The Lafayette School District will begin the process of updating its Strategic Plan in February to reflect changes in the direction the district plans to go with regards to curriculum, budgeting and other priorities.

A public meeting will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 21, beginning at 7:00 p.m., at Happy Valley Elementary School. Parents of students in the Lafayette School District, along with members of the community, are invited to attend, share their ideas and participate in discussions. Those who are unable to attend the meeting but would still like their ideas and recommendations shared have been asked to email shantague@gmail.com.

Acalanes High School Principal Aida Glimme sent out a message to parents Tuesday warning them of three reported cases of chicken pox at the school in the last week.

According to an Acalanes parent who asked to be unnamed, there have been more than the three reported cases of chicken pox at the school.

In her message, Principal Glimme has asked that students with chicken pox or chicken pox symptoms remain home from school until the rash has crusted over.

Chicken pox is extremely contagious and can be spread two days prior to the rash developing and for as much as a week after the rash appears.

American Legion Post 517 of Lafayette is holding their annual crab feed this Sunday, Jan. 29, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The crab feed will be held at the Lafayette Memorial Building, 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd.

Tickets are $40 and can be purchased by calling Dom at 925-376-1511.

Proceeds from the event go to the benefit of American Legion Boys and Girls State programs that happen in Sacramento each year. Proceeds will also go toward sponsoring local high school oratorical contests.

American Legion Post 517 of Lafayette was incorporated in 1938 and holds meetings on the first Wednesday of every month. For more information, visit http://www.lafayetteveterans.org/alpost_115_517.html.

Lafayette School District Parent Education is sponsoring a night with Peggy Orenstein, author of the bestselling books “Cinderella Ate My Daughter” and “Schoolgirls.”

The event will take place at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center on Thursday, March 8, from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.

Orenstein, who lives in the Bay Area, will discuss some of the major topics in her bestselling books, particularly the effects of growing up as a “girlie girl” in a princess and pink driven society for young girls.

Refreshments will be provided by the Lamorinda Moms Club.

For more information about Orenstein, visit http://peggyorenstein.com.

Acalanes High School Principal Aida Glimme sent out a message to parents about a sexual crime committed in the school’s parking lot shortly after school was out on Friday.

A man was seen by students masturbating while watching one of Acalanes’ female students.

The man was described as Caucasian, middle-aged with greying dark hair. Witnesses reported the man leaving in the passenger seat of a white Toyota Camry, while another man drove the vehicle.

The Lafayette Police Department is asking that anyone with additional information about the crime, or who witnesses a similar crime, call their dispatch number immediately at 925-284-5010.

Former Stanley Middle School teacher Michael Merrick has put an end to an ordeal that has caused grief throughout the Stanley community. Merrick took a plea deal, pleading guilty to six of the felony counts against him for the molestation of a student he was tutoring in 2010.

Merrick was sentenced to five years and eight months in prison for his crimes.

As part of the plea deal, Merrick had to admit that he had in fact committed the crimes he was charged with. Merrick admitted in court that he had in fact molested the student.

The case was set to go to trial on Monday.

Anyone driving along Pleasant Hill Road between Olympic Boulevard and Mt. Diablo Boulevard in the past few months has certainly noticed the construction going on. If you hit it during commute hours, delays are almost guaranteed.

The good news is that progress is being made, but the bad news is that construction will continue for the next few weeks or even months.

One of the most recent additions was the installation of additional posts along the sidewalks, which stops people from parking on and blocking the path. Some older posts on the sidewalk were updated with new reflective tape.

The Lafayette Library Community Hall will be hosting a special screening of the documentary “Race to Nowhere.”

The documentary deals with the issue of stress placed on teens that can lead to depression or even suicide. The documentary is meant to question the current way America’s youth are prepared for life’s challenges.

Tickets are $10 if purchased in advance online, or $15 at the door.

For more information about the documentary, visit the website at http://www.racetonowhere.com, or to view the trailer for the documentary, visit http://youtu.be/Uem73imvn9Y.

One of Lafayette’s restaurant “gems” is giving back to the community on Tuesday.

Bo’s Barbecue, 3422 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, will be donating 15% of dine-in and takeout orders for lunch and dinner on Tuesday, Jan. 10, to Springhill Elementary School. Bo’s will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. that day with all orders counting.

In order for the order to count as part of the fundraising effort, you must mention “Springhill Dines Out” and/or have one of the Springhill fundraising flyers, which will be available at the school or at the restaurant on Tuesday.

To call ahead for your order, call Bo’s at 925-283-7133.

Stephen Walker, 44, of Walnut Creek, was arrested Wednesday in connection with the burglary of the Lafayette thrift store Nifty Thrift.

Walker was arrested after stolen property from a burglary at Nifty Thrift was found in his home during a police search. Walker’s home was subject to search as part of his probation for an unrelated drug charge.

According to police, Walker was in possession of stolen jewelry from the store whose proceeds benefit the charity Futures Explored.

For more information on Nifty Thrift or the Futures Explored, visit http://www.futures-explored.org/nifty_thrift.html.

Walnut Creek Police are asking that anyone with information regarding the burglary, call 925-943-5844.