Robert Down Principal's Update

Dear Robert H. Down School Community,

This week we said good-bye to several students who have moved as well as welcome to several students who are joining us at Robert Down for the first time. It is always bittersweet to say good-bye and exciting to welcome new families to our school.

Many thanks to Mary Riedel, for serving as my administrative substitute for several days in my absence. My time in Sweden was brief (60 hours), but meaningful. Interestingly, I met a wedding guest who spent his summers with his grandparents in Pacific Grove. His mother was born and raised here, lived on Pine, and likely attended Robert Down in the 1930s!

Upcoming Events and Important Information

• Butterfly Parade and Butterfly Bazaar is on Saturday, October 4! Please plan to have your children arrive by 10AM as the Butterfly Parade starts promptly at 10:30AM. Your child’s teacher has provided specific instructions. For the line up, please reference this document. There will be numbers in chalk to indicate where each class will gather to line up for the parade. A map outlining where to pick up your child at the end of the parade will be sent out as well. If you are unable to find your child or your child is unable to find you, please let them know they should go to the top of the Robert Down stairs, where we will have individuals who can support them.

• Be sure to sign up to volunteer for a shift at the Butterfly Bazaar and purchase a wristband ahead of time using QR codes from this flyer. ADA accessible parking will be available on the NE corner of Grand and Pine.

Safety and Attendance Updates

• Safety Drills: Our next Safety Drill will be Friday, October 10. We will be practicing the Drop, Cover, and Hold On Drill in the event of an earthquake.

• Electronic Devices: Just a gentle reminder that students are not allowed to use cell phones or smart watches to text, play games, or use the internet while on campus. This is a PGUSD policy. Please remind your children that if they have a smart watch, it must be kept on school mode and silent at all times. If it is used during school hours, the smart watch will be required to stay in the student’s backpack at all times while on campus.

• Attendance Campaign: We are honoring all students with Perfect Attendance for the month of September this week and next. This attendance campaign encourages students to arrive at school on time every day. Each month, students can earn a special "star" for perfect attendance. Remember, this allows for one tardy of less than 30 minutes and up to two excused doctor's appointments per month. However, if your child is ill, please keep them home in accordance with our District Illness Policy.

• Absence Requests: All justifiable absence requests are now processed as Requests for Independent Study. Please submit the form to the office at least two weeks in advance. Absences without this form may be marked as unexcused.

• Parking Reminder: Please be sure to only use the ADA accessible parking if you have a placard. We have several families that depend on those spaces when dropping off and picking up due to their needs. In addition, please DO NOT park in the bus loading zone.

Join Our "Culture of We"

We are committed to nurturing a sense of belonging at Robert Down and encourage every family to get involved.

• Would you like to share about your culture? If so, we would love to have you share with our students through a display, presentation, or activity. Please complete this form, if interested. If your family honors Diwali, we would love to have you share in the near future!

• More Parent Volunteers needed to support our efforts to do a drop off Concierge service between 8:30AM and 8:45AM. To learn more and sign up, please use this link.

• Butterfly Bazaar is a long standing tradition in Pacific Grove. It is a fun-filled event that takes place on the Robert Down field immediately following the Butterfly Parade on October 4. We need volunteers to make this event possible! We especially need support with Managing Games! Please sign up for a 30 minute shift of your choice using this link.

• Off-Campus Activity Parent/Volunteer Driver Form In order to volunteer as a driver for field trips this year, you must be cleared to drive with our District in addition to being fingerprint cleared. (Fingerprints only need to be cleared once while your child is enrolled in PGUSD.) When driving, please be sure all passengers follow all safety guidelines and rules, including seat belts fastened at all times and keeping bodies, including arms and legs, in the vehicle at all times.

Upcoming Dates to Remember

• October 2: Yom Kippur

• October 2: National Custodian Day

• October 4: Butterfly Parade/Butterfly Bazaar

• October 13-17: Fall Break- NO SCHOOL

• October 20: Diwali

• October 20-23 - PTA Book Fair

• October 21: School Site Council

• October 24: PTA Trunk or Treat

• October 28 - PTA Dine Out, Monarch Pub

• October 31: Halloween Parade 9AM, Pumpkin Drop 11AM

With gratitude,

Emily Tsai Brownfield, Principal