GRS Ultimate! Sign-up today!

Are you already playing or interested in trying High School Ultimate? Curious to see if it’s for you?

Come to indoor dome practices once a week, January-March.  All are welcome! Practice will be located at the West St. Paul Dome, 1655 Livingston Ave, West St Paul, MN 55118. St. Paul Girls practice will take place Tuesdays 6:45am-8:15am and Boys/Open practice, Wednesdays 6am-8am. All must sign up HERE.  Responses to the sign-up will help us in creating carpools.

Embrace the early morning and come try GRS ultimate!

Email Brent Cummins with questions: bcummins@greatriverschool.org

* Dome practices are free and start on 1/23/24*

*Donations for Dome time are accepted here: PAYPAL - paypal.me/StarsUltimate (include student name in note)--Checks and cash are accepted at the front desk as well*

*Official season signups with registration fees coming later in February*

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PEG Newsletter, Now Monthly! December 2023

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PEG’s parent volunteer-composed newsletter is now monthly!! To stay updated on all the events, volunteer opportunities and other ways to get involved in the GRS Community, check out the newsletter below!

Thanks to the amazing work of Parent volunteer, Ashley Beermann, a vibrant PEG Newsletter will be updated if more events are added throughout the month and come out again in January! Happy reading!

New updates, information, and PEG newsletters will also be available on the PEG website: https://www.greatriverschool.org/peg

PEG Presents Great River School Caregiver education "Guide to Going Out"

Please join us for this upcoming education opportunity on Going Out!

A Going Out is an important and exciting part of Montessori education.  It is also a very fun part of the GRS community! 

This education will share ...

  • What is a Going out?  

  • How does this benefit GRS students?

  • How can I get involved? 

  • How do I get a Background check completed? 

“When the child goes out, it is the world itself that offers itself to him[them]. Let us take the child out to show him[them] real things instead of making objects which represent ideas and closing them in cupboards.””
— Maria Montessori

  • December 4th, 2023 at 6 pm to 6:30 (Parent Engagement meeting at 6:30 to 7:30 pm) 

  • Great River School Gymnasium (please enter doors on Energy Lane, adolescent entrance, near cafe/gym/Big Canoe)

  • Hosted by Parent Engagement Group 

  • Led by Jean Peters, Elementary Program Director

Please RSVP to ensure we have enough space. 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D49A4A62BABF94-46137701-going

Note and Questions? 

We plan to offer this training again and in the future record it for on demand use. If you are interested in this Volunteer opportunity but can’t attend the training please contact your Classroom Ambassador or Emily McMahon (volunteer parent) at emilynooney@yahoo.com

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A+ Driver's Education! Sign up today! (For 14 years of age and older only)

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DRIVER’S EDUCATION (Students who are 14 years of age and older)

This 30-hour program will be conducted by a certified instructor from the A+ Driving School and will fulfill the state driver’s education requirement.  The course will address the “how to” and “whys” of safe driving.  The format of the class will be lecture and active discussion. 

After completion of the program, students will be able to set up and participate in behind the wheel sessions to meet the six hour state requirement.

Great River partners with A+ Driving School to host driver's ed on site.  UA Guide, Abby Mesnik, will teach these classes.  We have scheduled a winter session in February 2024. Class dates will be on February 13,14,15,16,  20,21,22,23,  27,28 from 4pm-7pm in room 274. 


Sign Up Here through A+ Driving.

Link not working? From the A+ Driving Home Page [https://aplusdrivingschool.net/], go to In-Person and then select St. Paul Area.

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GRS Theatre presents "Guys and Dolls" musical, December 8 - 16, 2023!

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Check out the new season of Performing Arts at GRS!

Fall 2023 Musical: Guys and Dolls | December 8th - December 16th

Guys and Dolls is a musical romantic comedy involving the unlikeliest of Manhattan pairings: a high-rolling gambler and a puritanical missionary, a showgirl dreaming of the straight-and-narrow and a crap game manager who is anything but.

Set in the Manhattan of Damon Runyon’s short stories, Guys and Dolls tells of con-man Nathan Detroit’s efforts to find new life for his illegal, but notorious, crap game. When their trusty venue is found out by the police, Nathan has to find a new home for his crap game quickly - but he doesn’t have the dough to secure the one location he finds. Enter Sky Masterson, a high-rolling gambler willing to take on any honest bet with a high enough reward attached. .

For more Information on The Guys and Dolls and to purchase tickets:
https://www.greatriverschool.org/guys-and-dolls-2023

To keep up with the Upcoming GRS Performing Arts, visit:
www.greatriverschool.org/shows

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Heron's Nest News! Q2 Menu and what's coming in December! Check it out!

