Ravenwood Elementary
January 2022
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 New Year! I hope this newsletter finds you and your household healthy as Covid continues to be on the rise in our community and school. Despite the policies and protocols that may change, one thing that remains the same is our love for our Ravenwood students and our desire to keep everyone healthy and maintain in-person learning! A huge thank you to Nurse Cottle for leading our healthcare front to keep students healthy and in school through testing and maintaining a symptom-free Ravenwood. Thank you for your continued patience and understanding.
We are so fortunate to have PE teachers who get our students outside to enjoy a variety of winter sports, so thank you for making sure your student brings and wears ALL their winter gear to fully participate in the activities safely. They will be outside for everything from broomball to shelter building until after Spring Break, so students need to bundle up!
Please “dig in” to this newsletter to learn more about updated ASD Covid protocols, upcoming events, and happenings at Ravenwood! Please reach out if you have any questions or celebrations!
Joyfully,
Kim Bautista
Progress Reports went home last week with students. Please don’t hesitate to contact teachers if you have any questions or concerns about their progress reports or the testing data you find posted in Parent Connect.
Thanks for helping us keep our students healthy and safe by sending them to school dressed with what we call our “Winter 5!” Students go outside for recess until the temperature reaches 10 below as we did last week! Ask your child(ren) what “winter 5” items they need to remember to wear for recess every day!
Nurse's Corner
With the recent changes to ASD’s return to school policy based on new CDC guidance, I wanted to highlight some of the important information.
- Whether vaccinated or unvaccinated for Covid-19, ASD is SYMPTOM-FREE! Please keep your child home with ANY symptoms of illness- click HERE to access the ASD policy handouts, which also contain a list of symptoms.
- ASD does NOT ACCEPT home antigen or rapid antigen testing for return to school.
- Close Contact 5-day quarantine is NOT REQUIRED by ASD but is CDC recommended. If you opt to quarantine your child(ren), please notify Nurse Cottle by email or call 907-742-3254. Your child will be excused. (Nurse Cottle highly recommends following CDC guidelines for quarantine IF you have a positive case in your home and are unable to isolate.
- If your child develops symptom(s), we ask that you keep your child home and contact the front office or Nurse Cottle.
You have three options (you only need to do one of these options):
- Receive a negative molecular test. * ASD is not accepting antigen tests or at-home tests.
- Obtain a doctor note that states that the symptoms are not COVID related (Chronic Condition/Symptom Release Form).
- Isolate for 5-days from the start of symptoms or positive test, whichever comes first. ** CAN return to school/work on DAY 6 IF symptoms are resolved/resolving AND you have been fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication. Please note- your child must be able to wear their mask properly and consistently to return on Day 6 as it is noted in CDC guidance for strict masking for the next 5 days. (Day 6-10).
- Day 0 = day POSITIVE test was administered or onset of symptoms, whichever is first.
- *Booster vaccinations for Covid-19 are now available for anyone 12yrs and older- please check with your child’s provider or Nurse Cottle to see if your child qualifies to receive a booster based on the dates of their first 2 administered doses.
Nurse Cottle is available for questions @ 742-3254
ABSENCES
When you student is absent – please call our attendance line – 742-3256 – and let us know the reason for the absence. Please understand if your child is reported sick, the nurse or front office staff will contact you with further guidance, if the absence is related to COVID symptoms.
Battle of the Books Teams Members Selected
They came and they read and read and read!!! Now, these readers will represent our school to compete against other school teams on Jan. 24th (5th and 6th) and Jan. 26th (3rd and 4th Grade). We wish them good luck and thank their teacher sponsors, Mrs. Arnold (3/4) and Mrs. Pierce (5/6) for motivating them to READ, READ, READ!!!
3/4 Battle Teams
Taylor Straw
Finley Foster
Caroline Parker
Muri Thomas
Paxson Burningham
Jack DeKay
Sylvia Davenport
Cadence Savikko
5/6 Battle Teams
James Balmer
Jane Penfield
Addison Gorm
Aurora Kreiner
Charlie Dearborn
Jade Johnston
Clara Lean
Akemi Otte
Join us for our Indigenous Northern Games Night!
Mark your Calendar: PTSO Family Skate Night & Chili Feed
Ready, Set, ICE SKATE!!!
PTSO is working with Alpine Services to keep the ice ready for students and families to enjoy. We have a special ASD Rental Agreement for designated family times, so any other community users should yield the right of way to prioritize student/family skate.
PTSO Ravenwood Family Skate Times:
Monday – Thursday - 4 – 7p
Friday – 4 – 8p
Saturday – 11am -4pm
FIND US AND GET CONNECTED!
SignUp Genius - search Ravenwood PTSO
Facebook: Ravenwood Elementary Group
Happy New Year!
