Superintendent's Spotlight
August 2026
Dear Pacific Grove Unified School District Community,
As we head into our third week of school, I am so proud of the positive energy across all of our campuses. It is inspiring to see how quickly our students—from preschool to high school and beyond—have settled in, engaged in learning, and embraced our shared Culture of We.
Earlier this month, I had the privilege of beginning my weekly school site visits. Highlights included watching preschoolers confidently interact with their teachers, seeing TK and kindergarten students thriving alongside their "magical" educators, and observing upper elementary students already immersed in writing and research. At PGMS, it was wonderful to see sixth graders mastering their lockers and navigating passing periods with ease, while at PGHS, the campus-wide “Be a Breaker” launch set a powerful, positive tone for the year. Across all sites, I continue to be deeply impressed by how our staff get to know each student individually. The differentiation and personalized support I see from our teachers ensure that every child is both nurtured and challenged.
We have already hosted three of our four Back to School Nights, and I want to extend a special thank you to our FGE, RHD, and PGMS staff and families for making them such a success! Each event was well-attended and filled with community spirit. I look forward to attending PGHS’s Back to School Night on September 3rd. These evenings offer such a valuable opportunity to learn expectations for the year ahead and build meaningful partnerships with your child’s teachers.
At our first Board meeting of the year on August 13th, we had the opportunity to recognize RHD’s community outreach programs—with a special focus on their garden program and the beautiful new front office mural. Created through the hard work of several adult volunteers, this artwork showcases our students' creativity while celebrating the beauty and diversity of our community. If you haven't seen it yet, I encourage you to stop by or view the video highlight on our website. Thank you to Principal Brownfield and our brave RHD student presenters who shared their personal reflections and excitement for both programs! At this meeting, we also welcomed one of our two new Student Board Representatives, Grace Bishop. Dylan Llantero will be officially introduced at our September 10th meeting. Grace set the bar high by leading the meeting and providing a thorough report on the first two weeks of school. Both students will rotate throughout the year, serving as an important bridge and voice for our student body.
Looking ahead, this week marks the launch of Shoe Week as we prepare for our traditional Shoe Game against Carmel High School on Friday night, August 28th. I hope to see you all there in the CHS visitor stands as we come together to cheer on our Breakers! This year, we are also bringing back the tradition of the Shoe Luncheon. I am thrilled to join Principal O’Meara and PGHS staff at Carmel High School on Wednesday afternoon for a joint lunch with players from both teams, fostering camaraderie, mutual respect, and strong sportsmanship - all the ingredients that will help maintain a respectful and friendly rivalry.
As we step into week four, I am profoundly grateful for the dedication shown by our entire community. Thank you for your ongoing partnership as we live out our three core values: Belonging, Safety, and Prosperity. Together, we are making this a fantastic school year.
Respectfully,
Dr. Linda Adamson
Superintendent of Schools
Pacific Grove Unified School District
Belonging Safety Prosperity
ladamson@pgusd.org
Celebrating Asian American History & Cultural Empathy
We are excited to share a recent Monterey County Now article highlighting several PGUSD team members who participated in the Quock Mui Foundation Summer Institute: PGHS teachers Brandi Lopez and Margo Pottier, RHD Principal Emily Tsai Brownfield, RHD teacher Heather Zunguze, and RHD parent Ricky Cabalza.
The institute focuses on the rich history and contributions of Asian American immigrants in Monterey County. During the weeklong program, our educators developed creative lesson plans incorporating local history, art, music, and stories to bring inclusive history directly into our classrooms.
Principal Brownfield noted that this work helps students "gain a new appreciation for other cultures and develop empathy and human connection."
Ms. Lopez reminded us that "as educators, our responsibility is to seek the truth, share it, and inspire future generations to carry it forward."
We want to extend our sincere gratitude to our participating staff and parents for taking the initiative to enrich our students' learning with these vital local histories.
Innovative Educational Technology Plan Featured
We are also pleased to share another feature in Monterey County Now highlighting our new PGUSD Educational Technology Plan.
Directors Matthew Binder and Louis Algaze provided a thorough overview, detailing the comprehensive two-year process behind our Educational Technology Plan. Starting this work early has put PGUSD in a position of strength, showcasing how advanced our district is in this space. As we roll out these new guidelines and practices this school year, we are eager to see our progress take root—taking the time to continue to track progress, gather feedback, listen, and make thoughtful adjustments along the way. We hope you enjoy the read!
Beth Cina
Forest Grove Elementary School Second Grade Teacher
Erica Chavez
Robert Down Elementary School Kindergarten Teacher
National Wrestling Champion Coach in Our Midst!
Did you know PGUSD is home to a nationally acclaimed championship coach? Roberto Dixon (affectionately known as Mr. D), a beloved RHD staff member of over 40 years, led the California Wrestling team to the National Championships this summer!
Volunteer Partnership & Required Training
We are so grateful for the many volunteers who enrich our campuses and support our students throughout the school year!
Please note that under California Senate Bill 848 (effective July 1, 2026), any volunteer or chaperone age 18 and older who may interact with or supervise students outside the immediate presence of a school employee must complete annual Mandated Reporter Training. In accordance with this state law, our district now requires all new and returning volunteers to complete a brief online training in addition to obtaining fingerprint clearance.
How to Get Started: To begin your online clearance and training process, please Click Here.
Keeping our students safe is our top priority, and this training ensures all adults working with our pupils are equipped to recognize and support student safety needs. We know this is a new requirement that takes extra time, but we hope this short training will not discourage you from serving our schools. Our students and staff rely on your partnership—thank you for your continued dedication to keeping our PGUSD community safe and supported!
As we settle into the new school year, we want to emphasize a topic that directly impacts the well-being of our school community: student safety as they travel to and from school.
With an increasing number of students riding e-bikes, scooters, skateboards, and traditional bicycles across our campuses and neighborhoods, working together to keep our streets safe is essential. While these transportation modes offer great independence and an eco-friendly way to commute, they must be used responsibly and legally in accordance with California traffic laws and local city ordinances.
- August 27 - Special Board of Education Meeting
- August 31 - Facilities Subcommittee
- September 3 - Pacific Grove High School Back to School Night
- September 7 - Labor Day - No School
- September 10 - Board of Education Regular Meeting
- September 12 - Walk with PRIDE
- September 24 - Special Board of Education Meeting
- September 30 - PGUSD Safety Committee Meeting
- October 8 - Board of Education Regular Meeting
- 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 1