On behalf of the Palo Alto Council of PTAs, welcome to a new school year. Whether you are new to our school district or returning for another year, please join us in advocating for all of our children.

Our Mission Statement

The Palo Alto Council of PTAs works with the district staff, the Board of Education, community partners, and the PTAs at all 17 schools to support the students and families of the Palo Alto Unified School District. 

The Palo Alto Council of PTAs believes in the potential of every child. Its mission is to improve the education, health, and wellbeing of all children and youth.

We Stand for All Children

Keri Wagner
President, 2022-2023
Palo Alto Council of PTAs

Leading the Way

Palo Alto has been at the forefront of bicycle and pedestrian planning since the early 1980s, when the City developed the nation’s first bicycle boulevard on Bryant Street.

Combined with a lively and historic downtown, and great connections to Stanford University and regional transit, the city attracts commuters, students, and visitors alike to bicycle or walk at much higher rates than other South Bay communities.

Palo Alto is building upon this history and demand for bicycling and walking to solidify its status as one of the most bicycle-friendly communities in California, if not the country.

Since 2003, Palo Alto has been a Gold-Level Bicycle Friendly Community. For more detail, see Palo Alto Pedals to Gold Level Status below. 

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Families: Want to Walk or Bike to School?

Palo Alto is home to one of the nation’s leading Safe Routes to School programs. An impressive average of 50% of Palo Alto’s public high school students commute to school on bicycle in part due to the past efforts to provide bicycle-friendly infrastructure within the community. 

Check out our Safe Routes to School website to learn more or get involved.

Click here for Walk and Roll Suggested Route Maps. Please consider practicing riding to and from school with your student before the First Day of School.

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HELMETS, it’s the law!

According to California law, anyone under age 18 must wear a bicycle helmet if using the following modes of transportation: bicycle, non-motorized scooter, skateboard, inline/roller skates or as a passenger. 

Not wearing a helmet can result in a traffic citation plus traffic class attendance with a parent.

How to make sure that your helmet fits properly.

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Protect Your Bike: Register with Bike Index

Bike Index is a free national database that has reunited over 5,500 stolen bikes with their owners. Many law enforcement agencies, including the Palo Alto Police Department, use Bike Index.

Follow our guide on registering your bike or visit BikeIndex.org to register.

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This post is a compilation/copy of information from https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/Departments/Transportation/Bicycling-Walking. The KIDS BIKE SIZES CHART is from https://www.twowheelingtots.com/kids-bike-sizes-guide-a-new-trick-to-finding-the-best-fit/

PTA Council wishes to thank our PTA families and volunteers for a magnificent year of service to our children and school communities. We are fortunate to have so many willing and supportive PTA volunteers. To those students and families who are graduating and leaving our school district, we extend our best wishes on your future journeys in life.

PTA continues to stand ready to support every child with one voice: no matter their race, ethnicity, zip code, income, gender identity, sexual orientation, or immigration status. PTA will be here for all children, always.

We understand that these are challenging times; however, all PTA leaders and members should remember our mission, values, vision, and beliefs – Every Child, One Voice. We encourage our communities to do the same. We hope all will continue on this journey with us. We rise
together, and we educate our children together, helping every child make their potential a reality. There is no other more important work. 

Be safe and have a wonderful summer!