Ravenwood Elementary
December 9, 2020
Home of the Ravens
Ravenwood embodies community and thrives from the interconnected support system of Eagle River. Outdoor education, the arts, and the use of technology are all integrated into the academic experiences students are offered to optimize engagement, creativity, and independent learning.
Land Acknowledgement
We would like to acknowledge that our school is on the traditional lands of the Dena'ina Athabascan people. It is with gratitude and respect that we recognize the past and present contributions of Alaska's first people. Chin'an (thank you)
Dear Ravenwood Families –
Happy holidays! It’s hard to believe it is already December, a month typically filled with holiday concerts, gatherings, tournaments, and so many fun memory-making events for us to enjoy. I hope you and your family are finding creative and safe ways to continue special family holiday traditions and make memories despite the more restrictive community-wide “hunker down” order. In the meantime, we can all look forward to the "gift" of Covid-19 vaccinations to begin rolling out around Christmas, and hopefully bring an end to this deadly and devastating virus once and for all!
At this time, we are anxiously awaiting an upcoming announcement from Dr. Bishop (either Dec. 15th or Jan. 1st) about when we may begin a staggered return to in-person learning. As soon as ASD announces a return plan, we will be communicating more detailed information on how that will look at Ravenwood. Even with masks and social distancing, I can’t wait to welcome ALL our students back through our doors. This is on my grown-up Christmas list!
In the spirit of giving, it would be much appreciated if you would consider participating in the PTSO Community Cares Collection. Over the next two distributions, PTSO will be collecting needed items for area homeless shelters and the AWAIC Shelter. Our school is part of a “friendly” competition with Homestead and Alpenglow Elementary to see which school collects the most items to donate. Here’s a chance to let our Ravenwood caring spirit shine bright!
Wishing you and yours a joyous and safe holiday season,
Kim Bautista
RAVENWOOD PTSO CARE COLLECTION
New items can be dropped off on Thursday, December 10th OR 17th. Which grade level group will fill their box the fastest? Alpenglow and Homestead Elementary students are also joining us in this community cares collection. Together, we are stronger!
Or you can avoid going out, and make a donation directly to:
https://give.ministrylinq.com/App/Giving/dhc (Downtown Hope Center Homeless Shelter)
http://www.awaic.org/donate (AWAIC)
BE SAFE. BE SEEN.
During the dark winter months when students are playing outside, walking to school, or at a bus stop, we want to make sure they dress warm and are easy to see when visibility is difficult. Each Ravenwood student will receive a bright orange or yellow ski hat with reflective threading to wear this winter as part of this year’s initiative and a partnership between The Anchorage School District and Coalaska. We want to encourage our students to BE SAFE AND BE SEEN by:
- wearing bright clothing
- using lights
- being aware of surroundings
- walking with lights and traffic
- being extra cautious
Look for your student’s hat in an upcoming Materials Distribution. Please take a picture of your student wearing the hat outdoors so we can thank Coalaska for helping our students BE SEEN with a picture collage and recognition on our website and Facebook page. You may send pictures to bautista_kim@asdk12.org and put BE SEEN PICTURE in the subject line. Check out this video to learn more about the Be Safe, Be Seen project: https://drive.google.com/file/d/162vwjMLfBYAwT6pP3Q7SdBDUOhmoXqyQ/view?usp=sharing
Keep ASD Symptom Free
In addition to following safety protocols, as a District, we must be committed to #KeepASDSymptomFree. Stay home if you are feeling sick or have even mild symptoms.
Stay home if one or more symptoms develop and call your child’s doctor’s office:
· Fever 100.4°F or higher, or chills, or a presumed fever (your child feels very warm)
· Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
· Cough
· Diarrhea
· Abdominal pain
· Vomiting
· Fatigue
· Muscle or body aches, joint pain
· New rash
· New loss of taste or smell
· Sore throat
· Headache
· New congestion or runny nose
· Exposure to someone with the above symptoms or someone with known COVID-19
If your child has traveled outside the state of Alaska, they will need to follow the state guidelines on testing/quarantine before returning to school.
