Dear REF Community,

There is a particular kind of joy in walking onto a school campus during the first weeks of the year: backpacks a little too big, crayons still sharp at the tip, and the hallways humming with that unmistakable back-to-school energy. This year, that joy feels even fuller in Ravenswood. Three schools opened in beautifully remodeled campuses, and our fourth is settling into a temporary home while its own begins a well-deserved renovation. But a beautiful campus is only the beginning - what happens inside it is what makes it feel like home:

• A growing, welcoming community — We're giving students from the recently closed private school Primary School a warm welcome, and every campus is working to feel like a true home away from home for every student who walks through the doors.

• Real reading gains — Our TK–2 students are showing meaningful, measurable growth in foundational literacy, thanks to years of focused work by our classroom teachers, reading intervention teachers, and literacy coaches (made possible by the REF community). More academic bright spots are on the way once this year's state testing results go public.

• Smarter systems, sharper focus — Upper elementary grades are shifting to a "coring" model so teachers can go deep in their subject, middle school has an intentionally redesigned schedule, and tutoring is built directly into the school day.

Ravenswood is clearly moving in the right direction. But stable, accelerated growth like this only happens because a community decides, year after year, to show up for its schools. That's you. Thank you.

Here's How You Can Partner With Us

• Give to the Annual Campaign — Your gift fuels everything from the literacy support driving our TK–2 growth to new math curriculum implementation to high-quality instruction in the arts, robotics, field trips, and more. 

• Adopt-a-Classroom — Build a direct, personal connection with a teacher and their students for the year.

• Volunteer in Our Libraries or on a One-Time Project — Our school libraries run entirely on volunteer power — and we always have one-time projects that need an extra pair of hands. 

• Spread the Word — Forward this newsletter and follow and share our stories on social media with people who care about equity and opportunity in education. Help us continue to build this movement.

Come See It For Yourself

Numbers and email updates can only tell you so much. I would love to welcome you onto one of our campuses to see this progress in action — the beautiful classrooms, the students deep in a good book, the teachers bringing these new schedules to life. Just reach out to me directly and I'll set up a time to show you around. It would be wonderful to welcome you home in Ravenswood.

Here’s to our best year yet, together!

With gratitude,

Jenna Wachtel Pronovost

Executive Director