The Senior IB Art Show is coming up! This is a night to celebrate all of the hard work your students have put into IB Visual Arts over the past two years. The work will be on display during spring conferences but we also have a reception to celebrate the opening of the show from 4:30-5:30 on Wednesday, March 20th. Family and friends are invited. There will be live music and light refreshments.
Many of you have already signed up to provide refreshments or help with the set and and take down for our event. I've included a link here if you'd like to check it out.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D4CAEAA2DA2FA7-48235778-ibsenior#/
Please let me know if you have any questions. Looking forward to celebrating all of the amazing artwork these students have made!
Randi McClure, she/her
rmcclure@greatriverschool.org
Lost and Found Items
Any items that remain in the Lost and Found after 5:15pm on Friday, March 22nd, will be donated to charity! Please stop by either Lost and Found locations within the building to claim your student's possible lost items.
REMINDER: IB/PSEO Info Night on Tues 3/12
Dear 9/10th grade families,
9th and 10th grade students and families are invited by Lindsey Weaver (IB Coordinator) and Matt McElrath (Director of Student Services) for a night of information about the International Baccalaureate (IB) program (Grades 11-12) and PSEO options. The presentation will be recorded and posted with slides on the Great River School IB web page if you are unable to attend.
What: IB/PSEO Info Night
When: Tuesday, March 12th from 7:30-8:45pm
Where: Zoom Video Webinar, please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88340621814?pwd=NXNDS25DV2lEUE84dld6NEJMNUpBZz09
Passcode: 378090
We look forward to seeing you on March 12th,
Lindsey Weaver (IB Coordinator): lweaver@greatriverschool.org
Matt McElrath (Director of Student Services): mmcelrath@greatriverschool.org
The Play that Goes Wrong, March 14th thru March 17th; Tickets on sale now!
The Play That Goes Wrong begins before the curtain has even been raised, as the audience are present while the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society prepare to stage their new production – the 1920s murder mystery 'Murder at Haversham Manor'. However the set is not yet complete and there is no time to finish it off…..the show must go on! (Synopsis adapted from StageAgent)
Come and see Great Rivers 2024 Spring Play! Murder, mayhem, comedy, are all things you’ll find in The Play That Goes Wrong.
PERFORMANCE DATES:
Thursday, March 14th, 7:00pm
Friday, March 15th, 7:00pm
Saturday, March 16th, 2:00pm and 7:00pm
Sunday, March 17th, 2:00pm
Ticket Prices: $10 for students, $15 for adults.
To Purchase Tickets:
https://www.greatriverschool.org/theplaytgwtix
Please Note: Strobe lighting effects will be used during this performance.
Age Recommendation: PG, for stage violence and themes.
Accessibility: Have a question or an accessibility need? Email us at grstheater@greatriverschool.com!
Calling all Ultimate Players - 5th to 12th Grade
Middle (5th-8th) and High School (9th-12th) Ultimate Registration is now open. Please visit our GRS Ultimate Stars website to join today! The website also has information about the schedule, an informational slideshow, pricing and more. If you have never played, no worries! We equally encourage novice and experienced players to be a part of the GRS Ultimate community.
TINYURL.COM/STARSULTIMATE
Please do this as soon as possible to receive uniforms on time and to help coaches get organized and create teams. Be part of the only sport that is made up entirely of GRS students and sign up today. If you have any questions, please contact Brent Cummins (bcummins@greatriverschool.org) who is our “Ultimate Athletic Director.”
NoMythic Robotics Updates!
Our robotics team NoMythic is in Duluth for our first competition of the season! Our students have been working incredibly hard for the past two months to build an incredible robot and team, and we’re about to see all that hard work pay off!
If you’re interested in watching our robot in action, you can on twitch at this link: https://www.twitch.tv/firstinspires6
We have practice matches on Thursday, qualification matches Friday and Saturday morning, and playoffs Saturday afternoon (fingers crossed we’ll be involved!). We’re super excited to be bringing our robot up north for the Northern Lights competition, and we'll be excited to report back
REMINDER: P.E.G. Parent Engagement Group presents "Parent Education" - Mon., Mar. 4, 6pm
The Parent Engagement Group cordially invites you to an evening of education and planning TONIGHT, Monday, March 4th at 6 pm. PEG's intention for these monthly meetings is to provide an opportunity to gather for the purpose of strengthening our knowledge and community bonds to each other.
