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Dear Ravenswood Community, In a matter of moments, distance learning turned every teacher and student’s home into a classroom. But not all homes are set up for remote learning, especially for the Ravenswood community where space is tight and resources are limited. To address this inequity, REF launched an exciting new partnership with DonorsChoose to provide our community with much needed instructional materials. Teachers submit their proposals, REF fully funds the projects twice weekly, and the materials are shipped to teacher or student homes. With your support, REF has funded 69 distance learning projects over the past two weeks alone, putting $46,611 worth of practical, useful, learning materials into student and teacher hands for immediate use. You can access the complete list of Ravenswood projects here. Take a look at some of the inspiring work supported thus far:    Your generous support of the REF Emergency Fund has made this practical and responsive initiative, in addition to so many other supports, possible during these challenging times, and it’s making a real difference. Thank you for choosing to be part of the Ravenswood team!
Warmly, Jenna Wachtel Pronovost REF Executive Director
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Dear Jenna, Ravenswood teachers deserve to be celebrated year round, but Teacher Appreciation Week serves as a great opportunity to show our love and gratitude. Given the challenges of this pandemic as well as the impending consolidation of our schools, it was extra important to REF to get creative and recognize the herculean efforts of each of the 125 Ravenswood teachers as they rise to meet their students’ needs through distance learning and beyond. Below are some of the ways the REF community has said thank you to our local superheroes this week:    Feeling inspired to show your appreciation and support the Ravenswood community? Join us by signing up to volunteer or contributing to the REF Emergency Fund. Your gifts of time and resources are making an incredible difference in the lives of our teachers and their students and families.
Warmly, Jenna Wachtel Pronovost Executive Director 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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