No Halloween costumes on Monday

Monday is Halloween, and while this is a holiday that many families celebrate and enjoy, we would like to remind everyone that we will not wear costumes to school and candy should stay home. We hope everyone that celebrates has a spooky time.

If you choose to wear costumes for your own personal celebrations outside of school, please mindful when choosing a costume and remember keep in mind cultures are not costumes.

Cultures, not costumes

5 Questions to Consider:

1. To What Ethnic/Racial/Cultural Group Does the Practice or Artifact Belong?

2. How Is the Group that the Practice or Artifact Belongs to Oppressed?

3. Do You Benefit from Doing This? How?

4. Why Might It Make Someone Uncomfortable?

5. What Makes It Possible for You to Engage with this Practice, Tradition, or Material?   
(How did you come to acquire the artifact or elements of the practice?)

Some think dressing up in certain aspects of a race, culture or religion for one night is harmless, however, it commodifies those cultures, races, and religions, offending those whose lives are being commodified.

Remember to be mindful and remind your students that cultures are not costumes.
For more on the “My Culture Is Not a Costume” campaign, visit Ohio.edu | culture, not a costume

Box Top$ for Education: Submitting Digital Receipts

Great news: participants can now submit digital receipts right from the Box Tops app home screen by tapping "Scan" and choosing "digital receipt." Spread the word, and be sure to tell participants they need iPhone iOS14+ or Android 7+ devices to access this new feature.

LET THE EARNING BEGIN

Volunteer Opportunity!: Nutritional Support

It's time for Great River School conferences and our tradition of nutritional support! 

We are doing things a little differently this round in order to better connect the staff to food, more effectively use the generous donations from families, AND build community making meals. Some meals will be a combination of ready-to-eat contributions, AND cooking food with other families at the November PEG (Parent Engagement Group) Meeting. Please note the expected drop off times for the food for different meals including the after school pick up line on Tuesday.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0d49a4a62babf94-conferences7

Across the top of this sign-up are tabs for: 

In Person Support - Help setting up meals, replenishing snacks & keeping things tidy throughout conferences, including the chance to prep food for meals at the PEG Meeting with other community members.

Donate Items - Staff really appreciate donated items like snacks, drinks & ingredients for meals.

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 time and 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. Please consider putting in some family volunteer time for this effort... it takes a village to feed everyone!

Big Canoe Childcare during Conferences

Big Canoe will offer full day childcare from 8 am - 5 pm on November 2, 3 and 4. The cost per day is $90 per child.

There is a 10% off discount for siblings, just use the code SIB10 to get this discount. We do have scholarships available for families who qualify for free or reduced lunch; please Email bigcanoe@greatriverschool.org for more details.

Space is limited. Use this link to sign up.

Equity Review Presentation

Dear GRS Families,

As a result of the equity audit conducted by Equity Alliance MN in the Spring of 2022, we have some important work ahead of us and we would like parents to be involved in the process by joining a committee. The committee will be represented by administration, staff, parents, and students. This committee will take part in developing our equity action plan which will be utilized to develop short and long term action items and will also be a critical component in shaping the 5 year strategic plan.

Equity Alliance MN presented the findings to the school board on October 18th and I understand that there were caregivers that could not attend. The Equity Review presentation is attached at the following link:
Equity Review Presentation ppt.

Please contact Jordan Samejima (jsamejima@greatriverschool.org) by November 1st if you have an interest in joining the committee. Meeting dates, times, and frequency will be determined once we have compiled a list of potential committee members.

Thank you for your commitment to Great River as a community.

IB Theatre Collaborative Night, Tuesday, November 1, 2022

Our annual IB Theatre Collaborative Performance night is fast approaching! Mark your calendars for this free event (geared primarily toward adolescents and adults) on Tuesday, November 1st from 7 - 8:30pm.

Students have been working in small groups to create new and entirely original short plays as part of an assessment, and now the time has come to perform them for a public audience. There will be four short plays this year, with a talkback session after each group so they can evaluate how well they've met their intentions for their chosen target audience. Below are descriptions of the play to help you decide if this evening of theatre is something you would enjoy:

Light and Shadow

When a girl gets transported into a shadow world. She will have to figure out who is friend and who is foe. A story of lights and shadow.

Launch Break

Launch Break is an adventurous space odyssey following three astronauts, Tim, Phil, and Paul, as they make their way to the planet Caffeterium, but everything may not be as it seems. This short comedy is a fun adventure through the stars.

BroadwayOfficialReviewsOfficially.com: 17/17 Stars

"This show is truly a marvel in theaterism, quantum space theory, and social commentary."

The Tragic Toussaint Tussle
The Toussaints are your typical elitist upper class family, with oodles of old money. After years of separation, the family is brought together once again to mourn their matriarch Eloise Toussaint's unexpected passing. As they celebrate her life and legacy , old grudges, vendettas and greed surface amongst the family. Above all else, the question of whether or not the Toussaints can survive depends on a single piece of paper: The Will.

