Curious Minds Newsletter

March 2025

Free Car Seat Event! PACCC Partners with Stanford Medicine – Children’s Health

In partnership with Stanford Medicine – Children’s Health, PACCC will host a FREE car seat event on Wednesday, March 26 at Ventura Community Center, 3990 Ventura Court, Palo Alto.

The law requires that children be secured in the appropriate car seats or booster seats for ages 0-9 while riding in vehicles. Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians provide free education on how to use car seats, booster seats, and seat belts. Technicians can recommend the right car seat/booster for their child, install the seat correctly, and if needed, ensure the seat is used correctly.

Seats and boosters will be available to families on a first-come, first-serve basis for low-income families. Please note that car seat appointments are approximately 1 hour long and can include up to 2 car seats per appointment. Register here!

We’d also like to extend our deep gratitude to the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Program for their generous $1,000.00 grant for the purchase of children’s booster and car seats!

Partnership: Kids in Common and the SEW Initiative

PACCC recently had the opportunity to collaborate with Kids in Common on the SEW Initiative. Social Emotional Wellness (SEW) is a structured, data-driven initiative and 5-year action plan that collaboratively addresses the youth mental health crisis through three key pillars of work: Cultivating Caring Communities, Addressing Basic Needs, and Family and Community Education. This initiative is in direct alignment with PACCC's mission to partner with families and regional agencies to provide and advocate for exceptional and accessible childhood education and care. PACCC is happy to support Kids in Common with their Social Emotional Wellness Initiative and look forward to further participation at the upcoming Children's Summit in April.

PACCC & PAUSD Implement Second Step

In alignment with PAUSD, PACCC preschools and Kids’ Clubs have implemented Second Step Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and anti-bullying curriculum. SEL is an important component of PACCC programs and student development. “Second Step programs combine discussions with fun activities and family resources. The programs help children learn human skills such as responsible decision-making, working together to solve problems, managing strong emotions, and getting along with others. These skills can help children succeed academically and socially.” You can learn more about the importance of social emotional development by watching this video.

Women's History Month

March is Women’s History Month, and we are reminded of our own history that began some 50 years ago, when six women recognized the growing demand for quality, affordable childcare and had the foresight to present this need to the Palo Alto City Council. The Child Care Task Force was then formed, and the City Council’s first directive was to establish a childcare-focused nonprofit. This original vision and advocacy later became the blueprint for PACCC. Learn more about the visionary women of the Child Care Task Force here!

Children's Discovery Museum

(PACCC) would like to thank the Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose for hosting the Hoover Kids’ Club for a day of fun, discovery, and play-based learning! The children traversed through interactive exhibits designed to help grow their curiosity and understanding in the arts, nature, health and sciences and even received a quick lesson in CPR! It’s this kind of immersive community experience that puts a smile on our face at PACCC, and the kids are still talking about it!

Thanks again, from all of us at PACCC!

PACCC 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 and early education efforts and events this month:

State of the City Address
City Policy and Services Committee Agenda Items for new Nonprofit Relationship Framework
PAUSD Early Education Ad Hoc Committee
Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits (SVCN) Government Funding & Listening Session
City-School Liaison Committee
Stanford Community Partnership Awards
Cubberley Community Meeting

Don’t miss 3^rdThursday Opening Night on March 20!

3rdThursday is a FREE music festival on car-free California Avenue in Palo Alto. Live bands include School of Rock - Ash@Cal Ave, Rock Shed Rangers - Cal Ave @El Camino, and Melodius Thunk - Cal Ave @Birch.

Come out and see the exhibition of Palo Alto Elementary-High School student artwork, with a focus on youth’s views of community, with a run date through Monday, March 24th. Stop by 414 California Avenue and visit the free photo booth, test your artistic talents at the craft activities table and check out the giveaways from Stanford Research Park.