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Dear Ravenswood Community, Here in Ravenswood, the team has had a very busy start to 2022. Balancing the challenges of a significant spike in covid positivity rates with a commitment to keeping schools open, safe, and focused on learning, has been a major task. Onsite testing and vaccine clinics, monitoring of symptoms, and tracking of positive cases, fueled by REF-funded coffee carts and catered lunches for school staff, are just some of the critical efforts the dedicated team here has added to their daily activities to keep our students in school. It is inspirational to experience the all-hands-on-deck approach and determination of Ravenswood staff, families, and volunteers during this pivotal time. Despite these challenges, there is so much to celebrate and look forward to. Please read on to learn about some upcoming events and opportunities to support Ravenswood students:  Learn more about the Ravenswood Talent Initiative - This fall, the Ravenswood City School District and Ravenswood Teachers Association announced an exciting new talent initiative that creates a whole new evaluation and compensation system to retain, recruit, develop and reward excellent teachers and staff. As REF prepares to launch our campaign to support this groundbreaking effort, we will be hosting small learning events to share the details of the initiative with you, our community. If you would like to attend one of these events, please let me know and I’ll be sure to invite you!  Attend the REF Spring Event - Please save the date of Thursday, May 19, 2022 for a beautiful outdoor evening event to celebrate and support our Ravenswood community. This year, the event will take place at EPACENTER, the stunning new youth creative arts center in East Palo Alto. If you are interested in hosting a table or serving as a corporate sponsor, please reach out to REF Director of Operations Jazmin Sosa. Stay tuned for more information.  Get Involved - The district continues to welcome fully vaccinated volunteers on campus. If you are interested in sharing your time with Ravenswood and REF, you can learn more about our current needs here. If you really want to answer the call, consider applying to work as a substitute teacher, which is one of the greatest needs the district has at the moment. And if you’re short on time but can help spread the word, engaging with our social media or forwarding this newsletter to your network helps.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve felt myself waffling between waves of grief that our students in Ravenswood continue to be so disproportionately impacted by covid, and waves of gratitude for the way our community has come together to navigate the choppy waters. I am confident that as we transition out of covid crisis mode and continue to focus on the wonderful and vital work of educating students and supporting teachers, we have the pieces in place to support true growth and development across the district. Thank you for being part of the community laying the foundation for this exciting and critical next chapter. Warmly, Jenna Wachtel Pronovost REF Executive Director PS. Are you, or someone you know, passionate about REF’s mission and looking for a new role? REF is hiring a part time Operations Associate. Click here to learn more!
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Dear REF Community, The school year has officially begun here in Ravenswood and it’s hard to know who’s happiest. With nearly 100% of students on campus for in person learning, our school sites are vibrant and the excitement from teachers, parents, and students is palpable. With masks on and hearts open, we are ready to tackle the challenges and opportunities of this year together. You, our generous REF community, are essential to our ability to build upon this momentum. We are particularly eager this year to leverage this critical moment in our students' lives and work creatively with the district to support new programs and initiatives that will move the needle on student outcomes. Read on to learn more about how you can be involved on and off campus this year:  #1 Donate to our annual campaign. With a contribution to the REF annual campaign, you are directly impacting Ravenswood students, providing them targeted literacy intervention and math support, access to STEM experiences in the makerspace and science labs, daily enrichment classes including art, music, drama and PE, professional development for teachers, and so much more. Your gift is especially meaningful as staff and students work together to make up for the missed learning opportunities of the pandemic. You can read more about your impact in our annual report where you will see the many tangible programs you make possible.  #2 Volunteer. We are thrilled to be able to welcome vaccinated volunteers back on site! We have a number of ongoing and one-time volunteer projects from working with students in the libraries to adopting classrooms to campus beautification. If you or a group you are affiliated with are interested in learning more about how you can make a difference, please contact REF’s Director of Operations Jazmin Sosa.  #3 Stay connected and spread the word. Make sure you are up to date on the latest Ravenswood and REF news by signing up for our newsletter, following us on social media, and reaching out to me with any questions or ideas. We have several exciting announcements coming later this fall as the details about a new compensation initiative and special events are solidified, and we don’t want you to miss them.
After a year like no other, we have the opportunity and privilege to show up for our community and engage in meaningful work that will really make a difference. Your time, your advocacy, and your donations are all critical components of the day to day lives and long term future of Ravenswood students. Thank you for choosing to be part of the team! Warmly, Jenna Wachtel Pronovost Executive Director Dear REF Community, Wow - what a year! As the 2020-21 school year draws to a close, we’d like to celebrate the incredible work the Ravenswood community embraced these past 12 months. The tireless staff of the Ravenswood City School District, the resilient and persistent families and children, along with you, the volunteers and donors of the REF community, all came together to do everything we could to meet our students’ needs in the most challenging of circumstances. I invite you to take a listen below to a quick chat Superintendent Gina Sudaria and I had to reflect on some key milestones from this year: We also want to thank and celebrate
Our incredible donors who gave so generously with both dollars and time in the midst of the pandemic. While much of life turned inward, it was inspiring to see so many people looking outward for ways to care for our community! As we look ahead, we’re optimistic about the District’s
We’re also thrilled to welcome four new REF board members, Adrienne Germain, Laura Nuñez, Michelle Stewart, and Serra Vaka. They bring important knowledge of education, communications, and the Ravenswood community, and are wonderful additions to our hard working and dedicated board. We know they’ll make a difference at REF in the days ahead! The challenges and work in front of us are huge, but with our continued collaboration and partnership, we will make a difference for Ravenswood students. It’s going to take all of us, so thank you again for choosing to be part of this journey. I hope you’ll let me know if you have any questions or ideas that you’d like to share. Wishing you and your family a healthy, happy summer! Warmly, Jenna Wachtel Pronovost Executive Director Dear Ravenswood Community, It’s a start to the school year like no other. Yet, despite tremendous challenges, Ravenswood students, families, teachers, staff, and community members from across town lines are rallying together to meet this moment with grace, resilience, and optimism. This first week of distance learning has seen record online engagement, tighter collaboration between families and staff, and a commitment to improving every day to give our kids the education they deserve, whether in person or remote. Here’s how a few district leaders are feeling:    What gives me the most hope is the way that you, the REF community, have stepped up your support over the last 6 months. Last week alone you helped to distribute stocked backpacks to all 1,800 students, provide WiFi hotspots to everyone who needs them, and establish safe learning hubs for families needing more support during this time. It is amazing to see our village come together.
