FTC Robotics Team Athena
Hey Great River, We have another Robotics team! FTC Team Athena!
FTC Team Athena is like NoMythic but with smaller robots. This is a great space to learn new skills like building, coding, and problem solving. This year’s game even lets us design robots that throw paper airplanes!
We are having an intro night on Wednesday the 27th from 4:30-6. Interested students should come fill out an application and find out what the season will hold. Responsible adults of the students should join us as soon as you are able after work to learn about what we are doing and how you can help. We have 8 spots for Lower or Upper Adolescent students.
Practices will be held after school on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:15-6 but may be adjusted after we discuss what works best with the team. The robotics room is off of the little garden at the end of the parking lot and will have a sign on the door for info night.
Fall Archery for Lower Elementary
Fall Archery Session for Lower Elementary
Mondays, September 18-October 23 (no school 9/25) from 4-4:45 pm (5 sessions)
Cost is $100.
Space is limited Scholarships in case of need and discounts for current Big Canoe participants are available; contact bigcanoe@greatriverschool.org
GRS all-ages Chess Club
GRS is partnering with the Twin Cities Chess Club again this fall 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, September 27-December 13 (9 sessions, only meets on school days)
Cost: $125
Space is limited. Scholarships in case of need and discounts for current Big Canoe participants are available; contact bigcanoe@greatriverschool.org
Registration: Sign up by filling out this form.
Please pay the fee at this link to complete registration.
REMINDER: First Lego League (4th - 8th grades)
FIRST Lego League for grades 4-8:
Calling interested students and parents! GRS hopes to host 4 lego league teams this fall under the direction of head coach Pam Husak.
Teams will practice every Wednesday after school from 4-5:30, and every other Saturday culminating in the all-day tournament in December. The first meeting will be Wednesday September 6.
The fee is $200 (scholarships available--contact bigcanoe@greatriverschool.org). The fee goes towards materials, equipment, competition fees, and GRS staff resources.
Lego League gives students a hands on technical challenge to solve while working as a team to study the problem and find solutions. We're looking for kids who are committed to hard work and building strong, cooperative teams. To apply, students and parents should fill out the Lego League application form.
We are also looking for parents who are able to volunteer their time to coach a team--no experience is needed, just a willingness to help guide the kids in their work!
Teams fill up quickly, and placement is not guaranteed. Registration is complete upon team confirmation and payment.
Contact legoleague@greatriverschool.org with any questions.
Apply to NoMythic!
Do you like working with a group? Solving problems? Building things? Making things happen? Traveling with a group? Then the robotics team might be for you! NoMythic is a collaboration between Avalon and Great River School
Experience the Team Nights
Anyone interested in the team must attend one of these sessions. They’re also perfect if you don’t know if you’d like to join the team - we’ll give you a taste of everything we do.
September 7th, 12th or 14th (first two weeks of school).
4:30-8:30 pm at GRS (Idea Lab)
You will need to be picked up at GRS at 8:30 pm that evening.
Dinner is included!
We are especially seeking 9th graders this year, to fill the 8 open spots on our team (though anyone 9th -12th grade is welcome to apply). No skills required.
Talk to NoMythic students at school (look for our signature purple tie dye) or email 2491nomythic@gmail.com if you have further questions or to let us know about any dietary needs.
First Lego League (4th - 8th grades) , and Soccer (5th - 8th grades) Sign ups!
FIRST Lego League for grades 4-8:
Calling interested students and parents! GRS hopes to host 4 lego league teams this fall under the direction of head coach Pam Husak.
Teams will practice every Wednesday after school from 4-5:30, and every other Saturday culminating in the all-day tournament in December. The first meeting will be Wednesday September 6.
The fee is $200 (scholarships available--contact bigcanoe@greatriverschool.org). The fee goes towards materials, equipment, competition fees, and GRS staff resources.
Lego League gives students a hands on technical challenge to solve while working as a team to study the problem and find solutions. We're looking for kids who are committed to hard work and building strong, cooperative teams. To apply, students and parents should fill out the Lego League application form.
We are also looking for parents who are able to volunteer their time to coach a team--no experience is needed, just a willingness to help guide the kids in their work!
Teams fill up quickly, and placement is not guaranteed. Registration is complete upon team confirmation and payment.
Contact legoleague@greatriverschool.org with any questions.
LIST League soccer signup for grades 5-8
LIST co-ed soccer will run from September-November. We anticipate offering one 5-6 team and one 7-8 team.
Practices will be at McMurray fields north of Great River Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:15-5:30 pm, with games on Wednesdays (gr 5-6 team) or Fridays (gr 7-8 team).
Coaches: Corey Pederson and Ricardo McCurley
Cost is $150 (jersey, league and coach fee)
Sign up here to indicate your interest, and you'll be contacted with team and payment information.
Book Arts Spring Intensive Exhibition, Thurs., June 8; 1:30 - 3:00pm
Please join the Book Arts Spring Intensive for an exhibition of our work on Thursday June 8 from 1:30-3:00 in room 206. Refreshments will be served!
Fall Sports!
By August 4th, 2023, if you are interested in playing a Fall Sport, please return this registration form. Great River School is part of a sports consortium so that we have enough players to create tremendous teams!
