Curious Minds Newsletter

March 2026

PACCC’s Whole-Child Approach

Language and Literacy Development (LLD)

In partnership with the California Department of Education, PACCC is continuing its work as an early adopter of the revised Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP) program and Learning Foundations (LFs), which closely aligns with our vision and mission statement. Designed by the State of California and funded by the California Department of Social Services, DRDP is a “developmental continuum from infancy through grade three that is designed to assess the progression of skills across multiple domains of learning.” The DRDP directly aligns with California’s Learning Foundations. Together, they are used to plan curriculum, inform instruction, and document developmental milestones.

Please join us in welcoming our Language & Literacy Development (LLD) Ambassador and storytelling avatar, Santiago Flores, here to share more about LLD and PACCC’s Whole-Child Approach! Take it away, Santiago!

Meet Santiago Flores,

Ambassador for Language & Literacy Development!

Santiago Flores walked up to the podium and flashed his signature smile for the audience. He looked down to see that his father and all his friends from Bestie Book Club were sitting in the front row!

“Hello, I am Santiago Flores, Ambassador for Language and Literacy Development, or LLD! Friends and family, I have a question for you: Who wants to hear a really good story?” [read more]

Read the Full Story.. 👀

PACCC Day with the Stanford Cardinals!

Join us at Klein Field at Sunken Diamond for an unforgettable day of community spirit and big-league excitement at PACCC Day with the Stanford Cardinals on Saturday, April 4^th, from 2pm to 6pm! “The fun kicks off with the ceremonial opening pitch at 2:05 PM. Adding to the magic, kids will have the incredible experience of standing on the field during the National Anthem, creating memories that will last forever. It’s more than a game — it’s a special moment where community, family, and baseball come together for an inspiring day at the ballpark!” Get your tickets today! $15.

Thank you to our sponsors:

And the Tall Tree Award Goes to…

Please join us in congratulating PACCC CEO, Lee Pfab for her Tall Tree Award for Outstanding Professional, an annual honor from the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce.

“The annual awards, which recognize civic leadership, are sponsored by the Chamber and Palo Alto Weekly…The Tall Tree award nomination also highlights [Lee’s] many years of involvement in local nonprofits and civic organizations, including the Kiwanis Club, Rotary Club, Youth Community Services and the Chamber of Commerce…This year’s ceremony will be held on April 16 at 5:30 p.m. at the Oshman Family JCC.”

If you’re looking for a summer PACCC’d with fun, then be sure to register for Summer Camp 2026 TODAY! PACCC’s summer camps sell out! Back by popular demand are FAME Camp, Operation Chef, Camp EPIC, Little Campers and After Summer School Camp.

March is National Nutrition Month!

National Nutrition Month^® is an annual campaign established in 1973 by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. During the month of March, everyone is invited to learn about making informed food choices and developing healthful eating and physical activity habits.

This year's theme is "Discover the Power of Nutrition." Nutrition has the power to help individuals and communities thrive.

At PACCC, our nutrition programs promote access to healthy foods, offer culturally relevant nutrition education, support families with resources that encourage balanced eating, and create community spaces where individuals can learn, share, and build lifelong healthy habits together.

Learn more about nutrition for kids at EatRight.org and discover how food and beverage choices can help power your day. Some local food resources for at-risk families include South Palo Alto Food Closet and Ecumenical Hunger Program .

Building healthy habits now makes for a big, bright future for the whole family!

The Catalyst Initiative: High Road to ECE Consortium

The Catalyst Initiative, led by the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE), is creating a multi-county partnership to expand access to affordable, high-quality childcare and early childhood education. The one-year planning grant is focused on preparing the foundation for a five-year implementation plan starting in 2026. The objectives include:

Establishing a multi-county Steering Committee and Advisory Committee
Conducting a landscape analysis of childcare and early childhood education networks, advocacy efforts, and workforce supports
Developing a funding resource matrix to coordinate public and private investments
Designing strategies that prioritize job quality, workforce mobility, and climate resilience

“We want to understand the needs, experiences, and challenges of families and caregivers in our community. Your feedback will help the Santa Clara County Office of Education and partners improve childcare access, support local providers, and strengthen our long-term planning.”

Please help this Initiative by completing this short, important survey. Your voice matters!

PACCC in the Community

Family Fun in Palo Alto!

Spring Family Fun Day!

Sunday, March 22, 2026 | 02:00 PM to 04:30 PM

Ring in Spring with an art exhibition and “art activities led by Art Center teaching artists and community partners. Bring the whole family for this fun, multi-generational event and stick around until the very end for a performance organized by Mosaic America.”

Stop and Smell the Flowers (and herbs!) at Gamble Garden

This year’s recipient for the Tall Tree Award for Outstanding Nonprofit is also a great place to welcome the spring season! Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden, is “a non-profit organization [and] a remarkable resource for everyone. Located in Old Palo Alto, our historic property has a rich legacy, a commitment to education, and year-round beauty. Come see Gamble for yourself—it’s free and the garden is open to the public every day during daylight hours.” The Easter Egg Hunt takes place on March 29, registration and fee required.

Family Storytime at Palo Alto Library!

“Join Librarian Juliana on Saturdays from 10:30-11 AM at Mitchell Park Library for Family Storytime! Come sing, rhyme, and read stories with us! Make sure to follow us on YouTube for more stories, songs and rhymes, including a playlist of all of our favorite songs to sing!”

Second Annual Around the World in a Day Festival!

Saturday, March 28, 2026 | 10:00 AM to 01:00 PM

Around the World in a Day is a “celebration of cultural pride at the Lucie Stern Community Center! Join us as we bring the community together to appreciate the unique traditions and heritage of people from around the globe through cultural exhibits and performances.”

The Ugly Duckling

March 28-29, 2026

Palo Alto Children’s Theatre presents The Ugly Duckling, based on the story by Hans Christian Andersen. “With very simple sets, costumes, and lots of opportunities to get up and wiggle, this story-teller style theatre is perfect for young audience members, suggested ages two to six years old and their families. Performances are approximately 55 minutes in length, Saturdays and Sundays at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m., plus Sundays at 2 p.m. Performances are held indoors. All attendees of all ages must have a ticket.