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
GRS all-ages Chess Club–Spring session
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.
BIPOC Caregiver meeting, March 28th, 2024
The 2024 Blue Heron Bash needs your donations!
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.
SAVE THE DATE! Board Elections are coming soon!
Elections are coming April 15th through April 19th. Please consider running (if you can) and/or recruiting others. Look for more information and the application soon.
The Senior IB Art Show, Opening March 20th!
The Senior IB Art Show is coming up! This is a night to celebrate all of the hard work your students have put into IB Visual Arts over the past two years. The work will be on display during spring conferences but we also have a reception to celebrate the opening of the show from 4:30-5:30 on Wednesday, March 20th. Family and friends are invited. There will be live music and light refreshments.
Many of you have already signed up to provide refreshments or help with the set and and take down for our event. I've included a link here if you'd like to check it out.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D4CAEAA2DA2FA7-48235778-ibsenior#/
Please let me know if you have any questions. Looking forward to celebrating all of the amazing artwork these students have made!
Randi McClure, she/her
rmcclure@greatriverschool.org
Lost and Found Items
Any items that remain in the Lost and Found after 5:15pm on Friday, March 22nd, will be donated to charity! Please stop by either Lost and Found locations within the building to claim your student's possible lost items.
Calling all Ultimate Players - 5th to 12th Grade
Middle (5th-8th) and High School (9th-12th) Ultimate Registration is now open. Please visit our GRS Ultimate Stars website to join today! The website also has information about the schedule, an informational slideshow, pricing and more. If you have never played, no worries! We equally encourage novice and experienced players to be a part of the GRS Ultimate community.
TINYURL.COM/STARSULTIMATE
Please do this as soon as possible to receive uniforms on time and to help coaches get organized and create teams. Be part of the only sport that is made up entirely of GRS students and sign up today. If you have any questions, please contact Brent Cummins (bcummins@greatriverschool.org) who is our “Ultimate Athletic Director.”
REMINDER: P.E.G. Parent Engagement Group presents "Parent Education" - Mon., Mar. 4, 6pm
The Parent Engagement Group cordially invites you to an evening of education and planning TONIGHT, Monday, March 4th at 6 pm. PEG's intention for these monthly meetings is to provide an opportunity to gather for the purpose of strengthening our knowledge and community bonds to each other.
Saleha Erdmann, Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Coordinator
We will begin the meeting at 6 pm with our guest speaker, Saleha Erdmann, Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Coordinator. Saleha will speak about the Great River School Social Emotional Learning program. She will share how SEL supports students, staff and the broader GRS community.
Jeremy Sartain, GRS School Board Chair
We will continue our caregiver Education at 6:30 with a second topic. Great River School Board Chair, Jeremy Sartain, will give an overview of Board happenings and Foundation updates. Our brand new Development Director will be introduced and will collaborate with Jeremy on a couple of action item for caregivers and the broader GRS community to continue helping Great River School be the best environment possible for our children. The monthly PEG planning meeting will follow this presentation starting at 7 pm. In the PEG planning portion of the meeting we will be discussing food for staff during spring conferences, the Blue Heron Bash, Earth Day, and more!
We’ll be meeting in person in the Upper Adolescent Commons, please enter at 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
When: March 4th at 6 pm
Where: GRS, Upper Adolescent Commons, please enter by Door G, near the Garden shed and grow light. Please join us for as little or as much time as you are able.
REMINDER: P.E.G. Parent Engagement Group presents "Parent Education: SEL" - Mon., Mar. 4, 6pm
The Parent Engagement Group cordially invites you to an evening of education and planning Monday, March 4th at 6 pm. PEG's intention for these monthly meetings is to provide an opportunity to gather for the purpose of strengthening our knowledge and community bonds to each other.
Saleha Erdmann, Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Coordinator
We will begin the meeting at 6 pm with our guest speaker, Saleha Erdmann, Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Coordinator. Saleha will speak about the Great River School Social Emotional Learning program. She will share how SEL supports students, staff and the broader GRS community.
Jeremy Sartain, GRS School Board Chair
We will continue our caregiver Education at 6:30 with a second topic. Great River School Board Chair, Jeremy Sartain, will give an overview of Board happenings and Foundation updates. Our brand new Development Director will be introduced and will collaborate with Jeremy on a couple of action item for caregivers and the broader GRS community to continue helping Great River School be the best environment possible for our children. The monthly PEG planning meeting will follow this presentation starting at 7 pm. In the PEG planning portion of the meeting we will be discussing food for staff during spring conferences, the Blue Heron Bash, Earth Day, and more!
We’ll be meeting in person in the Upper Adolescent Commons, please enter at 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
When: March 4th at 6 pm
Where: GRS, Upper Adolescent Commons, please enter by Door G, near the Garden shed and grow light. Please join us for as little or as much time as you are able.
Calling all Ultimate Players - 5th to 12th Grade
Middle (5th-8th) and High School (9th-12th) Ultimate Registration is now open. Please visit our GRS Ultimate Stars website to join today! The website also has information about the schedule, an informational slideshow, pricing and more. If you have never played, no worries! We equally encourage novice and experienced players to be a part of the GRS Ultimate community.