These sports are open to all in grades 7-12 for the 2023-2024 school year.
Practices start on August 14th and no registrations will be accepted after the first week of practice.
This fall, our choices are: Coed Cross Country, Girls' Volleyball, Boys' Soccer, Girls' Soccer, and Football.
Please send your completed forms to: tiger.hs.athletics@twincitiesacademy.org BY AUGUST 4.
LIST League Soccer Coach Wanted
Are you interested in coaching soccer for grades 5-6 and/or 7-8? We anticipate offering two teams next fall through the middle school LIST league. The season is September-November. Typically teams practice 1-2 times per week from 3:45-5 pm and have games on Wednesdays (5-6) or Fridays (7-8). We are able to offer a stipend for coaching duties. Please reach out to kanway@greatriverschool.org for more information about this opportunity.
REMINDER: Last day of School ceremony and half day
The last day of school is a half day on Friday, June 9th. It is an annual tradition to close the year together with our end of year ceremony, thank each other for the work we’ve done, and enter summer collectively. The students will line up in the playground area on the south side of campus to participate in this short event, which will begin at 11:10am followed by an ice cream social and dismissal at 11:45.
Your students should bring all their personal items home. Please have your children bring nothing with them to school on the last day, except any remaining borrowed school items they need to return - we need the building to be cleared out by dismissal time. All items left in the lost & found will be donated.
Students will not be eating lunch at school on Friday. Big Canoe Kids Club will not be in session in the afternoon on the last day of school. Dismissal for all students is at 11:45am.
Thank you for your partnership through this year. We would appreciate parent volunteers to help with the ice cream social - please sign up here!
The Ceremony
Caregivers are welcome to observe the ceremony and pick up your students afterwards. We ask that caregivers gather along the perimeter of the playground (staying on or behind the limestone rocks). After the ceremony, students will participate in an ice cream social and be dismissed for the summer.
For more information, please see the email sent to all GRS Families.
Academy Force Football Information, Zoom Meeting, Tuesday, June 6; 7:15pm
Great Gatherings: Owning and Maintain an Electric Vehicle (EV)
The 22-23 school year is coming to a close and it's time to look towards summer and ways to stay connected with other GRS families! We still have some spots available at a couple of the Great Gathering- consider joining in and boosting your summer with some new learnings and friends!
EV Curious? Spend an evening enjoying appetizers and craft mocktails while learning what it’s like to buy, own and maintain an EV. We’ll have a informal discussion and answer questions about topics such as: Buying experience, availability Test driving options Rebates Features Hybrid vs Plug-in Batteries and range Road trip and route planning Charging options (solar) Local EV Car Share Options HOST: Susan and Rudolph Sochacki WHEN: June 20th, 2023 6:30pm WHERE: Our patio in St Paul WHO: Adults
click this link to buy tickets! bit.ly/GRSBHBTICKETS23
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Prom needs you!
Hello Junior and Senior Families,
Prom is in just a couple days and things are looking good! BUT WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Our adolescent student planners have been working hard but they cannot set up for this soirée alone. We need volunteers to help set up and clean up for the event!
Please sign up for a slot to help make this event a success as we celebrate a positive school year! Thanks to those of you who've already volunteered!
Donate to the animals of GRS!
A student created project for class to raise money for the animals of GRS by selling used clothes donated by students.
Theory of Knowledge Class Annual Exhibition, Wed., May 31st; 10:30am
The Theory of Knowledge class will be hosting their annual Exhibition. Each student will have an exhibition of three artifacts centered on a Theory of Knowledge question of their choice. Students will act as hosts and presenters of their exhibition, sharing their artifacts and insights. It will be a super fun morning for any and all curious minds!
Date: Wednesday, May 31st
Time: 10:30- 11:30am
Location: Sophie and Sarah H's Rooms
External post: MN Youth Birdwatching Club
We've had the pleasure of working with birder Amy Simso Dean during elementary Environmental Ed workshop. Amy leads the MN Youth Birdwatching Club, which has received grants for 2023 to offer *free* guided birding opportunities for youth and families. Please share this information with others, or reach out for your own family if you are interested! Email MYbirdclubinfo@gmail.com or follow @MYBirdClub on facebook.
Family Feedback Survey - Due June 9th
Families of Great River,
We look forward to your feedback regarding this past school year. Your feedback creates and informs the decisions we will make as a school community. Please be direct, honest, and critical where appropriate. Also let us know where you find joy and strength in our learning community. After each question is an opportunity to provide additional comment if you would like to elaborate on any specific topic.
Please fill this Family Feedback Form by June 9th. Your results are anonymous and we appreciate every shared experience and perspective!
It's that time already! End of the Year Picnic, Tuesday, May 30!
Theory of Knowledge Class Annual Exhibition, Wed., May 31st; 10:30am
The Theory of Knowledge class will be hosting their annual Exhibition. Each student will have an exhibition of three artifacts centered on a Theory of Knowledge question of their choice. Students will act as hosts and presenters of their exhibition, sharing their artifacts and insights. It will be a super fun morning for any and all curious minds!
Date: Wednesday, May 31st
Time: 10:30- 11:30am
Location: Sophie and Sarah H's Rooms