Principals' Newsletter- September

We hope this message finds you and your families in good health and high spirits as we usher in the beautiful month of September. We can't believe it's been 3 weeks since we started school. The start of a the new year is always an exciting time, filled with possibilities, growth, and learning.

We are thrilled to have students back in the classrooms and hallways, ready to embark on another year of educational excellence.

This past month, our school had a variety of school and community events that could not have been pulled off without our AMAZING staff, students, families, and FORS!

• Ravenswood's Meet and Greet event took place on August 17, 2023. Our teachers worked hard to have classrooms ready for students and families. Thank you for joining us on this eventful night.

• FORS hosted the Welcome Parent Coffee hour on August 25, 2023. Parents met in the North Court Yard and had an opportunity to mingle and get to know other families.

• The Back to School Block Party held on August 26, 2023 was a HUGE hit! We appreciate ALL of the parent support, from volunteering with set-up to clean-up, supervising the bouncy house, donations of food and beverages, plus coordination to dunk Principal Guerrero! Students had a blast playing with friends in a fun and safe environment.

• The Fall Beautification Day was held on August 27, 2023. Students and families cleaned around the school, weeded the native plant garden, and organized the loft where the sports equipment is stored. The school is ready for the Fall!

Students in 3rd to 8th grade have adopted the RAMS Way, which will help them develop and grow into Respectful/Responsible, Accepting, Motivated, and Solution-Oriented individuals. We are all practicing how to be and walk the RAMS Way!

What is the RAMS Way?

• Responsible/Responsibility: A citizen that looks out for the well being of others and understand that we all have a part to play in making the world a better place.

• Acceptance/Inclusive: of others and self: the ability to see that others have a right to be their own unique person and our individual uniqueness should be celebrated.

• Motivation: longing or willing to do something due to the set psychological forces or factors that compel us to act in service of a goal.

• Solution-Minded: looking at the problem holistically and neutrally; understanding a problem with less focus on fault and more on an immediate fix and long term solution.

If you have a child in 3rd to 8th grade, ask, "How have you been a RAM today?"

Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) is a framework that helps schools and teachers give all CPS students the support they need to learn, grow, and succeed. Our Ravenswood Interventionist is Ms. Christine Dussault. Please see how MTSS is provided at Ravenswood.

Please see the following updates and action items:

• 9/11: Bilingual Advisory Council Meeting (BAC) in the MPR - 9:00 am
  

• 9/11: LSC Meeting - 6:15 pm: Gym/virtual
• 9/14: High School Night at 5pm for all 7th/8th grade families
• 9/14: DC Info Night at 5:45pm for 8th grade families
• 9/15: Coffee w. the Principals in the MPR - 9:00 am
• 9/15: Picture Day
• 9/18: After School Programs Begin

• 9/21: Movie Night. K-4 must be with a guardian/parent. All grades are invited - 5:45pm

• 9/22: No School

• 9/29: School Tour, 9am

Volunteering at Ravenswood

• Interested in volunteering, click HERE

ASPEN Parent Portal (Support will be available during Curriculum Night)

• Aspen Excused Absences: Parents and guardians can now submit and track student absences electronically. Here is more about this new feature: E-Absence Flyer.

After School Programming

Enrichment and academic programs run by Ravenswood staff are scheduled to begin the week of September 18, 2023. Staff will be sharing information with students on how to register. If you have further questions, please reach out to our afterschool coordinator, Ms. Mejia at samejia1@cps.edu

Vendor Programs:

We are excited to announce that the following vendors will be partnering with Ravenswood for the Fall. Further registration information will be shared soon.

• Your Court Tennis

• Arts 4 Empowerment: Dance Through Story

• Soccer Chicago Fire
• Muse: Violin, Keyboard, Ukulele
• Coding

Ms. Paredes and I are requesting your feedback. Please take a moment to provide us with some constructive feedback regarding our leadership thus far. The Google Form is anonymous and will be used to make shifts in our leadership for the remainder of the school year. The feedback form can be found HERE.

Carolina and I are grateful to be part of this AMAZING community of students, staff, families, and community members. We look forward to continuing our work in partnership with you all and supporting, sustaining, and enhancing Ravenswood!