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From all of us at PACCC, we wish you a Happy New Year and want to thank you for entrusting us with the education and care of your children!
Let’s see what smiles we can bring to each other in 2025!
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PACCC Partners with DreamCatchers for Rising 6th Graders | |
PACCC is proud to partner with DreamCatchers’, a community-based nonprofit providing free, quality after school enrichment programs at all three PAUSD middle school locations. January is the start of National Mentoring Month and the final elementary school semester for PACCC’s rising 6th graders! DreamCatchers’ strives to close the opportunity gaps by providing social-emotional learning support, after school mentoring and academic tutoring at the three PAUSD middle schools. DreamCatchers’ uses a “near-peer” tutoring and mentoring model with high school mentors working directly with middle school students on homework, executive functioning and self-advocacy. The tutors and mentors aim to focus on students' emotional well-being in addition to preparing them to succeed academically in high school and beyond.
“I enjoy having teachers (both tutors and mentors) that understand me and help me in any way they can. Even if I am doing fine, they still check in on me. The support I get here has helped me become a better student, as well as a better person.” — DreamCatchers’ Student
Dream Catchers’ welcomes PACCC families to learn more and apply for the 2025-2026 school year. The eligibility criteria align with PACCC’s financial assistance program (ELO-P, State Subsidy, City Subsidy and PACCC Scholarship). In March 2025, join DreamCatchers’ at their information session for all rising 6th graders and their families to learn more at https://tinyurl.com/DreamCatchersInterest2025-26
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PACCC Partners with Star Vista Early Chilhood Mental Health |
We are pleased to partner with Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (ECMHC), which “strengthens the social-emotional development and school readiness of our community’s high-risk children from birth to age five and supports low-income families and caregivers by providing mental health consultation, early intervention services, direct clinical services, and support for parents and caregivers on-site at subsidized childcare centers.” Talk to your center director or visit https://star-vista.org/early-childhood-services/ for more information.
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Every year, PACCC’s financial assistance program partners with Family Giving Tree, a non-profit based in Milpitas; to bring holiday cheer to children whose families are in financial need. This year, Family Giving Tree provided 70 curated wrapped gifts for these children! On Friday, December 20, Subsidy Specialist, Angela, along with the help of her special elves, Liz and Adrian, hosted a Candy Cane Lane event. The families visited PACCC’s Administrative Office to pick up their gifts where they were surrounded by festive decorations, while enjoying hot cocoa, smoothies, pastries, and fruit. There were also photo opportunities with a blow-up Olaf and a holiday penguin! It was great winter fun for the families that were able to attend, and all other gifts were delivered to the children at their respective PACCC centers. We are so grateful to have this opportunity with Family Giving Tree each year! | |
In our Vision statement and as part of our Strategic Plan PACCC is “A community where children thrive, educators are valued and families are supported.” As such, we want Palo Alto families to be aware of the resources available to them. On the Family Resources page of our website, there is a listing covering a wide range of topics from Workshops and Events, to Mental Health, Hotlines, Nutrition, and specialty articles like Parenting a Child with ADHD. Is there a support resource you would like us to link on our page? Let us know! Check back here each month, as we explore the many resources available to Palo Alto families. | |
PACCC Board Member Spotlight | |
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Teri Baldwin
Baldwin is entering her 13th year as President of the Palo Alto Educators Association and her 30th year as a teacher. She spent five years teaching kindergarten in Connecticut before spending the majority of her career at Addison Elementary School in Palo Alto. Teri has also served on the PAUSD Childcare Adhoc Committee and recently joined the PACCC Board. As a kindergarten teacher, she witnessed firsthand the positive impact of PACCC’s afterschool program on her students. Many were excited to attend Addison Kids’ Club (AKC), where Teri often interacted with the wonderful educators. When invited to join the PACCC Board, Teri felt honored. She looks forward to leveraging her experience in primary education and union leadership to contribute to the organization’s work.
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PACCC Out in the Community | |
As a community leader in Palo Alto, and in keeping with our Strategic Plan and commitment to build and foster community, PACCC partners with families and regional agencies to provide and advocate for exceptional and accessible childhood care and education. You will find PACCC engaged in the following advocacy efforts and events this month:
- Palo Alto Downtown Housing Plan Advisory Group Meeting
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Kiwanis Club of Palo Alto Grantee Dinner
- Martin Luther King Day Celebration
- Chinese New Year Celebration
PACCC Board Member, Alison Kamhi recently joined the PAUSD Board and the Downtown Housing Advisory Group. “The Downtown Housing Plan is an area plan focused on accelerating housing production and furthering fair housing, while ensuring Downtown continues to be an attractive local and regional destination.” Look for more information on the Downtown Housing Advisory Group in future Curious Minds editions.
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Final Days for Palo Alto Youth Softball Spring Registration! | Come join the amazing fun, friendships and community playing softball this spring in Palo Alto Youth Softball, with registration open through January 14. PAYS features trained & enthusiastic positive coaches, player development and inclusion, while fostering teamwork, self-esteem, physical health and social-emotional growth for girls. No softball experience is required, and all sizes, abilities and experience levels are welcome for the ages of 5-14. Softball is fast-growing in our community, and we are excited to share the experience with your family. | |
January 17, 2025
College Terrace Children’s Center (CTC) Park Day - Parents! Join us on this fun-filled field trip to the park where we will also serve breakfast and snacks!
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February 6, 2025
Palo Verde Kids’ Club (PVKC) - Annual Hot Chocolate Social
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February 12, 2025
College Terrace Children’s Center (CTC) - Valentines Family Breakfast and Heart Collage Art Contest – Families will vote for most creative heart!
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February 14, 2025
College Terrace Children’s Center (CTC) - Valentine’s Day Card Share
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February 14, 2025
Walter Hays Kids’ Club (WHKC) - Valentine’s Gathering
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We can't wait to see you there! | |
Happy Anniversary, PACCC Employees!
We couldn’t do it without you!
| Thank you for the education and care you provide for Palo Alto’s children, and thus, our future! | |
Lupe J. (STCDC-IT):
Thu, Jan 23 -- 29 years
Becki K. (STCDC-PS):
Tue, Jan 14 -- 12 years
Mariela L. (ADMIN):
Fri, Jan 03 -- 7 years
Odette M. (PVKC):
Fri, Jan 24 -- 5 years
Jocelyn C. (SUB):
Mon, Jan 27 -- 5 years
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Lenina R. (WHKC):
Tue, Jan 07 -- 4 years
Hanh T. (NITC):
Fri, Jan 31 -- 3 years
Goli C. (JBKC):
Fri, Jan 31 -- 3 years
Jenny A. (EKC):
Fri, Jan 03 -- 2 years
Jacey W. (AKC):
Thu, Jan 09 -- 2 years
Liz V. (ADMIN):
Fri, Jan 17 -- 2 years
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Christian P. (SUB):
Fri, Jan 03 -- 1 year
Susie L. (ETCC):
Wed, Jan 08 -- 1 year
Luna M. (SUB):
Wed, Jan 08 -- 1 year
Jonathan D. (ECKC):
Wed, Jan 08 -- 1 year
Douaa S. (SUB):
Wed, Jan 22 -- 1 year
Yarissa P. (SUB):
Wed, Jan 22 -- 1 year
Emma F. (WHKC):
Wed, Jan 22 -- 1 year
Hannah R. (SUB):
Wed, Jan 29 -- 1 year
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Hoover Kids' Club Family Yule Ball | |
Stay tuned for next month's Curious Minds newsletter! |
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