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Breakfast news!  We are introducing a hot breakfast sandwich on Friday morning:  English muffin with egg, cheese and a veggie patty.  Best way to start the day?  Grab a freshly made brekkie sammie.

Even more breakfast news:   We offer Cheerios every day as an option.  It’s a great choice if you need a gluten free breakfast.  Regular milk and a non-dairy alternative are always available.

Have you checked out the Quarter 2 menu?  Click the image below, or visit the Great River Nutrition page by clicking here →  https://www.greatriverschool.org/nutrition.

Friendly reminder to please remember to add money to your students and/or staff lunch accounts and keep an eye on your lunch balance. Thank you so much for eating with us. 

School Payment Portal Direct Link

School Payment Portal How-To Guide- how to make a lunch account using the school payment portal

Get ready for more sauce:  Bang Bang sauce is back!  This popular house-made condiment went away for a few years but is now available during lunch. 

Crunching the numbers:  In Quarter 1 we served over 11,000 meals to our students and staff!  Also, we were able to provide 483 frozen meals to Feeding Frogtown since the beginning of the school year.  We are proud to serve our community.

Now for a fun fact.  Did you know that Chef Dan doesn’t like many sweets except for ice cream? You can’t pin him down to just one flavor, but his favorite places to get ice cream are Baby Zito’s and the Pumphouse Creamery.  Yum!

We look forward to seeing you in the lunch line,

Your friends in the Great River kitchen, Dan, Tess, Julie and Mel

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Happy Hmong New Year!

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images and Information adapted from the Visit Saint Paul Website

Happy New Year! Happy Hmong New Year that is! A big celebration happens after Thanksgiving at the St. River Centre and you are encouraged to participate in this beautiful series of events! Please check out the Visit Saint Paul Website for more information on this amazing annual celebration!

Guide to the Annual Minnesota Hmong New Year

Each year, Saint Paul is home to Minnesota's Hmong New Year Celebration. Here's what you need to know about this lively event held at RiverCentre.

Who

All are welcome to join in the celebration of the Annual Minnesota Hmong New Year. Thousands of attendees, local and from around the world, attend this amazing annual event hosted by United Hmong Family, Inc.

What

The two-day celebration of the Hmong New Year highlights traditional Hmong dance, music, crafts, vendors and more.

When

Traditionally held during the weekend after Thanksgiving.

Where

Saint Paul RiverCentre

Why

An annual celebration taking place in the fall, Hmong New Year is a time to honor ancestors and gives thanks for the completion of the harvest. With the largest urban Hmong population in the world, Saint Paul is the perfect place to celebrate this vibrant culture with family and friends, Hmong and non-Hmong alike.

How:

Tickets are available in advance and can be purchased online or at the Xcel Energy Center Box Office Monday, Nov. 21 – Wednesday, Nov. 23 from noon - 5 p.m. for $10.35 (credit card only).

Tickets are available at the door on Saturday, Nov. 25 and Sunday, Nov. 26 for $12 (cash) or $12.42 (credit card).

  • Kids 42” and below are free and measured at the door.

  • Seniors 65+ must present ID at the box office for free ticket.

When it comes to parking, there are a variety of ramps and lots in the downtown Saint Paul area. For a map to all parking options, click here.

Most ramps will charge a daily event rate and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Metro Transit's light rail (green line) and MTC buses are also highly recommended over the busy holiday weekend. Visit metrotransit.org for more information.

https://www.visitsaintpaul.com/blog/guide-to-hmong-new-year/

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CORRECTION: GRS Spirit Wear Black Friday Sale!

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Tis the season! In just a few more days it will be Thanksgiving weekend, the unofficial kick-off to Holiday shopping!

CORRECTION: Great River School Spirit Wear Store, run through The Branding Wearhouse, is offering a seasonal promotion this year to all of our GRS Community!. This sale will run all weekend long starting Thanksgiving Day (11/23/23) through Cyber Monday (11/27/23)! The Black Friday Weekend Sale will be 20% off all orders $50 or more. The code you can use at checkout is: BFW20OFF50 and it is valid ONLY on new orders placed from 11/23/23 - 11/27/23.

Orders placed during this sale will be delivered to Great River no later than Friday, December 8th. If the order is shipping directly to your home through either UPS or USPS we cannot guarantee delivery dates provided through 3rd party carrier tracking services. We do not have control over carrier delays or untimely updates given in tracking details, which we are expecting to happen once again this year. If you would like to purchase spirit wear for someone in your family for the holiday, this is the perfect opportunity to do so! The last day to order is December 7, 2023 in order to get it by the Christmas Holiday.

