A Message from the Goats:
Hello and happy new year!
The goats would love any conifer trees, garland, wreaths, etc that you may have had for the Christmas traditions. If you’re able, please drop off in the garden or by the goat pen and we’ll put them to use.
Please no flocked trees - they’re not good for the goats’ bellies.
Contact tlimberg@greatriverschool.org with questions.
ANNOUNCING...THE SPRING MUSICAL!
We are excited to announce this year’s show, Bright Star. 7th-12th grade students are invited to audition for this Appalachian bluegrass musical after school on Wednesday, January 16th with callbacks happening on Thursday, January 17th.
Look for more audition details in our school announcements after winter break. Dustin, Caroline, and Anni are offering workshops the week before. A link to sign up is posted on the GRS announcements blog.
If you’re interested in playing in the pit band, email Caroline at cmiesle@greatriverschool.org.
Read on for a summary of the show from the licensing company and a link to the Original Broadway Cast recording to hear some of this great music.
Music, Book & Story: Steve Martin
Music, Lyrics & Story: Edie Brickell
Inspired by a real event and featuring the Grammy-nominated score by Steven Martin and Edie Brickell, Broadway’s Bright Star tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and ’40s. When literary editor Alice Murphy meets a young soldier just home from World War II, he awakens her longing for the child she once lost. Haunted by their unique connection, Alice sets out on a journey to understand her past – and what she finds has the power to transform both of their lives. Propelled by an ensemble of onstage musicians and dancers, the story unfolds as a rich tapestry of deep emotion, beautiful melodies and powerfully moving performances. An uplifting theatrical journey that holds you tight in its grasp, Bright Star is as refreshingly genuine as it is daringly hopeful.
Click here for a video!
Technovation 2019!
What: Technovation 2019 Season!
What details: Technovation offers girls around the world the opportunity to learn the skills they need to emerge as tech entrepreneurs and leaders.
Every year we invite girls to identify a problem in their community, and then challenge them to solve it.
Girls work in teams to build both a mobile app and a business plan to launch that app, supported by mentors and guided by curriculum. It's sponsored by Technovation and free to all participants!
When: Wednesdays after school starting on January 16 and ending around May 8 - 3:30 - 5:00pm
Who: Students between the ages of 10 to 18 as of August 1, 2019 who identify as female. No tech experience necessary!
How do people participate? Fill out this interest form OR just show up to one of our first meetings and we'll get you started
Where people should meet? Upper Science Lab, Rm 275
To whom people should direct questions by email:
Kate Indrelie - former GRS guide and 5 season Technovation mentor - kateindrelie@gmail.com. Mentors Fred and Ashley will return this year, and we'll have new U of M students mentoring as well.
Sheridan Story over Winter Break
Professional Theater Audition Workshops
Led by Anni Amberg, Caroline Miesle, and Dustin Nelson
For students in grades 7-12
Interested in theater at Great River School or around town? This 3-part workshop will prepare students for professional theater auditions. Workshop size is limited, so register ASAP! $10/day, $30 for all three (scholarships available, Email voyageurs@greatriverschool.org to inquire)
Part 1: DANCE January 9th, 3:30-5:00p.m., Room 209
How a Dance Call Works
What to wear
Warm up tips
Footwear
Hair and make-up
Part 2: SINGING January 10th, 3:30-5:00 p.m., Room 209
**Please note that students are encouraged to bring a song to work on (but there will be time to look at song choices)
Choosing a song and/or contrasting songs
Warming up your voice
Singers' stance
Do's and Don'ts
Acting while singing
Part 3: ACTING January 11th, 3:30-5:00p.m., Room 209
**Please note that students are encouraged to bring a monologue to work on--even better have it memorized
Choosing a monologue and/or contrasting monologues
Preparing a monologue, doing your research
Headshots and resumes
How to behave in an audition room (and while waiting)
Audition etiquette
How to dress
What to expect
Preparing a callback
Contact voyageurs@greatriverschool.org with any questions; to sign up fill out this form.
January Menu
The January menu is now live in EZ Lunch. Please place your orders for January as soon as possible. We will be closing the pre-order window for the first week back to school on January 2nd.
We will continue to cater boxed lunches in January as we give our new chef time to get to know Great River and plan delicious hot lunches.
If it is easier for your family to order on paper instead of in EZ Lunch, there are paper copies of the menu available at the Front Desk and in the Café. Please fill out one form for each student in your family.
Forgotten Lunch Protocol
If a student forgets a lunch and needs the school to provide them one, they can ask the Nutrition Team member at the point of sale. Families will be charged for forgotten lunches in EZ Lunch. Supplies for extra lunches may be limited, and will most likely include some kind of sandwich and fruit or vegetable.
