Parent Advisory Committee
The Parent Advisory Committee consists of parent volunteers, CDC teachers and the center director. Committee members work with the school staff to provide input on issues concerning program policies and procedures as well as to plan activities such as Parent Education Night and various social activities for the families during the school year.
From the PAC Newsletter:
In the spirit of the holidays, PAC would like to express sincere gratitude to the generosity of all the parents who have contributed in both monetary and non-monetary ways this year! We are excited to share that we have met our budget requirements for the year, and will be able to fund the full slate of activities planned for the children, in addition to buying a foam cannon that we can use for years to come!
We are greatly looking forward to the events we have coming up at the end of the year, and hope all your kiddos enjoy the many events we have in store for them. Our upcoming staff appreciation lunch will be a wonderful way to express our continuing gratitude to the dedicated CDC staff. We thank you for your delicious contributions!
Lilly Su,
PAC Board President
November Highlights
Kindergarten Options Panel Discussion
In November, PAC organized two sessions of Kindergarten Options Pannel Discussion
through Zoom. Each panel had over 30 people attending. We have so far covered: Harker,
Helios, Pinewood, Keys, and Tessellations.
PAC have collected $200 in donations and spent $195 in gifts for panelists, and anticipate another $100 in panelist gifts for the final panel in December.
Petting Zoo
In this month, PAC invited Animal Assisted Happiness (AAH) to set up a petting zoo at CDC. AAH is a nonprofit organization with a mission to bring smiles to youth in need through barnyard animal interactions.
The children were delighted to interact with the rabbits, guinea pigs, goat and chicken, and learnt how to gently pet them.
For more animal interaction opportunities, do consider a tour at Animal Assisted Happiness’ Smile Farm in Baylands Park, Sunnyvale.
Coat Swap and Donation
The Coat Swap and Donation initiative was a resounding success! We were able to collect
many gently used coats for those in need. Families were also able to participate in
the coat swap, finding new coats for their children while helping others at the same
time.
All donated coats were received and we've decided to give the remaining coats to a couple of refugee families after Nov. 22.
This initiative not only provided much-needed winter clothing to families but also fostered a spirit of kindness and community. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated
Upcoming Events
Kindergarten Options – Session 3
PAC will hold the 3rd session of the Kindergarten Options Panel Discussion covering CUSD lottery schools: CLIP, Murdock-Portal, McAuliffe, and Faria. This session will be on Dec. 13, 12-1:30 p.m., via Zoom.
CDC Staff Appreciation Lunch
PAC is planning to have teacher appreciation potluck to show our gratitude for the incredible dedication our staff brings to our children every day. Each classroom has been assigned a type of dish to bring and share with our amazing staff to keep the meal balanced. PAC will supplement with any additional food if needed, and we will also be providing dessert and drinks. If you would like to participate, you may sign up online. Thank you all for helping make this special event possible!
Planetarium Field Trip
We are excited to bring back the field trip to De Anza College Planetarium. Soon, the children will be able to enjoy an immersive experience under the stars and engage in an exploration of the universe with a one-hour show.
- Feb. 4: 10 a.m. - Cardboard Rocketship - Rooms 31 & 35
- Feb. 18: 10 a.m. - Big Bird - Rooms 26, 27
Sign Up to Volunteer!
While we have a truly wonderful PAC board this year, many of the plans we have cannot be successful without your help.
If you'd be willing to volunteer even an hour of time this year, especially willing to come during the day to take phots of activities or help the kids with activities, please sign up for our volunteer mailing list where we reach out when we're looking for additional parent involvement.
Your Contributions Are Essential
As we look ahead to this year, we are excited to build on last year’s successes, but we need your support to make it happen. Every dollar we raise goes directly toward enriching your child's experiences at school. (See our financial report for the year 2023-24.)
Whether through financial support, volunteering or participating in our events, every effort counts and plays a vital role in our success. Together, we can ensure that our preschool remains a place of joy, exploration and growth. If you have any questions or need assistance with your donations or involvement in PAC, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at pacdeanzacdc@gmail.com.
Here's How You Can Support Our Efforts
Below are some ways you can contribute to PAC and help us enhance the activities available to our children. Remember: Many employers offer company grants, volunteer grants or donation-matching. It never hurts to ask!
Direct Donations
You can donate directly through the Foothill-De Anza Foundation by clicking the yellow button above, which will open an online donation page that has been prepopulated to designate your gift to CDC PAC.
- The Foundation's Tax ID/EIN is 94-3258220.
- Use the Matching Gift search box on the Foundation's online donation page to see if your employer will match your donation.
Company Grants
Many companies offer donation credits or vouchers to employees who wish to support charitable organizations. If your employer has such a program, we encourage you to consider directing these resources to CDC PAC. Companies like Google have generous donation voucher programs that can have a positive impact on our preschool.
- A number of local companies use Benevity as a portal for employees to apply for company grants or volunteer grants. We are listed in Benevity under the shortcut CDC PAC.
Volunteering and Volunteer Grants
Another way to contribute is by volunteering your time. Your time is incredibly valuable, and your involvement in PAC can significantly enrich our programs while also demonstrating to your child the importance of community engagement. You can join our volunteer list online or reach out via email.
Plus: Many companies provide funding to organizations based on the number of hours employees spend volunteering.
- A number of local companies use Benevity as a portal for employees to apply for company grants or volunteer grants. We are listed in Benevity under the shortcut CDC PAC.
Dining Fundraisers
We are excited to announce that we will host at least two dining fundraising events at local restaurants throughout the year, with the first one coming as early as February. These gatherings will not only be an opportunity to enjoy a meal with family and friends but also a chance to give back to our preschool community.
- Details will be shared soon.
Mabel’s Labels
You can support the CDC PAC by shopping at Mabel's Labels for labels and tags that will help keep your child's belongings organized.
- Search for De Anza College Child Development Center PAC on the Mabel's Labels website.
Self-Reporting Your Gift
After you make your donation, please take a moment to fill out our donation tracking form. This assists us in tracking your contributions and ensures that your support reaches the intended programs.
Parent Participation at CDC
Why We Encourage Participation
Our programs are based upon a partnership with the parents and children enrolled. Our mutual goal is the provision of early childhood education and care of the highest quality.
Parents are an essential part of the team in fostering a child's healthy, emotional, social, cognitive and physical development. We strongly encourage parents to participate in the center activities, including classroom activities, special events and the parent advisory committee.