Welcome Back to School from the Ravenswood Education Foundation

RAVENSWOOD EDUCATION FOUNDATION
Making a Difference

​August 29, 2019

Dear Friends,

The pencils are sharp, the nametags are crisp and teachers are welcoming their new students and families with hugs, handshakes and high fives. Thanks to the generous support of the Ravenswood Education Foundation community, Makerspaces and science labs are equipped and running at all our schools, literacy specialists are ready to provide targeted support, and music and art teachers, mental health providers, and guidance counselors are embedded into the school day. It’s a brand new year in Ravenswood and the energy and excitement are palpable!
 
I couldn’t be more thrilled to be joining REF as your new Executive Director, and am especially humbled to be following in the footsteps of past EDs Renu Nanda and Charley Scandlyn who have made the Foundation what it is today. In my nearly 15 years working in education, both here in Ravenswood and in Palo Alto as a teacher and coach, and in my previous work at education non-profits, I have never experienced a back to school enthusiasm like this before. Led by Interim Superintendent Gina Sudaria and Board President Tamara Sobomehin, there is an optimism and commitment that can be felt across every school in the district. There are some tough challenges to overcome and our students need us now more than ever, but all 350 district employees are rolling up their sleeves and getting to work. 
 
The district cannot do it alone, we need to roll up our sleeves too. 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 and support staff and to provide instructional materials for all of 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 13th at 9:30am 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 Friday, February 28. If you would like to host a table, donate a live auction item or wine, or support the event in any way, please email our Gala co-hosts, Renu Nanda and Meghan Clark.
4) Attend an Informational Gathering. Throughout the fall, we will host some insight events to introduce you to our new leadership and share our successes and challenges 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.
 
The REF community has always stood by our students because we understand that they deserve a high quality education, just like their peers across the highway. Now we have the opportunity to build on this momentum and make a real difference as we support the district to make transformational change.
 
The future is bright in Ravenswood. Here’s to a great year ahead!
Warmly,

​
Jenna Wachtel Pronovost
Executive Director, Ravenswood Education Foundation
jenna@ravenswoodef.org