Elementary

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REMINDER: Parent Engagement Group (P.E.G) Meeting, TONIGHT, Monday, April 1st

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The Parent Engagement Group invites you to join the monthly PEG meeting TONIGHT at 6 p.m. in the Upper Adolescent Commons (or on Zoom).

The intention is to offer an opportunity to meet other GRS community members, learn more about GRS-related topics, and plan important community-building events. This month, Kate McCreight, Great River Foundation Chair, will be the featured guest speaker. Aja Parham, GRS Communications Coordinator, will also be joining. The Blue Heron Bash is quickly approaching. There’s a lot going on at GRS!

April PEG Meeting Monday, April 1st (TONIGHT!) 6:00 p.m. in the Upper Adolescent Commons Enter Door G by the garden shed and the grow lights.

Or on Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84299165563?pwd=UUhEL216dTRPc0laQld2cHprblJjUT09

Meeting ID: 842 9916 5563.

Passcode: 932164 Questions? Email peg@greatriverschool.org

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GRS all-ages Chess Club–Spring session

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GRS is partnering with the Twin Cities Chess Club again for a guided chess club.

The Twin Cities Chess Club will provide coaching for any students interested in developing their game. Any skill level is welcome! Open to grades 1-12.

Meetings: Wednesdays, 4-5 pm, April 3 through May 29  (8 sessions, only meets on school days)

Cost: $115

Space is limited. Scholarships in case of need and discounts for current Big Canoe participants are available; contact kanway@greatriverschool.org

Registration: Sign up by filling out this form.

Please pay the fee at this link to complete registration.

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Last Call for Auction Donations!

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All Silent Auction donation forms and items should be submitted by Monday, April 1. (This is no April Fool’s joke!) Please use the following forms for your donations:
*Maker’s Market (Handmade) Items
*General Auction Items
*Great Gatherings
If you need help getting your auction donation to GRS or have questions about your Great Gathering idea, please let us know. Thank you, GRS community!

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BIPOC Caregiver meeting, March 28th; 5:30pm to 6:30pm

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The next BIPOC Caregiver meeting will be held this Thursday, March 28th from 5:30-6:30pm via Google Meet. The link for the meeting can be accessed below. If you have questions please contact Jordan Samejima at jsamejima@greatriverschool.org

Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/ecc-bhoc-erk
Or dial: ‪(US) +1 646-632-2630‬ PIN: ‪548 875 991‬#

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P.E.G Meeting, April 1st, 2024, 6pm

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The Parent Engagement Group invites you to join the monthly PEG meeting on Monday, April 1st, at 6 p.m. in the Upper Adolescent Commons (or on Zoom). The intention is to offer an opportunity to meet other GRS community members, learn more about GRS-related topics, and plan important community-building events. This month, Kate McCreight, Great River Foundation Chair, will be the featured guest speaker. Aja Parham, GRS Communications Coordinator, will also be joining. The Blue Heron Bash is quickly approaching. There’s a lot going on at GRS!

April PEG Meeting
Monday, April 1st (no joke!)
6:00 p.m.
Location: The Upper Adolescent Commons (Enter Door G by the garden shed and the grow lights) or via the following Zoom information:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84299165563?pwd=UUhEL216dTRPc0laQld2cHprblJjUT09
Meeting ID: 842 9916 5563
Passcode: 932164
Questions? Email peg@greatriverschool.org

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GRS Community Support: Hosting Great Gatherings

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Looking for a fun, entertaining way to support the school and to build the GRS community? Consider hosting a Great Gathering this year! Great Gatherings are fixed-price social events that bring people together while raising money for our school. We are looking to add new hosts and experiences. Please consider hosting an event as a fun way to connect with other GRS families!

Examples of Great Gatherings from the past included family events like pancakes in the park, brewery tours, backyard movies, or puzzle and game nights; parent-only events like wine and cheese, themed dinners, a moms weekend at a cabin; and workshops -how to make kimchi, woodworking, yoga and maple syrup making. Host by yourself, or co-host with a friend or two! Really, any opportunity to get together can be a Great Gathering!

Please submit this form of interest by April 1st if possible and reach out to me with any questions or if you want to help but need some ideas! Miriam Hobart (miriam.hobart@gmail.com)

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ZXKGnQuJr-aAAKoJt8qpTU6KbNuPvAdpHOfGk9ttM9A/edit

Upper Elementary: Classroom Basket Donations for Blue Heron Bash!

Upper Elementary Families!

Each classroom has voted on a theme for their basket that will be up for bidding on the annual Blue Heron Bash online auction starting April 15. If you would like to contribute to a classroom basket please drop off labeled donations to your classroom or front desk by Friday, April 5. All the baskets will also be available for in person viewing during the Blue Heron Bash at GRS on Saturday, April 20 from 6-9pm.

Swan's class voted on the theme: "Fun Outside"

Blue Earth is doing a Plant Basket! 1 student wants to bring in seedlings and other families could bring in things for gardening and house plants.

Little Elk's theme is "Cozy Art Night." The basket will have tea, hot chocolate, etc. and some art supplies.

Crow Wing's theme is PNO (Parent's Night Out)- It will be some combination of fidgets, slime, junk food, and movie watching stuff for parents to leave with their kids or with a babysitter when they get a date night or a night away for something less fun like work.

Otter Tail:After some heated rounds of voting Otter Tail is offering up a basket of clay Otter statues doing various cute things... We are looking for donations of a basket and paintable air-drying clay from our families.

Shingobee: Bee themed for ShingoBEE (honey, pollinators, bee things, etc)

Please email blueheronbash@greatriverschool.org if you have any questions, need ideas, etc!  Anyone is welcome to donate to any basket.