Three Black Roses 

This original production inspired by Carrie Underwood's “Two Black Cadillacs” follows the story of three women as they explore the explosive nature of love and learn that every rose really does have its thorns. Watch as they bowl, dine, dance, and drive the night away and break out their best lipsticks.

Varsity Soccer Game, Saturday, October 15

Several GRS Students in Upper and Lower Adolescent are playing on the Tigers Girls Varsity Soccer team tomorrow, Saturday, October 15. For those unfamiliar with the team, it is a combined team with Math Science Academy, Twin Cities Academy and GRS. This is a Tournament Section Semi-final game leading up to State, so a win here means they advance and that is a big deal for the players! Come down to support!

Go Team!

Any and all fan support would be welcome.

When: Kickoff is 4pm, Saturday 10/15/22

Where:

Minnehaha Academy

3100 W River Parkway

Minneapolis MN

Admission : $7.00 and $10.00

Gear Swap at Harvest Fest, Sat. October 15, 2 - 5 pm

Please bring your families outgrown or unwanted gear (clean!) to our gear swap and check out what might be there that could be useful to your family this year. Welcome coats, rainwear, hats, matching gloves, etc. Clean out those coat closets and up-cycle your stuff for the good of our community and our planet! Unclaimed items can be collected at the end of Harvest Fest or will be donated. As well, PLEASE check all LOST AND FOUND locations (Elementary, South Entrance and Adolescent) for your families lost things! Those will also be donated after conferences if not claimed!

1 more day until Harvest Fest! Sat., October 15, 2 - 5pm

Come join the GRS community for the beloved Harvest Fest from 2-5 this Saturday. There will be lots of good things to eat like stone soup cooked over a fire in a giant cauldron, caramel apples & more! The adolescents will be selling delicious food from the kitchen & wares they made. There will also be a bounce house, face painting, open mic entertainment & more! It’s not too late to volunteer or donate items like apples. We need help minding the soup & apple cider press, painting faces & more! Adolescent students can help, too! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0d49a4a62babf94-20222

Lifelong Montessorian and Great River School Founder, Lawrence V. Schaefer (1931-2022) passes on at 91

Dear Montessori Community,

Larry Schaefer passed away peacefully on September 29, 2022. He lived 91 years (was in his “92nd year” as he lovingly told his family), and words can’t fully describe his remarkable life and impact on others.

Larry’s professional accomplishments as an educator are far too numerous to catalog, but include founding Lake Country School with his wife of 62 years, Pat Schaefer, which is and will remain a model and influential Montessori learning environment for children ages 2-14, in South Minneapolis. He was one of the visionaries and founders of Great River School, a Montessori Elementary, Junior High and High School in Saint Paul. He earned a PhD and MA in history from Fordham University, as well as BA and MA in education from Fairfield University. He served in the US Navy as an officer from 1955-1958.

Larry became an influential global leader in Montessori education and devoted his professional life, which extended to the day he passed, to Montessori education and, in particular, the unique needs and potential of the adolescent. His reach and influence extends throughout the world, as he taught and lectured throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, New Zealand, and

Australia. His legacy in Montessori education will endure and live on in the hearts and minds of thousands of educators and students he taught, mentored, and inspired.

Visitation Thursday, October 20 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Roseville Memorial Chapel (2245 N. Hamline Ave, Roseville). Funeral Mass at 10 am on Friday, October 21 at the Basilica of St. Mary (88 N 17th St, Mpls), with additional visitation at 9 am. The family asks that all attending take appropriate COVID precautions, wear a mask, be vaccinated, test as needed, and join via the livestream, https://mary.online.church, if feeling unwell.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Lake Country Scholarship fund or the Lake Country Land School. Details at www.lakecountryschool.org.

Full Obituary for Larry Schaefer

Special GRS Board Meeting: Equity Audit

Please join us for a Special GRS Board meeting to review the Equity Audit. Come see the results of several years of work that involved hundreds of people!

Tuesday, October 18th, 2022
6:30 - 8:00 pm
Equity Alliance will be presenting their Equity Audit findings, and that presentation will serve as the official kick off of our year-long strategic planning project.

This event will take place via webinar at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81527951759?pwd=UUhsNitObHVjUEV3a25GMEZ6V3B1QT09
Webinar ID: 815 2795 1759

For more information, please email Equity and Inclusion Facilitator, Jordan Samejima at jsamejima@greatriverschool.org.

Harvest Festival, Saturday, October 15, 2022; 2:00 - 5:00pm

Come join the GRS community for the beloved Harvest Fest from 2-5 this Saturday. There will be lots of good things to eat like stone soup cooked over a fire in a giant cauldron, caramel apples & more! The adolescents will be selling delicious food from the kitchen & wares they made. There will also be a bounce house, face painting, open mic entertainment & more! It’s not too late to volunteer or donate items like apples. We need help minding the soup & apple cider press, painting faces & more! Adolescent students can help, too! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0d49a4a62babf94-20222

Fall Archery Session for Students in Grades 1 - 3

Mondays, November 7-December 5 (5 sessions), 3:30-4:15 pm

Cost: $100

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

We plan to offer archery for older students and a second lower elementary session starting after winter break--stay tuned for more information!

