Dear Jenna,

The last day of school for the Ravenswood City School District is Friday and across all the sites, feelings of joy, exhaustion, and reflection abound. Before summer is in full swing, I’d like to share this brief update with you, as some of the District’s greatest champions.

Focus on Student Performance and Thriving

There is much to celebrate in Ravenswood - brilliant and hardworking children, dedicated families and educators, and a deep partnership with donors and volunteers to name a few of the reasons. And, at the same time, there is much work to do. District leaders and REF are clear-eyed on the fact that there are serious needs in the area of student performance. While the reasons behind this continuing challenge are myriad, this is OUR hill to climb as a community, and students’ futures depend on us doing just that.

It’s impossible not to feel the weight of this task, but I’m very optimistic that a true transformation of the District is not only a goal - but is actually well underway. Much of this is possible due to your generous support, so I hope you’ll take pride in reading about the progress made over the past year and plans for the next.

Progress Over the Past Year That Will Have Increasing Impact 

• Strong new central office leadership in our Teaching and Learning and Strategy, Talent and Engagement departments. 
• A deeper understanding of student strengths and needs through an improved assessment and data analysis approach (iReady)
• Implementation of a continuous feedback approach for teachers along with performance-aligned compensation - through the Talent Initiative
• Exciting student wins in the arts, robotics, and athletics providing life-shaping experiences to Ravenswood students and earning a glowing reputation for the District’s enrichment programs

Specific and Strategic Plans for Next Year: 

• Adopt a new English Language Arts curriculum aligned with the Science of Reading 
• Welcome new site leaders at CCRMS and Costaño School of the Arts
• Unveil the new state-of-the-art facilities for Ravenswood students with the completion of the CCRMS campus and kick off of the Belle Haven School renovation
• Continue to invest in core programs such as literacy intervention and coaching, enrichment programs, professional development, and so much more as well as the bold innovation of the talent initiative (and monitor the progress along the way)
• Begin to explore a new early childhood education expansion opportunity to ensure all children in the Ravenswood community have access to high quality care and education from birth

Interested in volunteering?

You support the district in many ways. Throughout the summer, we will have a number of projects that would benefit from your volunteer support. If you’re available to volunteer over the summer or are interested in signing up to participate in the Adopt A Classroom or Adopt A School volunteer programs this fall, please contact Jazmin Sosa, REF Director of Operations. Otherwise please stay tuned for more information and more ways to get involved in August!

As we look together into the future, I’d like to leave you with the words of Amanda Gorman…

"For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it.

If only we’re brave enough to be it."

Have a great summer!

Warmly,

Jenna Wachtel Pronovost

Executive Director