Frequently Asked Questions
Who may attend MVLA series events and is there a charge?
MVLA Parent Education Speaker Series events are primarily for parents and staff of the Mountain View and Los Altos public school community, but are open to the public. This is made possible through the generous financial support of our sponsors, the MVLA High School Foundation, Los Altos Educational Foundation, Los Altos-Mountain View PTA Council and Mountain View Educational Foundation.
Can I reserve seats ahead of time?
For most events we use Eventbrite as a reservation system. Attendees with a reservation will get seating preference prior to the event start time. After that, seating is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. We suggest that audience members arrive 15-20 minutes before the start of the event in order to park and secure a seat. In the event that an event is “sold-out”, there will be a waitlist.
How long do most events last?
Our events are typically on Tuesday or Thursday evenings, starting at 7pm, and ending no later than 9pm. Events will usually include 60-90 minutes of speaking, followed by Q&A. Many of our speakers will stay after their formal presentations to sign books.
What kind of seating is available?
We have two accessible modern theaters, which are graciously provided by the MVLA High School District. If needed, please ask for help from a volunteer upon arrival.
How can I get directions to the venues and information about parking?
Event information on Eventbrite will contain location information and a map link. Typically our events are at Los Altos High School or Mountain View High School.
Is it appropriate to bring children to events?
Our events are typically intended for parents, educators, and other professionals who work with children. On occasion, a topic may be appropriate for college students and mature high school students. We ask that our attendees leave toddlers and children at home. If you need to bring a baby, please be considerate to those around you and be prepared to leave the event venue if necessary.
Are books available for purchase at the presentations?
If a speaker has a book, we will typically have it offered for sale by a local independent bookstore.
Are audiotapes, videotapes, podcasts, or notes of the talks available?
We are not currently taping our events and in many cases speakers will not allow us to. Notes are not currently provided.
How do I contact your series?
Should you have any questions, speaker recommendation, or feedback, we encourage you to email your comments to the MVLA Parent Education Speaker Series Steering Committee at inquiries@mvlaspeakerseries.org.