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Want to make a Difference? Apply for the Great River School Board today!

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The Great River School Board is seeking faculty, caregivers, and community members to join our board! help guide and steward the policy and vision of our school.  Board members are part of an interdependent team of faculty members, caregivers and community members who come together to steward policies and vision of the school, and provide strategic direction and oversight.

Great River School Needs YOU if . . .

●      You are passionate about Great River School

●      You are excited about being part of a hard-working and respectful cross-functional team

●      You have the time and energy to spend 5 -7 hours a month doing Board work:

o   attending board meetings

o   participating in committee work

o   reviewing materials

Still have questions?

Please send an email to executive@greatriverschool.org and one of our current board members will respond to you.

Next Steps

Please consider applying. Great River School is seeking to bring on new Board members in our April elections. Please contact Sophie Hortman at shortman@greatriverschool.org to receive more detailed information about the Board. There is an opening for someone like you on the Board! 

Complete the Board Application here or scan the QR Code.

Due Date: Board applications are due by April 5th.

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SEAC (Special Education Advisory Council) Monday, March 25th; 6pm

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There will be a SEAC (Special Education Advisory Council) meeting on Monday, March 25th at 6pm.  All parents / guardians of students currently receiving special education services are invited to attend.  The meeting will be in the media lab at Great River School. If you are unable to attend in person, please contact Jeremy Sartain at jsartain@greatriverschool.org or 612-414-5224 for a Zoom link. If you arrive late and can't get into the building on the day of the meeting, call or text Jeremy Sartain at 612-414-5224.

What is a SEAC?

A SEAC (pronounced “seek”) is an acronym for Special Education Advisory Council, which is a group that provides input on special education issues to its local school district. Its purpose is to advise and advocate, not to decide policy. Minnesota law requires each school district in the state to have a SEAC although it does not specify how the groups should be organized or what duties they should perform. As a result, each SEAC may have a unique mission and structure.

(Source www.pacer.org)

Why Might I Want to Participate on a SEAC?

Parents give many reasons for joining a SEAC, including these:

  • I may be able to help other families and children with disabilities in my school district.

  • I can share what I’ve learned since my child began his education.

  • I can support the school professionals in my district.

  • I will be a good role model for my child.

  • I feel good when I make a contribution to this community.

  • I will learn information and skills that may help me work more effectively with my school district.

  • I will meet others with similar goals, both parents and school professionals.

  • I may build positive relationships with others in my district.

  • I will become more knowledgeable about special education.

  • By sharing my unique perspective and insights as a parent, I may help the school district work more effectively with families and improve outcomes for children.

(Source www.pacer.org)

Some background information about Jeremy Sartain:
I am currently the Board Chair for Great River School.  One reason I joined the Board is to assure special education (staff, caregivers and students) had representation.  Jennie and I are organizing SEAC meetings this year (with help from Brad and Lindsey). 

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Parent Engagement Group partners with Parkway Pizza, March 19th, 2024

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The Parent Engagement Group has partnered with Parkway Pizza to help you with dinner on March 19th (Tuesday) and raise money for the Parent Engagement group. Win, Win, Win for everyone !

Get Parkway Pizza on March 19th (Tuesday) and 5% of the DAILY sales will benefit GRS PEG. Tuesday, March 19 - Parkway Pizza -5% of DAILY sales 1909 Lexington Ave N Roseville, MN 55113

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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Staff Conference Volunteers

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Staff Conference Volunteers & Donations Needed The Parent Engagement Group is working hard to organize volunteers, meals & snacks to show extra appreciation for GRS Staff during conferences. Please volunteer or donate if you can. https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/30E0D49A4A62BABF94-47133236-2023

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GRS all-ages Chess Club–Spring session

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GRS is partnering with the Twin Cities Chess Club again for a guided chess club.

The Twin Cities Chess Club will provide coaching for any students interested in developing their game. Any skill level is welcome! Open to grades 1-12.

Meetings: Wednesdays, 4-5 pm, April 3 through May 29  (8 sessions, only meets on school days)

Cost: $115

Space is limited. Scholarships in case of need and discounts for current Big Canoe participants are available; contact kanway@greatriverschool.org

Registration: Sign up by filling out this form. 

Please pay the fee at this link to complete registration.

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The 2024 Blue Heron Bash needs your donations!

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There are many ways to participate in the Blue Heron Bash! Tickets go on sale March 20th and the online auction will be April 15-21! Donate in one or more of the categories below. All donations are tax deductible:

LOCAL GIFT CARDS : Buy gift cards and donate them to the auction. If you are a GRS family and own a business we want everyone to know it and support you.

GREAT GATHERING: Share your skills by offering a great gathering on cooking, crafting, gardening, beer brewing and more! Or donate an online class (the Loft, local community education, etc.)

MERCHANDISE : Donate a bottle of wine for the wine pull, games, gift baskets, art, jewelry, unwanted gifts, unused gift cards and more! Think of things that would be appealing to members of the community.

MEMBERSHIPS & SUBSCRIPTIONS: Donate memberships to your favorite museums, gyms, state and national parks, or subscriptions to online news sources, public media stations, or CSA.

READINGS OR PERFORMANCES: Offer a poetry reading, musical performance, or donate tickets to an event from one of your favorite music or theater venues. Donate tickets to a sporting event.

SERVICES: Offer to build a website, consult on a resume, create a logo, or more!

MAKERS MARKET: We want to celebrate the Montessori tradition of hand work and highlight students and families who create art, crafts, food, etc. in our 5th annual Makers Market.

For more information and links to sign up, check out our BHB 101 Doc! It has all the links to sign up.