We are so excited to welcome the very accomplished Dr. Laura Hebert to the Raven Family and the Ravenna Community as our next Superintendent!

Click here to learn more about Dr. Hebert.

Ravenna School District

Dr. Laura Hebert, Superintendent

laura.hebert@ravennaschools.us    (330) 296-9679 ext. 1010

Policies for Incorporating Mitigation Strategies

The Ravenna School District adopted  the 2020-21 Safe Learning Plan on Aug. 3, 2020 which included the Six (6) Primary Safety Interventions and compliance with any Federal, State, and public health guidelines and policies required.

1. Daily Symptom Assessment
2. Cleaning and sanitizing
3. Washing/Sanitizing Hands
4. Physical Distancing
5. Wearing Face Coverings
6. Limited Movement (in school buildings)

The Ravenna School District coordinated their efforts with Akron Children’s Hospital and the Portage County Health District in all areas, particularly contact tracing and reporting, diagnosis, and a smooth vaccination process for RSD staff. Board policy included Protective Facial Covering during Pandemic/Epidemic events. With respect to the Safe Learning Plan, students with disabilities were provided appropriate accommodations based upon their IEP/necessary services coordinated by the Director of Special Services. Students had a schedule to come in person and on occasion to come out to the home. Communication is vital. The district kept the school and community informed via district webpage, phone all-call, emails, and social media. 

Based on current guidelines and policies, the district implemented the Learning Recovery & Extended Learning Plan Summer 2021.  RSD will continue to stay in compliance and informed with all Federal, State, and public health guidelines and policies that are required to review and make appropriate refinements including recommended (versus required) face coverings.  Appropriate signage referencing protocols throughout the district and buildings will remain in place for the 2021-22 Safe Learning Plan. 

Plan to Address Continuity of Academic and Non-Academic Services

Academic Services to address learning loss and gaps related to the Covid-19 pandemic

*Summer Extended Learning Program 2021

Increased the number of days for summer school from 16 to 32. 

Over 375 students K-12 are registered

*For 2021-22, Teachers will assess the learning needs of students (pre/post assessment). 

*Continue to differentiate instruction and utilize Google Classroom and other instructional resources.

*Expand and offer additional enriched curriculum:  Grades 6-8 Science/STEM

*Continue post-pandemic with STEM enrichment activities at the elementary level with our community partner, Reed Memorial Public Library

*Provide after school tutoring

*Collaborate with Kent State University, Hiram College, and the University of Akron providing tutoring for RSD students and student experience for college students.

Social-Emotional & Mental Health

*District School Counselors will continue to use the Red Flag’s Program/Curriculum

*Collaborate with local service providers such as Children’s Advantage, TownHall 2,…

*At each building, there are age appropriate programs building-wide and/or through school counselors: Grades K: Students read a book called, “My Strong Mind” and discuss ways to keep our body and mind healthy.

Grade 1: Students read a book called, “Oh the things you can do that are good for you” and talk about physical health vs. mental health and how they work together.

Grade 2: The information from Grade 1 is reviewed and the school counselor introduces coping skills into the lessons and complete an independent coping skills project.

Grades 3-5: Red Flags has opened up a safe space in each classroom to discuss mental health and to talk about how to manage their own mental health symptoms. 

Grades 6-8: Red Flags has allowed students to open up and discuss mental health as well as discuss healthy and unhealthy coping skills. Other programs/activities include: Kindness Matters week, Project Alert, and Thriving Learning Communities Character Strength Program.

Grades 9-12: With the implementation of the Red Flags Program, the school counselors have seen a higher self-reporting, confidence building, and an understanding of the importance of mental health that more students are willing to talk about mental health. They have seen fewer students with suicidal ideations because early signs are noticed, addressed and reported. All 9th grade students receive a “real talk” about mental health, depression and suicidal thoughts. Grades 10-12 – there are individual meetings and groups to further address mental health and wellness.

Health

*Collaboration with Akron Children’s Hospital.  There is a registered nurse at the district level and a medical assistant at each school building. 