Use this link to sign up.

Contact bigcanoe@greatriverschool.org with any questions.

REMINDER: BIPOC Caregiver meeting, Thursday, October 6; 7:45pm

BIPOC caregiver meeting TONIGHT, Thursday Oct 6th at 7:45pm via zoom. Any caregiver/s who have students who identify as BIPOC, please come.  Email adean@greativerschool.org if you need the link to the meeting. 

For future BIPOC caregiver meetings, please email adean@greattiverschool.org if you would like to attend.

Employment at GRS: Substitute Guides

Want to support GRS? Enjoy spending time with children but not sure how to sub? We are in need of both licensed subs (teacher substitutes) and unlicensed subs (support staff substitutes).

We are inviting you to come to a training on how to sub at Great River, either at the elementary or adolescent level. In the training, we will cover the schedule of the day, school expectations, communications systems, and level specific information.

For interest or for more information, please contact us at office@greatriverschool.org!

For more Great River employment opportunities, please visit our website: https://www.greatriverschool.org/employment

We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Reminder: PEG Meeting, Tuesday, October 4; 6:00 - 7:30pm

Join us for the first official Parent Engagement Group meeting this Tuesday, October 4 from 6-7:30pm. All are welcome to come and learn about PEG, meet ambassadors and other free range volunteers and talk about what fun things we want to plan for the year including Harvest Fest coming up in 2 weeks! We hope to see you there! Any questions please email peg@greatriverschool.org.

Welcome to the Announcement Daily Digest

Dear GRS students, families, and faculty,

Welcome to the 22-23 school year! Great River knows that some of the most equity-focused work we can do is ensure that our community feels well-informed about happenings at the school. 

We will regularly communicate using the following channels:

Announcement Blogs & Automated Daily Digest Emails

Our Announcements Blog is hosted on our website at www.greatriverschool.org/announcements. We will regularly update this page with non-urgent school announcements (upcoming events & activities, volunteer opportunities, etc). 

This year, we will use an email service to send new announcements daily (you are currently reading this!). All families will be opted into these level-specific announcements and will receive a daily email digest of any announcements.

If you don’t want to receive these emails, you can unsubscribe using the link at the bottom of the daily digest.

You can always check what is being posted by going straight to www.greatriverschool.org/announcements or by checking the level-specific links below: 

• Only Elementary (1-6) Announcements

• Only Lower Adolescent (7-9) Announcements

• Only Upper Adolescent (10-12) Announcements

If you are not receiving these updates, email office@greatriverschool.org to troubleshoot. It’s possible we don’t have the correct contact information for you in Powerschool! 

Direct Emails

In case of urgent communication, you will receive an email directly from David Núñez, Stacey Kreger, or Great River School with more information. 

Family Newsletters

GRS sends a monthly community newsletter, usually on the first Monday of the month (with some exceptions, depending on the school calendar). These newsletters are to feature student accomplishments and events at the school.  The first newsletter of the year will come on October 3. If you do not receive these messages, reach out to office@greatriverschool.org to make sure your contact information is updated! 

Social Media:

GRS maintains our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages. 

We do not maintain or supervise the GRS family Facebook pages listed below, although they are good resources for connecting with fellow families. 

• Great River School Community (all levels)

• GRS Elementary Parents

• GRS Lower Elementary Parents

• GRS Upper Adolescent Parents

We’re looking forward to a great school year together!

GRS First Annual Logo Contest!

Who: Any current GRS student 

What: Design a fresh logo for Great River School that reflects community themes such as the heron, goats, chickens, water/rivers, our spaces and/or our experiences

Why: To use on limited-edition spiritwear to raise funds for Great River

How: To enter, please send a photo or scan of your design to: kanway@greatriverschool.org by October 24, 2022

Winner will receive a special prize from Holly Bell’s tote AND a free T-shirt with YOUR LOGO!

BIPOC Caregiver Group - Summer Reading List

Hello GRS community,

Over the past month, many of you have added books to the BIPOC reading list below. Thank you so much for your contributions. The BIPOC caregiver group would like to invite you to take some time over the summer to read and explore the stories on this list. You may also continue to contribute to the list, as you read over the summer and desire to share a book that touched your heart, mind, and soul. Below is the book list itself and also a link to add more books to the list. Hope you have a wonderful summer. 

Again the purpose of this book list is for the GRS community to share books that they have read about the BIPOC experience. 

BIPOC Booklist to add suggestions.

BIPOC Booklist suggestions from the GRS community

Thank You Great River Donors

The parent-led Great River School Foundation wishes all your family a fun and restful summer. As we close out the school year, we want to give a warm thank you to our donors. 

Donors—both one-time givers and sustainers—provide essential funding to support the unique learning opportunities and life-changing experiences that define the Great River education. 

Thank you for supporting our school. Have a great break!

The Great River School Foundation