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Congratulations! Great River School wins American Scandinavian Foundation Grant!

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Great River School won a grant from the American Scandinavian Foundation to create a year-long artist-teaching residency with Anna Sharratt to infuse the Slöjdklubbar (“craft club”) approach into GRS, both to enhance the experiences of students in the school over the long term and to take a significant next step to expand educational slöjd in the Upper Midwest.

Anna Sharratt has worked in youth education and curriculum development for 25 years, with an emphasis on hands-on skills and experiential learning to develop confidence and autonomy. Anna currently teaches traditional Scandinavian handcraft to kids and adults at a variety of institutions in Minneapolis and greater Minnesota. Anna will be teaching disciplines including green wood carving, weaving, wet and needle felting, embroidery, sewing, wirework, cordage and rope-making, paper arts, basketry, and knitting.

Anna will develop a simple, age-specific curriculum for ongoing use for all levels; instruct students directly (7th - 8th grade); support students in independent handcraft explorations (9th - 12th grade); celebrate students’ experiences with handcraft through events involving the wider school community (students, faculty, and families); and showcase the entire process to educators throughout the region with data and guidance for replication.

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Join us for Adolescent Theatre Intensive Performances! All are welcome!

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The Lower Adolescent Program is proud to continue its Theater Intensive Experience for 7th and 8th graders! This program fosters confidence, creativity, and community as students tackle challenges like public speaking and stage performance.

This year, students will perform:

Show Details:

  • Location: Wellstone Center, 179 Robie St. E, St. Paul, MN 55107

  • Dates: December 16–20, 2024

  • Times: 2:30 PM and 5:30 PM showings

Reserve tickets and learn more about the performances here.

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Coming this Winter! GRS Folk School!

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The Great River Folk School is a new community education initiative open to all: parents, families, friends and connections of Great River School. 

We are looking for instructors for our folk school! We’d like to sign up instructors excited to teach traditional crafts, arts, food, movement, knowledge, music, or other interests to groups of adults or families. Instructors will be paid 50% of class revenue, with the remainder going to support the work of Great River School. Classes will take place at GRS evenings or weekends this school year. 

If you are interested in learning more about the GRS folk school, please reach out to Karen Anway at kanway@greatriverschool.org. 

FAFSA Application Information Night, December 2nd, 6pm

On Sunday, December 1st, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid , or FAFSA, Application will be open to applicants. If you are unfamiliar with the FAFSA application process or need a refresher on how to complete the FAFSA, GRS will be hosting a Financial Aid Night on December 2nd at 6pm!

Jennifer, our admissions representative, from Minnesota North College will be coming to present on the FAFSA application and other sources of financial aid. We will have time to start the FAFSA and ask questions. You do not need to be interested in Minnesota North College to attend, however, if you are looking for a Minnesota Community College, they are a great choice! Come join us on December 2nd at 6 pm!

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REMINDER: SEAC Meeting, TONIGHT, Monday, November 25, 2024

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There will be a SEAC (Special Education Advisory Council) meeting on Monday, November 25th at 6pm.  All parents / guardians of students currently receiving special education services are invited to attend. 

This Meeting will feature information regarding college (post-secondary) access for students with disabilities Guest speakers will provide current information regarding admissions standards and accommodations in the college environment.

The meeting will be in the media lab at Great River School. If you are unable to attend in person, you can attend 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.

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SEAC (Special Education Advisory Council) Monday, November 25th; 6pm

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There will be a SEAC (Special Education Advisory Council) meeting on Monday, November 25th at 6pm.  All parents / guardians of students currently receiving special education services are invited to attend. 

This Meeting will feature information regarding college (post-secondary) access for students with disabilities Guest speakers will provide current information regarding admissions standards and accommodations in the college environment.

The meeting will be in the media lab at Great River School. If you are unable to attend in person, you can attend 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)

Audition Sign-ups end "at the end of the day" on Wed., Nov. 13th for 3rd - 6th grades! Sign-up today!

2 DAYS MORE! Only 2 days to sign-up for Les Miserables auditions for those in 3rd through 6th grades. Check out the details below for the show, and more information about the roles available to our elementary students. After you have signed up, you should receive an email from the production crew with audition materials so you can practice the music! Good Luck!

Rehearsal Times: 

Click here to see the rehearsal schedule. Days highlighted for each role.

Shows: 

March 7 & 8, 7pm (Call time 5:00); March 9, 2pm (Call time 12:00)

March 14 & 15, 7pm (Call time 5:00); March 16, 2pm (Call time 12:00)
 

If your student is ready and excited to audition, please complete this Google Form to provide caregiver permission as well as some information about your student. We will be in contact with you by mid-November to set up an audition time.

