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.
Reminder: Broomball is back for 2025!!
Our high school Ultimate teams (players and families) are running a broomball program as a fundraiser for 4th-8th graders. Brooms, balls and rink time are provided. Bike or ski helmets are required to play. Here are the details:
Who: Any 4th-8th Grader
What: Broomball-There are 2 rinks and players will get divided by grade/skill to play their games.
When: Tuesdays, 4:15-5:15 from January 14-February 25 (Minus January 28).
Where: Players will walk together from school to McMurray Fields where there are 2 broomball rinks.
Why: To get outside, do something active and have fun with classmates!
Cost: $65 donation to our Ultimate Program
How to register: Fill out this FORM and pay through PayPal-- paypal.com/paypalme/StarsUltimate (include student name/broomball in note) or drop off check or cash at the front office.
This will fill up, so be sure to sign up soon!
Email 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)
Reminder: Broomball is back for 2025!!
Our high school Ultimate teams (players and families) are running a broomball program as a fundraiser for 4th-8th graders. Brooms, balls and rink time are provided. Bike or ski helmets are required to play. Here are the details:
Who: Any 4th-8th Grader
What: Broomball-There are 2 rinks and players will get divided by grade/skill to play their games.
When: Tuesdays, 4:15-5:15 from January 14-February 25 (Minus January 28).
Where: Players will walk together from school to McMurray Fields where there are 2 broomball rinks.
Why: To get outside, do something active and have fun with classmates!
Cost: $65 donation to our Ultimate Program
How to register: Fill out this FORM and pay through PayPal-- paypal.com/paypalme/StarsUltimate (include student name/broomball in note) or drop off check or cash at the front office.
This will fill up, so be sure to sign up soon!
Email Brent Cummins (bcummins@greatriverschool.org) with any questions.
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.
Spanish classes for kids!
All info for the learning opportunity is in the flier, and if families have questions they can contact bigcanoe@greatriverschool.org or futuraadventures.com.
Broomball is back for 2025!!
Our high school Ultimate teams (players and families) are running a broomball program as a fundraiser for 4th-8th graders. Brooms, balls and rink time are provided. Bike or ski helmets are required to play. Here are the details:
Who: Any 4th-8th Grader
What: Broomball-There are 2 rinks and players will get divided by grade/skill to play their games.
When: Tuesdays, 4:15-5:15 from January 14-February 25 (Minus January 28).
Where: Players will walk together from school to McMurray Fields where there are 2 broomball rinks.
Why: To get outside, do something active and have fun with classmates!
Cost: $65 donation to our Ultimate Program
How to register: Fill out this FORM and pay through PayPal-- paypal.com/paypalme/StarsUltimate (include student name/broomball in note) or drop off check or cash at the front office.
This will fill up, so be sure to sign up soon!
Email Brent Cummins (bcummins@greatriverschool.org) with any questions.
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/
LIST League volleyball sign-up for grades 5-7
LIST co-ed volleyball will run from late February through April. We anticipate offering 1-2 teams this year.
Both teams will play games on Wednesdays at 4:30 or 5:30.
Coach: Chris Bock will coach on Tuesday afternoons.
If we add a second team, practice will be on another day TBD.
Cost is $150 (jersey, league and coach fee)
Sign up here to indicate your interest. A payment link will be sent before the first meeting; registration is confirmed when payment is complete.
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.
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.