It's February which means it's time to have our fourth raffle! Thank you to those families who have returned their donation forms! We were fortunate enough to have two summer camps donated by Run for Fun, a week of Adventure Day Camp and a week of Camp High Five Pinecrest. Raffle winners will be announced on Monday, February 19th.  If you forgot to bring back your  One Check Form , it's never too late. If you return your form to school by Thursday, February 15th you'll be included in the raffle. All donations go directly to our school and help with a wide range of supplies, activities, events, and enriching programs.

The Neighborhood Traffic Safety and Bicycle Boulevard Project is constructing a new roundabout at East Meadow Drive and Ross Road to improve the safety of student cyclists and help moderate speeds along the route. Construction will be completed soon. Flaggers will be present to direct student cyclists, pedestrians, and vehicular traffic during construction hours (9 am - 4 pm, Monday-Friday). It is important that school staff, parents, and students review the educational materials on how to use the new infrastructure as we get closer to completion. Stanford University has also created a useful educational website on roundabouts . Please direct questions to Sarah Ratliff, Neighborhood Traffic Safety Bicycle Boulevard Community Relations Manager  (669-225-1617). More information about the Neighborhood Traffic Safety & Bicycle Boulevard  Project, including  FAQs, are available  here.

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

Thu, Feb 22, 2:30-5 pm, JLS Training Room (Room 730)

The Student Nutrition Services Department, in conjunction with the PAUSD Wellness Council, have been requested to review and adjust the a la carte snack selections available for students to purchase at the secondary schools. The main emphasis of the review is to offer healthier alternatives. All secondary students, parents, and interested community members are welcome. Student and parent input into the potential replacements is important. Feedback and any additional suggestions will be collected via a short survey conducted at the event. There will be a Label Reading Activity available for students and chance to win prizes in a  drawing. It is our plan to begin making changes effective the week students return from Spring Break.

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.

Is there a bus driver, friend, teacher, administrator, neighbor, aide, crossing guard, coach, fellow student, therapist, physician, volunteer, or relative who has done something (however large or small) for your special needs child with an IEP or 504? Honor that person by nominating him or her for a CAC Sweetheart Award. Submit nominations using this online form before Thursday, February 15th (early submissions welcome) .  The Awards Ceremony will be on Wednesday, February 28th from 6-8pm at Nixon Elementary School. For more information or questions, contact  sweethearts.award@gmail.com  or go to  www.cacpaloalto.org . Co-sponsored by Palo Alto Community Advisory Committee for Special Education and the Palo Alto Council of PTAs.

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.

Thu, Mar 1, 5:30-7:00 pm, Ohlone Elementary School Multi-Purpose Room, 950 Amarillo Ave

Discover terrific summer camps (for grades K-12) all around Palo Alto, meet camp vendors in person, and get help planning a summer your entire family will love. Free to attend. Free pizza for the first 100 attendees, plus activities for kids, giveaways, and camp discounts.  More info here.

Fri & Sat, Mar 9 & 10; Fri & Sat, Mar 16 & 17, 7:30 pm; Thu, Mar 15, 4 pm; Sun, Mar 18, 2 pm, Palo Alto High School Performing Arts Center, 50 Embarcadero Rd

Join the excitement at the world premiere of the musical "Venture." Gender politics, the challenges of love and ambition, a tech dynasty, how does a young woman in Silicon Valley figure it all out? "Venture" is a modern love story that follows the path of one woman as she makes her way through the complex, cutthroat Silicon Valley tech culture while navigating her deepening relationship with her boyfriend. Finding balance proves difficult. Rivals seek to destroy her. Mentors teeter on the brink of their own destruction. Who can she trust? How does a young visionary woman find her future? What will she risk in order to change the world? Tickets are $15.00 adults, $10.00 students/seniors. Reserved seating here. Box office opens one hour prior to curtain.

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.

Feb 24, 4 pm, Paly Performing Arts Center (PAC), Palo Alto High School

Proceeds from the Music Teachers' Scholarship Concert will be used to award scholarships to PAUSD music students in grades 4-8. Scholarship money may be used to attend summer music camps, workshops or lessons, or to purchase instruments and supplies. Students who attend the concert will be given priority for their preferred audition time. Auditions will be held on Feb 26th, should be 4 minutes or less and should include two scales and an etude. Students will only be allowed to audition on the instrument/voice they play in their school performing ensemble. Fourth grade general music students may audition on recorder or voice. No piano scholarships will be awarded. Contestants are evaluated with other students of the same age and/or ability level. See your music teacher or call the music office at 329-3944 for more information.

Tickets: $15.00 adult ($20.00 at door) / $5.00 student/senior. For pre-sale tickets, send check and Self Addressed Stamped Envelope to Music Office, 25 East Churchill Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94306 or call 650-3239-3944.

Mon, Feb 12, 7-9 pm, Los Altos Library, 13 S San Antonio Rd, Los Altos

A chance to ask questions and share ideas, resources, and support with other parents of students with IEPs, 504s, learning differences, mental health challenges, etc. All are welcome, participants must respect confidentiality. Organized by SELPA 1 CAC.

Tue, Feb 13, 7-8:30 pm, Los Altos Library, 13 S San Antonio Rd, Los Altos

Are you concerned about the emotional well-being of your child? Come to Parent Chat, peer to peer support for parents of teens. Hosted by the Mental Health Subcommittee of SELPA 1 CAC.