Dear Robert H. Down School Community,
I’d like to take a moment to thank all of our veterans and active service military for their service and sacrifice. We had a lovely Veterans Day Assembly on Monday morning to honor these members of our school community. Here is a link to the slide deck presented at our assembly.
Yesterday, we held the 2025-2026 Spelling Bee Semi-Finals. Congratulations to the twenty-one students who will be advancing to the 2025-2026 Robert Down Final Spelling Bee next Thursday, November 20! (See below for the list.) The top two will advance to the County level. Special thanks to Alex Jenner for serving as our Spelling Bee coordinator and to Denise Johnson for supporting her in this role.
I’d like to take a moment to thank our School Office Manager, Amy Riedel, and our Attendance Clerk, Annie Deis, for all they have done to help us with our student recognition initiatives including Otter Awards and our Attendance Campaign. They have both gone above and beyond to ensure our students get the recognition they deserve.
🤝 Community Support Initiative
In light of many families currently experiencing hardship, our school community wants to help.
If your family is currently encountering hardship, please let us know by completing this form. (An option to request a Thanksgiving Meal has been added.)
If you would like to help support families in need at Robert Down, please complete this form. (An option to provide a Thanksgiving Meal has been added.)
Your privacy and discretion are important to us.
Many thanks to those who have already signed up to support.
We are also hosting Food Bank of Monterey County bins to collect non-perishable food items. If you would like to donate, please drop the food off to any of the 10 bins located around campus, now through December 18th..
Upcoming Events & Important Information
Wear Purple for Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day
Join RHD staff and families as we gather together to stand up to bullying and acts of racism on Friday, November 14. Three locations will be available to check in for the walk starting at 8:00 AM: 1) George Washington Park, 2) Caledonia Park, and 3) The upper parking lot of First Awakenings restaurant at the corner of David and Lighthouse. All groups will plan to begin walking by 8:10AM. Please let us know if your child(ren) will be participating in Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day by completing this form. We will gather at the front steps to take a group picture around 8:30AM.
In addition, PGMS Leadership students will be visiting classrooms that afternoon to read books commemorating Ruby Bridges and her act of courage.
Native American Heritage Month
November is Native American Heritage Month. If you identify with an Indigenous group and would like to share your heritage with our school community (e.g., creating a display, doing a presentation, or decorating a bulletin board), please let us know by completing this form. We'd love to learn from you!
Alivia’s Harvest of Hope Community Event
Robert Down graduate, Alivia Martinez, is raising funds for the Pitt Hopkins Foundation. Alivia is the only resident of Monterey County with Pitt Hopkins.
🚨 Safety Corner
Please keep in mind that our ADA accessible parking spots are for those with an accessible placard only. We have several families that rely on these parking spaces in order to safely drop off and pick up their children safely.
In addition, please avoid using the bus loading zone for drop off and pick up. The bus loading zone needs to be clear to accommodate the multiple buses that serve our school community.
🩺 Health and Campus Wellness
Health Reminder
We have noticed a continuous uptick in illness these past few weeks. Please help keep our community healthy by keeping your child home if they have symptoms of illness until they are symptom-free for 24 hours. We appreciate your help!
Join Our "Culture of We"
We are committed to nurturing a sense of belonging and encourage every family to get involved!
California School Parent Survey: Please take a moment to complete this survey for Robert Down administered by the California Department of Education. For more information about the survey, please read this letter. Your input helps our school improve.
Facility Improvement: Do you have ideas for improving our campus facility or playground? Please let me know by completing this form.
Volunteer Opportunity: We need more parent volunteers to support our new drop-off Concierge service between 8:30 AM and 8:45 AM. To learn more and sign up, please use this link.
Inclusive Practices
Many thanks to parent Mary Aranyos for sharing the importance of inclusive language, particularly as it pertains to our students who have varying levels of support needs.
Inclusive language
Inclusive language helps ensure that all students, families, and staff feel respected, welcomed, and accurately represented in our school community. This guidance provides language recommendations to promote dignity and inclusion for everyone.
Why Inclusive Language Matters
The words we use shape our school culture. Language that reflects respect, person-first or identity-first preferences (as chosen by individuals), and avoids outdated or ableist terminology helps create a supportive, equitable environment for all.
Examples will be shared over the next several weeks. This week’s example highlights Functioning Labels.
Avoid:
“High functioning”
“Low functioning”
Use Instead:
“High support needs”
“Low support needs”
Be specific when possible (e.g., “requires support with communication” or “independent in daily routines”).
Why:
Functioning labels oversimplify individuals’ abilities and needs, which can vary across environments and over time. They can also be stigmatizing or misleading. Describing specific support needs is more respectful and accurate.
🗓️ Upcoming Dates to Remember
November 14: Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day (8:00 AM)
November 14: Alivia’s Harvest of Hope Event (4:30 PM)
November 18: PTA Dine Out Event at Pacific Thai
November 26: Minimum Day (Dismissal at 12:15PM)
November 27-28: Thanksgiving Holiday (NO SCHOOL)
With gratitude,
Emily Tsai Brownfield, Principal