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GRS Theatre Presents: "Queens", November 22 - 24, 2024

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👑 Save the date! Come see QUEENS a play performed by grades 7-12 at GRS on November 22nd-24th TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW👑

Friday + Saturday night at 7PM, Sunday Matinee at 2PM Tickets are $10 for Students, $15 for Non Students PURCHASE TICKETS (And for more information visit): www.greatriverschool.org/shows And stay up to date on GRS’ theatre Instagram page: grstheatre

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REMINDER: Conferences and Staff Appreciation Food Sign-up

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Conferences reminder for all families

Just a friendly reminder, conferences will take place on Thur., November 7th and Fri. November 8th and there will be no school on Wed., November 6th. Don’t miss an opportunity to have this time to learn about your student and speak with their Guide or Advisor.

If you haven’t done so and wish to, please sign up by Wednesday, November 6th for conferences to ensure you have the opportunity to conference with your students' guide or Advisor . We would like to see all families in person for conferences this year. Please sign up here.

Multiple Households/Families - if your child splits time between two households and both caregivers want/need to attend the conference, please schedule it together. If this is not possible, exceptions can be made by emailing the Program Director of your level.

Staff Appreciation Conference Food Sign-up 2024

Want to show our teachers a little appreciation for all they’ve done? This year we are continuing our tradition of staff food support during conferences. These two days provide an important opportunity for families and guides to check in about our children's experiences at GRS so far this year. To accomplish this, the teachers will be putting in long days, engaging in focused conversations with all of us. The food that families contribute not only keeps everyone nourished, but serves as an important show of support for all that the guides and staff do for our kids! Sign-up below!

Fall Conference Staff Appreciation Sign-up

If you prefer to donate funds you can via Venmo @GRSPEG or Paypal at https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/K4WXAQPN3FHNU

Great River School Parent Education Presents: "A Guide to Going Out"

““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.””
— Dr. Maria Montessori

Details 

  • Thurs., Nov. 14, 2024  at 6 pm to 7 pm

  • St. Croix classroom, Great River School (please enter doors on Energy Park Lane, Elementary entrance) 

  • Lead by Eileen McElrath, GRS Elementary Program Director  and and Tracey Fluegel, Minnesota River Guide

A Going Out is an important and exciting part of Montessori education.  It is also a very fun part of being 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? 

Note and Questions? 

If you are interested in this Volunteer opportunity but can’t attend the training please contact your Classroom Parent Engagement Ambassador or Emily McMahon (volunteer parent) at emilynooney@yahoo.com

Childcare is not provided during this event. 

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The Goats are coming back!

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Our goats will soon return full time to Great River in their newly secure enclosure! Our goats have spent the past year living their best lives on a beautiful organic farm, Dancing the Land Farm, where they've been able to enjoy large open spaces, fodder and forage and a few stolen CSA vegetables, and the company of an entire herd of Angora and milking goats.

Over that same year, our goat team has re-evaluated our entire upper garden and adjacent outdoor spaces in terms of goat safety and longer term goals for our animal program and program development; evaluated and come to an agreement to relocate the main goat pen to the front and center area of the school; worked with numerous stakeholders and our building company to verify that we can in fact make all of the necessary changes; worked the site to design, reshape and fence the existing infrastructure with the complex needs of a school and urban setting alongside the needs for additional security and everyday goat care necessities; and finally, this week our hand-built custom goat barn arrived for a community barn-raising and additional interior security fencing. We expect these final steps to be accomplished in the next week or two at most.

In school, 7/8 students will continue their work on improving the goat barn and goat pen infrastructure throughout the fall and beyond. As soon as our barn and inner security fence are fully operational, the goats will return full-time to the GRS campus and their beloved roles in our urban community.

For information about upcoming work days, email Lisa at lholt@greatriverschool.org

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Student Health Coordinator, Katie Engelking to leave Great River School

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So long, Farewell, Auf wiedersehen, Katie!
Some of you may know that our awesome Health Coordinator, Katie Engelking will be leaving GRS to pursue a new career!  Katie recently graduated from Stout with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies and will be working in her field. Stop by the health office anytime and pass along your well wishes to Katie or if you would like to write a note  of gratitude, you can turn it in to Jennifer at the front desk!  Katie's last day will be November 6th! Congrats Katie

 
 

If you or someone you know would be interested in joining the Health Office at GRS, check out the Student Health Coordinator position details on the GRS Employment page and apply today! https://www.greatriverschool.org/employment

The Student Health Coordinator is responsible for serving as a liaison between the Licensed School Nurse (LSN; School Nurse consultant), student health and wellness faculty/staff members, and parents/guardians relating to health care issues and maintaining related health records. Student Health Coordinator also assists students with routine health care protocols.

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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.

SAVE THE DATE: Snow Formal for Upper Adolescent, November 15th!

On November 15th, Great River School will be holding the First Snow Formal dance!
Admission is $7 and the theme is winter gothic.

IMPORTANT:  In order to attend the formal, students will need to fill out the drug and alcohol form. If students want to bring outside guests they will need to get a form from Aidan Clements.

VOLUNTEER HELP!  This dance is being planned by students and is not possible without the help of our caregivers and community members! We need your help! Parents and caregivers can use the sign-up genius below to volunteer.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D49A4A62BABF94-52379404-2025

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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.