Dear Robert H. Down School Community,
Congratulations to the Robert Down Spelling Bee Winners who will be advancing to the Monterey County level Spelling Bee on December 13.
1st Place: Aliasker Kydyrkhan
2nd Place: Leah Palacio
3rd Place: Van Barschig
4th Place: Owen Box
It was such a joy to see several of you at Alivia’s Harvest of Hope last Friday, November 14, at the Monterey Peninsula College Family STEM Day on Saturday, November 15, despite the rainy weather, and at Pacific Thai on Tuesday, November 18, for the PTA Dine Out event! I love seeing our students and families throughout our community!
Our classes have had many fun adventures this week including field trips to Santa Lucia, Monterey Bay Aquarium, the Pacific Grove Public Library, and Pacific Grove Adult School, in addition to volcano projects, and enjoying a special performance in our Ottertorium from the Monterey Peninsula Ballet with excerpts from the Nutcracker! I am grateful that our students can engage in these enriching experiences. Many thanks to all of our families and staff for making this possible!
Many thanks to our new Instrumental Music teacher, Mr. Felix Diaz-Contreras, 88 3rd-5th grade students at Robert Down are currently learning an instrument at school! In addition, he is working with our two classes with students with higher support needs to provide them with instrumental music as well.
We look forward to our Winter Concert this year on Tuesday, December 2! The lower grade concert featuring our TK-2nd grade students will perform from 5:00PM-5:30PM. The upper grade concert featuring our 3rd-5th grade students will take place from 5:45PM-6:15PM. Please be sure to arrive early!
🤝 Community Support and Events
Our school community has been so generous with their support for our families in need. Each family who requested support has been gifted with the resources requested. Thank you!
As a school community, we invite families to donate canned food and non-perishable items for our Monterey Food Bank bins, which are located throughout the school, including outside the Ottertorium.
In addition, we are hosting an ALL-IN Monterey County donation bin, where we are accepting new toys and clothing for children of all ages in our community. Some items requested include Legos, art/craft supplies, dolls/Barbies, cars/Hot Wheels, educational toys, teen make-up, gifts for teens, jackets/sweaters, shoes, perfume/cologne, socks/underwear, board games, and sports equipment. This bin is located near the front office.
Trash Turtles, an organization started by a current Robert Down family, is hosting a Community Clean Up on November 29. Click here for more information.
Did you know three of our Robert Down students, Milo Mayorga, Elowen Dow, and Aina Kanon, are in this season’s PacRep production of Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer playing at the Forest Theater on Saturdays and Sundays from November 29-December 21? More information can be found here.
🩺 Health and Campus Wellness
Health Reminder
Our school community is continuing to notice an uptick in illness. 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!
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.
This week’s example highlights Classroom Descriptions
Avoid:
Use Instead:
Why:
Focusing on the level of support rather than labeling the students promotes dignity and centers educational equity. It acknowledges that support needs are not deficits.
🗓️ Upcoming Dates to Remember
November 26: Minimum Day (Dismissal at 12:15PM) Monarch Club open until 3PM
November 27-28: Thanksgiving Holiday (NO SCHOOL)
December 1-12: mClass DIBELS Testing window
December 2: Winter Concert (TK-2nd Grade- 5:00PM-5:30PM, 3rd-5th Grade- 5:45PM-6:15PM)
December 16: School Site Council
December 18 - PTA's Cocoa, Cookies & Crafts, Cafeteria, 5:00-7:00 PM
December 19: Minimum Day (Dismissal at 12:15PM)
December 22-January 5: Winter Break
Wishing each of you a lovely Thanksgiving. I am truly grateful to be part of this school community.
With joy,
Emily Tsai Brownfield, Principal