Visit our GRS Spirit Wear Store today!

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We Met Our Goal!

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Thank you to everyone who contributed to Great River School during our Fall Fund Drive!

We met our goal of 150 donations - and exceeded it by at least 25 more! (We’re still receiving checks in the mail!) With more than 80 gifts made on our Give to the Match Days, we were able to fully utilize all $10,000 pledged by our generous donors! 

Together, we raised more than $30,000. Your generosity is outstanding, and it will go a long way. Thank you for being part of the Great River community! 

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CORRECTION: GRS Spirit Wear Black Friday Sale!

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Tis the season! In just a few more days it will be Thanksgiving weekend, the unofficial kick-off to Holiday shopping!

CORRECTION: Great River School Spirit Wear Store, run through The Branding Wearhouse, is offering a seasonal promotion this year to all of our GRS Community!. This sale will run all weekend long starting Thanksgiving Day (11/23/23) through Cyber Monday (11/27/23)! The Black Friday Weekend Sale will be 20% off all orders $50 or more. The code you can use at checkout is: BFW20OFF50 and it is valid ONLY on new orders placed from 11/23/23 - 11/27/23.

Orders placed during this sale will be delivered to Great River no later than Friday, December 8th. If the order is shipping directly to your home through either UPS or USPS we cannot guarantee delivery dates provided through 3rd party carrier tracking services. We do not have control over carrier delays or untimely updates given in tracking details, which we are expecting to happen once again this year. If you would like to purchase spirit wear for someone in your family for the holiday, this is the perfect opportunity to do so! The last day to order is December 7, 2023 in order to get it by the Christmas Holiday.

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Fall Fund Drive: Employer Match Programs

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Did you donate to the Fall Fund Drive? Volunteer your time? There are employer match programs that will match the money you donated and donate money based on your volunteer hours! Make the most of your contributions: check with your employer for more information. Haven’t donated yet? It’s not too late! greatriverschool.org/give

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Girls on the Run Returns to GRS! Coaches needed!

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Girls on the Run will be returning to GRS this spring! In order to make that happen, we need coaches! Coaches are community volunteers. They commit to one day a week and help lead lessons on social emotional learning. Practices will be Tues/Thurs from 4:00 - 5:30. It's a great way to get involved in the GRS community. It ends with a celebratory 5k in June and it is the coolest event. Interested? Email Delia Koolick at dkoolick@greatriverschool.org

We're also looking for junior coaches ages 16 - 18 who help run our program, make connections with the runners, and score some great volunteer hours. If you know a teen that would be interested, direct them to Delia Koolick as well For More information about the Girls on the Run program, visit www.gotrmn.org

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2024-25 Enrollment Application is now available

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If you have a child or children to enter into Great River School's Enrollment Lottery, please fill out the 2024-25 application before February 9, 2024. Please note that we do not save waitlist information from one year to the next. If you are interested in being included in the enrollment lottery for SY 2024-25, you must submit a new application. The enrollment lottery will be held at 10:30 am on February 16, 2024. Applications are due on February 9.

If your child already attends Great River, you do not need to reapply for continued enrollment.

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Give to the Max! November 15th and November 16th

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It’s Give to the MATCH days at GRS! Today and tomorrow (November 15-16) are matching gift days for the Fall Fund Drive. A group of Great River families have generously pledged matching gifts up to $10,000! Double your impact! greatriverschool.org/give

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Archery for Adolescents (Grades 7 - 12)

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Archery for Adolescents (grades 7-12)

  • 4-4:45 pm Mondays, November 20-December 18 (5 sessions)

  • Coach: Hadley Musselmann

  • Cost: $75. Students who have participated in archery in the past can volunteer to help coach and participate at no extra cost. Scholarships are available in case of need; Email bigcanoe@greatriverschool.org for more information.

Sign up here; you’ll be contacted with the payment link to confirm your signup.

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Fall Fund Drive: Key Experiences

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Key Experiences are a hallmark of the Great River education—and they are provided free of charge for all students. An important student bonding and learning experience during the school year, students embark on trips where they learn to work together as a community, develop trust in each other, try new experiences, and gain independence. As many of you heard at the start of the school year, the trips are a big expense for the school. Depending on the trip, it costs between $300-$400 per student. This cost includes transportation, food, community camping gear, campground fees, and experiences like museum admissions. Donations from families help provide these unique learning opportunities and life-changing experiences that define the Great River education. No amount is too big or too small—give at a level that is comfortable for your family. greatriverschool.org/give