Robert Down Principal's Update

Dear Robert H. Down School Community,

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, I’m filled with gratitude for our amazing Robert Down Elementary School community. Our students continue to inspire me with their creativity and enthusiasm, and our dedicated staff works tirelessly to provide the best possible education. Your unwavering support means the world to us.

I was thrilled to see so many of you at the Monterey Peninsula College STEM Day last Saturday! It's wonderful to witness our students exploring their interests alongside their families in our community.

Culture of “We”- Opportunities for Engagement

• Book Fair Committee: Our PTA is seeking volunteers to help plan and organize our upcoming Book Fair. Please sign up here if you're interested.

• California Parent Survey: Your feedback is invaluable. Please take a moment to complete the California Parent Survey to help us improve our school. The survey results are anonymous. For more information and specific instructions feel free to reference this sheet.

• Coat Drive: Our Monarch Club is collecting gently used or new coats to donate to One Warm Coat. Please drop off donations before or after school. In addition, any coats left in lost and found after November 27 will also be donated.

Special Events This Past Week

• Cultural Sharing: A special thanks to Yao Qian for sharing insights into Chinese culture with one of our third grade classes. It was a fascinating experience for everyone. We always welcome opportunities for our families to share their culture with our students!

• The Nutcracker Performance: We were delighted to enjoy excerpts from The Nutcracker, thanks to Mrs. McNickle, a Robert Down teacher who is currently bonding with her baby. Our students enjoyed seeing the talented lead dancers perform a small portion of their numbers on our stage in their lovely costumes!

Important Reminders

• Planned Absences: Please submit a Justifiable Absence Request form in advance for any planned absences. This prevents our school from counting the absence toward truancy.

Upcoming Dates

• November 27: Minimum Day (Dismissal at 12:15 PM)

• November 28-29: Thanksgiving Holiday (No School)

• December 9: School Site Council 3:30PM

• December 17: Winter Performance Assembly TK-2 5:30PM Grades 3-5 6:15PM

Wishing you a wonderful weekend and a joyous Thanksgiving holiday!

Sincerely,

Emily Tsai Brownfield, Principal

Robert Down is participating in a Food Drive for the Food Bank for Monterey County. We have several collection barrels on campus for your student to drop off canned and non perishable food items. Please deliver items between now and December 20.

Thank you for your donation!

For more information please see their website: https://foodbankformontereycounty.org/

November 27 - Minimum Day, dismissal 12:15 PM

November 28-29 - Thanksgiving Holiday, No School

December 9: School Site Council 3:30PM

December 12 - PGUSD Board Meeting, 6:30 PM

December 17 - RHD Winter Program, Ottertorium, TK-2nd at 5:30 PM and 3rd-5th at 6:15 PM

December 20 - Minimum Day

December 23-January 6 - Winter Break, No School

January 7 - Return to School

Please have your child to school on time. Gates open at 8:30 AM. Warning bell rings at 8:40 AM. Final bell rings and instruction begins at 8:45 AM. When a student is tardy it is disruptive to the office and classroom. In addition, students miss important information and announcements from their teacher first thing in the morning.

Did you know that you can report your child's absence with your ParentVUE app? Simply log into your ParentVUE account to send the office a message about why your child is absent.

* Ways to report a student absent *

a) ParentVUE app

b) 24 Hour Absence Line (831) 646-6663

c) Email Annie Deis at adeis@pgusd.org

If you plan on being a VOLUNTEER on campus or a CHAPERONE for a field trip, please be sure you are fingerprint cleared with our district. To make an appointment at the District Office please contact Bree Nehring by calling 607-8892 or emailing bnehring@pgusd.org

Before coming to campus to volunteer, please check with your child's teacher to schedule a time that works best for them.

This notice is to tell you about our voluntary program designed to build the RHD library and foster your child’s love of reading.

Here is how it works: To join the Robert H. Down Birthday Book Club fill out the information below (scroll way down to the bottom of this message to print the Birthday Book forms) and deposit it in the Drop Box at school along with a check for $20.00 (please make the check payable to the P.G.U.S.D. and write R.H.D. Birthday Book on the memo line).

When your child’s birthday month comes around Ms. Scanlon will present a new book in honor of your child’s birthday. Your child will be the first one to check out and read the book that has been donated to the library to celebrate their birthday. A bookplate with your child’s name will be affixed to the inside cover for all future readers to appreciate.

Website: https://robertdown.pgusd.org/
Location: 485 Pine Avenue, Pacific Grove, CA, USA
Phone: (831) 646-6540

Email: RHDOffice@pgusd.org