Looking for a Notary Public?

If you have documentation that needs to have your signature notarized, GRS is offering that service at the Front Desk. Ask Holly Bell (new front desk person) if you would like to use this free service. Notarization assures parties of a transaction that a document is authentic and can be trusted.

Remember to bring proper i.d. like a state-issued driver's license, a state-issued i.d. card, a U.S. military i.d. or a passport. Examples of when you may need a notary public are health forms, marriage forms, insurance forms, mortgage forms, name change forms, or car dealership forms.

Attendance Reminder

Happy first day of school, Great River families! 

As a reminder, please email attendance@greatriverschool.org to inform the school about any attendance details (student absence, tardiness, or pickup changes)! The front office is staffed from 8am-3:30pm and is primarily responsible for student attendance and health. Emailing your student's classroom guide or advisor is a kind gesture, but will not inform the school-wide attendance system. 

Our old email (info@) is being retired and your student's attendance details might be missed. If you prefer voicemail, you can always leave a message on the attendance line (651-305-2780). If you have a general question or need a faculty member's contact information, please email office@greatriverschool.org and we will assist as best we can! 

Starting at 8am, students may enter academic spaces in the building. Teachers take attendance at 8:30am when school begins. If your student arrives at school after 8:30am but before 8:45am, they can go straight to their learning spaces, where they will be marked tardy by their teacher. If your student arrives after 8:45am, they need to stop at the front office for a late pass. 

If a student is marked absent and the school has not heard from their parents, all listed numbers in Powerschool will receive an automated attendance call, letting you know of your student's absence. 

*If your student is late, but does not stop at the front office, they will be marked absent in our attendance system and you will receive a robocall.* 

Please contact office@greatriverschool.org with any questions - we look forward to a successful year of growth! 

best, 
the great river admin team
 

Volunteers Needed!

We’re still looking for some community volunteers to help polish the building before our first day of school, September 10th! Friday & Saturday shifts available - sign up here!

Lower Adolescent Back to School Night

We're excited to welcome you to the 2018-2019 school year at our Back to School Night! Come see our new learning environments, meet your student's teachers, and say hello to the chickens after the long summer! The Lower Adolescent Back to School Night is September 5th, with 7th & 8th grade families meeting at 5:30-6:30pm and 9th grade families meeting at 6-7pm. Please enter through the Main Building's north or south doors! 

Public parking is available on Energy Lane (to the south of the school) or across Energy Park Drive in the Bandana Square parking lot. Please help us be good neighbors by not parking in our neighbor's parking lots!

Communication Update

Hello dear families!

We are busy preparing our new building for the 2018-2019 school year. We have accent walls being painted, concrete being poured, and beautiful landscaping being arranged. We can’t wait to welcome your students into their new learning environments come September 10th!

In these last week before school starts, we have some important changes to share around school communications and how you can stay up-to-date with all things Great River:

• As you have probably noticed, our website has undergone a major renovation! We designed our new website for ease of navigation and accessibility and hope you’ll find it useful in the coming weeks and months. For any additional website feedback, please shoot us an email at office@greatriverschool.org.

• Yes, we said office@greatriverschool.org, which leads us to our second point! After many faithful years of service, we’re retiring info@greatriverschool.org. Info@ has been a catch-all email, but as our school has gotten larger, so has the need for more specific email addresses. Going forward, we’ll be using the following emails:

  • To contact the office or administration, use office@greatriverschool.org.

  • For attendance purposes, use attendance@greatriverschool.org.

  • For employment inquiries, use jobs@greatriverschool.org.

  • For enrollment, use enroll@greatriverschool.org.

  • For school meal questions, use lunch@greatriverschool.org.

• Great River has also officially outgrown our Blogspot announcements blog. Starting this school year, each level (elementary, 6B, lower adolescent, & upper adolescent) will have their own announcements blog, hosted on our website. Check these blogs for internal information, such as family announcements, athletics information, and calls for volunteers. If you’d like to email subscribe to announcements, follow the links below.

  • Elementary Announcements Blog (1-6)
    (click here to receive updates in your email inbox)

• • 6th Grade Bridge Announcements Blog
    (click here to receive updates in your email inbox)

• • Lower Adolescent Announcements Blog (7-9)
    (click here to receive updates in your email inbox)

• • Upper Adolescent Announcements Blog (10-12)
    (click here to receive updates in your email inbox)

We will continue to send a monthly newsletter to all families and the “News” page on our website will host these articles, more focused on student growth and school development.

• We’d appreciate your input on our school communications by taking this short, three-question survey on how our community accesses information. We’ll also have this survey available at Back to School Night!

• Finally, as we prepare to embark on Fall key experiences, we’re finding ourselves in need of three additional  drivers. If you have a great driving record, think camping sounds like fun, and always wanted to tag along on a GRS trip, this is your opportunity! While we encourage parents to apply, please note that you will not be able to accompany your student on their trip. Click here for more information.

Please follow our official social media accounts: we're on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram!

We look forward to a year of partnership with you!

-the great river admin team

Extended Day Announcement!

