Robert Down Principal's Update

Dear Robert H. Down School Community,

We hope you enjoyed our recent Halloween festivities! The Halloween Parade and Trunk or Treat were a huge success, thanks to the efforts of our PTA and dedicated volunteers.

We also want to express our gratitude for your support of Red Ribbon Week. It was wonderful to see our students and staff participating in the activities and promoting healthy choices.

Celebrating Diversity and our Culture of “We”

We are so grateful for the diverse school community we have in which we can recognize and learn about additional cultural events and holidays in the coming days, two of which are Diwali (Festival of Lights/Hindu New Year celebrated over five days beginning October 31 this year) and Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead remembering friends and family who have died November 1-2).

I would like to extend a thank you to parent Nikita McKinder for volunteering to create a Diwali display so our students can learn about this special event. Click here for a short overview of Diwali created by Mrs. McKinder.

In addition, our wonderful Spanish teacher has been hard at work creating a Dia de los Muertos display in our Cafeteria for students to enjoy.

STEAM and Robotics for 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade students. Please complete this survey by November 15th to help us determine interest for STEAM and Robotics programming for the Winter and Spring for ASE programming. Thank you!

Veterans Day Assembly As a reminder, we'll be hosting a Veterans Day Assembly on Friday, November 8th, at 8:55 AM in the Ottertorium. If you are a Veteran, we would love to honor you. Thank you to those of you who completed this last week. If you have not yet had a chance to do so, please complete this form to let us know so we can recognize you with your child(ren).

Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day/Assembly Our PTA is organizing Parent volunteers to support with Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day on November 14. Meet up locations are George Washington Park, Caledonia Park, and First Awakenings parking lot at 8AM. Please reach out to Sierra North, if you are interested in volunteering.

Important Dates

• November 4-8: Parent Conference Week (Minimum day dismissal at 12:15PM)

• November 8: Veterans Day Assembly 8:55AM

• November 14: Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day (before school)/Assembly 9:10AM immediately followed by Toolbox Assembly 9:25AM

• November 27: Minimum Day for Students

• November 28-29: Thanksgiving Holiday- NO SCHOOL

Wishing everyone a safe evening!

Sincerely,

Emily Tsai Brownfield
Principal

November 4-8 - Parent Teacher Conference, all students dismissed at 12:15 PM

November 8 - Veterans Day Assembly, 8:55 AM, Ottertorium

November 7 - PGUSD Board Meeting, 6:30 PM

November 10- PTA Second Sundays Playdate, RHD playground, 1:00-4:00 PM

November 11 - Veterans Day, No School

November 13 - PTA Dine Out, Islands, Del Monte Center

November 14 - Ruby Bridges, Walk to School Day

November 14 - Ruby Bridges' Assembly 9:10 AM and Toolbox Assembly, 5th Grade, 9:25 AM

November 19 - PTA Meeting, 7:00 PM

November 27 - Minimum Day, dismissal 12:15 PM

November 28-29 - Thanksgiving Holiday, No 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