Superintendent's Spotlight

• Building Belonging: "Start With Hello" Week: During the week of September 21–25, all PGUSD campuses participated in "Start With Hello" Week, a national initiative created by the Sandy Hook Promise. The campaign teaches students to recognize signs of social isolation, reach out to peers, and build an inclusive campus culture. From Meet-N-Greet Monday icebreakers and Upstander discussions to a vibrant sea of green on Wednesday, our students explored what it means to be a trusted adult and a welcoming friend. Small moments—a simple "hello," an invitation to join a game at recess, or noticing someone who needs a friend—can make a world of difference to a child. Thank you to our staff for creating such meaningful experiences and to our parents for continuing these conversations at home.

• Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC): On Tuesday, September 22, we held our first biannual CBOC meeting of the year (view agenda). In addition to receiving progress reports on Measures B, D, and A, the committee viewed a presentation on the implementation of our EdTech Plan and the exciting facility work happening across our sites. We received wonderful feedback and appreciation from committee members regarding the district's fiscal responsibility and forward momentum.

• District Safety Committee: On Wednesday, September 30, our Safety Committee held its first meeting of the year. We presented our proposed E-Bike registration program and policy, with Police Chief Day and Safety Director Martinez walking members through the proposed practices, expectations, and safety inspections. We received strong support for the partnership with PGPD, as well as the plan to utilize Community Service Officers (CSOs) to make inspections welcoming and low-stress for students. Please stay tuned for future community forums, which will offer opportunities for us to share the proposed plan and policy language and gather further input prior to rolling this out. The committee also discussed offering weekend/evening community registration events for working families, reviewed our "Big Five" emergency protocols, and reviewed ongoing campus safety enhancements (view agenda).

• MCOE Student Board Representative Training: On Thursday, September 24, I had the privilege of attending the Monterey County Office of Education (MCOE) Student Board Representative Training alongside our four outstanding ASB Student Board Reps: Grace Bishop, Dylan Jaymis Llantro, Paige Houston, and Clayton Rowston. I was so inspired by how articulate, thoughtful, and engaged our students were as they learned about school board governance but also their vital role in elevating student voice. Collaborating alongside student leaders from eight other school districts left us all energized for the school year ahead. The training left me feeling incredibly hopeful: Our future is truly in great hands and I look forward to working with this group of students in the coming year!

4As Assembly at PGHS: "Ignite to Ignite": On Friday, September 25, 100 student leaders across all grade levels and backgrounds gathered at PGHS for the full-day 4As Assembly. Centered on leadership, empathy, and positive culture-shaping, the day challenged students to break down social barriers and take active ownership of their campus environment. I visited after lunch and was blown away by the sky-high energy and commitment that remained right through the final activity. These student leaders will now direct follow-up initiatives across campus leading up to a mid-year check-in in February. Principal O’Meara and I look forward to having them present their key takeaways to the Board of Education at our November meeting.

Thank you for your continued partnership, support, and dedication to our students. I wish you all a restful and enjoyable upcoming October Break! And now, please enjoy the following “Spotlights” for our October Edition.

Dr. Linda Adamson

Superintendent of Schools

Pacific Grove Unified School District

Belonging Safety Prosperity

ladamson@pgusd.org

Please join us in welcoming our new Interim Pacific Grove Middle School Assistant Principal, Ms. Jen Stallings! Her first day was Monday, September 28th, and she has already had a full and rich week meeting our students, staff, and families.

Ms. Stallings comes to PGUSD with an extensive background in teaching, curriculum leadership, and school administration. Raised in California’s Central Valley, she began her career as an elementary and middle school English teacher and secondary literacy coach before advancing into district curriculum leadership and administrative roles. Most recently, she spent four years serving as a middle school Assistant Principal in Orange County. She holds a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Fresno Pacific University.

Throughout her career, Ms. Stallings has supported teachers through coaching and professional learning, while partnering closely with students, staff, and families to foster positive school cultures and support student success.

Outside of school, Ms. Stallings is a proud mom to three adult sons (ages 29, 26, and 23) and enjoys walking, cooking, and taking road trips. She looks forward to getting to know our PGMS community and building strong connections across the district.

