Our next PEG meeting is coming up the evening of January 21st. A speaker from MN Association of Charter schools is coming to help us all better understand our school and ways to advocate for GRS. There’s also a Chipotle fundraiser the same night to make dinner a snap.
GRS Summer Camp Registration is Open!
We have amazing programs and staff lined up to have a great summer with your kids! Registration is now open. Sign up today to reserve your spot and take advantage of the Early Bird Discount. The large majority of our camps are led and supported by GRS staff. Go to Our Summer Camp registration page to check out all of our camp options ranging from preschool to 12th grade. Contact Brent Cummins, bcummins@greatriverschool.org with any questions.
GRS Summer Camp 2025 Registration Opens Soon!
We are still working on final logistics for camp but we will be officially opening registration on January 15 (Wednesday). Here is what I have right now and most things in this chart are pretty solid Camp Names and Descriptions. I know a lot of other camps are already registering, so I hope this helps you plan your summer! We will also be offering a Friday Fun Day (9:00-4:00) add-on for families that need extra child care. If the true cost of camp would add financial stress to your family, please fill out this Pay What You Can Form. Our Early Bird Rates are good until February 18. Feel free to share with others. Here is the link to our Summer Camp Page. Please check this on the 15th for the live link to registration. In the meantime, please contact Brent Cummins with any questions: bcummins@greatriverschool.org.
SEAC (Special Education Advisory Council) Monday, January 27th; 6pm
There will be a SEAC (Special Education Advisory Council) meeting on Monday, January 27th 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 or if you prefer attend via Zoom. 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)
A Plus Drivers Ed: Take Drivers Ed!
DRIVER’S EDUCATION (Students who are 14 years of age and older) This 30-hour program will be conducted by a certified instructor from the A+ Driving School and will fulfill the state driver’s education requirement. The course will address the “how to” and “whys” of safe driving. The format of the class will be lecture and active discussion. After completion of the program, students will be able to set up and participate in behind the wheel sessions to meet the six hour state requirement. Classes will meet IN PERSON. All registration can be done through: https://aplusdrivingschool.net/register-for-class/st-paul-schools/spps-in-person/
Need to miss a few classes--NO PROBLEM. Easy Make-Up classes! We offer classes all year long with multiple time offerings each day. Take class from ANYWHERE through teleconferencing! LIVE INSTRUCTORS! FUN CLASSES! PAYMENT PLANS AVAILABLE!
CLASS DATES and REGISTRATION: https://aplusdrivingschool.net/register-for-class/st-paul-schools/spps-in-person/
Great River School
1326 Energy Park Dr, St Paul, MN 55108
Open to ANYONE in the area!
Class Dates: Feb. 2025 10,11,12,13, 18,19, 24,25,26,27
Class Time: 4-7pm
MORE SPRING DATES COMING SOON!
Great River Robotics Teams Rock! Check them out!
Hello!
Great River has awesome Robotics teams! From FIRST Lego League (FLL) in Upper Elementary to FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) and FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) in the Adolescent program, our robotics program is a great way for students to learn skills in collaboration, engineering, and problem-solving. All of these teams competed a few weeks ago and won great awards! Check out more about the amazing things the Robotics teams are up to by clicking HERE.
Support the Lego League teams! Bucket Cats!
One of our First Lego League teams (the Bucket Cats) is headed to the next level of competition, sectionals, on January 12th. These 5th-7th grade students worked hard to teach the world how human behavior affects coral reefs by creating a prototype for an educational video game, Coral Connections.
The Bucket Cats need our help and support to succeed at sectionals! Play their game and fill out the survey at https://bucketcats.com/
Alumni Panel! Come Join us January 8th!
Calling all GRS Alums: You are invited! We are hoping to have you back (virtually) on the morning of Wednesday, January 8th 9:05-9:45 for a short Alumni panel at UA Community Meeting (Zoom Webinar). Please RSVP via email to Lindsey Weaver (lweaver@greatriverschool.org). Bring other alums, too!
Rainbow Goat Merch returns! Logo Contest!
To usher in our 3rd annual logo contest, we have brought back the popular rainbow goat logo from our first contest. For a limited time in our spiritwear store on the GRS website, you can order your goat themed merchandise while supporting the school.
And all students are invited to enter the GRS logo contest! See the flyer for details.
Winter Break
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!