Dear Robert H. Down School Community,
I hope each of your families had a chance to enjoy the break last week!
Congratulations to our librarian Anne Scanlon on being honored at the Monterey County Lighthouse for Literacy event on Wednesday, February 26 at the Salinas Elks Lodge.
Thank you to those of you who attended our PTA Dine Out event at Monarch Pub on Tuesday, February 25!
A huge thank you to our PTA Book Fair Coordinators, Belynda Talbert and Sierra North, as well as the wonderful team of volunteers for ensuring our Book Fair could be open throughout this week! Our students have been so excited to have this “shop” at school! We exceeded our goal of 1000 books purchased as of Wednesday, February 26!
Please note the following:
We will plan to close the Book Fair at 8:35AM before school and at 12:50PM at lunch to ensure all students get to class on time. (Students will be able to put their name on a post-it to set aside their books for purchase later in the day.)
Please let your child(ren) know it is important to not exchange or give funds or items to other students.
If purchasing a book presents a hardship, please email Belynda Talbert and I will work with her to use some additional funds to get a book for the student.
Students visiting the Book Fair before and after school need to have an adult with them.
Families are also welcome to shop the Book Fair online until March 9 using this link.
E-wallets can also be set up for your student on the Scholastic Book Fair website here.
Order your Robert Down 2024-2025 Yearbooks now! In addition, ads are also available for purchase. For details and the QR code to order, see below or click here.
TK/K Pre-Registration: Do you or does someone you know have a child that is turning 4 by September 1, 2025? Or do you or does someone you know have a child that did not attend TK, but is ready for Kindergarten in the Fall? If so, it’s time to pre-register here.
PTA Sponsored Science Fair: Does your child love experimenting with science? Invite them to participate in the Science Fair and display their work! Link to Science Fair Guide. Link to sign up! See flyer below for more information and plan to join us for the evening!
Culture of “We”- Opportunities for Engagement
Ramadan: Does your family celebrate Ramadan? We are looking for people who would like to share about Ramadan with our school community by creating a display, presenting to our students, or facilitating an activity. If interested, please fill out this form. In addition, if your student will be fasting, please let us know here, so we can make accommodations.
Spelling Bee: Are you available to volunteer as a Spelling Bee corrector on Monday, March 3 or Tuesday, March 11 at 3:30PM? If interested, please sign up here. Thank you to those who have signed up already!
Music: Is your family from another country or culture? Do you have a favorite childhood song? If so, our music teacher, Mr. Masar is interested in learning more about it. Take a moment to share the name and background of your favorite childhood song here.
Career Day: Are you passionate about your profession? Would you like to share about your career with our 5th grade students on April 30? If so, please contact Sonda Frudden by March 21, 2025!
Safety Updates
Many thanks to Taylor Moulton, Kathy Davies, and Debby Beck who attended our first RHD Traffic Safety Subcommittee meeting! I will be connecting with our Superintendent and Police Chief to determine next steps to improve safety around our school.
Please find our latest draft of our School Safety Plan here. A special shout out to our Leadership Team and School Site Council for their feedback and edits.
Slow Down as you drive approaching the school on 12th, 13th, Junipero, Spruce, and Pine. There are often children walking and crossing the street to get to school. We want to ensure safety for all families.
Upcoming Dates
February 28-March 29: Ramadan
March: Women’s History Month
March 3-7: Read Across America Week
March 10-14: Conferences
March 13: STEM Night/Science Fair (w/tacos for sale) 5-7PM
March 17: Professional Development Day (No school for students)
Wishing each of you a lovely weekend.
Sincerely,
Emily Tsai Brownfield, Principal
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.
Robert Down Elementary School
Website: https://robertdown.pgusd.org/
Location: 485 Pine Avenue, Pacific Grove, CA, USA
Phone: (831) 646-6540
Email: RHDOffice@pgusd.org