It’s the season… the wellness season that is! Help the PTSO give our teachers a wellness boost to start off this new year.
We have created a sign-up for families to contribute to Wellness Bags. Students can drop off items in the designated bins in front of the school office or as they enter the school next Wednesday, January 19th, outside. Ms. Carson (the person who taught fire safety with students) will be there collecting from 8:30-9:30. (Details in the signup, more information to follow.) Please contact the PTSO if you want to contribute outside this window to arrange pickup.
Just as a reminder, this is sponsored by the PTSO, so please direct questions to us via email, Facebook or send a message in the signup genius.
Please select the link and identify which item(s) your household will bring. We will be collecting these items Wednesday, January 19th, 2022.
Items include but not limited to:
Gum/ Tic Tacs
Chapsticks
Lotion (travel size)
Doterra/ Essential oil samples
Stress balls
Cozy socks
Bath bombs
Small healthy pre-packed snack (protein bars, organic chips, dried fruit…)
Sleep Eye mask
Items for a wellness basket giveaway:
SAD light
Healthy food gift cards
Massage gift card
Fitness items
Charcuterie board
Other
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805044FA5AF2EA7F85-ravenwood
Thank you for contributing to the wellness bags. Our goal is to reach all 60 of the staff members and provide them with a wellness boost of encouragement this winter.
~PTSO
Our next PTSO meeting will be Wednesday, February 2nd (the first Wednesday of every month) at 6pm. You can attend in-person (masks required) in the Art room or via zoom. Everyone is welcome. See membership info on our website.
Boxtop Update
The new and improved Box Tops mobile app uses state-of-the-art technology to scan your store receipt, find participating products and instantly add Box Tops to your school's earnings online. No more clipping box tops –just download the free Box Top App and start scanning your grocery receipts to support Ravenwood Elementary! Don’t forget to ask your family, friends, and neighbors to do the same!
Please continue to support our school fundraising efforts with Boxtops, Amazon Smile, and Fred Meyer. Every little bit helps, and those little bits all go towards our amazing school.
Parents are PERFECT...
to be Substitute Teachers, Crossing Guards, Noon Duty Supervisor, Cafeteria Managers . . . We are always looking for substitute teachers here, and there are lots of openings at schools throughout the Anchorage School District. Go to www.asdk12.org/workforasd for more info on current vacancies at Ravenwood or other ASD schools.
To apply to be a substitute teacher follow this LINK for more details and qualifications.
We LOVE our volunteers!
Before helping in the classroom or with other school events, please complete the ASD volunteer paper application form and waiver or complete the online application and be approved by the Anchorage School District.
January 14 - Student Council Animal Spirit Day
January 17 - Martin Luther King, Jr Day / No School
January 19 - Student Council Mtg, 8:15a
January 20 - Girl Scout Family Information Night @ 6:00p
January 24 - 5/6 Battle of the Books District Competition @ West HS
January 26 - NAEP Testing for selected 4th graders
January 26 - 3/4 Battle of the Books District Competition @ West HS
February 2 - PTSO Meeting in the Art Room @ 6pm
February 4 - Indigenous Northern Games Family Night 6-7:30pm
February 11 - Popcorn Friday (Please note date change from the 4th)
February 11 - Family Skate Night and Chili Feed 5:30-7:30pm
February 15 - Ravenwood Spelling Bee 2pm
February 16-17 - Parent-Teacher Conferences / Early Release @ 12:30pm
February 18 - No School / In-Service Day
February 21 - No School / Presidents' Day
February 24-25 - 5th Grade Winter Survival Camp
March 2 - PTSO Meeting in the Art Room @ 6pm
March 3 - Popcorn THURSDAY
March 4 - No School / In-Service Day / End of 3rd Quarter
March 5-13 - SPRING BREAK
March 23 - AK State Spelling Bee (Virtual)
Community Events
Top Sledding Hills
Anchorage is full of sledding hills all across town that are the perfect places to put down a sled and build up some speed. From kid-friendly hills to longer, steeper slopes, local sledding hills come in a variety of shapes, lengths, inclines, and altitudes, and there are more than enough runs to keep thrill-seekers busy all winter long. Check out the top sledding hills in Anchorage. ENJOY!
A few of our Favorite Things...
SCHOOL BUSINESS PARTNERS
Business Partners
We are always looking for new businesses to support our school! Contact bautista_kim@asdk12.org for more information.
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.
Anchorage School District School Board
2021-2022 ASD School Board
President, MARGO BELLAMY
Vice-President, ANDY HOLLEMAN
Treasurer, KELLY LESSENS
Clerk, CARL JACOBS
Seat C, DAVE DONLEY
Seat E, PAT HIGGINS
Seat F, DORA WILSON
DR. DEENA BISHOP, SUPERINTENDENT