Superintendent's Spotlight
September 2026
Back to School Nights
We have wrapped up Back to School Nights across all campuses! From overflowing elementary classrooms to PGMS orchestras filling the halls and PGHS student ambassadors guiding families. These events serve as a great reminder of how essential our partnerships are. None of this work happens alone. Thank you to our families for your commitment and for walking this journey with us to ensure every student feels supported and thrives.
The Shoe Game - Go Breakers!
Congratulations to our varsity football team, to Coach Ehret, and his coaching staff for playing their hearts out and for bringing home "The Shoe" for the first time in 11 years! As the beloved song goes, "PG will shine tonight, PG will shine” —and boy, did we ever! In case you missed it - here’s the LINK to the Monterey Herald article on this topic. Go Breakers!
Closing the Belonging Gap
While we have seen growth over the past three years, a 18% belonging gap remains district-wide. I am extremely proud of the plans our school staff are rolling out this year with the explicit purpose of closing belonging gaps across our sites, focusing directly on ensuring every student feels known, valued, and supported.
Start With Hello Week (Sept 21–25)
I am proud to report that every PGUSD site has signed up to join thousands of schools nationwide for this Sandy Hook Promise initiative to celebrate kindness and belonging, combat social isolation, foster inclusion across our campuses, and build new social connections.
Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept 15–Oct 15)
Our sites are gearing up to celebrate the rich cultural contributions of our Hispanic and Latino communities—a core part of building a welcoming environment for all.
Community Outreach and Inclusion
I was honored to join MPUSD Superintendent PK Diffenbaugh on KSQD’s Pride Perspectives radio show on September 3rd, with host Rob Darrow to highlight PGUSD’s commitment to safe, inclusive spaces for our students, emphasizing how we are actively creating welcoming, safe, and inclusive environments for all students, including our LGBTQ+ youth. I was grateful for the platform and proud to share the wonderful work happening right here in PGUSD.
Walk with P.R.I.D.E
Thank you to everyone who walked, ran, and scooted along the coast this weekend for the annual Walk with P.R.I.D.E! Funds raised go directly back into our classrooms for field trips, arts, and instructional materials.
As electric bicycles become an increasingly popular way for students to travel, we are taking a proactive approach to safety—addressing usage patterns and setting standards before a serious incident occurs. Our goal is simple: Educate, Verify, Register, and Prevent.
In close partnership with the Pacific Grove Police Department, we have developed language designed to keep our students safe on their daily commute. This proposal aligns directly with our commitment to student well-being under BP 5142.2 Safe Routes to School.
Proactive Safety Approach: Establishing clear safety guidelines today ensures our streets and school zones remain secure for everyone tomorrow.
Education First: Before riding an e-bike onto campus, students will be required to complete the free California Highway Patrol (CHP) e-bike safety course.
Parent Involvement: Parents and guardians participate in the verification process, ensuring families are aligned on expectations and safe transportation habits.
PGUSD-PGPD Partnership: Crafted collaboratively with local law enforcement to merge district safety goals with expert traffic safety insights.
Campus Identification: A district-issued sticker will allow staff to quickly identify e-bikes that have met safety and training requirements.
Creating a safe community requires a shared effort. Over the coming weeks, we will review this proposal across our site safety committees, parent forums, district safety committee meetings, and staff sessions. Most importantly, we want to hear from you.
Please review the DRAFT E-Bike AR and send your feedback, questions, or ideas to bmartinez@pgusd.org. Your input is vital in helping us shape a final policy that protects our students and supports our community.
Monterey Firefighters & Emergency Pros at PGAE!
Preschool Sparkles: Fire Department Visit Coming October 8th
Mark your calendars! On October 8th, our Parent Education Co-op Preschool classes are getting a special visit from the Monterey Fire Department. Firefighters will be sharing essential safety knowledge with our littles and their parents, including:
Fire Safety Basics: Essential steps to take during a fire or emergency.
Gear Gear-Up: An up-close look at firefighter turnout gear so kids recognize friendly faces—even behind a protective mask—during an emergency.
Engine Exploration: A hands-on tour of the fire engine!
Drill Accomplished: Big Five Evacuation Success
On August 10th, students and staff across all ages put our Emergency Big Five Safety Protocols into practice during a campus-wide Evacuation Drill. Everyone successfully cleared their classrooms, tested our protocols, and was quickly safe and accounted for. Fantastic job to our entire school community for making safety a top priority!
- September 21-25 - Start with Hello Week
- September 24 - Special Board of Education Meeting
- September 30 - PGUSD Safety Committee Meeting
- October 3 - Pacific Grove Butterfly Parade and Bazaar
- October 8 - Board of Education Regular Meeting
- October 9 - End of Quarter 1
- October 12-16 - Fall Break - No School
- October 22 - Special Board of Education Meeting
- November 5 - Board of Education Regular Meeting
- November 6 - End of Trimester
- November 11 - Veterans Day - No School