SAVE THE DATE for Summer Camp Registration!
Great River Summer Camp Registration is set to open on January 15. We'll have Half Day and Full Day camps for PreK/K, 1st-3rd, 4th-7th, 7th-10th, and 9th-12th. Our variety of camps will include ultimate frisbee, Lego robotics, art, crafts, sailing, sports, music, theater and more!
Keep your eyes on our camp web page (https://www.greatriverschool.org/summercamp) and take advantage of our Early Bird Discounts. Reach out to Brent Cummins (bcummins@greatriverschool.org) with any questions.
Parent Engagement Group (PEG) Meeting Monday, December 16
Join us for our monthly meeting on Monday, December 16 at 6pm in person at GRS in the UA Commons (use south garden door G) or via zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3976588186
Meeting ID: 861 0098 9386
Passcode: 782021
This is a great way to connect with other caregivers & learn about the school.
Stop by today! Lost and Found items to be donated after December 20th
Any and all items that remain in the Lost and Found after 4pm on Friday, December 20th, will be donated to charity! Please stop by either Lost and Found locations within the building to claim your student's possible lost items.
Lost and Found locations are as follows:
Inside the foyer by the Cafe and inside the Elementary wing by the copy machine.
No School, Fri., December 13, 2024; Teacher Professional Development
GRS all-ages Chess Club
Winter session GRS is partnering with the Twin Cities Chess Club once 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, January 8 - March 12 (10 sessions, only meets on school days) Cost: $150 Space is limited. Scholarships in case of need and discounts for current Big Canoe participants are available; contact bigcanoe@greatriverschool.org
Registration: Sign up by filling out this form. Please pay the fee at this link to complete registration.
Congratulations! Great River School wins American Scandinavian Foundation Grant!
Great River School won a grant from the American Scandinavian Foundation to create a year-long artist-teaching residency with Anna Sharratt to infuse the Slöjdklubbar (“craft club”) approach into GRS, both to enhance the experiences of students in the school over the long term and to take a significant next step to expand educational slöjd in the Upper Midwest.
Anna Sharratt has worked in youth education and curriculum development for 25 years, with an emphasis on hands-on skills and experiential learning to develop confidence and autonomy. Anna currently teaches traditional Scandinavian handcraft to kids and adults at a variety of institutions in Minneapolis and greater Minnesota. Anna will be teaching disciplines including green wood carving, weaving, wet and needle felting, embroidery, sewing, wirework, cordage and rope-making, paper arts, basketry, and knitting.
Anna will develop a simple, age-specific curriculum for ongoing use for all levels; instruct students directly (7th - 8th grade); support students in independent handcraft explorations (9th - 12th grade); celebrate students’ experiences with handcraft through events involving the wider school community (students, faculty, and families); and showcase the entire process to educators throughout the region with data and guidance for replication.
Join us for Adolescent Theatre Intensive Performances! All are welcome!
The Lower Adolescent Program is proud to continue its Theater Intensive Experience for 7th and 8th graders! This program fosters confidence, creativity, and community as students tackle challenges like public speaking and stage performance.
This year, students will perform:
Show Details:
Location: Wellstone Center, 179 Robie St. E, St. Paul, MN 55107
Dates: December 16–20, 2024
Times: 2:30 PM and 5:30 PM showings
Reserve tickets and learn more about the performances here.
Coming this Winter! GRS Folk School!
The Great River Folk School is a new community education initiative open to all: parents, families, friends and connections of Great River School.
We are looking for instructors for our folk school! We’d like to sign up instructors excited to teach traditional crafts, arts, food, movement, knowledge, music, or other interests to groups of adults or families. Instructors will be paid 50% of class revenue, with the remainder going to support the work of Great River School. Classes will take place at GRS evenings or weekends this school year.
If you are interested in learning more about the GRS folk school, please reach out to Karen Anway at kanway@greatriverschool.org.
Boxes of Tissues Needed!
Kleenex Needed! Hello! The season of sniffles in upon us. Donations of boxes of Kleenex are needed at all levels and may be brought to the Front Office. Thank you in advance for your generosity!
Boxes of Tissues Needed!
Kleenex Needed! Hello! The season of sniffles in upon us. Donations of boxes of Kleenex are needed at all levels and may be brought to the Front Office. Thank you in advance for your generosity!
FAFSA Application Information Night, December 2nd, 6pm
On Sunday, December 1st, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid , or FAFSA, Application will be open to applicants. If you are unfamiliar with the FAFSA application process or need a refresher on how to complete the FAFSA, GRS will be hosting a Financial Aid Night on December 2nd at 6pm!
Jennifer, our admissions representative, from Minnesota North College will be coming to present on the FAFSA application and other sources of financial aid. We will have time to start the FAFSA and ask questions. You do not need to be interested in Minnesota North College to attend, however, if you are looking for a Minnesota Community College, they are a great choice! Come join us on December 2nd at 6 pm!
