RCSD Mission
Ravenswood City School District empowers every student to fully engage critically and creatively in their education with the skills and mindsets necessary to successfully fulfill their unique potential.
Our Core Values
Integrity, Student-centered, Innovation, Excellence, Empowerment, and Respect.
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Leadership and Community Highlights |
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Message from Superintendent Gina Sudaria |
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Happy New Year, Ravenswood Community! We hope the start of 2023 has been safe, healthy, and productive. As we kick off the new year, we are excited to share updates on the educational health of our students and the ongoing efforts across the district.
Returning from Break
Good news! After we returned from winter break, school attendance was above the schools' average daily attendance. In addition, only two staff members with exposures were reported after the first week of school. Nevertheless, we want to encourage everyone to take the necessary precautions to remain healthy by wearing masks and getting vaccinated. In partnership with the City of East Palo Alto, YCS, and BayPLS, our next Flu and COVID Vaccine Clinic will be hosted at Los Robles-Ronald McNair Academy on Wednesday, January 25th from 4-8pm.
Our District-Wide Goals
As we collectively prioritize the educational health of our students, we can continue to focus on accomplishing our three district-wide goals:
- Students are powerful readers and writers who use literacy across content areas to make meaning and share their ideas
- Students see themselves as mathematicians and use their skills, a deep understanding of content, and strong practices in their learning and work
- Students feel safe at, connected to, and trust the school community, providing them with agency and a sense of belonging.
Belonging & Inclusion
We continue to work collectively as a district to ensure students and families feel welcomed, seen, and heard. Of course, we want to provide spaces to listen to each other's stories to promote a sense of belonging and inclusion. It is once said, "The shortest distance between two people is a story." But more importantly, we want our students and families to experience schools as caring and empathetic spaces promoting joy, curiosity, and learning.
Instructional Excellence
Our instructional teams are learning together, modeling vulnerability so that we can be creative and innovative. Teachers have opened their classrooms for observation and school principals and instructional coaches have worked closely with our Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, Sara Stone, to develop a mental model of what instructional excellence looks, feels, and sounds like. Sara has shared with our learning community that, “We have completed classroom walkthroughs collecting low inference data, determining patterns and discussing next steps for professional learning at the school site and how this impacts our decisions as a school district.”
Anti-Racist Commitment
Additionally, to promote inclusivity and continue to strive to be an anti-racist organization, we recently hosted a Leading for Equity experience with the National Equity Project. The focus for the day was to:
- Examine
- The history and effects of racism and bias in institutional policies and practices
- Learn
- The importance of authentic listening in equity and antiracist change efforts
- How intentional mindsets can support how you lead for equity
- Experience
- Improved collaborative relationships through listening, reflecting, and imagining possibilities in community with others
- Increased commitment and agency for influencing things that matter to you
Ravenswood will continue to develop our relationship with students, instructional strategies, expertise in culturally relevant content in caring and nurturing spaces where there is vulnerability, concern and empathy so that we, as Shawn Ginwright has written, “protect, defend and advance the dignity of [everyone].”
For students,
Gina
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Leadership Spotlight: Principal Amanda Kemp |
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After over a decade of service to the Ravenswood community, this will be Principal Amanda Kemp’s last year with the district. From teaching in the classroom to now leading the amazing team at Cesar Chavez Ravenswood Middle School, she has left her mark on this community and will be missed. Please join us in thanking Principal Kemp for her dedication and leadership! |
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Statement from Principal Kemp |
Dear Lions,
I have had the privilege of calling Ravenswood home for thirteen years. This community and especially the children in it have a special place in my heart. From teaching to administration, I have loved working with the middle schoolers of Ravenswood which is why it is so difficult for me to share with you that this will be my last year. The only thing that would pull me from this beloved community is my own family. My mom is currently 91 years old and doing great but needs a little bit more care. I have submitted my resignation effective June 30th and in July, I will be moving to Ventura County to live with my mom and have the honor of being her advocate for the rest of her life. I will miss the students and community greatly but know they are in good hands with the amazing staff of CCRMS. It has been an honor and a privilege to be able to serve you and your children all of these years. Thank you for trusting me with them. There will be a search for the perfect replacement beginning in February so your students will have a seamless transition into the 23-24 school year.
With PRIDE,
Principal Kemp
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Monthly Board Meetings:
Thursday, January 26th at 7:15 p.m.
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Please join us in person for this month’s Ravenswood board meeting on Thursday, January 26th at 7:15pm. The full agenda will be posted in advance on our board meetings webpage. The board will discuss a presentation from CCRMS, enrollment data, and the Stanford/Sequoia Research Collaborative, among other topics.
Board meetings are being held in person at 2120 Euclid Avenue, East Palo Alto. We will stream the meetings online on Youtube, while the board, staff, and public present, comment, and discuss in person.
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Highlights from last month’s Board meetings |
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If you missed last month’s board meetings, you can watch them HERE. On January 19th, there was a special board meeting to discuss the ongoing renovation projects at our school sites. On December 13th, there was a special board meeting for the annual reorganization and for three members of the board to take their oath. On December 8th, the board discussed an update on the District Report Card and Vital Signs measures, among other topics.
