Elementary

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LIST League basketball sign-up for grades 5-8

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LIST co-ed basketball will run from mid-November through mid-February. We anticipate offering one 5-6 team and one 7-8 team. 5-6 team: Practices Mondays and Fridays from 4-5:15 and games on Wednesdays.

Coaches: Jonathan Turner Bargen, assisted by Peter Bodensteiner

November 18, 4-5:15 pm will be an open practice for anyone who is interested in learning more 7-8 team: Practices Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-5:15 and games on Fridays.

Coach: Kalen Krown

November 21. 4-5:!5 pm will be an open practice for anyone who is interested in learning more

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.

Contact bigcanoe@greatriverschool.org with any questions.

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REMINDER: SEAC (Special Education Advisory Council) TONIGHT, Mon., October 28th; 6pm

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Greetings Families,

There will be a SEAC (Special Education Advisory Council) meeting, TONIGHT, Monday, October 28th at 6pm.  All parents / guardians of students currently receiving special education services are invited to attend. 

For the meeting tonight, we will have a 'Key Experience debrief' to provide quality feedback to GRS.  If time permits, we can break into small groups and begin to develop an online resources page.

The meeting will be in person, or if you are unable to attend in person, you can join the conversation via Zoom at the following link: https://minnstate.zoom.us/j/98921953430 .  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.

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School Pictures are HERE!!

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If you haven't received your student's gallery via email, please reach out to Slow Road Photo directly at 612-293-6327 or hello@slowroadphoto.com.

Retake Day is scheduled for November 12th. Any students or staff who were absent on Picture Day will automatically be included on our list. Students or staff who have a photo from Picture Day but would like to have a retake photo done can register HERE.

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REMINDER: SEAC (Special Education Advisory Council) Monday, October 28th; 6pm

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Greetings Families,

There will be a SEAC (Special Education Advisory Council) meeting on Monday, October 28th 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, you can join the conversation via Zoom at the following link: https://minnstate.zoom.us/j/98921953430 .  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). 

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REMINDER: LOST AND FOUND! Last chance to claim your students' items

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Last Chance for Lost and Found Items! All items that remain in the lost and found after 4pm on Friday, October 25th will go to the Gear Swap at the annual Harvest Fest on Saturday, October 26th. Any items not claimed from the swap will be swept away and donated to charity.

Lost and Found locations are as follows:
Inside the foyer by the Cafe and inside the Elementary wing by the copy machine.

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LOST AND FOUND! Last chance to claim your students' items

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Last Chance for Lost and Found Items! All items that remain in the lost and found after 4pm on Friday, October 25th will go to the Gear Swap at the annual Harvest Fest on Saturday, October 26th. Any items not claimed from the swap will be swept away and donated to charity.

Lost and Found locations are as follows:
Inside the foyer by the Cafe and inside the Elementary wing by the copy machine.

Sign up today! Elementary Classroom Observations, November 5th - January 30th.

What is Montessori Education?

If you are new to Montessori education or would like a refresher of what learning looks like in each of our Lower and Upper Elementary communities, view this 5 minute video accompanied by a short article from the American Montessori Society (AMS) that provides an introduction to Montessori Elementary learning!  

We will be opening up our classrooms for observations on Tuesdays from November 5th, 2024 - January 30th, 2025. 

We would welcome each of you to come and observe the prepared environment in action in your child’s classroom.  You can sign up here: Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary. Sign up today!

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SAVE THE DATE! Harvest Fest on October 26th; 2 - 5pm at Great River!

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Welcome all Great River Families to Harvest Fest, Saturday October 26 from 2-5.

It's a great chance to give back to the Great River by purchasing crafts, salves and salts foraged and crafted by our own Lower Adolescent 7-9 year students. 

The Harvest Market will include: 

Organic, Gourmet Table Salt

Indulge in the gourmet flavors of our hand-picked herb salt, crafted with student foraged, organic botanicals for a culinary experience that's truly one-of-a-kind. 

Student dyed tea-towels

Delight in the beauty and eco-friendliness of our one-of-a-kind, naturally dyed tea towels, each a unique masterpiece.

Soothing Salves

Luxuriate in the soothing power of nature with our handcrafted salves, made with carefully foraged botanicals for a truly nourishing and therapeutic experience.

