Ravenwood Elementary

Ravens:

• Striving for academic success
• Connecting with community
• Soaring to our highest potential

We’re excited to raise the flag on a brand-new school year! It was wonderful to see so many new and returning Ravens at this afternoon’s Meet & Greet as we kicked off 2026–2027 together.

As America celebrates its 250th Anniversary, our theme, “Ravens: UNITED We Soar!”, will carry us through a year of learning, growing, celebrating, and building community together.

If you missed today’s Meet & Greet, we hope you’ll join us for Open House on Tuesday, September 15, from 5:00–6:00 p.m.

Read on for important back-to-school information about arrival and dismissal, our newest Ravenwood staff—including our new nurse—and our wonderful PTSO.

Here’s to a great year of honoring the past, leading today, and inspiring tomorrow. Together… UNITED, We Soar!

It’s always a great day to be a Raven!

Kim Bautista, Principal, Ravenwood Elementary School

Please contact our front office, if you have questions or need assistance.

• School Day: 8:00a - 2:30p
• Arrival: no earlier than 7:45a (doors open at 7:50a with 1st bell)
• Dismissal: 2:30p
• Office Number: (907) 742-3250
• Front Office Team: Beth Kutyba and Laura Figueroa

Please welcome the newest members of our Ravenwood family:

Ashley Denaster - Nurse

Tina Powers - 3 yr old Preschool Teacher

Maggie Lackey - 3 yr old Preschool Teacher

Christy West – 5th Grade Teacher

Krista Mason - Art Teacher

Lian Lefuel - PreK ParaPro

Danielle Wolak - School Psychologist

Lauri Sinnott - Special Education Teacher Expert

Hannah Bigger – Speech (Teletherapy)

Leigh McOmber - Speech (PreSchool)

Belinda Banks - Speech ParaPro

Tina Powers - 3 yr old Preschool Teacher

Angela Warschefsky - Noon Supervisor

Amanda Cullity - Occupational Therapist

Zoe Payne - Student Intern with Mrs. Hamilton

Dear Ravenwood Students and Families,

I am writing today to share that, after 26 years of dedicated service as a school nurse, I have made the difficult decision to retire from the Anchorage School District. This decision was not made lightly, and brings many emotions, as it is difficult to say goodbye to a school community that has meant so much to me.

After careful consideration, and in light of the recent changes adopted by ASD regarding nursing services, I have made the decision that I cannot support practices that I believe compromise safe nursing care for myself, and more importantly, for the health and safety of the students I serve and the staff members I have had the privilege to work alongside every day.

It has been an incredible privilege to care for Ravenwood students, families and staff the past 21 years. Supporting their health and well-being, and being a part of their school journey. I will always treasure the smiles, conversations, accomplishments, and moments we shared together in my nurse’s office and throughout school events at Ravenwood.

To my students, past and present, thank you for allowing me to be someone you could turn to when you were injured or ill, a shoulder to cry on, to share a celebration, need a little encouragement, a listening ear, or a caring presence. Watching you grow, learn, and become your unique selves has been one of the greatest highlights of my career.

To all the Ravenwood families, thank you for your trust and partnership. Caring for your children has been a responsibility I have never taken lightly, and I am grateful for the kindness, support, and connections we have built over the years. I leave with fond memories, and lasting relationships within the Eagle River Community. I so love watching your children grow into beautiful, successful and amazing young adults.

Although I am excited for this next chapter, I will miss being part of your daily lives and our school community. Please know that I will carry the memories of my time here with me always. Remember, Once a Raven, Always a Raven.

I wish each of you continue health and happiness. Remember to be kind, and take good care of yourselves and one another. Thank you for allowing me to be your school nurse and for making my years at Ravenwood so meaningful.

“How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard” ~ Winnie the Pooh

With gratitude for the journey, Nurse Cottle

Please use the below map for student drop-off/pick-up. We will have extra staff to help with arrival/dismissal for the first several days.

Safety Reminders:

• Students are not allowed to cross Eagle River Road - it is far too dangerous.
• Speed limit is only 5 mph on campus/parking lot.
• Please plan to walk with your child(ren) across parking lot.
• Stay alert for students and watch 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.

Thank you in advance for your patience, as we always prioritize student safety!

Elementary Student Lunch - $6.25

Milk - $1.00 and Lactose-Free Milk - $1.50

As a reminder, elementary school cafeterias will no longer have a till, and change will not be given for cash transactions. Pricing schools: Applies to meal payments and a la carte items. You can also view the menu here by following the directions on the Student Nutrition website here: View the Menu

Parents and students may:

•Pay in exact change in the cafeteria

•Preload student accounts with check or cash in the cafeteria

•Make online payments through Parent Connect

My name is Ashley Denaster (Nurse Ashley), and I’m excited to be Ravenwood's new school nurse.This is my second year with ASD. I was at Fire Lake last year, and I’m excited to start this new chapter at Ravenwood.

I have been a nurse for 11 years, with the majority of my nursing career spent in the ICU. I was also a travel nurse for five years, which is actually how I ended up in Alaska! I did some work with Maxim here in Alaska as a private-duty nurse, and that is when I realized how much I loved working with pediatric patients. I also currently work in the operating room in addition to my role as a school nurse.

If you are looking to chaperone field trips or volunteer in the classroom, please complete the volunteer application for 26-27 school year. All volunteers must reapply each school year. Previous approvals do not carry over.

New this year: Volunteers who interact with students in a school for more than four (4) hours per week are required to complete the Mandatory Reporter Training before volunteering.

All Visitors Must Check in Through Raptor

Every person entering the building must be scanned in Raptor. Please remember to bring a valid state ID card with you. The system runs a safety check and prints a visitor badge to be worn while on campus.

Aug. 19 - First Day for Grades 1st-5th

Aug. 25 - Gruening Open House

Aug. 26 - First Day for Grades PK & K

Sept. 7 - Labor Day - No School

Sept. 15 - Ravenwood Open House, 5-6p

Sept. 16 - School Picture Day w/LifeTouch Photography

Sept. 17 - Beach Lake Jamboree for K-5 runners

Oct. 1 - Run for Ravenwood (our annual school fundraiser)

School for all grades will start one hour later, ONLY on Mondays to allow for PLCs (Professional Learning Communities) in all ASD schools. Bus transportation will start one hour later on PLC Mondays only. School will end at a regular time.