Saleha Erdmann, Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Coordinator
We will begin the meeting at 6 pm with our guest speaker, Saleha Erdmann, Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Coordinator. Saleha will speak about the Great River School Social Emotional Learning program. She will share how SEL supports students, staff and the broader GRS community.
Jeremy Sartain, GRS School Board Chair
We will continue our caregiver Education at 6:30 with a second topic. Great River School Board Chair, Jeremy Sartain, will give an overview of Board happenings and Foundation updates. Our brand new Development Director will be introduced and will collaborate with Jeremy on a couple of action item for caregivers and the broader GRS community to continue helping Great River School be the best environment possible for our children. The monthly PEG planning meeting will follow this presentation starting at 7 pm. In the PEG planning portion of the meeting we will be discussing food for staff during spring conferences, the Blue Heron Bash, Earth Day, and more!
We’ll be meeting in person in the Upper Adolescent Commons, please enter at Door G by the garden shed and the grow lights.
Or on Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84299165563?pwd=UUhEL216dTRPc0laQld2cHprblJjUT09
Meeting ID: 842 9916 5563
Passcode: 932164
When: March 4th at 6 pm
Where: GRS, Upper Adolescent Commons, please enter by Door G, near the Garden shed and grow light. Please join us for as little or as much time as you are able.
REMINDER: P.E.G. Parent Engagement Group presents "Parent Education: SEL" - Mon., Mar. 4, 6pm
The Parent Engagement Group cordially invites you to an evening of education and planning Monday, March 4th at 6 pm. PEG's intention for these monthly meetings is to provide an opportunity to gather for the purpose of strengthening our knowledge and community bonds to each other.
Saleha Erdmann, Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Coordinator
We will begin the meeting at 6 pm with our guest speaker, Saleha Erdmann, Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Coordinator. Saleha will speak about the Great River School Social Emotional Learning program. She will share how SEL supports students, staff and the broader GRS community.
Jeremy Sartain, GRS School Board Chair
We will continue our caregiver Education at 6:30 with a second topic. Great River School Board Chair, Jeremy Sartain, will give an overview of Board happenings and Foundation updates. Our brand new Development Director will be introduced and will collaborate with Jeremy on a couple of action item for caregivers and the broader GRS community to continue helping Great River School be the best environment possible for our children. The monthly PEG planning meeting will follow this presentation starting at 7 pm. In the PEG planning portion of the meeting we will be discussing food for staff during spring conferences, the Blue Heron Bash, Earth Day, and more!
We’ll be meeting in person in the Upper Adolescent Commons, please enter at Door G by the garden shed and the grow lights.
Or on Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84299165563?pwd=UUhEL216dTRPc0laQld2cHprblJjUT09
Meeting ID: 842 9916 5563
Passcode: 932164
When: March 4th at 6 pm
Where: GRS, Upper Adolescent Commons, please enter by Door G, near the Garden shed and grow light. Please join us for as little or as much time as you are able.
Calling all Ultimate Players - 5th to 12th Grade
Middle (5th-8th) and High School (9th-12th) Ultimate Registration is now open. Please visit our GRS Ultimate Stars website to join today! The website also has information about the schedule, an informational slideshow, pricing and more. If you have never played, no worries! We equally encourage novice and experienced players to be a part of the GRS Ultimate community.
TINYURL.COM/STARSULTIMATE
Please do this as soon as possible to receive uniforms on time and to help coaches get organized and create teams. Be part of the only sport that is made up entirely of GRS students and sign up today. If you have any questions, please contact Brent Cummins (bcummins@greatriverschool.org) who is our “Ultimate Athletic Director.”
P.E.G. Parent Engagement Group presents "Parent Education: SEL" - Mon., Mar. 4, 6pm
The Parent Engagement Group cordially invites you to an evening of education and planning Monday, March 4th at 6 pm. PEG's intention for these monthly meetings is to provide an opportunity to gather for the purpose of strengthening our knowledge and community bonds to each other.
We will begin the meeting at 6 pm with our guest speaker, Saleha Erdmann, Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Coordinator. Saleha Erdmann, the GRS Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Coordinator will speak about the Great River School Social Emotional Learning program. She will share how SEL supports students, staff and the broader GRS community.
The monthly PEG planning meeting will follow this presentation starting at 6:30 pm. In the PEG planning portion of the meeting we will be discussing food for staff during spring conferences, the Blue Heron Bash, Earth Day, and more!