REMINDER: SEAC Meeting, TONIGHT, Monday, November 25, 2024
There will be a SEAC (Special Education Advisory Council) meeting on Monday, November 25th at 6pm. All parents / guardians of students currently receiving special education services are invited to attend.
This Meeting will feature information regarding college (post-secondary) access for students with disabilities Guest speakers will provide current information regarding admissions standards and accommodations in the college environment.
The meeting will be in the media lab at Great River School. If you are unable to attend in person, you can attend via Zoom at the following link: https://minnstate.zoom.us/j/98921953430
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.
SEAC (Special Education Advisory Council) Monday, November 25th; 6pm
There will be a SEAC (Special Education Advisory Council) meeting on Monday, November 25th at 6pm. All parents / guardians of students currently receiving special education services are invited to attend.
This Meeting will feature information regarding college (post-secondary) access for students with disabilities Guest speakers will provide current information regarding admissions standards and accommodations in the college environment.
The meeting will be in the media lab at Great River School. If you are unable to attend in person, you can attend via Zoom at the following link: https://minnstate.zoom.us/j/98921953430
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)
Audition Sign-ups end "at the end of the day" on Wed., Nov. 13th for 3rd - 6th grades! Sign-up today!
2 DAYS MORE! Only 2 days to sign-up for Les Miserables auditions for those in 3rd through 6th grades. Check out the details below for the show, and more information about the roles available to our elementary students. After you have signed up, you should receive an email from the production crew with audition materials so you can practice the music! Good Luck!
Rehearsal Times:
Click here to see the rehearsal schedule. Days highlighted for each role.
Shows:
March 7 & 8, 7pm (Call time 5:00); March 9, 2pm (Call time 12:00)
March 14 & 15, 7pm (Call time 5:00); March 16, 2pm (Call time 12:00)
If your student is ready and excited to audition, please complete this Google Form to provide caregiver permission as well as some information about your student. We will be in contact with you by mid-November to set up an audition time.
REMINDER: Picture Day Retakes are tomorrow, November 12th!
THE BOOK FAIR IS NOW OPEN! Great River School Virtual Book Fair site!
The Virtual Book Fair is now open! scan the QR Code if on a computer or click the link below:
GRS Theatre Presents: "Queens", November 22 - 24, 2024
👑 Save the date! Come see QUEENS a play performed by grades 7-12 at GRS on November 22nd-24th TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW👑
Friday + Saturday night at 7PM, Sunday Matinee at 2PM Tickets are $10 for Students, $15 for Non Students PURCHASE TICKETS (And for more information visit): www.greatriverschool.org/shows And stay up to date on GRS’ theatre Instagram page: grstheatre
REMINDER: Conferences and Staff Appreciation Food Sign-up
Conferences reminder for all families
Just a friendly reminder, conferences will take place on Thur., November 7th and Fri. November 8th and there will be no school on Wed., November 6th. Don’t miss an opportunity to have this time to learn about your student and speak with their Guide or Advisor.
If you haven’t done so and wish to, please sign up by Wednesday, November 6th for conferences to ensure you have the opportunity to conference with your students' guide or Advisor . We would like to see all families in person for conferences this year. Please sign up here.
Multiple Households/Families - if your child splits time between two households and both caregivers want/need to attend the conference, please schedule it together. If this is not possible, exceptions can be made by emailing the Program Director of your level.
Staff Appreciation Conference Food Sign-up 2024
Want to show our teachers a little appreciation for all they’ve done? This year we are continuing our tradition of staff food support during conferences. These two days provide an important opportunity for families and guides to check in about our children's experiences at GRS so far this year. To accomplish this, the teachers will be putting in long days, engaging in focused conversations with all of us. The food that families contribute not only keeps everyone nourished, but serves as an important show of support for all that the guides and staff do for our kids! Sign-up below!
Fall Conference Staff Appreciation Sign-up
If you prefer to donate funds you can via Venmo @GRSPEG or Paypal at https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/K4WXAQPN3FHNU
Great River School Parent Education Presents: "A Guide to Going Out"
““When the child goes out, it is the world itself that offers itself to him[them]. Let us take the child out to show him[them] real things instead of making objects which represent ideas and closing them in cupboards.””
Details
Thurs., Nov. 14, 2024 at 6 pm to 7 pm
St. Croix classroom, Great River School (please enter doors on Energy Park Lane, Elementary entrance)
Lead by Eileen McElrath, GRS Elementary Program Director and and Tracey Fluegel, Minnesota River Guide
A Going Out is an important and exciting part of Montessori education. It is also a very fun part of being part of the GRS community !
This education will share
What is a Going out?
How does this benefit GRS students?
How can I get involved?
How do I get a Background check completed?
Note and Questions?
If you are interested in this Volunteer opportunity but can’t attend the training please contact your Classroom Parent Engagement Ambassador or Emily McMahon (volunteer parent) at emilynooney@yahoo.com
Childcare is not provided during this event.