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Last month, several Ravenswood families completed the Live Scan process to join our Parent Ambassador program! If you are interested in opportunities to volunteer at your child’s school, please complete the online volunteer application form, including the following attachments:
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Earlier this month, our Cesar Chavez Ravenswood Middle School students took a field trip to the movies while site teams helped with moving efforts as part of our ongoing campus renovation project. Over 400 students watched Black Panther: Wakanda Forever together over popcorn and drinks at Century Cinema 16. A big thank you to the team members that made this movie and moving day possible! |
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This month our Strategy, Talent and Engagement team went out into the neighborhood to meet with several local organizations and spread the word about Ravenswood. We are lucky to be part of such an amazing community working together to serve our students, families, and staff! Check out your local YMCA, service organization, house of worship, and other community spaces (over 50!) around town in the coming weeks for more information about Ravenswood programs and the 2023-24 school year. |
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Circuit EPA and the Forever Young Foundation have partnered with our district to launch a feasibility study to plan a new 8 to 80 Zone for East Palo Alto. This project would create a space for artistic expression and afford students the opportunity to develop the skills needed to pursue careers in technology, esports, gaming, and media.
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Upcoming Events: Be a part of your school community! |
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All Schools
- 1/23 - Family Workshop: CSEC Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (via zoom) 6-7pm
- 1/24 - DAC/DELAC Parent Meeting (via zoom) 5-6pm
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1/26 - District Board Meeting (2120 Euclid or Youtube) 7:15-10pm
- 1/30 - Family Workshop: Specials / Community Groups (via zoom) 6-7pm
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2/9 - District Board Meeting (2120 Euclid or Youtube) 7:15-10pm
- 2/28 - DAC/DELAC Parent Meeting (via zoom) 5-6pm
Belle Haven
- 2/3 - Good Morning Cafecito (in person at library) 8:45-9:45am
- 2/16 - SSC/ELAC Meeting (via zoom) 5-6pm
Costaño
- 1/26 - K-2nd grade Field Trip to Stanford (Parent/Volunteer Chaperone)
- 1/31 - SSC/ELAC Meeting (via zoom) 3:30-4:30pm
CCRMS
- 1/25 - Parent University 5:30-7:30pm
- 1/31 - SSC/ELAC Parent Meeting (via zoom) 4-5pm
- 2/6-2/10 - 7th grade Yosemite Valley Field Trip
- 2/13 - Good Morning Cafecito (in person at cafeteria) 8:45-9:45am
LRRM
- 1/23 - SSC/ELAC Parent Meeting - TK-1st grade - (via zoom) 6:15-7:15pm
- 1/24 - SSC/ELAC Parent Meeting - 2nd-3rd grade - (via zoom) 6:15-7:15pm
- 1/25 - SSC/ELAC Parent Meeting - 4th-5th grade - (via zoom) 6:15-7:15pm
Zoom links to any virtual meetings will be sent through ParentSquare.
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Vaccine Clinic: Flu and COVID-19 |
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San Mateo County Health is hosting a FREE COVID and flu vaccine clinic on Wednesday, January 25 from 4-8PM at Los Robles-Ronald McNair Academy (2033 Pulgas Avenue, EPA). Walk-ins are accepted, but appointments can also be made on MyTurn using the English or Spanish links.
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Free mental health support is available through CareSolace |
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Call 888-515-0595 any time (available 24 hours a day), or visit www.caresolace.com/rcsd and click “Book Appointment” or search on your own for assistance by video chat, email or phone.
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We are excited to invite you to our family workshops! Our evening meetings are held via Zoom every Monday from 6-7pm when school is in session, with a raffle held at the end of each presentation. Upcoming topics are:
- Jan 23: CSEC Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children
- Jan 30: Specials / Community Groups
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Based on your annual earnings, you may be eligible to receive the Earned Income Tax Credit from the Federal Government (Federal EITC). The Federal EITC is a refundable federal income tax credit for low-income working individuals and families. The Federal EITC has no effect on certain welfare benefits. In most cases, Federal EITC payments will not be used to determine eligibility for Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, food stamps, low-income housing, or most Temporary Assistance For Needy Families payments. Even if you do not owe federal taxes, you must file a federal tax return to receive the Federal EITC. Be sure to fill out the Federal EITC form in the Federal Income Tax Return Booklet. For information regarding your eligibility to receive the Federal EITC, including information on how to obtain the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Notice 797 or any other necessary forms and instructions, contact the IRS by calling 1-800-829-3676 or through its website at www.irs.gov.
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You may also be eligible to receive the California Earned Income Tax Credit (California EITC) starting with the calendar year 2015 tax year. The California EITC is a refundable state income tax credit for low-income working individuals and families. The California EITC is treated in the same manner as the Federal EITC and generally will not be used to determine eligibility for welfare benefits under California law. To claim the California EITC, even if you do not owe California taxes, you must file a California income tax return and complete and attach the California EITC Form (FTB 3514). For information on the availability of the credit eligibility requirements and how to obtain the necessary California forms and get help filing, contact the Franchise Tax Board at 1-800-852-5711 or through its website at www.ftb.ca.gov.
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Do you have a passion for working with youth in play-based and recreational environments?
Do you want to make a real difference in the lives of youth?
Are you looking for a career opportunity that can also fuel a career launch into education, social work, youth development, or other mission-focused career settings?
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Join the #OneRavenswood team! We have lots of positions open now: vice principal, teachers (permanent and substitute), nurse, maintenance, food services, van driver, technology specialist & lead technology/network specialist, school support staff, instructional aide, and paraprofessionals. Check out all our openings here, and please spread the word!
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To subscribe to the Ravenswood City School District newsletter, please
click here or email Maria Pineda at: mpineda@ravenswoodschools.org.
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2120 Euclid Avenue, East Palo Alto, CA 94303-1799
Office: (650) 329-2800
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