There is an ultimate frisbee fundraiser on December 6th at the Grand Ave Chipotle. From 4:00 to 8:00pm part of the proceeds from anyone who orders from the Grand Chipotle and says they are part of Great River will go to the Ultimate Program. Everyone should go! If you order online make sure you enter the code KWJYEWF.
Snack donations for Adolescent Students
Hello Parents and Caregivers of UA Students,
Our Adolescent students are hungry during the school day and asking for lots and lots of snacks! Over $50 a week in snacks.
Those caregivers with Costco or Sam’s Club memberships, or in a position to donate snack items for UA students, we will use them. Individually wrapped items work best. Granola bars, Applesauce pouches, Goldfish crackers, Pretzels, or Jerky are good items too. But honestly, students will eat any snack you are able to donate.
Snack donations can be dropped off at the Front Office with the amazing Holly Bell.
Thank you caregivers!
Seth Tupper, UA School Social Worker
GRS Spiritwear, Only two more days left to order for Free Delivery! Order by December 2nd.
Last week for free school delivery
Order your GRS school spiritwear by Friday December 2 to receive free school delivery before winter break.
We have fresh new tee and sweatshirt designs from our logo contest as well as old and new favorite hats, flannels, sweats and more. Each purchase helps support Great River's programming and operations.
Hairdryers needed for Art Department
Art teacher Laura Machacek is in need of 3-4 hairdryers. They can be used, but need to be in working condition. She would love to have a few in the art room to help dry projects. Thanks!
BIPOC Caregiver meeting, Thur., Dec. 1st, 7:45pm
REMINDER: BIPOC caregiver meeting will be held Thursday December 1st at 7:45pm via zoom. The zoom link can be accessed HERE.
Please email Jordan Samejima (jsamejima@greatriverschool.org) or Anu Dean (adean@greatriverschool.org) if you have any questions.
GIFTING STAFF for Holidays {coordinated by PEG} Deadline DEC 6th!
Wondering about Teacher Gift Ideas? We asked and got some great feedback from teachers about what they love!
Contribute to a Group $ Gift: At Great River we have 131 different staff members who all contribute to our community’s success. We are organizing a group gift for our dedicated guides and staff for those parents who wish to participate. We hope to make this a routine for holidays and teacher appreciation week at the end of the school year. We know the teachers will appreciate it, plus parents don’t have to put much thought into an amazing gift. Your contribution to the group gift is completely optional, and if you prefer to give your own gift, that is fine.
The group gift collection is for all GRS staff. We suggest an amount of $15-$150 that will be divided up equally. You can also choose to contribute whatever amount you’d like to.
Thank you!
Here is the link to Venmo and Paypal options. Please contribute now as we have a quick turnaround time to make this happen before winter break! Please note PEG in the description.
Venmo: @Heather-Thomas-190
PayPal: nathatddt@yahoo.com
If you prefer to make a cash donation, please deliver to the front desk in a sealed envelope with “PEG Holiday Gift” on the envelope.
Please participate as you like. Your gift amount is confidential.
Deadline for contribution will be December 6th.We’ll use our PEG meeting to stuff envelopes for each of our staff members, along with a thank you note.
Just to give you an idea........
We have about 800 in our student body and we know some families have more than one student at school.
If each family gave $5, we could give each staff member $25.
If each family gave $25, we could give each staff member $130.
If now is not a good time for your family, we can do another gifting time during teacher appreciation week. Teacher Appreciation Week: May 7-13
Gift Ideas from our Survey
If you want some other ideas to do on your own or as a classroom.
Bookstores: Moon Palace Books, Barnes and Nobles, Magers and Quinn, Black Garnet
Grocery Stores: Mississippi Market, Trader Joes
Pizza places: Pizza Luce, John’s Pizza, Red Savoy and Punch
Movie Theaters: Riverview, Alamo Drafthouse, AMC Rosedale
Cafes: So many—If you’d like to know a specific thing, ask your guide or email peg!
Favorite places, theaters and parks are also in our survey results, ask if you’d like more info:)
Contact your classroom ambassador or PEG if you’d like to know what your teacher loves and coordinate a special treat for them. We’ve listed some popular ideas for starters!
Please contact Heather or Mary Sage with questions at peg@greatriverschool.org
GRS Spiritwear, Order by December 2nd for Free Delivery!
Last week for free school delivery
Order your GRS school spiritwear by Friday December 2 to receive free school delivery before winter break.
We have fresh new tee and sweatshirt designs from our logo contest as well as old and new favorite hats, flannels, sweats and more. Each purchase helps support Great River's programming and operations.
Youth Summit, Black Men with Stethoscopes
Black youth, ages 12-18: Are you interested in becoming a doctor, dentist, physician assistant or advanced practice nurse? Hennepin Healthcare is hosting a Black Men with Stethoscopes youth summit on December 3rd from 9am-3:15pm. The summit will include a day full of hands-on activities with real medical equipment and opportunities to connect with Black healthcare professionals.
If you are interested in attending or would like more information regarding this event, please visit the link below.
ACE Update: No ACE Monday or Wednesday
In order to re-evaluate the ACE afterschool program, we will be pausing the program for the time being. There will be no ACE on Monday or Wednesday moving forward.
At GRS, we understand there may be a need for an afterschool program for lower adolescent students but we want to be able to deliver and meet the needs of students that attend ACE. Please stay tuned for further information.
Thank you for Supporting GRS!
Thank you to the many families that have contributed to Great River School during our Fall fundraising drive! Your contributions support the unique learning opportunities and life-changing experiences that define the Great River education.
Haven’t donated yet? It’s not too late! Join the community in supporting Great River students.
Don’t forget to check if your employer provides matching gifts. Please share with family and friends!
Logo Contest Winners! Congratulations!
