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Dear Jenna,
I hope this message finds you well as you navigate the rollercoaster of these challenging times. As we are all experiencing, the impact of school closures and the shelter in place mandate extends well beyond our school and work lives and into our overall well-being. Supporting Ravenswood students’ mental health has always been a REF priority, and in the current context, nurturing the whole child takes on a new level of urgency. Today, I am happy to highlight a longtime REF grantee and partner, Counseling And Support Services for Youth (CASSY), who is working responsively to shift how it supports our students' mental health needs. Services Provided During Shelter in Place During the week following the announcement of school closures, CASSY therapists were quick to transition and reached out to their existing Ravenswood student clients to offer telehealth services, by telephone or through video. To date:
Examples of Mental Health Support in Action
As we assess the impact of remote therapy, we look forward to updating the ways we deliver services to improve student well being. REF is thankful to support and partner with CASSY and other organizations engaged in the Ravenswood Wellness Initiative, including the Children’s Health Council, Child Mind Institute, and One EPA, to support our students’ mental health needs, now and for the future. How You Can Help
With gratitude, Jenna Wachtel Pronovost Executive Director
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Dear REF Community, Your generosity of financial support, time, and spirit have already had a tremendous impact in the Ravenswood community. Because of you, all Ravenswood students now have access to devices and the internet at home, many families’ current needs around food and household items are being supported, emergency childcare for essential workers is being provided, and so much more. The District wouldn’t be where it is today without you. As we settle into distance learning and schools stay closed, new opportunities to support students, families and educators continue to surface. Here are a few newly identified ways you can continue to make a difference right here in your own backyard:  Volunteer
The District, All Students Matter, SmashHigh, the City of East Palo Alto, Ravenswood Family Health Clinic, and REF are partnering to meet the needs listed below through volunteer efforts.
Would you like to learn more about any of these volunteer opportunities? Please let us know by completing this form. We encourage high school students, college students, and families to join the efforts as their skills and time allow. We will be in touch shortly with more information. Donate to the REF Emergency Fund The REF Emergency Fund is actively responding to critical needs in the District as they arise. To date, this support has included providing:
As the situation evolves and we begin to anticipate what learning in the summer and fall will look like, the need will grow. Your on-going contributions to the REF Emergency Fund allow us to act quickly and responsively. We are so grateful for your partnership. Warmly, Jenna Wachtel Pronovost REF Executive Director Dear Ravenswood Community, As you know, distance learning is the new normal throughout the country. While challenging for all schools, in communities like Ravenswood, where the living quarters are extremely tight, pressures around basic needs are mounting, and access to wifi and devices at home is new, the obstacles to learning can feel overwhelming. With support from you and the REF community, Ravenswood families and educators are rising to the occasion. The stakes are high and there’s a long journey ahead, but good work is happening to ease the transition and prepare for the future. Below is a brief update. How You Can Help
 REF Emergency Fund - Your Impact in Action Thanks to all of you, the REF Emergency Fund has raised nearly $650,000 to support distance learning, address basic needs, provide emergency childcare and more. Some examples of your impact include:
Our community members - families, educators and all of you - are going above and beyond to take care of each other and keep our kids learning during these unprecedented times. In Mr. Anguiano’s words, on behalf of Ravenswood, thank you. Warmly,
Jenna Wachtel Pronovost Executive Director Dear REF Community, We are thrilled to share with you that earlier today, RCSD School Board President Ana Maria Pulido announced that the board has selected Gina Sudaria to serve as Ravenswood’s permanent superintendent!  President Pulido stated “After a long and thorough process, the Board made the decision to select a leader with deep institutional history. We felt that Gina is best suited to push forth the many reforms undertaken at Ravenswood over the last few years.”
We couldn’t agree more! As a Ravenswood educator for the past 22 years, Gina has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to Ravenswood students, families, teachers and staff. In her role as interim superintendent, she has remained focused on improving instruction for every child while guiding the district through significant changes including the creation and adoption of a new strategic plan and the consolidation of schools to ensure fiscal solvency. Over the past month, her leadership has continued to shine as she and her team support families and teachers to transition to distance learning while also making sure that their basic needs around food, technology, childcare and well-being are met. Throughout her tenure as a teacher, coach, principal, and district office leader, Gina has earned the trust of all around her. Her authentic optimism and commitment are contagious and she builds a climate and culture that makes people want to be part of her team. Gina is truly a gem, combining a fierce intelligence, educational expertise, and unparalleled work ethic, with grace and kindness. We are so excited to partner with her, the board and the entire district as we enter this new chapter in Ravenswood history. Please join us in sending Gina a congratulatory note through this Awesome Box. Messages will be collected through April 14 at which point they will be sent to Gina directly. We are #OneRavenswood Warmly, Jenna Wachtel Pronovost, Executive Director When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ - Mr. Rogers
Dear Ravenswood Community, As we come to the end of our second week of school closures and sheltering in place, I am grateful to provide you with some updates from Ravenswood that will warm your heart and soothe your soul. How You Can Help
REF Emergency Fund Your generosity helped us achieve our matching grant and to date we have raised $383,776.85 for the REF Emergency Fund! In the last week alone, these funds have allowed the District to:
Community Champions Thank you to all the REF community members who are getting creative and using your expertise in all kinds of new ways to support the Ravenswood family through birthday fundraisers, live streaming yoga classes, sponsoring meals and more. Here are a few fun highlights from our community this week:
More to follow after the District reconvenes the week of April 6. In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any questions or suggestions. I am so grateful to be part of this team of helpers with you - we truly are one community. Warmly, Jenna Wachtel Pronovost Executive Director Dear REF Community,
Just one week has passed since Ravenswood schools closed and we launched the REF Emergency Fund, and yet so much has happened. I am so touched and hopeful to witness our community coming together to take care of each other. With the latest prediction that schools may not reopen until fall, our sustained support of our students and families will be critical. How You Can Help
REF Emergency Fund:
Ravenswood City School District Efforts to Address Evolving Needs:
Warmly, Jenna Wachtel Pronovost REF, Executive Director Dear REF Community,
During this stressful time, as we protect our loved ones, stock up on supplies, and prepare for the weeks ahead, I am heartened by the outpouring of care from our REF community asking how you can support local students and families most in need. Today, in response to the COVID 19 pandemic, the Ravenswood City School District made the difficult decision to close schools from Monday, March 16 through April 3. While closing schools is challenging for all communities, it is particularly challenging here, where 90% of students qualify for free and reduced price lunch and the majority of our parents work hourly service jobs. How We Can Help: In collaboration with Interim Superintendent Gina Sudaria, we have identified the following avenues for support:
Warmly, Jenna Wachtel Pronovost REF Executive Director RAVENSWOOD EDUCATION FOUNDATION |
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