Celebrate the End of the School Year with a Picnic! Join us for good company, food & fun at the Como Park Playground at the West Picnic Lot across from ComoTown after school on Tuesday, May 28. Food Truck Fare available for purchase or bring your own picnic!
Join us for the SEAC Committee Meeting, Monday, May 20th; 6pm
There will be a SEAC (Special Education Advisory Council) meeting on Monday, May 20th at 6pm.
All parents / guardians of students currently receiving special education services are invited to attend and share constructive feedback.
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. Please contact Jeremy Sartain for a Zoom link at sartain.jeremy@gmail.com or 612-414-5224. 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. My wife, Jennie, and I are organizing SEAC meetings this year (with help from Brad and Lindsey). “
Summer Camp "Late Worm" Discounts!
We have a few camps that need a few more campers, so we are offering a “Late Worm” $40 discount for up to two camps. Simply put in this code at the checkout page: 24LateWorm40 and be sure to click the “Apply Coupon” button to activate it.
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.
Today is the last day to Vote! Great River School Board Elections 2024 - 2025
Today is the final day to vote in the Board Election for the 2024-2025 school year! Thank you to all of our candidates for being willing to serve on the board! We have a great group of candidates. Caregivers and Faculty, please check them out here!
Voting will close at 11:59pm CST Tonight.
If you have questions, feel free to reach out to executive@greatriverschool.org.
All parents, faculty, and board members are able to vote. Voting is open digitally from Monday through Thursday this week! cast your vote here! Election results will be shared the following week.
Questions? Email executive@greatriverschool.org.
REMINDER: Great River School Board Elections 2024 - 2025, Vote now thru May 10th!
It's time to vote in the Board Election for the 2024-2025 school year! Thank you to all of our candidates for being willing to serve on the board! We have a great group of candidates. Caregivers and Faculty, please check them out here!
Voting will close at 11:59pm CT on Friday, May 10.
If you have questions, feel free to reach out to executive@greatriverschool.org.
All parents, faculty, and board members are able to vote. Voting is open digitally from Monday through Thursday this week! cast your vote here! Election results will be shared the following week.
Questions? Email executive@greatriverschool.org.
REMINDER: No School, Monday, May 13th
Great River School Board Elections 2024 - 2025
It's time to vote in the Board Election for the 2024-2025 school year! Thank you to all of our candidates for being willing to serve on the board! We have a great group of candidates. Caregivers and Faculty, please check them out here!
Voting opened today, Monday, May 6 at 8am CT.
Voting will close at 11:59pm CT on Friday, May 10.
If you have questions, feel free to reach out to executive@greatriverschool.org.
All parents, faculty, and board members are able to vote. Voting is open digitally from Monday through Thursday this week! cast your vote here! Election results will be shared the following week.
Questions? Email executive@greatriverschool.org.
GRS Annual Blood Drive, Wed., May 15th
Hello all,
The National Honor Society will be hosting our Annual Blood Drive on Wednesday, May 15th from 8:00 - 2:00 in rooms 251/253. We are inviting all caregivers, Faculty, and staff and eligible students to donate as there is a national blood shortage. The Red Cross is offering gift card incentives to volunteers who are able to donate blood.
Here's the Link for more information and to make an appointment.
If you have questions or would like to help volunteer for the event, please reach out to Director of Student Services, Matt McElrath at mmcelrath@greatriverschool.org.
Best - Matt and NHS Students
Parent Engagement Group partners with Chipotle, May 7th, 2024
Let us help you with dinner and support the GRS PEG community! The Parent Engagement Group has partnered with Chipotle to help you with dinner on May 7th (Tuesday) and raise money for the Parent Engagement group. Win, Win, Win for everyone !
May 7th (Taco Tuesday) at Chipotle from 4 to 8 pm
857 Grand Avenue Saint Paul, MN 55105 Use the code WLFAFXR
BIPOC Gathering! May 22nd, 2024 at Griggs Park!
Please join us for the year end schoolwide BIPOC gathering at Griggs Park. Students that identify as BIPOC and interested in attending can sign up HERE.
Ultimate Frisbee wins!
The Girls Ultimate team traveled to Madison, WI this weekend and went 5-0, winning the "Madison Mudbath Tournament." They endured just about every type of weather the midwest sees in the spring, high gusts of wind, 70s and sunny, and of course 50s and pouring rain.They played 4 games on Saturday against Madison West, Middleton, Vel Phillips Memorial, and TENGU. On Sunday, they played Hopkins in the final and won 10-7. It was a great weekend full of competitive frisbee and team bonding!
PEG Monthly Newsletter - May 2024
For ongoing PEG news and more details on opportunities to volunteer and connect with other families, check out their monthly newsletter. Happy Reading! https://www.smore.com/n/x1pbe
Ultimate Camp! Check out the registration and schedules
–We are in the heart of the GRS Ultimate season and we would love to help your player to continue to improve over the summer. We have a variety of Ultimate Camps for players entering 4th grade all the way up to 12th. Since this is by far the biggest sport at Great River School, please use the following code during checkout to receive 20 percent off of the camp price: 24Ultimate20 and be sure to click the “Apply Coupon” button to activate it.
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.
External Communication: St. Paul Youth Bike Team (SPY-MTB)
The St. Paul Youth Bike Team is trying to attract more female riders into the sport and have a "Try it out" session planned with our coach Sara Martin on Saturday, May 18th. Interested girls should pre-register with Coach Martin at sara.l.martin@me.com.
