A Welcome Message from the Executive Director of the Ravenswood Education Foundation

RAVENSWOOD EDUCATION FOUNDATION
Making a Difference

The Ravenswood Education Foundation (REF) is committed to ensuring equitable and high-quality educational opportunities for Ravenswood students by building on local strengths and engaging the entire community.

Welcome back to the '18-'19 school year in Ravenswood. I am excited to see our school campuses once again filled with the bright and eager faces of our students.

With a record $3.9MM raised last year, this year the Ravenswood Education Foundation will continue to fund art and music teachers, Makerspaces, science labs, summer school, mental health counselors, a guidance counselor, professional development and teacher leader stipends. Additionally, we will build on last year’s successful pilot and fund a reading intervention teacher at every school to provide the intensive support needed to help more of our students read at grade level. We truly could not do this work without you.

During this coming year, there are many ways you can support our Ravenswood students:

1) Donate to our Annual Campaign. Look out for our Annual Report mailed mid-September. Your donations help us provide grants to the school district to hire the necessary teachers, guidance counselors and staff for our initiatives. As always, REF holds the district accountable for the delivery and impact of all programs as we monitor progress and outcomes.

2) Volunteer. We have many ways you can help. Please email Jazmin for more information on any of the items below.

• Adopt-a-Teacher pairs volunteers with teachers to provide critical classroom supplies. Join us for coffee on September 6th at 9am to learn more.
• Adopt-a-School is a meaningful way to support teachers with staff appreciation meals twice a year.
• Our libraries, science labs, and Makerspaces always need volunteers and corporate partners to provide our students with exposure to experiences and connections.
• We welcome one-time volunteer efforts, and drives for specific needs in our community.

3) Attend our Gala. Our signature fundraising event of the year will be held at the Four Seasons on Saturday, March 2, 2019. If you would like to host a table, donate a live auction item or wines, or support the event in any way, please email our Gala co-hosts, Emily Lopez and Sarah Speakman. There will be an informational coffee for potential new table hosts on October 17th at 10am.

​4) Attend an Informational Gathering. Throughout the fall we will host some insight events to share our successes and challenges, and offer you a chance to hear from people on the ground who are impacting student lives each day. Please let Jazmin know if you are interested in attending or hosting one of these smaller events.

While the district faces challenges, we at REF remain wholeheartedly focused on students. These children do not access Tinsley, charters, or private schools, but they deserve art, music, science, specialist literacy instruction, mental health support, and technology opportunities. We cannot let them down.

Here’s to a great year ahead!
Warmly,

Renu Nanda
Executive Director, Ravenswood Education Foundation
rnanda@ravenswoodef.org