We need you now more than ever. Here are some tangible ways you can continue to make a difference: Donate to our Annual Campaign - Look out for our Annual Report mailed mid-September, and make a contribution. Your donations help us provide grants to the school district to hire essential teachers and support staff and provide instructional materials for all of our students. Adopt-A-Teacher - Sign up to be paired with a teacher and give much needed learning support. This year’s program focuses on providing classroom supplies to enhance instruction and appreciation and encouragement to keep Ravenswood teachers inspired. You can learn more here or contact Jazmin for additional information. Provide 1:1 Virtual Tutoring with All Students Matter - The district aims to provide a virtual tutor to every interested child to enhance the distance learning experience. Learn more about the opportunity or sign up to volunteer at www.allstudentsmatter.org. Reach Out - REF will be hosting a number of learning sessions throughout the year with updates about the district’s progress. Please reach out to Jazmin to be sure to be included on the invitation. There is no doubt that this is going to be a hard year. But together, we can do hard things. Thank you for choosing to be part of the team. Warmly, Jenna Wachtel Pronovost Executive Director Dear REF Community,
One thing I’ve always loved about the cyclical nature of the school year is how June offers us time to reflect. And wow, do we have a lot to reflect on from the 19-20 school year. From creating and adopting a new strategic plan to making the challenging decision to merge campuses, from bringing on revered long-time Ravenswood educator Gina Sudaria as permanent superintendent to making the unprecedented decision to close schools and shelter in place, the Ravenswood and REF community have experienced a lot. As this tumultuous year comes to an end, I believe Ravenswood is the best positioned it has ever been to make transformational change and give our students the high quality education they deserve. Lessons We’re Keeping These months of distance learning time have taught us many lessons that we can keep with us well beyond this spring, including: Home-School Connections The need and opportunity for tight home-school connections have come into sharp focus. Throughout the spring, educators and parents have not only communicated more frequently but have seen inside each other's homes, yielding a whole new level of understanding and connection. Leveraging Technology With three months of practice working with programs such as Seesaw, Lexia, Reflex Math, and Google Classroom, the school community is more prepared than ever to use technology strategically for a wide range of supports. The Value of School The District, REF, and many local partners have acted fast to address meal distribution, mental health services, family income loss, emergency childcare, and more, making it clear that school is a hub for supporting local families. The Value of Community If this time has taught us anything, it is how important it is to show up for each other. The REF community has distributed technology, provided language interpretation, tutored, cleaned, moved, and donated, showing that we really are one community here in the bay area. REF Emergency Fund Thanks to your incredible generosity, the REF Emergency Fund has raised an unbelievable $999,230.64 to date! This funding has allowed REF to address needs identified in the district as they surface. So far, we have supported:
Looking Ahead The Reopening Schools Task Force will release a plan by mid-July for the upcoming school year. No matter the structure, it is clear that the continued support of our entire community will be needed. On a personal note, as my first school year as REF’s Executive Director comes to an end, I want to express my deep gratitude for the privilege of doing this work alongside you. The generosity and commitment of the Ravenswood and REF community are unparalleled. I am inspired every day to be part of your team, Wishing you good health, joy, and a summer that feels at least somewhat like summer. Looking forward to rolling our sleeves up together in the new year! Warmly, Jenna Wachtel Pronovost Executive Director  Dear REF Community, Black lives matter. With our hearts burning, the Ravenswood Education Foundation stands firmly with our community to condemn police brutality, institutionalized racism, and all forms of oppression. The recent tragic killings of George Floyd, Tony McDade, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and so many other black people preceding them remind us that the work is far from over. Our kids in Ravenswood, just like our kids across the country, deserve to live in a society that sees them, hears them, respects them, values them and affirms their right to life, liberty and justice. To achieve Dr. King’s “beloved community,” we at REF recommit to listening and directing our time, our energy, our bodies, and our wallets where our values are.  Yesterday, organized by an M-A sophomore (and former Costaño School student), over a thousand in the Ravenswood community came together to peacefully march in support of Black Lives Matter. In a time of deep despair, the actions of this next generation give us hope that things can and will change. In the words of Gina Sudaria, Ravenswood Superintendent, “Let’s take action to disrupt the status quo, disrupt the inequities and address them, and ensure that social justice prevails in Ravenswood City School District… It’s our everyday actions that will count.” From all of us at REF and in solidarity,
Jenna Wachtel Pronovost Executive Director 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 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 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 |
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