If living in a beautiful and historic city, improving your Spanish language skills, learning about another culture, and building new friendships is something you'd like to do, come to the family information meeting about Neighbors Abroad's student exchange. Neighbors Abroad, Palo Alto's sister city organization, has sponsored a summer student exchange with Oaxaca, Mexico, since 1965. Applicants should be high school students at least 15 years old by June of 2016 who are studying Spanish at any level.

Application packets will be available and your questions will be answered. For questions, contact Marion at marionb@sonic.net or Lynne at lynnerussell1@gmail.com (parent of a Gunn HS senior who participated in the exchange). www.neighborsabroad.org 

Silicon Valley Boychoir Auditions   

The Silicon Valley Boychoir (based in Palo Alto) is holding auditions for the January semester at the choir's rehearsal location near downtown Palo Alto. Beginning levels are open to boys second grade and older. High school and middle school boys with experience may audition for upper levels. SVB provides a personalized approach to teaching singing, music theory, and sight-singing, and provides flexible scheduling for busy families. For an appointment e-mail info@svboychoir.org or call 650-424-1242

Alternative Pathways Through High School (SELPA 1 CAC) 

High school students with unusual learning, social, or emotional needs often need "customized" high school programs in order to succeed.  Come and hear about some options in our community.  For more information, see www.selpa1cac.org.

 

The Mask You Live In - Film Screening  

Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School and Parents Place invite you to attend a screening of The Mask You Live In, which premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival.  This film explores boys' struggle to stay true to themselves while negotiating America's narrow definition of modern masculinity, repressed emotions, and gender stereotypes. Experts in neuroscience, psychology, sociology, sports, education, and media weigh in, presenting empirical evidence of what some are calling the "boy crisis" and offering tactics to combat it.  Following the screening there will be a community conversation with experts from Parent Place. This is the youth version of this film and it is appropriate for middle school age students and up. $10. Register here. 

 

Meet and share ideas, resources and support with other PAUSD parents of students with IEPs, 504s, learning differences, mental health challenges, etc. All are welcome, participants must respect confidentiality. Sponsored by the Palo Alto Sub-Committee of SELPA 1 CAC, a Palo Alto parent volunteer group for special education and inclusion. Free and no prior registration required. For more information,see: http://cacpaloalto.org/

Social Skills Treatment Study 

Does your son need help to improve his social skills? We are conducting a behavioral treatment study to help children with developmental disabilities learn eye contact and social skills. Participation involves: a 3-4 day visit to Stanford, cognitive testing, awake MRI scan, and intensive behavioral intervention. Inclusion criteria: male children age 8-15 years, diagnosed with an intellectual or developmental disability, and does not experience seizures. Families will receive a report of the cognitive testing and a $100 honorarium for their time. To determine your child's eligibility for the study, please complete a brief survey:  https://stanforduniversity.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5AUOIKqWIJ6gN1j

Contact: Rebecca Barnett, BCBA rbarnet2@stanford.edu, 650-724-7395.