Robert Down Principal's Update

We are looking to fill our "extra clothes" closet.

These clothes are used for students who get messy, or have accidents at school.

We are in need of:

1. Elastic waist sweatpants sizes 4 to 8

2. Leggings sizes 4 to 8

3. T-shirts sizes 4 to 8

4. Girls and boys underwear sizes 4 to 8

5. Lightweight jackets or sweatshirts sizes 4 to 10

6. Shoes sizes Toddler 7 to Child 2

7. Socks

Did you know that you can report your child's absence with your ParentVUE app? Simply log into your ParentVUE account to send the office a message about why your child is absent.

* Ways to report a student absent *

a) ParentVUE app (click the bell icon next to your child's name)

b) 24 Hour Absence Line (831) 646-6663

If you plan on being a VOLUNTEER on campus or a CHAPERONE for a field trip, please be sure you are fingerprint cleared with our district, and have completed the Mandated Reporter training. To make an appointment at the District Office please contact Bree Nehring by calling 607-8892 or emailing bnehring@pgusd.org

Before coming to campus to volunteer, please check with your child's teacher to schedule a time that works best for them.

We are now happy to accept Short-Term Independent Study Request Forms digitally (see link below). Please remember, the request needs to be submitted at least 2 weeks prior to the first day of your child's absence.

Justifiable Absence for Short-Term Independent Study Request Form

This notice is to tell you about our voluntary program designed to build the RHD library and foster your child’s love of reading.

Here is how it works: To join the Robert H. Down Birthday Book Club fill out the information below (scroll way down to the bottom of this message to print the Birthday Book forms) and deposit it in the Drop Box at school along with a check for $20.00 (please make the check payable to the P.G.U.S.D. and write R.H.D. Birthday Book on the memo line).

When your child’s birthday month comes around Ms. Scanlon will present a new book in honor of your child’s birthday. Your child will be the first one to check out and read the book that has been donated to the library to celebrate their birthday. A bookplate with your child’s name will be affixed to the inside cover for all future readers to appreciate.

What is FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL)?

FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL) is a fun, hands-on robotics program for students that combines science, technology, engineering, coding, teamwork, and creativity. Students work in teams to design, build, and program LEGO robots to complete missions on a themed competition table. Along the way, they also research and solve a real-world problem connected to the season’s challenge.

FLL is designed to help students learn important STEM skills while building confidence, communication, leadership, and teamwork. Teams are guided by coaches and mentors, but students are encouraged to do the problem-solving, designing, and programming themselves.

In FIRST LEGO League students:

• Build and program LEGO robots using motors and sensors

• Learn coding and engineering concepts

• Work together as a team to solve challenges

• Research real-world problems and present innovative solutions

• Practice public speaking and presentation skills

• Develop creativity, persistence, and critical thinking

Competitions Include:

• Robot Game: Robots complete missions on a challenge field

• Innovation Project: Teams research and present a solution to a real-world issue

• Robot Design: Students explain their engineering and programming process

• Core Values: Teams demonstrate teamwork, inclusion, and gracious professionalism

FIRST LEGO League is ideal for students who enjoy building, coding, problem-solving, and working collaboratively in a supportive and exciting environment.

FLL SIGN UP LINK:

Robert Down is proud of our commitment to social and emotional learning (SEL). Both of the programs we use, Toolbox and Second Step, are aligned with the Center for Social and emotional learning (CASEL). You can learn about CASEL and our SEL programs below.

https://casel.org/fundamentals-of-sel/what-is-the-casel-framework/

Robert Down SEL Programs:

1. TOOLBOX

Toolbox is taught in every classroom at RD and on ‘Toolbox Tuesdays’ during P.E. time with Mrs. Tobin and Mr. Dixon. Robert Down has embraced this program for over ten years.

https://toolboxproject.com/https://toolboxproject.com/

2. SECOND STEP

We are in our second year of piloting the Second Step program. Second Step is a research-based program that focuses on developing human skills. Students (K-5) have two second-step lessons per month and 15 in total throughout the year.

https://www.secondstep.org/digital-k-12-curriculum

Website: https://robertdown.pgusd.org/
Location: 485 Pine Avenue, Pacific Grove, CA, USA
Phone: (831) 646-6540

Email: RHDOffice@pgusd.org