Curious Minds Newsletter | September 2025

September 2025

A Special Message from Board Chair, Georgiana Kuhlmann

The PACCC Board is looking forward to a very productive year! Our overarching goal is to continue our commitment to provide exceptional education and care for Palo Alto’s children, with a focus on long-term sustainability for the organization and community.

This year, PACCC is in an unprecedented position as the beneficiary of the Neighborhood Infant-Toddler Center (NITC) sale. We are incredibly grateful to former PACCC employee and current board member, Lanie Wheeler, for having the foresight to invest in property in Palo Alto more than twenty years ago. The Board will use these proceeds to invest in our programs now and in the future.

Simultaneously, we are initiating Phase Two of PACCC's 2030 Strategic Plan, to include strengthening PACCC's position as an employer of choice for educators, ensuring that PACCC has the capacity to meet growing demands as California expands Universal Pre-K, and Palo Alto builds additional housing units. The Board shares a deep commitment to ensure PACCC is positioned to serve all children and families in our community. If you are interested in hearing more about our work or joining the board, please reach out to us at board_chair@paccc.org.

Melissa Roth Accepts Nomination as SCCOE LPC Co-Chair

🎉 Congratulations!

to PACCC’s Director of Programs, Melissa Roth who was recently voted in as the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) Co-Chair for the Local Early Education Planning Council. This position will also require participation in the Joint Child Care Commission.

PACCC and the DRDP Assessments

PACCC is an early adopter of the Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP) program and is pleased to implement the most recent updates from the California Department of Education. “DRDP (2025) is a developmental continuum from infancy through grade three that is designed to assess the progression of skills across multiple domains of learning.” Some of the major changes in DRDP include renaming measures to align more closely to the PTKLF (California Preschool/Transitional Kindergarten Learning Foundations), more examples and inclusive descriptor language that reflect children with disabilities, and the extension to the continuum of Social and Emotional Development and Approaches to Learning through third grade. The program features eight domains which we will feature in upcoming Curious Minds!

Raising a Reader!

In support of early literacy and school readiness, PACCC is participating in the Raising a Reader program. The award-winning programs are designed around family engagement and helps to “set children up for success by creating shared reading routines, fostering social emotional learning, healthy family relationships and learning skills needed to thrive in school and beyond.” Through a 3-step process to: Build, Practice, and Grow, Raising a Reader programs offers shared reading programs with customized and curated book collections, promotes healthy parent-child relationships, and “establishes reading and learning routines that foster a child’s love of reading.”

Keeping an Eye on Vision Health with Dr. Cindy Pouw!

We are pleased to welcome back PACCC partner, Dr. Cindy Pouw of Eyes of the Bay! The CDC reminds us that “Vision is an important part of childhood development. If your child has an uncorrected vision problem, it may affect their ability to learn and reach their highest potential… Early childhood eye exams and treatment can improve and impact learning, testing, class participation, behavior and self-confidence.” Dr. Pouw will be performing vision screenings at PACCC preschools starting on October 6, 2025. Thank you, Dr. Cindy!

Partnership: September is National Library Card Month!

S is for Storytime in September! September is National Library Card Month, and PACCC is partnering with Palo Alto Library and Youth Services Staff to bring you Family Story Time! The Librarian will visit PACCC preschools to read stories, provide an opportunity for family engagement, and bring free gifts for the children! Check out the ongoing storytime schedule throughout Palo Alto. Also, join us for Love Your Libraries: Children’s Library Celebration on September 13^th! Festivities include speeches, performances, crafts and other activities.

September is National Emergency Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month! While emergencies happen without an invitation, preparing and staying informed is the best way to reduce risks. Familiarize yourself with the City’s emergency preparedness resources and sign up for emergency alerts. Bring the kids out for Pancakes in the Park on September 20 at Rinconada Park and “enjoy a hot breakfast, while you interact with Palo Alto's Police, Fire and Emergency Services team members and learn more about how they safeguard our community.” Registration required. Read this new update and share with your neighbors to learn how you can stay informed, build a kit, and make a plan!

Happening in Palo Alto This Month!

Annual Palo Alto Community Survey Closes September 14th!

As of this writing, you still have one day to participate in the Palo Alto Community Survey, which helps the City Council and City staff understand community perspectives on services and programs, as well as unmet needs and priorities. The 2025 Feedback survey opened on August 29 and is open to all residents. Click here for past community survey results and other ways to connect and engage.

Attend the San Antonio Road Area Plan Community Workshop!

Share your ideas and priorities for the San Antonio Road area at the San Antonio Road Area Plan Workshop on Thursday, October 23, 2025, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Cubberley Community Center Pavilion. Through interactive engagement activities, participants will help identify what opportunities and challenges should be considered in preparing the Area Plan.

Free Tax Help!

Tax-Aid will provide FREE basic 2024 income tax return preparation to qualified individuals who earned $67,000 or less on Saturday, September 27 from 10-2 PM. First come, first serve. Check the link for items to bring with you. Thank you, Tax Aid!