*Wellness checks for students and staff that incorporate special Covid-19 protocols and a separate space for covid symptom individuals.

*Constant communication from the school district and nurse.  

*District Staff Professional Development is held in August, November, February of 2021-22- specific to self-care, wellness and keeping all informed of policy, procedures from the Federal, State and local agencies. 

*For RHS students, summer school PE is available

*Collaboration with Ravenna Parks & Recreation Department who provide 15 hours/week of physical and educational activities as an additional option for summer school for grades 1-7.

Food

*The district receives free breakfast and lunch and was granted approval to continue participating in the Federal Grant Food Program for 2021-22.

*Collaboration with the Community Action Council of Portage County to provide meals for our students throughout the community during summer.

*Local community support for our students- Raven Packs and Ben Curtis Foundation’s Birdie Bags summer and throughout the school year.

Periodic Review

A committee will be formed consisting of the Superintendent,  District School Nurse, District School Counselor, Director of Special Services, Director of Business Operations, 2 District administrators (primary and secondary), 2 Parents, and 1 School Board member. 

Surveys will be conducted periodically to provide data and feedback for the committee

*A survey will be conducted to assess the summer learning program. 

*A survey will be conducted during the first two months of the school year to gather information and feedback from all stakeholders.

*A survey will be conducted at the end of the semester.

The committee will convene to review the data, its impact on the plan, and make adjustments and revisions as necessary.

The committee will convene if there is an immediate need to address Federal, State and Local policies.

Public Input

The District will conduct a survey of parents/guardians of school-aged students.  The committee will reconvene to analyze the survey results to determine appropriate revisions.

  as of 6/24/21

Student data used consists of, but not limited to STAR data, state assessment scores, academic grades, attendance data and student IEP/504 plans/goals. In addition, classroom (in person/remote) observations made by the teachers and others who have worked with the student will be used. The team will communicate with the students and their families to share their concerns and emphasize the importance of attending the summer learning recovery program.  PBIS Strategies (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports- evidence-based three-tiered framework to improve and integrate all of the data, systems, and practices affecting student outcomes every day) which is used during the academic school year will be incorporated into the summer program.  Barriers such as food and transportation will be provided.  Breakfast and Lunch will be provided.  Transportation to and from the district will be provided. 

Summer Learning Recovery Program:

Tentatively (2)  4-week/4 days a week are being considered: June 7 – July 2 and July 12 -August 6.

Academic needs will be met with prioritizing hiring our own teachers and outside district teachers (if needed) for summer school who will focus on high priority standards using teacher based Google Classroom lessons and other materials/resources determined by the teachers and building team. The Class of 2021 who need to meet diploma requirements will continue with their individual plan/credit recovery during summer session(s) with the goal of completing requirements or gaining ground on completion of requirements especially those with major credit deficiencies.

Administrators will be hired to oversee the elementary, middle and high school summer programs. 

Social emotional needs will be met with hiring our own school counselors and utilizing social agencies such as Children’s Advantage for individual, group and overall programming.

Reed Memorial Library, Ohio Means Jobs, and Ravenna Parks & Recreation are some of the partnerships we will continue working together with during the summer learning program.

A possible Service Project may be implemented to encourage the importance of service learning Students and staff will determine the project and give back to the school/ community- “Pay It Forward”.

The Ravenna School District Summer Learning Plan aligns with the district goals and the work of the DLT, BLT, TBT: Our District Leadership Team OIP Goals consist of Mathematics and ELA and School Climate.  It is our hope that students will experience a smooth transition from this summer learning program to the 2021-2022 academic year particularly in Math and ELA and regain that sense of belonging and normalcy with support, especially our remote learners who have had little social interaction with staff and students. Our plan also aligns with our Graduation Plan. Ravenna High School Counselors have worked together with the students, families and staff to ensure that each student has a graduation plan.  The 3 E’s Program is in place at Ravenna HS and work is in motion at the middle school to reach every student. Each student with guidance will choose a pathway of an “E”: Employed, Enlisted or Enrolled.

Our plan aligns with the content standards necessary to transition to the 2021-22 academic year with a strong foundation.