TINYURL.COM/STARSULTIMATE
Please do this as soon as possible to receive uniforms on time and to help coaches get organized and create teams. Be part of the only sport that is made up entirely of GRS students and sign up today. If you have any questions, please contact Brent Cummins (bcummins@greatriverschool.org) who is our “Ultimate Athletic Director.”
P.E.G. Parent Engagement Group presents "Parent Education: SEL" - Mon., Mar. 4, 6pm
The Parent Engagement Group cordially invites you to an evening of education and planning Monday, March 4th at 6 pm. PEG's intention for these monthly meetings is to provide an opportunity to gather for the purpose of strengthening our knowledge and community bonds to each other.
We will begin the meeting at 6 pm with our guest speaker, Saleha Erdmann, Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Coordinator. Saleha Erdmann, the GRS Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Coordinator will speak about the Great River School Social Emotional Learning program. She will share how SEL supports students, staff and the broader GRS community.
The monthly PEG planning meeting will follow this presentation starting at 6:30 pm. In the PEG planning portion of the meeting we will be discussing food for staff during spring conferences, the Blue Heron Bash, Earth Day, and more!
We’ll be meeting in person in the Upper Adolescent Commons, please enter at Door G by the garden shed and the grow light
Or on Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84299165563?pwd=UUhEL216dTRPc0laQld2cHprblJjUT09
Meeting ID: 842 9916 5563
Passcode: 932164
When: March 4th at 6 pm
Where: GRS, Upper Adolescent Commons, please enter by Door G, near the Garden shed and grow light. Please join us for as little or as much time as you are able.
Reminder: Ultimate H.S Fundraiser: Davanni's!
The Great River Ultimate high school teams are raising funds to support their winter dome practice and their upcoming Spring season. Pickup dinner on Tuesday, Feb 27th, 4-8pm at Davanni's on Cleveland and Grand Ave in St Paul. Mention the GRS fundraiser in your take-out, dine-in, or curbside order to support the team.
SAVE THE DATE!! Blue Heron Bash is around the corner!
Calling all Ultimate Players–5th to 12th Graders!
Middle (5th-8th) and High School (9th-12th) Ultimate Registration is now open. Please visit our GRS Ultimate Stars website to join today! The website also has information about the schedule, an informational slideshow, pricing and more. If you have never played, no worries! We equally encourage novice and experienced players to be a part of the GRS Ultimate community.
Please do this as soon as possible to receive uniforms on time and to help coaches get organized and create teams. Be part of the only sport that is made up entirely of GRS students and sign up today. If you have any questions, please contact Brent Cummins (bcummins@greatriverschool.org) who is our “Ultimate Athletic Director.”
SEAC (Special Education Advisory Council) Monday, February 26th; 6pm
Greetings Families,
There will be a SEAC (Special Education Advisory Council) meeting on Monday, February 26th at 6pm. All parents / guardians of students currently receiving special education services are invited to attend. The meeting will be in person, or if you are unable to attend in person, there will be a Zoom link available. For the Zoom link, please contact Jeremy Sartain at jsartain@greatriverschool.org. A zoom link with a general 'agenda' will be sent out this week. 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).
BIPOC Caregiver Committee Reminder
Please join us on Thursday, February 16th, from 5:30 - 6:30 for the BIPOC Caregiver Committee meeting. It will be held virtually via Google Meet. You can access the meeting link below.
https://meet.google.com/ecc-bhoc-erk?authuser=0&hs=122
No School - Presidents' Day, February 19th, 2024
Volleyball Coach Needed!
We are hoping to offer coed volleyball this spring for grades 5-7, and we're looking for a coach! The season will start the week of February 26 and end April 26 (9 weeks). Games are on Wednesdays at 4:30 or 5:30 and practices can be the coach's choice of T, Th or Friday in the GRS gym. This position earns a stipend of $1000.
Please contact kanway@greatriverschool.org by 2/12 if you'd like to be our coach, and/or with any questions. Thank you!
GRS Summer Camp–Early Bird Discount ends soon!
Be sure to sign up for summer camp soon to grab a spot and maximize your savings as the early bird discount ends February 14. Our 1st-3rd grade camps are filling up extremely fast but we still have spaces in our PreK/K, 4th-7th, 7th-10th and 9th-12th camps. We have a lot of GRS staff leading camps, so come spend some non-school time with them! Scott Alsleben is leading lots of Ultimate Camps, Ethan Hulett is leading fun half day camps at Como Park, Derek Damron is leading our first ever Bikepacking Camp, Chad Hofland is leading a band/music camp, Alexis Jackson is once again leading most of our Camp of All Camps, and many more! It’s going to be an amazing summer, so don’t wait too long to sign up.
For schedules and registration, go to https://great-river-school.jumbula.com/home or email Brent Cummins at bcummins@greatriverschool.org with any questions.
As always, we are dedicated to making summer camp possible and affordable for ALL through our early-bird pricing, sibling discount, multi-program discount and our Pay What You Can program.