A parent education evening titled, "Instilling Integrity: How to Guide Our Children to be True to Themselves," will take place Jan. 21 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Los Gatos High School auditorium for Los Gatos and Saratoga parents.

The featured speaker will be Dr. Michael Riera, best-selling author, award-winning columnist and national speaker on issues including parenting, families and adolescence. Riera has worked in schools for 19 years as a counselor, dean of students and a teacher. He is the author of five popular books, including Right From Wrong: Instilling a Sense of Integrity in Our Children. His newest book, Staying Connected to Your Teenager, was released in April 2003, and has already been on several bestseller lists. Riera's books will be on sale, with a booksigning available after the event.

The event is being sponsored by the Parent Education Council of the Los Gatos Union School District, Community Against Substance Abuse, the Parenting Continuum and the Gifted and Talented Education program. Admission is free. For more information, call Redwood Middle School's Parent Education Parent-Teacher Association Chairwoman Debra Shahmirza at 408.867.4943.

Jr. Achievement in Saratoga schools

In an effort to bring the Junior Achievement program to 14 second-grade classes in the Saratoga Union School District, an information meeting will be held Jan. 16 at 9 a.m. at the Saratoga Library Community Center for interested volunteers who want to help facilitate the program. There will also be a mandatory training session at the same location on Feb. 13 at 9 a.m.

Through age-appropriate curricula that meets state standards, Junior Achievement programs begin at the elementary school level, teaching children how they can impact the world around them as individuals, workers and consumers. Junior Achievement programs continue through middle and high school grades, preparing students for future economic and workforce issues. For more information, contact Junior Achievement board member Mark Linsky at 408.741.1949.