Fall sports! Grades 5-8 all-gender soccer

Great River is organizing a co-ed soccer team through LIST league again this year, coached by our own Mr. Dexter Yee Yick! Practices are tentatively scheduled for Wednesday afternoons, and games early evening on Fridays or Wednesdays, depending on age. The season goes from September to November. Cost is $100 (scholarships available). Please indicate your interest by filling out this form, and we will let you know the final details as they develop!

Great River Lego League (grades 5-7)

GRS will field 4 teams again this year. Signup on the NoMythic Robotics website. The teams will meet on Wednesdays after school from September through mid-December. There's a $200 fee (sliding scale if needed), and we must have two parents volunteering per team. So signup your student - and yourself! This year's mission, Into Orbit, is literally a blast.

Chamber Orchestra

String players who play at an intermediate or above level are invited to help create Great River’s first orchestra! Join conductor Jennifer McGuire to make music with your friends on Wednesday afternoons from 3:30-5 pm. (Wind or brass players may be able to join as well, please contact voyageurs@greatriverschool.org for more information). Cost: $300 per year, scholarships available. Sign up with this link.

New: Adolescent Afterschool Programs!

Our new Voyageurs program has several options for afterschool activities for grades 6-8--and up!

Monday through Friday we offer hangout space, game time, and homework space for students who want a place to go after school. Fees vary. For more information or to sign up, contact voyageurs@greatriverschool.org.

We will also be offering adolescent classes and clubs after school, including arts and crafts, Magic: The Gathering, and Chess club. Details to follow, or contact voyageurs@greatriverschool.org for more information.

Order Tiger Gear!

All of the items will feature our new logo. To order, email Victor at vvondracek@twincitiesacademy.org by August 31st! 

BSN Premier 1/4 Zip - White (94% polyester, 6 % spandex)

$32.00

Blue tiger logo embroidered 

Mens and women's sizing

Nike Team Legend LS Crew - Royal or Black (100% polyester)

$25.00

Blue tiger logo screen print for black shirt

White tiger logo screen print for royal shirt

Mens and women's sizing

Nike Team Legend SS Crew - Royal or Black (100% polyester)

$20.00

Blue tiger logo screen print for black shirt

White tiger logo screen print for royal shirt

Mens and women's sizing

Nike SS Polo - Black (100% polyester)

$35.00

Blue tiger logo embroidered (upper left chest/ opposite Nike sign)

Mens and women's sizing

Grey Nike Club Fleece pullover hoodie (81% cotton, 19% polyester)

$40.00

Blue tiger logo screen print

Men's sizing only

Thank you and, Go Tigers!

Head of School message on Adolescent Vocabulary and structure for the coming year!

Hello Families of rising 7th, 8th & 9th grade students!

We are so excited for the coming year, and welcoming students back to our remodeled learning environment.

One of the great benefits of the expanded facility is that we have the opportunity to go even further in programs that best meet the needs of students. One example is our advisory structure for adolescent students. The basic news is that 9th year students will have an advisory specific to their needs and development, and 7th and 8th grade advisories remain stable. Our key experiences, excellent preparation for high school, and programs remain the same for students.

The attached sheet tells all about the details and overarching structure of our program. We keep the most successful parts of our 7th&8th grade programs, we increase focus on supporting successful 9th year students, and we offer greater opportunity for planning and reflection for 10th-12th grade students. All of those years are coming quickly for your students, and we're making sure to prepare and communicate with you ahead of the coming year.  Over the next several weeks, we will also share a narrated presentation (similar to the ones we gave in the spring of 2018 regarding this same information).

Attached you will find a document and a short Q&A regarding the lower adolescent program - "Lower Adolescent" - that's new vocabulary for the coming year!

Be well, enjoy your summer,

Sam O'Brien
Head of School

Fall Athletics Information

Hello, TCA & GRS Families!

Fall sports is upon us!  I would like to take a second to introduce myself as your new Athletic Director for your Twin Cities Academy/ Great River School Tigers! Yes, you read that correctly, TCA/GRS has now become the Tigers with new colors of blue and bright gold!  You will see the new transformation with our new uniforms at all sporting events with opportunities to purchase Tiger gear for your self!  We are trying to recreate a new atmosphere for our students and families to increase school spirit and excitement!  I am simply asking that you please be patient with us while we transition our website to reflect our vision!

Great River looks forward to our new partnership mascot! Look for spiritwear with our shared logo!

Here is the information regarding our first week of fall Varsity High School sports - all tryouts are open to grades 7-12. Teams are established for competition with other High School programs in our conference. (For athletes in grades 5-8 interested in athletics for junior high school, there will be a future email on August 15th regarding LIST league athletics for Great River Students.)

If you have any questions about registration, events, or participation, please contact me at vvrondacek@twincitiesacademy.org

Here is the information regarding our first week of fall sports:

Volleyball: 
Head Coach: Samantha Berg - sberg@twincitiesacademy.org
First day of practice: Monday the 13th TCA gym
Time: 7:00-9:00am
Tryout period will be 13th-14th and will include series of skills and drills.

