Fri, Mar 2, 4:30 & 5:30 pm, Fairmeadow MP Room

Come see 68 Fairmeadow students perform scenes from "Peter Pan," "Oliver," "Annie," "Mary Poppins," and "Lord of the Flies." Email Collette O'Donovan for free tickets.

Click on the flyer to enlarge for more details.

Tue, Mar 13, 6:30 pm, Fairmeadow MP Room

Join Hemla Makan-Dullabh to learn all about mindfulness and how it can help improve your child's mood, sleep, and concentration. Hemla will teach us some simple, fun techniques to add mindfulness to your child's day. Childcare will be provided for the elementary school-aged children of those attending courtesy of the PTA. Please RSVP here . For any questions, please contact Tracy Ballard-Tal.

A sharrow is a road marking that indicates a shared lane for people on bikes and in cars. On roads with sharrows, bicyclists are meant to ride in the middle of the travel lane in order to avoid the " door zone." People in cars should pass someone on a bike only when it is safe to do so and leave at least three feet of space. Drivers should not use their horn when approaching or passing, except to warn of danger. Click on the image to see the City of Palo Alto's sharrow flyer, or click here for more information. If you have any questions, please contact Fairmeadow's Safe Routes to School Champion, Christy Moision.

We will re-post Karen Hendricks' Weekly Message here  each week, in case you missed it on her previous Infinite Campus email to you.

Gunn & Jordan, Feb 12 - Mar 9; JLS, Mar 13 - Apr 13, Mon-Fri, 8 am - 4 pm, Closed Sat-Sun, Main Hallway, District Offices, 25 Churchill Ave

This exhibition features artwork by PAUSD 6-12 Visual Art students in a variety of media, including drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, Graphic Design, sculpture, ceramics, and glass.

Sun, Mar 4, 2-5 pm, Mitchell Park Community Center, 3700 Middlefield Rd

The Palo Alto Chinese Community cordially invite you and your family to celebrate 2018 Chinese New Year. This event features performances of Chinese folk music, instruments, and dances by students from the Palo Alto Unified School District and showcases Chinese art, exhibitions, game booths, delicious foods, and much more! The event is free and food will be sold for fundraising to support the Palo Alto schools. This festive event is organized by the Palo Alto Chinese Parents Community in collaboration with the City of Palo Alto, the Palo Alto Council of PTAs, Mitchell Park Library, and Palo Alto Family YMCA. Parking is limited, so please walk, bike, or share a ride. Questions? Email Hannah Lu.

The PTA Council Nominating Committee is currently seeking both nominations and expressions of interest from individuals in the community who would like to learn more about becoming a member of the PTA Executive Board for the 2018/19 school year. We are looking for community members who demonstrate strong leadership skills and have a passion for improving the educational experience of all students, preferably have experience on their school PTA or site council, and are interested in stepping into a leadership role at the district level.  PTA Council Officers and VPs: President, Executive Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Historian, VP Advocacy, VP Communications, VP Community Outreach, VP Education, VP Health & Wellness, VP Parent Education, Auditor, VP Leadership Services. To find out more contact: PTA Council Nominating Committee Chair.

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 . See past recipients here.  Deadline for Nominations is March 1st.

Sun, Mar 18, 1-2 pm, Children's Library, 1276 Harriet St

An interactive program featuring different S.T.E.A.M. related projects in the Tree Top Room. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, & Math). Registration required. Grades K-5 only.

Wed, Feb 28, 3:30-5:30 pm, Rinconada Library, Embarcadero Room, 1213 Newell Rd

Presentation by Sarah E. Kremer, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Board Certified Art Therapist, and PhD Candidate. Ms. Kremer will share information about her individual doctoral project involving a collaboration between Notre Dame de Namur University, Acknowledge Alliance, and Stanford University's Center for Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing. The title of her presentation is "Portraits of Mental Health & Wellbeing: Using Digital Photography to Reduce Mental Health Stigmatization." The goal of the doctoral project is to create a model for successfully integrating a neurodevelopmental art therapy program into general mental health and wellness services for youth, building upon the benefits of sharing knowledge and ideas with other mental health professionals to mutually enrich the art therapy and adolescent mental health fields. RSVP here.

Sat, Apr 14, Baylands Athletic Center

The City of Palo Alto is seeking participants and event volunteers of ALL AGES for their upcoming Earth Day event. The event kicks off with the Great Race for Saving Water, a 5K run/walk and kids 1K fun run to raise awareness about water resources, conservation, and environmental health. The fun continues with an Earth Day festival offering team awards, raffle prizes, live music, food trucks, electric vehicle ride & drive, guided bird walk, group bike ride, nature walks, zoo animals, arts & crafts, library book mobile, Smokey the Bear, community booths, environmental and public safety resources. Register here to volunteer, and register for the race here. Questions? Contact PAUSD Sustainability Program Manager Rebecca Navarro.

Fri, Mar 2, 4-5:30 pm, Mitchell Park Library

Drop in for Legos, board games, and crafts. All ages are welcome!

Sat, Mar 10, 4-6 pm, Mitchell Park Library

Enjoy a movie with your family at the library. March movie: Tangled. All ages are welcome!

