Welcome to Ravenwood!
November 2022
Hello Ravenwood Families,
November, and particularly Thanksgiving, is a time when many of us reflect on our gratitude lists. I hope Ravenwood Elementary School makes your list! From fundraising over $40,000 to donating nearly a ton of food to the Eagle River/Chugiak food pantry - our students, staff, and families keep Ravenwood a special learning community we can all be grateful to be part of. On behalf of the staff, we wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving!
Joyfully,
Kim Bautista
Principal, Ravenwood Elementary School
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Surpassed Our Fundraising Goal
We had 165 students who earned the Neon Gym and will glow at their designated party time on Tuesday, November 15th. Then, on Friday afternoon, 266 students will enjoy a PTSO sponsored Bubble Gum Recess.
Congratulations to our top fundraisers:
Britta, Weston, Avery, Sebastian and Naomi
The top 5 fundraising classes were:
Primary - Mrs. Ivary and Mrs. Morgan
Intermediate - Mrs. Arnold, Ms. Bozone, and Mr. Johnson
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Eagle River Elks Give 3rd Graders Dictionaries
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FOOD DRIVE A HUGE SUCCESS!
Thank you for donating 1919 pounds for Food Fight
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You will be missed, Mr. Tony
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Have you met Amira?
Has your child talked about reading to Amira? Amira is an AI (artificial intelligence) tutor that listens to your child's reading to assess their skills and direct them to “just right” reading passages to accelerate their growth. We are excited to be one of six schools in ASD to pilot this program. The goal is to have students read at least 2 stories each week to build or maintain their fluency. Ask your child what s/he thinks about Amira. You may want to use the help sheet provided at conferences to let them log-in to read and show you their progress.
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SCHOOL BUS TRANSPORTATION UPDATE
We are happy to share that Route #256 was re-instated full-time, and ASD continues to reinstate bus routes, as they are able to fill driver vacancies. The other 2 bus routes are part of Cohort 3 which will have buses December 5 – December 21. If you are planning to have your children ride the bus, please confirm their bus stops and times, since ASD may have made additional bus stop changes, and students will likely be walking further to bus stops. ASD Bus Stop Information
Ravenwood parents are truly champions! Your continued patience and understanding with this situation is truly appreciated. Even with the snow and ice, everyone is doing a great job and we are consistently clear by 3:45 daily.
PLEASE continue to:
- be cautious (prioritizing safety)
- use our dismissal traffic patterns (see at bottom of newsletter),
- yield to school buses (as they need to get to school for pick-up), and
- if you're using Ptarmigan, PLEASE don't block driveways or use them to turn around - just stay with the flow of traffic.
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Upcoming Dates of Importance
Nov. 11 - No School / In-service Day / Veterans Day
Nov. 15 - Glow Gym
Nov. 18 - Bubblegum Recess
Nov. 24-25 - Thanksgiving holidays / No School for Students
Nov. 29-30 - MAPS Testing for Grades 3rd & 4th
Dec. 1-2 - FastBridge Testing for Grades K-3rd
Dec. 2 - Popcorn Friday
Dec. 2 - Eagle River Tree Lighting Ceremony -- Ravenwood choir performs 6:05-6:15
Dec. 3 - Ravenwood Holiday Bazaar 10a - 4p
Dec. 6-7 - MAPS Testing for Grades 4/5, 5th & 6th
Dec. 12 - Choir Field Trip to Perform at multiple venues
Dec. 21 - Last Day for Students
Dec. 22 - No School / In-Service Day / End of 2nd Quarter
Dec. 23-Jan. 8 - WINTER BREAK / No School
Jan. 9 - Classes Begin
Jan. 13 - Popcorn Friday
Jan. 16 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day / No School
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Ravenwood families!
The holiday season is fast approaching. If your family needs assistance providing for Thanksgiving or Christmas, please call Nurse Cottle for more information.
Jennifer Cottle, BSN, RN, NCSN
Ravenwood Elementary School Nurse
907-742-3254
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Our Annual Holiday Bazaar will be on December 3rd from 10am-4pm. We will have lots of local vendors. Our popular silent auction baskets will be on display for bidding. There will also be holiday performers throughout the day, including our very own choir (around noon). Our 5th graders are doing a bake sale to fundraise for their camp. Our 6th graders will be selling food and drinks to fundraise for their camp, too. Follow our Ravenwood Elementary PTSO FaceBook page for a more vendor details and a sneak peek of the baskets and bid opening.
Come check things off your gift list and be festive with us.
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Silent Auction Gift Baskets
Donations will be accepted now until November 18th.
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Amazon Smile Sign Up to Support PTSO
As you shop your way through gift giving season, Amazon will donate a portion to us.
The Amazon app allows you to select this charity so it automatically applies eligible purchases every time you shop. It does require you register twice a year- so set a reminder on your calendar. It’s super easy!
You can also type in smile.amazon.com anytime you are on a browser.
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RAVENWOOD PICK-UP PROCEDURE
Please review the following pick-up procedures to avoid traffic backing up on/across Eagle River Road, and to maintain the SAFE flow of traffic at dismissal. Please talk with your children about any changes in pick-up locations - so we get them to the correct area at dismissal.
- 3rd - 6th graders -use both sides of Ptarmigan (see diagram below), pulling as close to curb as possible to allow for through traffic and BUSES. Parents/staff will assist students crossing to their vehicles (since this is 2-way traffic).
- Kindergarten - 2nd graders AND those with older siblings - use the car rider loop for pick-up.
- Preschool and those who need to assist students use parking lot to park and assist students crossing the street.
- Student who live in Eaglewood, if not walking home, please consider arranging pick-up of students on Montague.
Safety Reminders:
- Please avoid U-turns or using/blocking private driveways on Ptarmigan - please continue with flow of traffic - pulling as far to the curb as possible to allow for through traffic.
- Students are not allowed to cross Eagle River Road - it is far too dangerous.
- Speed limit is only 5 mph on campus/parking lot.
- Stay alert for students and watching the road (no cell phones or distracted driving)
- If your student is walking/riding a bike - please have them wear reflective gear/clothing to be more visible. Bike riders must wear a helmet.
- Smiles and waves to staff on duty is always appreciated!
Thank you for prioritizing student safety! Please contact our front office, if you need additional clarification, have questions, or still have transportation needs/suggestions.
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In order to drive for a field trip, volunteers must complete the same Volunteer Application and Waiver PLUS provide the following to the office:
- completed Volunteer Driver Form (attached)
- copy of their driver's license
- copy of their current vehicle registration
- copy of their current insurance policy showing minimum coverage of $100,000/$300,000 bodily injury and $25,000 property damage*
*Please note that this level of insurance coverage is higher than what is required by the State of Alaska
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REPORTING ABSENCES
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Community News
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School Business Partners
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Statement of Nondiscrimination
The School Board is committed to equal opportunity for all individuals in education. District programs and activities shall be free from discrimination based on sex, race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, changes in marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, physical or mental disability, Vietnam era veteran status, genetic information, good faith reporting to the board on a matter of public concern, or any other unlawful consideration. The Board shall promote programs which ensure that discriminatory practices are eliminated in all District activities.
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Anchorage School Board Members
Vice President, Carl Jacobs
Treasurer, Kelly Lessens
Clerk, Dora Wilson
Seat C, Dave Donley
Seat D, Andy Holleman
Seat E, Pat Higgins
Dr. Jharrett Bryantt, Superintendent