Photograph Cards

Students utilized the breathtaking scenery at the Farm, on the Odyssey and at the 10th year Itasca Key Experiences by creating beautiful photo cards for the community.

Additionally, there will be a Nordic Arts card section for sale as well. These are hand crafted by our 7/8th year Nordic Arts CAS.

Come for the market, stay for the community, enjoy each other and support all the work our Lower Adolescent students have done.

Also, stone soup, bounce house, apple cider, face painting, pick up Ultimate and football games, and music.

Come one, come all, see you there:)

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LOST AND FOUND! Last chance to claim your students' items

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Last Chance for Lost and Found Items! All items that remain in the lost and found after 4pm on Friday, October 25th will go to the Gear Swap at the annual Harvest Fest on Saturday, October 26th. Any items not claimed from the swap will be swept away and donated to charity.

Lost and Found locations are as follows:
Inside the foyer by the Cafe and inside the Elementary wing by the copy machine.

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Calling ALL 5th - 8th Grade Ultimate Players!

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Join us for our end of the season Hat Tournament!

Our high school players are hosting a fundraiser “Ultimate Hat Tournament” for any and all GRS 5th-8th graders that would like to participate. This will be on Monday, October 14, after school until about 6:30pm at McMurray Fields.

Players will walk over to McMurray after school and put their name in a hat. Our high school players will run a short throwing clinic for the middle schoolers while we draw out random names to make teams. Each team will get assigned 1-2 high school players as coaches and the tournament will start at 5:00pm after warm ups and go until about 6:30pm. The number of games will be dependent on the number of players/teams. (probably 3 short games for all)

The money from this fundraiser will help pay for winter dome time for our high school teams. There is a recommended $5-$10 donation to participate, but we will accept any donation. You can either pay with cash at McMurray or you can prepay here through our PayPal Link. No need to have a login. If you plan to attend, please have your player bring a light and a dark shirt and a water bottle. Parents are invited to watch and cheer!

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Save the Date! Join us for Harvest Fest! October 26th, 2 - 5pm

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Harvest Fest is an annual tradition celebrating the work of our Lower Adolescents and the joy of the harvest.  Come share soup, cider and singing with other GRS families.  Buy works created by Great River students on their Key Experiences and in CAS (Creative, Active, Service) workshops.  There will be games and music for all ages. 

Want to help?  Sign up to volunteer for this and many of GRS’s events at:

Harvest Fest Signup Genius

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LIST League basketball coaches wanted!

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We are looking for coaches for our LIST basketball teams, one for grades 5-6 and one for grades 7-8. The season is late November to early February (10 weeks). The team will practice after school one-two days per week from 4-5:30 pm (flexible depending on your schedule). Games are Wednesdays for the 5-6 team and Fridays for the 7-8 team. We are able to offer a stipend for coaching duties. Please reach out to kanway@greatriverschool.org for more information about this opportunity.

You could be one of the 60! Donate today!

Almost every family has contributed something to the cause.  If 60 more people contribute $70 or more, we will cover school supply needs for all of Elementary for the whole year!  We’ll even have the money to replace the Laminator!

Click here to donate. This money helps fund so many important materials for the work of the child and buys us a new laminator.  When you donate, please leave a comment with your student’s name and note that it is for the supplies.  You can also bring a cash or check to the front office of the school.

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Important October 2024 Dates

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"Life shall be lived well. The end of the summer is not the end of the world. Here's to October…" — A.A. Milne, "A Word for Autumn"

Get ready for October smiles, sweater weather, harvest festing, and candy consumption! Don’t forget to add these dates to your calendar for October!

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Join us for the SEAC (Special Education Advisory Council) Mon., Sept. 30th; 6pm

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The first meeting of the SEAC (Special Education Advisory Council) committee will occur on Monday, September 30th at 6pm.  Any caregivers or students associated with an IEP or 504 (established or pending) are encouraged to attend.. 

The first meeting is a meet and greet and to establish topics for the upcoming academic year. 

The meeting will be in the media lab at Great River School. If you are unable to attend in person, you can join via the following Zoom link:
https://minnstate.zoom.us/j/98921953430

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:
One reason I am part of SEAC is to assure special education (staff, caregivers and students) have representation. My wife, Jennie and I are organizing SEAC meetings this year (with help from Brad and Lindsey).