Congratulations to our Logo Contest winners!
We received many beautiful and fun logo submissions in our contest. In the end, we couldn't choose just one winning design, so in true Montessori fashion, we are going to offer two choices!
Nicholas Pearson's (10th grade) river and heron design stood out for being simple, bold, and very true to Great River's traditions.
Lucius Xiong's (12th grade) goat design captures Great River's playful, silly and sweet side in a fun rainbow color scheme.
Honorable mention goes to Rowann Coburn (7th grade), who helped with design of the final selections, and GRS parent and graphic designer Melissa Hickman, who edited and formatted the winning selections for printing.
We hope to feature other logo contest submissions in GRS publications throughout the year, and give a big thanks to all who submitted entries.
Both of the winning designs will be available in our spiritwear store, found on our website at this link. Please note that the Black Friday Weekend Sale features 15% off all orders. The code shoppers will use at checkout is: BFW15OFF22 and it is valid ONLY on new orders placed from 11/24/22 - 11/28/22.
Civics Class Surveys (Continued)
Students in their Civics class have designed surveys to distribute to the GRS Community surrounding issues that affect the GRS community. The surveys were created with the 9th grade students in mind but some of the surveys are for caregivers and those other adolescents Please take the time to help these students with their class assignments by filling out the surveys below:
Grading at GRS - Survey Link (James Pumphrey)
FOR 9TH GRADE STUDENTS ONLY: Electives at GRS - Survey Link (Liam Ratcliff)
Physical Education - Survey Link (Marianna “MJ” Joers)
Music Extracurriculars at GRS - Survey Link (Jo Murphy)
Work and Extracurriculars - Survey Link (George Newburg)
FOR 9TH GRADE STUDENTS ONLY: Health at GRS - Survey Link (Scarlett Goetzman)
Thank you for your help!
Civics Class Surveys
Students in their Civics class have designed surveys to distribute to the GRS Community surrounding issues that affect the GRS community. The surveys are open to caregivers and Please take the time to help these students with their class assignments by filling out the surveys below:
Electives at GRS - Survey Link (Liam Ratcliff)
Physical Education - Survey Link (Marianna “MJ” Joers)
Music Extracurriculars at GRS - Survey Link (Jo Murphy)
Work and Extracurriculars - Survey Link (George Newburg)
Mental Health at GRS - Survey Link (Scarlett Goetzman)
Thank you for your help!
SUNDAY PERFORMANCE ADDED! Clue performances this weekend, Nov. 18th, 19th and 20th!
Mystery, laughs, and theater fun are in store at Great River School this weekend only!
Due to high demand, Great River School's production of Clue is adding a show this Sunday, November 20th at 2pm! Get your tickets now; Friday night is sold out, and Saturday night is close to it. Head to greatriverschool.org/clue to get your tickets before they're all gone!
Tickets will also be available for sale at the door on the day of the performance.
Can't join us for this production, or want to do even more to support our young designers, makers, and actors? Donate to the GRS Theater Program!
GRS is now incorporating students in all aspects of the production process. Through our IB Theatre, Theatre Tech, and Construction Math classes, students are participating in iterative design and academic processes to support both Clue and our spring 2023 musical “Addams Family”.Your contributions directly support our adolescent productions and give students more tools and materials to make their designs a reality!
Thank you!
Best,
Support GRS: Staff Appreciation
Part of what makes the GRS community so special are all our amazing faculty and staff. They guide our students through daily classroom life, and accompany them on Key Experiences.
We love our faculty and staff and and want to provide them with fair compensation. Your donations help make this possible.
We love being part of the Great River community with you! If you are able, please consider becoming a monthly donor: greatriverschool.org/give
Two Nights Only! Clue performance this weekend, Nov. 18th & 19th
Clue opens this weekend for two nights only! Friday at 7:30 pm is almost sold out and Saturday is filling quickly. Get your tickets now!
Can't make it but want to support the Arts at GRS? Consider donating! GRS Theater has created a program where students design, build and perform almost all aspects of our productions. GRS students leave our productions with both practical skills and creative fulfillment and have received statewide recognition for performance and technical craft. Support GRS Theater Today!
TECH HELP NEEDED, SATURDAY, NOV. 12; 11am - 6pm
Our GRS Theater Production of “Clue” is opening next week and we need help finishing the set! Stop by anytime this Saturday from 11am - 6pm to support the Theater department and our students. We'll be painting, sewing, drilling and cutting, so come in clothes you can get messy.
Message Nick Lane at nlane@greatriverschool.org if you can make it.
Student Wellness Needs
The UA student wellness group has a request! We are seeking glass water bottles and glass mason jars for a wellness event on December 7th. Doesn't matter the size or color, anything goes! Preferably washed out and labels removed, but no biggie if that isn't the case. Our goal is 150 glass bottles/jars before December 1st, 2022. Drop them off at the front desk with Holly, or send them with your students to the UA commons. Thank you for helping support the student's wellness!
BIPOC Caregiver Meeting, TONIGHT, Thursday, November 10; 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 to the meeting. Jordan Samejima, Equity and Inclusion Facilitator, will be leading the group tonight. Email adean@greativerschool.org if you need the link to the meeting.
Agenda Items:
Elementary/Adolescent BIPOC Events
Equity Action Plan Committee
Family Community Opportunity
STUDENT CONDUCTED SURVEY: Physical Education at Great River
Marianna “MJ” Joers ‘26, is conducting a survey for her Civics class to find out if people would be interested in having a Physical Education course, or other exercise option, here at Great River, something not currently offered through the regular curriculum. Upon completion of the survey, MJ will take the information gathered to support a conversation with administration.
To help MJ with her class assignment, please fill out the survey by November 18th, 2022.
Physical Education (Phy Ed) Class Survey
Thank you.