Help us Evaluate ASD's Certificated Staff
The teacher and staff evaluation period is currently open.
ASD welcomes community input regarding our teacher and administrator employees' performance from now through April 30, 2021. This timeframe allows us to review the input received and take it into consideration during evaluations.
This input is allowed through Alaska state statute AS 14.20.149, which states that staff, students, parents, and community members have the opportunity to provide input on Certificated teacher and administrator performances. Per the statute, this comment period “provide[s] an opportunity for students, parents, community members, teachers, and administrators to provide information on the performance of the teacher or administrator who is the subject of the evaluation to the evaluating administrator.” https://www.asdk12.org/evaluations
Hour of Code
Library News
Winter break might be a good time to read some of the new books that started arriving in February of last school year. They are anxiously waiting to be read 😉! Just a reminder: students can check out up to 10 items.
You may use the paper menu, login to your library account to place holds, or simply have an adult email Mrs. Guest with your book choices (guest_laura@asdk12.org).
Please take time to look for late library books. Sadly, we have about 270 items that are overdue--many from last school year. Overdue notices will be in this week or next week's classroom material bags.
Happy reading! Mrs. Guest
Ravenwood siblings enjoying one of their library curbside pickup books
5th Graders showing off their Specialists' Activities. They are having SO much fun!!
Fabulous First Grade Team makes learning FUN!
MATERIALS DISTRIBUTION
Thursday, Dec. 10th, from 1:30-3:00p and 4:00-5:30p for Ms. KImberley's PreK class, Kinder, 1st, 2nd, 4th & 5th.
Thursday, Dec. 17th, from 1:30-3:00p and 4:00-5:30p for Ms. Teri's PreK class, and grades Kinder through 4th.
PTSO NEWS
Raven Spirit Challenge
Our December Raven Spirit Challenge is up on our Facebook page. December is about Caring! Share a photo of your student(s) volunteering or donating something to enter to win a prize.
Our next PTSO meeting will be January 6th (the first Wednesday of every month) at 6pm via Zoom until conditions allow in-person meetings. Anyone is welcome; however, voting is only for PTSO members. See membership info on our website.
FIND US AND GET CONNECTED!
SignUp Genius - search Ravenwood PTSO
Facebook: Ravenwood Elementary Group
Ice Rink Volunteers Needed
Thanks to our team of volunteer heroes Ricky Pico, Joey Haag, Jason Brooks, and Ted Stille our ice rink is up and running this winter. They are looking for additional volunteers to help with shoveling. Please email PTSO at ravenwoodptso@gmail.com with your name and contact number.
Boxtop Update
COMMUNITY NEWS
Hello Parents,
Do you have a child around the ages of 8-10 who is interested in participating in some filming for Molly of Denali? Fill out this form and the producers will get in contact with you about the project!
All that is required is to answer a few questions and upload a short video of your kid being themselves, it’s that easy.
Click here to get started: bit.ly/39xzfhZ
If you have any questions please email emma@alaska.org!
Alli Bargelski
Director/Cinematographer/Editor
907-830-3841
507 E st, Suite 206, Anchorage AK 99501
Tutor.com for U.S. Military Families, funded by the U.S. Department of Defense and Coast Guard Mutual Assistance, is a program that provides on-demand, online tutoring and homework help at no cost to eligible service members, civilian personnel, and their dependents. With live, expert tutors available 24/7, military-connected students can receive academic help at their moment of need—anywhere they have an internet connection. As of April 2020, all DOD Service Members, Civilian Personnel, and all Dependent Family Members (Kindergarten through College/Adult) are eligible to use Tutor.com/Military at no cost. https://military.tutor.com/home
ASD VIRTUAL LIAISON
School Business Partners
Anchorage School District School Board
2020-2021 ASD School Board
President, ELISA VAKALIS
Vice-President, MARGO BELLAMY
Treasurer, STARR MARSETT
Clerk, ANDY HOLLEMAN
Seat C, DAVE DONLEY
Seat E, ALISHA HILDE
Seat F, DEENA MITCHELL
DR. DEENA BISHOP, SUPERINTENDENT