Message from Principal
Dustie Gunn, MAED; MBA
Robles Elementary
Dustie Gunn, MAED; MBA
Robles Elementary
A Strong Finish to 2025:
December News for Robles Families
Dear Robles Bobcat Families,
As we approach the end of the first semester, I want to express how proud I am of the hard work and perseverance our students and staff have shown. With only 15 days of school in December, every day counts — and we are committed to finishing this semester strong!
With temperatures dropping, please make sure your child comes to school dressed warmly in jackets, sweaters, and long sleeves. We also recommend adding your child’s name to clothing tags — this makes it much easier for us to return misplaced items. Our Lost and Found is located in the cafeteria and is available for parents and students to check anytime for missing belongings.
Acadience Reading Assessments & Math Fluency CMBs: Week of December 1st
District Spelling Bee: December 1st at 9:30 a.m. at AVMS
Winter Concert: December 4th
12 Days of School Spirit: December 4th – 19th
Student Celebration for State Grade: December 9th
We are thrilled that Robles Elementary received a State Letter Grade of a B! This is a tremendous accomplishment, and we will honor our students and staff with a celebratory event on December 9th. Their dedication to learning and growth has made this possible — congratulations to our Robles community!
While we have a lot to celebrate this month — including our school’s improved state letter grade and upcoming seasonal activities, however, our primary focus remains on learning. We remind families to continue to make attendance a priority, as every day and every minute of instruction matters. Please remember that the Arizona Department of Education only allows absences to be excused for illness, medical or dental appointments, family emergencies, or court appearances. If a student is called in for any other reason, state regulations require that the absence be marked as unexcused. We appreciate your help in making sure students are present and on time to maximize learning every day.
Students will not have school for winter break starting December 20th. During the break, families can support learning by reading together daily, practicing math facts, encouraging writing through journaling or holiday cards, and engaging in hands-on science or educational apps. These simple activities help students retain skills and stay engaged.
School resumes on Monday, January 5th as we begin the second semester.
Important January Dates:
Spring Pictures: Tuesday, January 21st
Bobcats of Excellence Awards — Quarter 2: Monday, January 26th
4th & 5th Grade: 1:45 – 2:30 p.m.
3rd & 2nd Grade: 2:30 – 3:15 p.m.
PK, Kinder, & 1st Grade: 3:15 – 3:45 p.m.
We look forward to recognizing students for their outstanding achievements and positive behavior.
Thank you for your support and partnership in your child’s education. Let’s work together to finish December strong and start the new year with enthusiasm and academic focus. Wishing all our Robles families a safe, restful, and joyful holiday season.
Sincerely,
Dustie Gunn
Principal
Robles Elementary School
Georgia Matlock, Preschool Teacher
At Robles Elementary, our preschool program is proud to be a Quality First program, where learning is rooted in play, curiosity, and hands-on exploration. We believe that young children thrive when they are actively engaged in meaningful, joyful learning experiences.
In our classrooms, students develop key foundational skills such as letter recognition, letter sounds, and early counting skills through interactive play and engaging activities. These important skills are incorporated into daily routines and child-centered lessons that nurture both academic and social-emotional growth.
One of the highlights of our curriculum is the hands-on experiences that our students get to enjoy throughout the year. Our preschoolers have had the opportunity to make homemade bread and butter, create ice cream, build with a variety of materials, and express themselves through arts and crafts. These activities foster imagination, problem-solving, and collaboration—all while building early academic knowledge.
Each season, students engage in thematic units that connect learning to the world around them. In the fall, we explore plants and nature, culminating in a trip to a local pumpkin patch where students can select their own pumpkins and make real-world connections to what they’ve learned in class.
We are also excited about our upcoming Community Helpers Unit. During this unit, preschoolers will learn directly from local heroes, including members of our fire department and school resource officer. These visits help students understand safety, community roles, and the importance of helping others.
We will wrap up the school year with a Carnival Unit, which is always a favorite among students and families. The celebration includes a school carnival day filled with snow cones, face painting, games, and laughter—a perfect way to celebrate all the growth and learning that has happened throughout the year.
At Robles Preschool, we aim to spark a love of learning that lasts a lifetime—one playful, hands-on lesson at a time.