If you have any questions about the lunch program, please feel free to email lunch@greatriverschool.org.
More information about using EZ Lunch below:
EZ Lunch is the system Great River uses for pre-ordering and purchasing school meals.
Here’s an easy 5-min video tutorial for you to see how to use our system!
If you prefer to read, more walkthroughs for EZ School Lunch can be found here:
How To Set Up Your EZ School Lunch Account
How to Add Another Student to a Parent Account
How to Pre-Order Meals and Add Money
How to See Transaction History
Winter Break
It's the last week before winter break: GRS will be closed December 24, 2018 - January 4, 2019. We wish a restful break to you and yours!
Upcoming Lower Adolescent Event!
Thursday, December 20th, 6-8pm
Quarter 2 Occupation Work Share
Seventh and eighth grade student will share their work on December 20 from 6-8pm. Work will be displayed from the following classes and all are invited!
Design Studio, Cafe Occupation, Musical Theatre and Tech, Musicianship, Physical Expression, Aquaponics, Forestry, Spanish Storytelling
Students will be getting more information in their individual classes around attendance expectations as some classes will be demonstrating their work and some will be displaying their work (and attendance not required by the latter). Pictures/videos will be posted here on the Blog in case you're not able to attend.
If you are wondering about Occupations or Science Curriculum in general in the Lower Adolescence, keep an eye out for a information session in February.
With any questions, reach out to LA Program Director, Tami Limberg, at tlimberg@greatriverschool.org.
Reminder: No School on Friday!
A quick reminder that Friday is a professional development day for our guides, which means no school for students! Enjoy the three-day weekend and we look forward to welcoming you back on Monday, December 10th.
December Lunch Reminder!
The December menu is now live in EZ Lunch, so get your orders in! As a reminder, Great River Nutrition will need one week prior notice to change lunch orders. This means that if you try to remove or add a meal on Monday that was set for Friday, you will not be able to do so (set your orders by the *Thursday* of the prior week!).
If you are new to using EZ Lunch, continue reading!
EZ Lunch is the system Great River uses for pre-ordering and purchasing school meals.
Here’s an easy 5-min video tutorial for you to see how to use our system!
If you prefer to read, more walkthroughs for EZ School Lunch can be found here:
How To Set Up Your EZ School Lunch Account
How to Add Another Student to a Parent Account
How to Pre-Order Meals and Add Money
How to See Transaction History
turjubaan? txhais lus? ¿Necesitas traductor? Need a translator?
turjubaan? txhais lus? ¿Necesitas traductor? Need a translator? need a translator for conferences on Nov 28-29? email office@greatriverschool.org u baahan tahay turjubaan kulammo ah shirarka Nov 28-29? email office@greatriverschool.org xav tau ib tug neeg txhais lus rau rooj sib tham rau Nov 28-29? email office@greatriverschool.org ¿Necesita un traductor para conferencias el 28-29 de noviembre? correo electrónico office@greatriverschool.org
Nontraditional School Weeks Coming Up!
A quick reminder on our school calendar the next three weeks!
No school Thursday or Friday of this week.
Noon dismissal on Wednesday, 11/28, with no school on Thursday or Friday for conferences.
No school Friday, 12/7 for faculty professional development.
You can always look ahead at www.greatriverschool.org/calendar.
Conferences & Volunteer Signups!
Conference times are: Thursday, November 29th noon-8pm and Friday, November 30th 8am-4pm
If you have more than one student and want to secure conferences close together, sign up as soon as you can. If you have flexibility in your schedule, please leave the evening conferences for families that cannot make it during the work day.
Students in grades 5-12 are with the student and parent(s)/guardian, the student's advisor or classroom guide
Students in grades 1-4 are with parent(s)/guardian and the teacher only.
7th-9th grade Special Education students should sign up with their Special Ed Case Manager (Sarah Lawrence-Lupton, Brooke Derrickson, or Danny Ross). Their advisor will join the meeting as well.
11th and 12th grade students are welcome to schedule a separate meeting with Teresa Hichens-Olson to discuss college planning.
If you do not know your student’s advisor contact office@greatriverschool.org.
Multiple Households/Families - if your child splits time between two households and both parents want/need to attend the conference, please schedule it together. If this is not possible, exceptions may be made if time slots are available. For an exception, email the program director at your level.
Jean Peters - Elementary Program Director
Tami Limberg - Lower Adolescent Program Director (includes 6th Bridge, and 7th-9th grade)
Andrea Christensen - Upper Adolescent Program Director (10th-12th grade)
If you have specific concerns that you want to discuss with a guide who is not your student's advisor, please contact them directly to discuss via phone or email, or set up a meeting before or after conference days. All guides will be able to talk with you about students' overall academic standing. Guides will be booked all day on both days in conferences with their own advisees. Check our Staff Directory for Office Hours.
