August 20, 2019
Dear RAUC Families,
I hope this newsletter finds you relaxed and enjoying the summer with family and friends. If summer has brought challenges, I hope that you have had people to support you as you face them. I had the good fortune of traveling to the Netherlands for 10 days, which was a welcomed mix of museums, windmills, good cheese, and biking along canals and dykes--and cheering the U.S. Women's National Team on to their World Cup victory!
I will be honest--I love summer away from school, but I also miss the joy and adventure of interacting with young people every day. So as August winds down, I find myself looking forward to welcoming students, families and staff back to school.
The return to school also brings a question that has become all too common for educators: how can we foster a welcoming, inclusive community when there continue to be divisive, hateful language and actions directed most particularly at black and brown members of our community? This is a question that I have asked all our staff to keep in our hearts and minds as we plan. Two of our core values are to seek unity and have compassion. We believe deeply that everyone belongs at our school, we recognize that not everyone feels this sense of belonging equally, and so we are committed to creating a positive school year for all.
This August newsletter provides information to help you and your student feel prepared for the first day on Tuesday, September 3rd: schedule information; grade level supply lists; reminders of summer math and reading work; a sneak peak of the first week; a list of RAUC dates; and links to district policies and forms. For those of you new to RAUC, you can expect a weekly RAUC newsletter once school starts to keep you informed and connected.
I invite you to reconnect before school starts at our Welcome Back Pot-luck Picnic on Wednesday, August 28 at 5PM at the front of the school. Please bring a dish to share. This event is a wonderful RAUC tradition, a time to say hi to familiar folks as well as meet new members of the community. There will also be information available:
- Our Middle School Network community partners will have information about school year activities for students;
- Our wonderful Families of RAUC (FRAUC) officers will have information about FRAUC and how to get involved;
- Family Partnership Coordinator, Taraneh Ahmad will give a school tour at 5:30 for new families.
Enjoy the rest of your summer. And know that the entire RAUC staff will be ready when students return, excited about another year of working together to Reflect, Aim high, seek Unity, and have Compassion!
–Julie Craven, Head of School
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