Is there a bus driver, friend, teacher, administrator, neighbor, aide, crossing guard, coach, fellow student, therapist, physician, volunteer, or relative who has done something (however large or small) for your special needs child with an IEP or 504? Honor that person by nominating him or her for a CAC Sweetheart Award. Submit nominations using this online form before Thursday, February 15th (early submissions welcome) .  The Awards Ceremony will be on Wednesday, February 28th from 6-8pm at Nixon Elementary School. For more information or questions, contact  [email protected]  or go to  www.cacpaloalto.org . Co-sponsored by Palo Alto Community Advisory Committee for Special Education and the Palo Alto Council of PTAs.

Each year, the Palo Alto Council of PTAs may bestow one of several California State PTA Honorary Service Awards to individuals or organizations that have demonstrated outstanding service to children and youth in our community. The individuals or organization nominated must make far-reaching, notable contributions. The PTA Council HSA Committee selects persons or groups who have benefited children and youth on a district-wide or Palo Alto community level.  We also have a new award that debuted last year that honors exceptional PTA volunteers at the unit (school) level.  Each PTA may nominate one person.  If you know of someone or an organization that deserves to be honored at this level, please complete this form.  Recipients will be announced at our Honorary Service Award Reception on Thursday, April 26 th . Visit here past recipients here

Deadline for Nominations is March 1st.

Tue, Jan 30, 10:00 am - 12:00 noon, Sobrato Center, 350 Twin Dolphin Drive, Redwood City

Do you have questions about your child's IEP? Would you like to know how to advocate for your child's special education rights? Ms. Karis Daggs, an attorney with OCRA (Office of Clients' Rights Advocacy) will be our speaker. Hosted by Opening Doors PTA, the Palo Alto CAC for Special Education, and PTAC. Cantonese and Mandarin translation available. Register here.  For questions or to carpool, contact  [email protected].

Tue, Feb 6, 6 pm, Gunderson High School, 622 Gaundabert Lane, San Jose

(6 pm refreshments, 6:30 pm program)

What you  hope  your kids (elementary, middle, and high) are doing online isn't always what they're  actually  doing. Join us to learn how you can use The Smart Talk to get on the same page with your kids and establish an open conversation about digital safety. This is a  FREE event . Sponsors include National PTA, State PTA, and Sixth District PTA.  RSVPs (appreciated but not required): [email protected].

Wed, Feb 7, 6:30-8:30 pm, SDC Room, District Office, 25 Churchill Ave

Join us for an educational night on sugar. Learn how sugar came to be ubiquitous in everything we eat, and became a number one health issue due to its harmful effects on the human body. As parents, you will also get some great tips on how to combat sugar in your household and diet, and reintroduce great nutrition to your kids. Patricia Caldera, Ph.D will be presenting on behalf of the Hypoglycemia Support Foundation and Dr. Lustig education program dedicated to changing our views of processed food with the purpose of ending food related illnesses and promote good health. We encourage parents to bring their children.

Thurs, Feb 1, 6:30-8:30 pm, Parents Place Palo Alto, 200 Channing Ave

Are you tired of the piles and chaos caused by too much clutter in your home? When you have good organization systems, your home and family life are simpler, calmer, and less stressful. Professional organizer Lori Krolik of "More Time for You" will teach the six steps to tackle any organizing project and other strategies for creating an organized life. Parents of all ages are welcome. Details and registration here. Fee $45.

Eligible participants are between 9-17 years old, are experiencing low moods or irritability, have a body mass index greater than 85%, do not have braces or metal in their body.  Participants receive $325 for completing the study. Participants come in for clinical and cognitive evaluations, an MRI brain scan and a blood test 3 times over 2 years.  To learn more about the study and to see if your child is eligible, contact Lizzy at 650-721-4049 or [email protected]. You can also find out more about Stanford's Pediatric Emotion and Resilience Lab (PEARL) here. For general information about participation rights, contact 1-866-680-2906.

Enjoy a series of winter concerts featuring PACO's talented young musicians. In addition to orchestral and chamber pieces by well known composers Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven, you'll be enchanted by an array of works by Boccherini, Pleyel, and Dvorak to name a few. All concerts are admission FREE and for the entire family to enjoy. For more information about PACO, please visit  www.pacomusic.org  or email  [email protected].

• Sun, Feb 4, 12 pm, Cubberley Theatre (Natasha Makhijani, conductor) Superstrings Orchestra
• Sun, Feb 18, 3 pm, Cubberley Theatre (Jory Fankuchen, conductor) Sinfonia Orchestra
• Sun, Mar 4, 3 pm, Cubberley Theatre (Michel Taddei, conductor) Debut Orchestra

Feb 12, 13, 14 3:45-5:15 pm and Fri, Feb 16, 5:30-7:15 pm, Palo Alto High School

Join the Paly Spirit Squad for three afternoon workshops and the Paly basketball game on February 16th. Kids will cheer and perform with the Squad at halftime. Ages 3-14. $100 for workshops + game (25% discount before Feb 2). Your fee is tax deductible and helps the team pay for uniforms, training and other essentials. More information and registration here.

Please join  Instructor:  Anjani Sarma for a free  class specifically for families with English as a Second Language who have children in the Palo Alto Unified School District.  This is an interactive class with topics that include: Navigating the PAUSD website, conducting a parent/teacher conference, and utilizing Infinite Campus (IC) and Schoology. **Families with intermediate English proficiency preferred.** Free childcare ages 2-12. Mandatory testing : Please contact instructor to sign up for testing. Classes will be Tuesdays and Thursdays (7-8:30 pm) for seven weeks (January 16-March 1) at Palo Alto High School.  Class limited to 15 students on a first come, first served basis. There are currently spaces available.