PEG (Parent Engagement Group) is looking for volunteers. Conferences will be taking place on Thursday, November 29 and Friday, November 30, and there are two great ways families can help. Please remember that GRS asks each family to contribute 20 hours of volunteer time per year, and consider signing up to help!
Email peg@greatriverschool.org with any questions. Thank you!
1. We're looking for parents to help staff the first ever book fair at GRS! The book fair will support the development of elementary classroom libraries—families can purchase books directly for the classrooms from teacher wish lists, or they can purchase books for themselves that will add credit for GRS to make book purchases. The fair will be held during the two days of conferences, Thursday and Friday 11/29 and 11/30. Please consider signing up for a slot to help support this important initiative that will directly impact elementary classrooms! Volunteers will receive a brief training video to view.
2. With the new kitchen still in process, we're not able to offer our traditional (and beloved) show of appreciation to faculty and staff with community-made meals during conference days. Instead, this fall GRS will be bringing in food to sustain the teachers during their long conference days. But we still need some donations, along with help setting up, serving, and cleaning up after these meals! Please consider signing up to donate or for a shift for Thursday dinner, Friday breakfast, or Friday lunch—see the signup for times.
Give to GRS Week!
Thank you to everyone who donated or shared Great River's impact with their networks. The goats send their appreciation!!
If you haven't given yet, visit us at www.greatriverschool.org/give to support our Annual Fund & Capital Campaign.
Board Games Wanted!
From Ocean, adolescent Spanish guide:
The Intro Spanish class will be building Spanish-language board games for our next unit, to explore both Spanish-language grammar and culture. We'll use these games for years to come! I am so excited to begin this new unit.
We are in need of old board games (to take apart!). Anything you no longer use at home, especially games that have lost pieces or broken, would be SO appreciated! The more source material for us to work with, the better the final products will be!
Please deliver the games to my Spanish classroom (207) or to the front desk (clearly labeled "FOR OCEAN"). Gracias!
GIVE TO GRS WEEK!
GIVE TO GRS WEEK! Each seat on the Odyssey bus costs $220, not counting staff training, food for collectively-cooked meals, camping gear, or planning time. Our public school can only carry out key experiences because of our community-supported Annual Fund.
Donate to GRS now to support these life-changing trips! Text "goats" to 71777 or visit www.greatriverschool.org/give.
Give to GRS Week!
Give to the max to support Great River School as we kick off our Give to GRS Week!
If you've ever wondered, "Wow! How does a public school have the resources to (pick one: go on week-long camping trips/teach students about sustainable agriculture/provide skill-building intensives from community experts)???", it's because our amazing community steps up every year and provides financial support.
We're asking all supporters to donate at www.greatriverschool.org/give to ensure our award-winning programming continues for generations to come.
Check our Facebook page for daily updates!
Donations and volunteers needed for conference days!
Conferences will be taking place on Thursday, November 29 and Friday, November 30, and there are two great ways families can help. Please remember that GRS asks each family to contribute 20 hours of volunteer time per year, and consider singing up to help!
Email peg@greatriverschool.org with any questions. Thank you!
1. We're looking for parents to help staff the first ever book fair at GRS! The book fair will support the development of elementary classroom libraries—families can purchase books directly for the classrooms from teacher wish lists, or they can purchase books for themselves that will add credit for GRS to make book purchases. The fair will be held during the two days of conferences, Thursday and Friday 11/29 and 11/30. Please consider signing up for a slot to help support this important initiative that will directly impact elementary classrooms! Volunteers will receive a brief training video to view.
2. With the new kitchen still in process, we're not able to offer our traditional (and beloved) show of appreciation to faculty and staff with community-made meals during conference days. Instead, this fall GRS will be bringing in food to sustain the teachers during their long conference days. But we still need some donations, along with help setting up, serving, and cleaning up after these meals! Please consider signing up to donate or for a shift for Thursday dinner, Friday breakfast, or Friday lunch—see the signup for times.
Sign Up Now for Grades 6-8 LIST League Basketball
Practice begins Wednesday, November 14!
Please contact voyageurs@greatriverschool.org if you are interested in joining basketball or have any questions. We can only field a team if enough students sign up before the season starts.
Details:
Coach: Laura Stickney
Cost: $120 (team fee and T-shirt), scholarships are available
Practices: Wednesdays from 4:30-6:30 pm at Hancock Recreation Center
Games: Friday afternoons/evenings in various locations
Sign up: Please fill out this form to register for basketball.
The first practice will be held on Wednesday, November 14. The first game is Friday November 30.