Principals' Newsletter - November

As the leaves change and the air cools, we find ourselves in the midst of November. During this month, let us remember that grace, thanks, and kindness are universal and everyone understands, regardless of background or beliefs. A simple act of grace, thanks, and/or kindness can brighten someone's day, and it's often the small gestures that make the most significant impact. This November, let's be the change we wish to see in the world.

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!

• The Experience Party: Sleep Under was a hit! Students came in their PJ's ready to have some fun with their lead chaperone, Principal Guerrero. They ate pizza, played games, and had a slumber party all under the Ravenswood Stars.

• Ravenswood was in full spirit during Spirit Week. Students and staff represented each day by wearing their PJ's, being wild, weird and wacky, representing their Sports Team, and being Fantastic!

• The Bilingual Advisory Committee (BAC) participated in a workshop on supporting families with executive functioning and organizational skills for students. Families explored best practices as well as networked with new Ravenswood families.

• Rain or Shine, the Ravenswood Walk went on. Shout Out to our Essentials Team: Ms. Kitty, Mr. Guidry, Ms. Migas, and Mr. Switzer for making this event unforgettable for all of our students.

• Parent/Teacher Conferences were a success! It was wonderful seeing all of our families virtually or in person connecting with teachers. Parents were able to gain insight into their child's academic and social progress. We appreciate your partnership!

Day of the Dead is celebrated in Mexico and among other Latin American countries. On this day, families welcome back the souls of their deceased relatives for a brief reunion that includes food, drinks and celebration.

We would like to THANK our Cultural Committee, Melvy Lima, Shay Windsor, Claire Meidroth and Nitya Sharma for this creative and beautiful display where families can celebrate and honor their loved ones.

Families are encouraged to bring pictures of their loved ones during the month of November to place on the Altar. Pictures can be taken to the main office.

We look forward to seeing our families at the Diwali Celebration, scheduled for November 13, 2023 at 4pm.

The Multipurpose Room (MPR) has been an ongoing project inspired in memory of Stephanie Mandrell. The MPR has been transformed into a warm, calming, and beautiful communal space where staff, teachers, and parents can dine, collaborate, and decompress.

We would like to highlight some of our school community members that led this charge! The team was able to install new cabinets, add storage, organize, paint, and decorate the room.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

From left to Right:

• Bindu Heck
  
• Erin Szott
• Mary Mesch,
• Kathy DeJovine
• Anna Cerasco
• Colleen Girard
• Oana Odean
• Tamara Drew
• Marc Tovar (Not pictured)
• Dannah Hill (Not pictured)
• Everyone else that donated, supported, or helped in any way!
  

Chicago has welcomed a significant amount of migrant families from Central and South America over the past year. CPS schools across the district, including Ravenswood, have been enrolling students across CPS. At present, ~3,600 migrant students have been enrolled.

Ravenswood remains committed to supporting all of our students academic and social emotional needs.

We would like to thank Circle of Help, all of our parents, and community members who have coordinated with shelters to provide our new families with resources. If you would like to get involved beyond donating, please email CircleofhelpRavenswood@gmail.com.

We also want to provide our families with some resources to help guide conversations at home regarding the Palestine/Israel conflict.

• Learning Justice: When Bad Things Happen
  
• Common Sense Media: How to Talk to Kids About Violence, Crime, and War
• Common Sense Media: How do I talk to my kids about violence in the news?
• Common Sense Media: Explaining the News to Our Kids
  
• American Psychological Association: Resilience in a time of war: Tips for parents and teachers of elementary school children
• American Psychological Association: Tips for parents and teachers of middle school children
  
• UNICEF: How to talk to your children about conflict and war
  

Furthermore, we want to encourage families to monitor their children’s social media use, as misinformation, disturbing images, and videos may be prevalent. We would further encourage that students refrain from viewing, commenting on, or forwarding anything they see that promotes or depicts violence or hate.

After School Programming

Enrichment and academic programs have been a huge success. We currently have 52% of students from K to 8th grade enrolled in after school programming.

After school programs that have ended:

• Engineering
• Yoga
• Full STEAM Ahead
• Board Games
• Chicago Fire (scheduled to end 11/16)
• Arts for Empowerment (scheduled to end 11/29)

Programs that have been added:

• Academic Support for 5th & 6th with Mr. Fish (T &TH)
• Academic Support for 1st to 3rd with Ms. Peterson (T & TH)
• Academic Support for 4th grade with Ms. Brown (T & W)

If you are interested in enrolling your child, please reach out to our afterschool coordinator, Ms. Mejia at samejia1@cps.edu

All Other Programming scheduled to end in December:

• Arts and Crafts

• Code with Us
• ELL Support
• Girl Scouts

• HW Help (4th-6th)
• Multicultural Club
• MUSE: Violin, Ukulele, Keyboard
• Pom/Dance/Cheer
• Procreate 101
• RJMS (5th/6th) Math Enrichment
• RJMS Math HW Help
  
• RJMS Science Club
• RMS HW Help
• Tennis
• Young Men's Club

Spring Programming Info Coming Soon!

Please see the following updates and action items:

• 11/10: Veterans Day: No School
  

• 11/13: Diwali Celebration, 4:00pm
• 11/13: LSC Meeting, 6:15pm
• 11/17: Coffee with the Principals, 9am
• 11/17: Progress Report Distribution
• 11/20-11/24: Thanksgiving Break

Volunteering at Ravenswood

• Interested in volunteering, click HERE

ASPEN Parent Portal

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

Ravenswood Rambler

• Use this LINK to subscribe to the Ravenswood Rambler and stay on top of upcoming school events.

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!