We are so glad she is now part of our PGUSD family!

Did you know that September 15 to October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month? Thanks to the hard work of parent Jackie Seitz along with her sister, we have a beautiful display highlighting National Hispanic Heritage Month and quotes from some famous Hispanic leaders!

In addition, parent Jenny Nadaner shared about the diversity of Hispanic Heritage with our 1st and 3rd grade students and some fun interesting facts about Hispanic Heritage! We even learned that there are eight Spanish speaking countries that celebrate their Independence Day between September 15 and October 15 and that even amongst Spanish speaking countries, they may have different words to describe the same thing.

On Tuesday, September 1, we hosted a Belonging assembly to share how we can help create a school where everyone belongs. Specifically we talked about how each student is a puzzle piece that helps to contribute to the beautiful diversity and picture of our school and how rules help to create a shield so everyone can focus on learning and playing freely!

On Tuesday, September 29, our 2nd grade classes hosted a schoolwide assembly sharing about the importance of Perseverance and the importance of not giving up!

We are thrilled to launch Tech Connect, our Technology Department's new quarterly Newsletter! Designed for staff and families alike, Tech Connect delivers key updates on technology initiatives, cybersecurity best practices, tech support resources, and ongoing professional development and digital safety opportunities for PGUSD. Read the inaugural Fall 2026 edition today at canva.link/tech-connect-fall-2026.

As electric bicycles continue to grow in popularity among our students, providing increased mobility and independence, Pacific Grove Unified School District (PGUSD) is taking proactive steps to ensure our streets, school zones, and campuses remain safe for everyone. In alignment with Board Policy 5142.2 (Safe Routes to School), PGUSD is proud to introduce a new collaborative E-Bike Safety and Campus Registration Partnership with the Pacific Grove Police Department (PGPD).

This draft policy was introduced at our District Safety Committee meeting on September 30th and will be shared in upcoming site principals' newsletters over the coming months. This policy establishes a structured oversight process designed to educate student riders, involve parents, increase accountability, and reduce preventable bicycle-related injuries and collisions. Complete details, resources, and policy documents are available on our official PGUSD E-Bikes Webpage.

Under the administrative policy, completion of the registration process and display of a district sticker will be required for any student wishing to ride and park an e-bike on a PGUSD campus. The policy relies on four primary components:

1. Education First: Complete standardized state safety training

2. Parent Involvement: Ensure active family alignment on expectations and safe riding habits.

3. PGUSD-PGPD Partnership: Utilize local law enforcement expertise for verification, safety inspection, and traffic guidance.

4. Campus Identification: Display a district-issued permit sticker to verify compliance and security.
   

To obtain approval to ride an e-bike to school, families will follow these four steps:

Step 1: Complete the Free Online Safety Course

Students must complete the free interactive online safety course through the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Bike and Pedestrian Safety Program. Once completed, print or save a copy of the official Certificate of Completion.

Step 2: Schedule a Verification Visit at PGPD

The student and a parent/legal guardian will visit the Pacific Grove Police Department for an in-person appointment. During this visit:

• Documentation & Oath: A PGPD Community Service Officer (CSO) will collect the CHP certificate, record contact information, and collect the signed PGUSD Student & Parent E-Bike Safety Oath.

• E-Bike Inspection & Classification: The CSO will record the make, model, serial number, and physical characteristics of the e-bike, confirming its official classification (Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3 under California Vehicle Code parameters).

• Written Verification: PGPD will provide a verification slip confirming completed inspection.

Step 3: Receive and Display Your District Decal

Bring your PGPD verification slip to the school main office to receive the official PGUSD E-Bike Permit Sticker. This decal must be visibly displayed on the frame whenever the e-bike is operated or parked on district property.

Creating a safe community environment requires a shared effort. Over the coming weeks—as we share updates via site newsletters and safety committees heading toward our January target for Board approval—we want to hear from you.

We invite parents, students, and community members to access registration resources on our District E-Bike Safety Webpage. Please share feedback, questions, or ideas directly with District Administration at bmartinez@pgusd.org.

Thank you for partnering with us to keep our pathways to school safe and secure for all students!