written by David Núñez, Interim Head of School

Dear GRS Community,

Happy May everyone!

As we quickly approach the end of the school year I wanted to take the opportunity to say that I hope everyone is having a wonderful spring!

Also, May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month – Here at GRS I have been sharing some resources with staff that include (but are not limited to):

Learning about Kao Kalia Yang, local author, and Diana Nguyen, poet and youth leader.

Reading the work of educational theorist Kevin Kumashiro.

Learning about Karen History, and how the ongoing conflict in Myanmar affects those here in MN.

Making space to ask students what they have noticed, and what they have experienced. More advice is available in this interview with Nicole Chung, author and advice columnist for Slate, and Chtistine Koh, neuroscientist and co-author of a book on parenting.

Or, visiting the new Exhibit at the MN historical society: Righting a Wrong. This exhibit was developed by the National Museum of American History and adapted for travel by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service.

Last month we didn’t have a newsletter and I didn’t have the opportunity to wish our Muslim families a blessed start to Ramadan or our Jewish Families a happy Passover, so I also wanted to say Eid mubarak to those who are observing Eid and belatedly say chag sameach to our Jewish families.

The end of the year here at GRS also means that we are quickly approaching our spring key experiences. As a newcomer to Great River, I have been so impressed with the preparation that has been going into these trips and the work the students have been putting in to get ready. I will be going along on the bike trip this year with the 7th, 8th, and 9th graders and I can’t tell you how much I am looking forward to it.

Finally, I wanted you all to know that next year’s calendar has been approved by the Board. We listened to all the feedback the families and staff offered and did our best to incorporate all of it. You will notice that we are closing school on several additional religious holidays and we won’t be having half-days of school again next year, two things that we heard quite a bit about from GRS families. Thank you for your caring and thoughtful constructive advice.

I hope you all have a delightful May!

Peace,
David