Sun, Mar 11, 1-3 pm, Mitchell Park Library

Ready to get a little messy with colored powder? Spring season is almost here, and we are going to have fun with colors! Register to participate in the colored powder activity, henna tattoo, arts and crafts, and enjoy music. Families of all ages welcome.

Sat, Mar 24, 8 am, Paly Viking Stadium, 50 Embarcadero Rd

Paly Sports Boosters and the Paly Track & Field Team will be hosting the Paly 5K Fun Run & Walk. Along with the 5k run (or walk), we'll have a 2K Stroller Walk and Tot Trot, and sprint races for elementary school kids. The Riekes Center will be hosting a challenge course for the kids. There will be jugglers, ukulele players, balloon artists, and more! In partnership with Paly's Best Buddies program, all races are accessible. Sign up here.

Sat, Mar 10, 1-3 pm, Stanford University IM Fields, 641 Nelson Rd

"A, B, Trees," a free, open event promoting literacy around the Bay area is welcoming all students growing in their reading skills. Run completely by Stanford Student-Athletes, there will be games, activities, reading stations, and some food and drinks provided. English and Spanish speakers will be present to interact with the readers. Stanford Athletic events will also be taking place throughout the day and around the time of the event for additional activities on campus. Contact eeastin@stanford.edu with questions.

Wed, Feb 28, 3:30-5:30 pm, Mitchell Park Library, 3700 Middlefield Rd

Come join us in solving and making puzzles - crossword, word search, sudoku, Rubik's cube (and other shapes), 3-D wooden puzzles, and jigsaw. Registration required. Grades K-5 only.

Sat, Mar 3, 10 am - 12 pm, Parents Place, 200 Channing Ave

Learn how to discuss and practice important, age appropriate "People-Safety Skills" with your children. Help them follow "Stranger Safety" rules (not "Stranger Danger" rules which are least effective), use safety plans if lost, set clear boundaries, deal with other kids bullying behaviors, be and act aware and confident, and much more. With Staff from KidPower. Child must be a minimum of 5 years old to be eligible to participate in the Workshop. Fee: $80 per child (with accompanying adult). Register here.

Mon, Mar 5, 7:30-9 pm, Cubberley Community Center Theatre, 4000 Middlefield Rd

Kristene Geering, M.A., ED will speak on how parents can help their little ones manage their emotions. Parents know that a secure and loving attachment is important. In this talk, parents will learn about the neurological significance of creating this attachment, along with the benefits of a mindfulness practice for children and parents alike. This event is free and is sponsored by Friends of PreSchool Family. Click here for more information.

Wed, Feb 28, 6:30 pm, Hillview Middle School PAC

In this inspirational, practical, and humorous presentation, renowned educator, family counselor, and bestselling author Michael Gurian focuses on helping boys and girls across the gender spectrum to succeed in school and life. Because boys and girls experience their home and school life differently, Michael explores how the minds of boys and girls develop distinctly-and how parents, educators, therapists, and others can care for and support the needs of our children. Based on more than thirty years of research and counseling practice, Michael traces how a child's learning mind grows, how the genders learn and grow differently, how acculturation influences boys and girls, and how crucial school success has become to life success. Michael will be available to sign books following the event and books will be available for purchase. Light refreshments and beverages served. Childcare available for potty-trained children. Click here for more information.

Feb/Mar/Apr, Palo Alto

Palo Alto-based El Camino Youth Symphony (soon-to-be Golden State Youth Orchestra) invites musicians ages 6-18 to audition for the 2018-19 Season. Led by an internationally renowned faculty, ECYS offers six orchestras/ensembles for students at all levels of musical ability. Members are challenged with professional-level repertoire, receive support from experienced coaches, and perform in concerts throughout the Bay Area. There are openings for all instrumentalists, though the most in-demand instruments are: Percussion, Bassoon, All Brass, String Bass, Viola, and Saxophone. Auditions are held in March/April for the season that begins in August/September. Apply online. Call ECYS at 650-665-9046 for more information.

Youth Community Service (YCS) is a community-based nonprofit that engages our PAUSD students in meaningful service-based learning that builds leadership and life skills. YCS has been funded by local government grants to launch a Youth Connectedness Initiative in Palo Alto. YCS is hiring two coordinators for this Initiative: a Parent Program Coordinator to help facilitate parent workshops and activities on youth connectedness; and a Youth Program Coordinator to work with YCS staff to help adolescents develop protective factors, such as positive perception of self, service to others, and caring developmental relationships with peers and adults. YCS seeks candidates - either recent college grads, or professionals who have stepped away from the workplace to raise a family or run a household. Click here for more information and how to apply.

Have you enjoyed helping in your child's classroom? Consider volunteering in a classroom in eastern Menlo Park or East Palo Alto where your help is especially needed. You'll have a real impact tutoring kids in grades K-5 where about 90% are low income and over 80% are performing below grade level in reading and math. Work once a week in the same classroom for about an hour with students eager to see you. All Students Matter provides training and coordinates everything. Sign up now to start in September. For more details or to sign up, visit  allstudentsmatter.org  or contact Keri Tully.