Reading Ravens have a Published Author!

Our very own Michelle Powell has written a book! Our library has a few copies of her new Remember Me Always and we're circulating them around the club right now, so we can discuss after spring break. See Savannah or Gaelan or Michelle for details on how to borrow the book, or you can purchase your own copy here!

DH Hill Library Trip

During their junior year, students head to DH Hill Library for their Composition Research Paper. Last week, Mr. League's AP Language and Composition class went for the afternoon.

Searching for books in the catalog before we go, students go into the stacks, find books using the Library of Congress Classification System, and have a few hours to read and take notes to answer their research questions!

41 Students Raise Almost $3000 for Charity during Read-a-thon

Bringing their own pillows, blankets and chairs, and wearing pajamas or sweats, Middle & Upper School students were ready to read in the school library, almost non-stop, for 7 hours. Ravenscroft's annual Read-a-thon was on Friday, Jan. 8 from 3:30-10:30 pm. Now in its third year, the Read-a-thon began with Gaelan Bergstrom '16 who was inspired by one of her favorite authors, Patrick Rothfuss, and his passion for giving back.

As a sophomore, Gaelan read on Rothfuss's blog about his charity, Worldbuilders, which raises money for Heifer International. After some research and with the desire to make a difference, Gaelan proposed a read-a-thon to the US Book Club (Reading Ravens). She has led the planning and coordination over the past three years. This year, 41 students (Reading Ravens, MS Battle of the Books and non-book club members from the Upper School) came together to read and raised over $3000 for charity! The money raised will go to a specific fund with Heifer International to support girls' education in developing countries.

Participants brought in snacks to share during their breaks (a 5 minute break every hour) as well as lasagna for their 30 minute dinner break. Prizes were awarded for most donors on the sponsor sheet, most money collected and most avid reader.

"I am very proud of what we've been able to accomplish and that I have been able to find students who love reading just as much as I do," said Gaelan.



from http://www.ravenscroft.org/cf_news/view.cfm?newsid=3650

3rd Annual Read-A-Thon

Our Read-A-Thon is essentially a reading marathon to benefit a charity by asking participants to find sponsors to donate in honor of the readers.  Most importantly, it’s super fun!  Imagine snuggling up in sweats with a cozy blanket and a steamy mug of tea reading a great book on a chilly January evening in the library with all your friends.  Plus, it's for a great cause!

This year we will be donating to Heifer International. We are raising money to fund girls education in developing countries. It cost $275 to fund a girl’s education and we are going to try to help at least ten young women. To read more about how educating and empowering girls helps families and communities click here.   

The Read-A-Thon will be on January 8, 2016, the first Friday after we come back from Winter Break.  Mark your calendars for 3:30 to 10:30, or any time in between.  We'll be serving dinner and plenty of snacks.  This is a great way to get community service hours (take note, seniors!) because you get 1/2 hour per 1 hour of reading, plus 1/2 hour per sponsor (to be counted as a sponsor they have to have donated at least $5), and up to two hours for bringing in food according to the CSB guidelines (1 hr/homemade, .5 hr/store bought).  Hours for reading and sponsors only count if you raise $35 or more.  That could be upwards of 5-6 hours just by reading.  AWESOME!

You can sign up by first signing our informal roster here and then go here to print out a sponsorsheet or see me, Gaelan Bergstrom, or Mrs. Thrash for a copy.

We can't wait to see you there!  Come help us get our goal of 50 readers and $3,000!  You'll definitely want to be at this year's Read-A-Thon.  It's going to be a blast, and for a great cause!

From, Gaelan Bergstrom, Megan Boericke, and Haley Murdoch

Mockingjay Part 2 - Movie Trip!

Update - our group, there was a Peeta/Gale debate, but overall, we give Mockingjay 2 "Thumbs Up!"

4:00 PM on Friday, November 20th @ Six Forks Cinema

All Upper School students welcome!

We're going to leave the school at 3:40 PM from a mini-bus at Rhondas. You can meet us there, follow us, or ride on the minibus, sign up at the link below so we'll have room. Tickets are $6.50 and you can buy them when you get there.

Afterwards, Have your parents pick you up from the theater. Six Forks Cinema, behind ChickFilA and KMart on Six Forks Road. OR ride the bus back to school after the movie in time for the Championship Football Game!

Please RSVP if you’re interested in seeing “Mockingjay” with us!

Questions: see Gaelan Bergstrom, Haley Murdoch, Megan Boericke, or Mrs. Thrash

See the Trailer here! 

Quidditch Booth

Our Quidditch Booth at Fall Roundup was again a success. Thanks to Cory for organizing and leading! We're inspiring a new generation of Potter Fans!

Freshman Seminar @YourLibrary

Chase and Cais demonstrate how to approach a teacher in the hall.

Welcome aboard, Freshmen! This fall we've added a new feature to our Study Hall time. Students meet in the back of the library with Mrs. Thrash once a week to discuss issues for students new to Ravenscroft Upper School. Topics include advocating for yourself, getting involved with on-campus activities, and proper use of library resources! 

"Lord of the Flies" - a fall read for all freshmen!