Bone & Ann Baer
Recording Secretary Kim Stewart
Corresponding Secretary Sheree Bauer
Treasurer Victoria Bjerke
Assistant Treasurer Lisa Anderson
Parliamentarian Joni Avery
Wed. March 25, 2009
Have a happy and safe Spring Break!
Wed. March 18, 2009
Great news!....Susan Foord Catering and Cafe has teamed up with the Acalanes Parents Club! Dine in or take home - starting next Wed, Mar 25, grab a bite to eat for lunch or pick up dinner for your family - tell them that you are a proud member of the APC and a percentage of the proceeds will be donated back to the Acalanes Parents Club. What a great way to clean out your fridge before Spring Break!
Not familiar with Susan Foord? The Cafe is located in Lafayette at
965 Mt. View Dr (just behind Quiznos). The "Kitchen Sink" salad is a must and maybe the Niman Ranch cheese burger, a BLTA, some Southern Fried Chicken and a or a side of soup and some homemade chips? Gear up for "Wednesday Wonder" every Wednesday at Susan Foord and "wonder" what's being served for the APC! Click here for a more detailed menu and we'll see you at Susan Foord next week! www.susanfoordcatering.com. It's healthy and convenient. TELL A FRIEND!!
Go Dons!
Wed. March 4, 2009
Friday Forum March 6 - Mark your calendars and plan on attending this important Friday Forum. We will start with staff from the World Languages Dept and then hear from our Superintendent Jim Negri. Mr. Negri will speak about the Budget proposal for 2009-2010 school year and take your questions. We will close with open forum discussion with Principal John Nickerson.
Friday Forum March 6 at 8:30am in the Cafeteria. Coffee and treats will be served. Go Dons!
Wed. Feb. 25, 2009
The good news is the State finally passed a budget last week and the deficit for the District shrunk from $5.2 million to $3.9 million. Of course the bad news is that there is still a deficit of $3.9m. Tonight there is a special Board meeting to discuss the budget priorities. I encourage everyone to come and hear the board discussion. Meeting is 7:00pm at
Del Valle Library, 1963 Tice Valley Blvd, WC.
The silver lining in these dismal economic times is the exceptional enthusiasm, talent, dedication and intelligence of our Acalanes students. Our leadership kids are speaking at the Board meetings, advocating in Sacramento, rallying the ASB and even created a "Save-Our-School" club. Take a look at the February Communication Video they put together to explain the budget crisis. All these students reinforce my pride on being part of the Acalanes community! Link Here to Communications Video
Go Dons!
Wed. Feb. 11, 2009
Thank you to all the parents and students who attended the Special District Board meeting on Monday night. The sole purpose of this meeting was to hear public comment on the proposed cuts of $5.2 million which includes 60 Teachers & Staff. Of the 30 speakers, over half were from the Acalanes community. Your involvement makes all the difference in bringing Acalanes from ordinary to extraordinary! So again, thank you to everyone that spoke and those that came to show "mass" support!
Let's not stop here! The next date to keep on your calendars is Wednesday February 18. The Board will take action on the preliminary layoff notices at this meeting. Please email or call your Board members with your concerns. We have ONE WEEK to be heard! Do not let these deep cuts to our schools happen in silence. The district office number is 280-3900.
AUHSD Governing Board:
Kathy Coppersmith kcoppersmith@acalanes.k12.ca.us
Richard Whitmore rwhitmore@acalanes.k12.ca.us
Vanessa Crews vcrews@acalanes.k12.ca.us
Tom Mulvaney tmulvaney@acalanes.k12.ca.us
Gwen Reinke greinke@acalanes.k12.ca.us
Please feel free to contact me at averyfive@yahoo.com with any additional comments or ideas.
Wed. Feb. 4, 2009
Spirit Wear Sale - Show some Acalanes spirit, but now cheaper!! Sweatshirts and Sweatpants are now $20 each or two for $30. The rain and chilly weather is coming, so don't be left out in the cold! The student store is open everyday from 2:15 - 3:15 to purchase spirit wear and snacks. Come by and take a look!
Friday Forum Feb 6 - Join us in the Faculty Dining Room this Friday at 8:30am (note the new time this year). We will have staff speak from Counseling, Tech Ed and VAPA. And as always, open forum with John Nickerson. Treats and coffee will be served.
Wed. January 28, 2009
After attending several meetings and talking with all different players, one thing is clear - the state of California must get it's house in order. It is crazy that they expect our schools to give a top education yet will not commit to the funding. The State is playing political roulette with our kids' future. NOW is the time to get involved and be heard!
Thank you to everyone who signed letters to lawmakers. The Legislative team delivered over 11,000 letters this month. We need to reinforce support for public schools by have a large attendance at the 29th annual EDUCATION ADVOCACY DAY FEBRUARY 18TH. Participation numbers matter here, and all of our local lawmakers are confirmed to attend. We know they pay attention when PTA and Parents Clubs groups show up. Go to the Las Trampas PTA website at www.lastrampaspta.org to sign up! Please come and be part of a solution.
There's still time to call the Governor's office: (916) 445-2841 or fax (916) 558-3160. Keep your message simple: "As a parent with children in school, I urge the Governor to avoid or at least minimize education funding cuts! We need to make education a priority, even in these hard times." They are still counting calls to the Governor's office in support or opposed to issues, so simple works.