Boys Soccer:
Head Coach: Prince Amoako - princeamoako2013@gmail.com
First day of practice: Monday the 13th TCA fields
Time: 4:30-6:00pm
Tryout period will be the first week.

Girls Soccer:
Head Coach: Sovantha Oum - sovatha@comcast.net
First day of practice: Wednesday the 15th TCA fields
Time: 4:30-6:00pm
No tryouts, just evaluation period.

Cross Country:
Head Coach: Tom Corcoran - tcorcoran@twincitiesacademy.org
First day of practice: Monday the 13th (only M,W,F)
Time: 7:15-8:00am @ Como Lake

Looking forward to it all!
Victor

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Welcome our new Athletic Director, Victor Vondracek, who splits his time between GRS & Twin Cities Academy! 

Victor Vondracek was born and raised in Southwest Minnesota growing up in a small town called Walnut Grove. He graduated with a B.S. Degree in Sports Management and a Minor in Business Administration from Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN.  A former athlete, Vondracek played Division II rugby for the Mustangs. Upon graduation, Vondracek moved to Memphis, TN to work for an AAU basketball program formerly called M33M, MM standing for Mike Miller, former NBA Champion where he served as the General Manger running day to day operations working with more than 300 kids and parents in the program and coaching athletes from the age of 10 (ten) and under, all the way to Division I and NBA players.  Since working there, M33M has changed to Hoop City Basketball Club. Currently, Vondracek serves as an executive board member for TCA’s respective athletic conference (Twin Cities Athletic Conference) and the assistant basketball coordinator, consisting of twenty-two (22) schools. Vondracek also donates his time to charitable foundations such as the Youth Athletic Foundation and the Mike Miller Foundation, helping organize events and tournaments that raise money to help give our youth opportunities through basketball and athletics. Vondracek is currently coaching AAU basketball with the organization D1MN.

18-19 Lower Adolescent Information Email

Greetings Lower Adolescent Families!

We are excited about the construction progress at the school this summer and look forward to welcoming you all back this fall!  

Continue reading for resources and links and forms regarding:

1. Important Dates

2. Online Registration

3. School Supply Lists

4. Trip Packing Lists (7-8 Odyssey, 9th Farm Trip)

5. Prescription & Non-Prescription Forms

6. 7-8 Summer Reading Guide

1) Important Dates

August 1st - Online Registration Forms Due

Back to School Night (Adolescent) - Thursday, September 6th

First Day of School - Monday, September 10th

7-8 Odyssey - Wednesday, September 12th - Tuesday, September 18th (this is different from the original and attached calendar); no school Wed-Fri, 9/19-9/21 (recovery)

9th Farm Trip - Monday, September 17th- Thursday, September 20th; no school on 9/21 (recovery day)

2018-19 School Calendar

2) Online Registration Reminder

Earlier this week, we emailed all families with instructions for the online registration forms.  If you did not receive one of those emails, please let us know so we can make sure you get your student registered for next year. The Deadline is August 1st!

3) School Supply Lists

Linked below, you will find the school supply lists for 7th-9th grade students.

7/8 School Supply List

4) Trip Packing Lists

This fall, 7th and 8th graders will head west on the Odyssey. Below is the packing lists for each trip.  If you do not have or cannot purchase an item on the list, please contact Tami Limberg at tlimberg@greatriverschool.org to borrow school equipment/supplies.

7/8 Odyssey West Trip

5) Prescription & Non-Prescription Forms

Every year we need to update the prescription and nonprescription medication forms for every student. Since both require a doctor’s signature, you should get those appointments scheduled now!

On overnight field trips, students may need to take prescription or non-prescription medications that they regularly take at home.  These might include daily prescriptions or things like Claritin for allergies or melatonin for sleep, etc. Students cannot carry meds themselves on these trips, but we are happy to hold them and hand them out as prescribed.  

If your student needs to take any prescriptions or non-prescriptions on a key experience or during the school day, you need to complete the School Medication Administration Formsigned by your student's doctor (this needs to be signed for both prescription and non-prescription drugs). If your student has more than one medication, you will need multiple forms.

Additionally, the school will provide limited over the counter (OTC) medications on overnight field trips.  These specific are administered on an as needed basis for specific and urgent needs (see form for specifics). Every family must fill out the Field Trip Medication Form and have a doctor sign it to approve the giving of any medications on the trip. If you do not want any of these OTC medications administered to your child, you must hand us back the form with your signature and note that "No medications should be given."  We must have this form on file in order to administer any medications to your student on these trips.

You can mail this to the school bring them to Back to School Night in September.

6) 7-8 Reading Guide

Read the Summer Reading Guide for some resources and tips for keeping 7th and 8th graders reading over the summer.

In partnership, 
Tami Limberg
Lower Adolescent Coordinator

Registration for Big Canoe Club

Registration for Great River School's extended day programs is now open to all families of students grades 1-8. Morning hours begin at 7:30 am; afternoon care ends at 6 pm on every scheduled school day.

Space is limited! Please contact bigcanoe@greatriverschool.org with any questions and for information on how to register for this program.