REMINDER: Annual Campus Clean-up! April 27th
Join us for our annual campus clean up! Details upcoming for projects but we will always have a big pile of woodchips to spread, gardens to tidy and something that needs building. It's a wonderful opportunity to get involved and give back to the school and the earth!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D49A4A62BABF94-49283581-earth
GRS Gear Swap is another part of Earth Day upcycling practices. Start keeping a bag or bin of outdoor clothing and gear that's been outgrown and plan to pick up something new to you.
NOTE: Please get through the lost and found before then as we'll get ready to donate any and all leftovers! Thanks much:)
BHB Auction Item Pick Up will be in the staff lounge from 10-2
Bike Maintenance 101 - Nick Beerman (Adolescent Program Director) will be helping teach bike maintenance. Bring your own bike or you can learn on one of the GRS Bike Shop's bikes. Volunteers wanted~all family welcome! Bring gloves, shovels, buckets and water/snacks:)
Congratulations! MN Dept. of Labor and Industry Youth Skills Training Grant Recipient: Lindsey Weaver and GRS IB
For immediate release:
April 16, 2024
Labor and Industry announces 2024 Youth Skills Training grant recipients
Seventeen partnerships across Minnesota will receive funding to develop and expand programs to offer meaningful career exposure and paid work experience for students 16 years of age and older.
The grants are part of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry’s (DLI) Youth Skills Training (YST) program that was signed into law in 2017 with bipartisan support to create and provide employment training for student learners ages 16 and older in high-growth, high-demand occupations.
“These Youth Skills Training partnership grants will help high school students throughout Minnesota find pathways to high-growth, high-demand occupations and allow them to participate in safe, meaningful work experiences in their community,” said Nicole Blissenbach, DLI commissioner. “Thank you to everyone who has supported this program.”
YST grants will be awarded to the following 17 partnerships, which will receive and split $1.5 million in funding to be used for programs operating from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026. The partnerships will offer safe, meaningful work experience in advanced manufacturing, agriculture, automotive, health care and information technology.
Albert Lea Area Schools
Bemidji Career Academies
Cambridge-Isanti Public School District
Detroit Lakes Public Schools
Fergus Falls High School
Great River School (St. Paul)
Hennepin West Consortium
Hermantown Community Schools
Itasca Area Schools Collaborative
Minneapolis Public Schools – Camden High
Minneapolis Public Schools – Wellstone International High School
Moorhead Public Schools
New Prague Area Schools
Parkers Prairie School District
Perham Schools
ROCORI School District
Staples-Motley School District
Grants can be used to create programs, recruit students and employers, provide training, transport students and pay for industry-related student certifications. An eighth round of grant applications will open in winter 2024.
For more information about Youth Skills Training contact Rich Wessels, program manager, at 651-284-5184 or rich.wessels@state.mn.us; Jo Daggett, program consultant, at 651-284-5354 or jo.daggett@state.mn.us; or Faye Blough, program specialist, at 651-284-5341 or faye.blough@state.mn.us; Learn more online at dli.mn.gov/YST.
Media contact: James Honerman at 651-284-5313 or james.honerman@state.mn.us.
Annual Campus Clean-up! April 27th
Join us for our annual campus clean up! Details upcoming for projects but we will always have a big pile of woodchips to spread, gardens to tidy and something that needs building. It's a wonderful opportunity to get involved and give back to the school and the earth!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D49A4A62BABF94-49283581-earth
GRS Gear Swap is another part of Earth Day upcycling practices. Start keeping a bag or bin of outdoor clothing and gear that's been outgrown and plan to pick up something new to you.
NOTE: Please get through the lost and found before then as we'll get ready to donate any and all leftovers! Thanks much:)
BHB Auction Item Pick Up will be in the staff lounge from 10-2
Bike Maintenance 101 - Nick Beerman (Adolescent Program Director) will be helping teach bike maintenance. Bring your own bike or you can learn on one of the GRS Bike Shop's bikes. Volunteers wanted~all family welcome! Bring gloves, shovels, buckets and water/snacks:)
REMINDER: BIPOC Caregiver Meeting, April 25th
BIPOC Caregiver Committee Meeting
Please join us on Thursday, April 25th, 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 HERE.
Blue Heron Bash Thank you!
Donors, sponsors, volunteers, those who attended, and others who bid online…
Thank you for participating in the 2024 Blue Heron Bash!
Together we raised more than $33,000 for our school!
Important Reminders
***Auction Winners: Please pick up your item(s) Thursday April 25, 4-6pm or during the Earth Day Clean Up on Saturday, April 27 from 10am-2pm.
***We still need volunteers this week to organize auction items, assemble thank you letters and help with auction item pick up. Volunteer
***Great Gatherings and Fund A Need are still available plus a few auction items.
Reminder: Ultimate Frisbee Fundraiser April 24th
The Great River School Ultimate Frisbee teams are hosting a fundraiser to participate in tournaments this Spring. This event is April 24, 4-8pm at the Midway location on Hamline Ave & University in St. Paul.
When ordering in the restaurant, mention GRS. Online orders use "GIVING25" in the Coupon Code line at checkout.
Noodles & Company
470 Hamline Ave N, St. Paul, MN 55104