Thanks to everyone for getting involved!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Yesterday started with the excitement of watching the historical inauguration of the 44th President at our nation's capital. But it ended in a somber budgeting meeting that reminded me the financial crisis is deep and will hit home here at Acalanes. The California state budget is a mess and the cuts to education will seriously impact our current and future students. But we do not have to sit by silently and just watch from the sidelines. Here are just two ways to voice your support of public education:
Call the Governor's office: The Governor's office is counting calls, noting support or opposition on specific issues. Please call Governor Schwarzenegger now at 916-445-2841 and leave a message with one of his aides. A short message is best.
"As a parent with children in public school, I urge the Governor to AVOID, or at least minimize, EDUCATION FUNDING CUTS! We need to make education a priority, even in these hard times."
Parents from Parent Clubs throughout the Bay Area are taking less than 2 minutes to make this important call. Have your voice heard and counted!! California ranks 47th in per-pupil spending according to "Quality Counts" in a report issued Tuesday from Education Week Cuts will only make this worse.
Be part of Advocacy Day 2009: Join hundreds of concerned citizens on the bus to Sacramento Wednesday February 18th. It is a powerful message to our legislators to show up in mass at the capital in support of public education. Deadline for sign ups is January 30th. Go to www.lastrampaspta.org for more detail information and registration form.
Please take action today and have your voice heard!!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a wonderful winter break. Can you believe we're almost half way through the school year. Finals are in a week and a half and please note that there is no school the Monday after finals - January 26.
Our first Friday Forum is this Friday January 9th in the Faculty Dining Room. New for 2009: the time is 8:30am and treats will be served (while they last). Everyone is welcome to drop in as your schedules allow. This week we will hear from the Math and PE departments. And as always, there is open forum with Principal John Nickerson.
New for the new year: the Student Store is going to be open 7th period and after school to sell snacks and spirit wear!! We will start next week and will offer healthy snacks and drinks. Please be sure to pass this on to your students. We'll need lots of volunteers to staff this, so if you can work a shift please contact me at averyfive@yahoo.com.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
As 2008 comes to a close, I want to wish everyone a joyful holiday season and relaxing winter break. Thank you to everyone that gives so generously of your time and money that supports all the students and staff at Acalanes. We're looking forward to continued success in the new year.
Mark your calendars for the first 2009 Friday Forum - January 9th at 8:30am. Please note the new time! We will also have coffee and treats! Come hear from the Math & PE departments. And as always, there will be an open dialogue with John Nickerson.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Friday Forum: There will be NO Friday Forum for the month of December. We will continue in January with a NEW TIME at 8:30am. Join us January 9 to hear from the Math and PE departments. And as always, there will be an open dialogue with Principal John Nickerson. Here is the Friday Forum schedule for the remainder of the school year.
Mark your calendars!
January 9 - Math and PE departments
February 6 - Counseling, Tech Ed and VAPA
March 6 - Foreign Language and Social Studies
April 10 - English and Science
May 8 - Special Ed and Librarian
June 5 - Athletic Director
Nov. 12, 2008
Online Winter Sports Registration - Acalanes High School winter sports season, which includes wrestling, soccer and basketball, begins Nov. 10. Go to www.acalanesparents.org, and click the Online Sports Registration link. Follow the instructions for forms needed dependent on whether this is your student's first sport or second sport of the year. All forms need to be completed and turned into the Athletic Director before your student can tryout/practice.
Joni Avery, APC President
Nov. 5, 2008
President's Message Friday Forum- This Friday November 7 at 7:30am. Come join other parents and Principal John Nickerson to hear what is happening on campus. This month Joan Karr of the College and Career Center will speak, as well as other support staff. The meeting is held in the Faculty Dining Room located in the building to the right of the flag pole, 4th door down.
Online Winter Sports Registration - Acalanes High School winter sports season, which includes wrestling, soccer and basketball, begins November 10. Go to www.acalanesparents.org, and click the Online Sports Registration link. Follow the instructions for forms needed dependent on whether this is your student's first sport or second sport of the year. All forms need to be completed and turned into the Athletic Director before your student can tryout/practice.
Joni Avery, APC President
Oct. 29, 2008
By next week at this time this historical election will have come to an
end and we will (hopefully) know who our next President will be!
On the back side of the Presidential ballot, is Measure E. I encourage
everyone in the Acalanes community to vote "YES" on this facilities bond for
our school.
A Yes vote on Measure E is critical to continue the building renovations and
to update our infrastructure to support the 21st century classroom
technology. Measure E will provide the necessary facilities funds without
taking money from classroom programs and without raising current taxes.
Vote November 4!
Joni Avery, APC President
Oct. 1, 2008
Friday Forum - October 3, 7:30 AM - We will meet in the Cafeteria this week as Principal John Nickerson will present results from the Healthy Choices Survey. We'll also hear from the Leadership Advisor Cathy Challacombe, which will include information about Homecoming. The meeting is casual and you should feel free to arrive and leave the forum as your schedule permits. Forums usually last until 9:30.
Parents Club General Meeting-October 3, 9:30 AM (faculty dining room)- Parents Club will be asking the general membership to vote on the 2008-2009 proposed budget. Please plan on attending to learn more about where your donation dollars go!
Go Dons!
Joni Avery, Parents Club President averyfive@yahoo.com
President's Message
Astrida Lalor, Acalanes Parents Club President