We’ll be meeting in person in the Upper Adolescent Commons, please enter at Door G by the garden shed and the grow light
Or on Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84299165563?pwd=UUhEL216dTRPc0laQld2cHprblJjUT09
Meeting ID: 842 9916 5563
Passcode: 932164
When: March 4th at 6 pm
Where: GRS, Upper Adolescent Commons, please enter by Door G, near the Garden shed and grow light. Please join us for as little or as much time as you are able.
Plant Pot Donations Needed
Hello Upper and Lower adolescent families! In the coming weeks, a fellow student and I will be leading a plant potting CAS. One issue we’ve been facing is getting enough materials that we need. We would greatly appreciate any donations of terra cotta or ceramic pots, if you have any you are willing to donate please drop them off at the front desk.
Thank you!
Email sender - rpalahniuk@greatriverschool.org
REMINDER: SOS Signs of Suicide Training (7th & 8th Grade); March 13
7th and 8th grade parents and caregivers,
Don’t forget to check your email for a message from the GRS Mental Health Team regarding the upcoming program called SOS Signs of Suicide, a mental health program used by Great River every year. The program teaches students about this difficult topic and encourages them to seek help.
Students will complete the training and screener on WEDNESDAY MARCH 13, 2024
We encourage you to visit www.mindwise.org/parents for information on warning signs for youth suicide, useful resources, and some of the key messages students will learn.
Resources
If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s participation in this program please contact us at gcarveth@greatriverschool.org or stupper@greatriverschool.org
Reminder: Ultimate H.S Fundraiser: Davanni's!
The Great River Ultimate high school teams are raising funds to support their winter dome practice and their upcoming Spring season. Pickup dinner on Tuesday, Feb 27th, 4-8pm at Davanni's on Cleveland and Grand Ave in St Paul. Mention the GRS fundraiser in your take-out, dine-in, or curbside order to support the team.
SAVE THE DATE!! Blue Heron Bash is around the corner!
Calling all Ultimate Players–5th to 12th Graders!
Middle (5th-8th) and High School (9th-12th) Ultimate Registration is now open. Please visit our GRS Ultimate Stars website to join today! The website also has information about the schedule, an informational slideshow, pricing and more. If you have never played, no worries! We equally encourage novice and experienced players to be a part of the GRS Ultimate community.
Please do this as soon as possible to receive uniforms on time and to help coaches get organized and create teams. Be part of the only sport that is made up entirely of GRS students and sign up today. If you have any questions, please contact Brent Cummins (bcummins@greatriverschool.org) who is our “Ultimate Athletic Director.”
Reminder: Ultimate H.S Fundraiser: Davanni's!
The Great River Ultimate high school teams are raising funds to support their winter dome practice and their upcoming Spring season. Pickup dinner on Tuesday, Feb 27th, 4-8pm at Davanni's on Cleveland and Grand Ave in St Paul. Mention the GRS fundraiser in your take-out, dine-in, or curbside order to support the team.
SEAC (Special Education Advisory Council) Monday, February 26th; 6pm
Greetings Families,
There will be a SEAC (Special Education Advisory Council) meeting on Monday, February 26th 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, there will be a Zoom link available. For the Zoom link, please contact Jeremy Sartain at jsartain@greatriverschool.org. A zoom link with a general 'agenda' will be sent out this week. 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).
Ultimate Frisbee Registration to Open Soon!
Attention all 5th-12th graders interested in Ultimate Frisbee this spring: Registration for Middle and High School Ultimate will be opening next week. We will update our Ultimate website with all the information by next Wednesday (TINYURL.COM/STARSULTIMATE). Until then, email Brent Cummins with any questions--bcummins@greatriverschool.org Also, check out this Ultimate opportunity for players of all ages put on by MN
Ultimate and the Wind Chill:
https://shop.windchillultimate.com/products/chill-strike-indoor-youth-clinic-3-9-24
BIPOC Caregiver Committee Reminder
Please join us on Thursday, February 16th, 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 below.
https://meet.google.com/ecc-bhoc-erk?authuser=0&hs=122
REMINDER: Ultimate H.S Fundraiser: Davanni's!
The Great River Ultimate high school teams are raising funds to support their winter dome practice and their upcoming Spring season. Pickup dinner on Tuesday, Feb 27th, 4-8pm at Davanni's on Cleveland and Grand Ave in St Paul. Mention the GRS fundraiser in your take-out, dine-in, or curbside order to support the team.