Spring is finally starting to appear and some students are suffering from allergies. Please donate boxes of tissue, if you can, for our sneezes. They can be dropped off at the front office.
THANK YOU!!
Walk! Bike! Fun! Ambassador Training
Are you interested in helping support biking and walking initiatives in our community? Please join us for a Walk! Bike! Fun! Ambassadors training Thursday, April 11 from 4:30-8:00 p.m.
Walk! Bike! Fun! is a free training program and educational resource for community members, parents, and volunteers. This training will give participants a general overview of walking and biking activities, and more insight into some of the specific activities GRS is hoping to add this spring, such as a walking school bus and a bike rodeo/skills workshop. A light supper will be provided.
Outdoor Space Parent Working Group
Are you interested in developing our playground/ outdoor space at GRS? Please join other passionate folks in design and implementation! I'm Hadley Musselman, mom of Wiley Sparks in Minnehaha Creek Classroom and an Educational Assistant to GRS, and this is something of a passion project for me.
We're in the preliminary stages of improving our outdoor space and need your input and help. I'd love to see more large motor opportunities (climbing, sliding, balancing, swinging, etc) and a beautiful garden on the elementary side that will grow food for our lovely new kitchen. As a recess supervisor I'm out there everyday. Many of our kids are asking for a "real" playground with their words or through rough physical (albit imaginative!) play, and relational/peer aggression. With an enriched outdoor/ recess environment, I know that our kids will have a much improved educational experience as a whole and a more positive relationship with the outdoors and each other. A necessary win-win-win in my book.
So let's get creative and dirty! With your help, we can save thousands of dollars in labor once it's time to install the new elements.
Add your e-mail address, thoughts, ideas and inspirational pictures/ links in this document! We'll start meeting in May for design finalization and implementation planning.
iRace Potluck: TOMORROW
The eighth annual iRace event is TOMORROW, Wednesday, March 27th. Adolescent students will spend the day tackling big equity issues through community expert workshops, student-led keynotes, and structured conversation. iRace, a student-led conference with the goal of centering voices of the global majority, has always traditionally included a community potluck. Please send a dish to share (see below) and a mess kit with your student the morning of March 27th and include a list of ingredients and potential allergens. No peanut-products please!
Grade 7: chips & drinks
Grade 8: fruits & veggies
Grade 9: main dishes & paper plates/cutlery
Grade 10: main dishes & salad
Grade 11: pasta & baked goods
Grade 12: vegan & veggie & GF dishes
iRace Potluck: 3/27
The eighth annual iRace event is this Wednesday, March 27th. Adolescent students will spend the day tackling big equity issues through community expert workshops, student-led keynotes, and structured conversation. iRace, a student-led conference with the goal of centering voices of the global majority, has always traditionally included a community potluck. Please send a dish to share (see below) and a mess kit with your student the morning of March 27th and include a list of ingredients and potential allergens. No peanut-products please!
Grade 7: chips & drinks
Grade 8: fruits & veggies
Grade 9: main dishes & paper plates/cutlery
Grade 10: main dishes & salad
Grade 11: pasta & baked goods
Grade 12: vegan & veggie & GF dishes
Great River Yearbooks
The Great River School yearbook team is busy completing the 2018-19 yearbook, which we expect to be available during the last week of school! The GRS yearbooks are designed by students, including the yet-to-be-revealed cover.
Click here to pre-order online! You can also pre-order your yearbook at spring conferences, April 11th and 12th.
Unsure if you've ordered? Ask us at conferences or email office@greatriverschool.org to ask!
Ultimate Frisbee Summer Camp - Grades 3-8
Hello Families,
As you may have heard, Great River School is running 7 weeks of Day Camp this summer and we hope you check out our programs Here.
We also want you to know that one of our own, Tyler Mahoney, UA SpEd Assistant, runs his own ultimate frisbee camps for any 3rd-8th graders. If you are interested, please read the message from Tyler below.
Overview:
The Youth Ultimate Program (YUP) was the first middle school ultimate program in Minneapolis when it was founded in 2011. In the past 8 years it has grown to be one of the largest in the state and helped to found the current middle school spring league! We place a large emphasis on learning, being a good sport, and having fun, and there are camps for all skill levels!
Details:
One week of YUP costs $80 that you pay on arrival the first day. Camp takes place at Linden Hills Park at 42nd and Xerxes in south Minneapolis. The two types of camp are: Advanced Camp from 9am-12pm, Monday-Thursday for students 6th-8th grade who have some experience with ultimate, and Afternoon Camp from 1pm-4pm, Monday-Thursday for students 3rd-8th grade who have never played before. Registration for 2019 camps is open on the website www.youthultimateprogram.org. Hope to see you this summer!
Blue Heron Bash: TOMORROW
Tomorrow is the big day! Blue Heron Bash - Saturday, March 23, 6 to 10 pm. You could even make a day of it and see the fabulous musical “Bright Star” at 3 pm in the Performance Space.
There will be beer from Clockwerks and Burning Brothers and wine to purchase. Every cent goes to school! Delicious appetizers as well as a nightcap of dessert and coffee/tea at 9 pm are included with your ticket. Bid on a wide array of fun auction items. Sign up for Great Gatherings - an excellent way to support school and build community. Play a game of chance to win yourself a bottle of wine. Socialize and enjoy conversation with other GRS-loving adults! We are so excited to see you.
Tickets available at the door!
Childcare sign-up here!
Volunteer sign-up here!
Great Gathering list here!
Blue Heron Bash: TWO DAYS OUT
Two days left until the Blue Heron Bash. Did you get your tickets? No worries, you can get them at the door! Preparations will be fully underway tomorrow as we test our design skills in the transformation of Peace Hall. You can still put your name down to volunteer. Don’t see a spot? Email us and at blueheronbash@greatriverschool.org and we’ll find you a spot. We promise that we are really fun to hang out with!
Lunch Ordering for April is Open!
The April menu is now available in EZ Lunch!
We have updated our pre-order range, as well. We ask that parents order by the Wednesday before the following week. For example, on April 3rd, orders for April 8th-12th are due.
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.
If you have any questions about the lunch program, please feel free to email lunch@greatriverschool.org
More information about using EZ Lunch below:
Here is a 5-minute video tutorial for how to use EZ Lunch.
If you prefer to read, more tutorials for EZ 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 Add a Credit Card
How to See Transaction History
iRace Potluck Reminder
The eighth annual iRace event is coming up next Wednesday, March 27th. iRace, a student-led conference with the goal of centering voices of the global majority, has always traditionally included a community potluck. Please send a dish to share (see below) and a mess kit with your student the morning of March 27th and include a list of ingredients and potential allergens. No peanut-products please!
Grade 7: chips & drinks
Grade 8: fruits & veggies
Grade 9: main dishes & paper plates/cutlery
Grade 10: main dishes & salad
Grade 11: pasta & baked goods
Grade 12: vegan & veggie & GF dishes
Blue Heron Bash: THREE DAYS OUT
Today is the last day for advance ticket sales for the Blue Heron Bash. Buy your tickets today for the lovely price of $30 each. Battle your procrastination and save $10 off the at the door price on Saturday. Most importantly - come to the Bash! Get your tickets here. This is also the time to sign up for child care! Do that here.
Walk! Bike! Fun! Ambassador Training
Are you interested in helping support biking and walking initiatives in our community? Please join us for a Walk! Bike! Fun! Ambassadors training Thursday, April 11 from 4:30-8:00 p.m.
Walk! Bike! Fun! is a free training program and educational resource for community members, parents, and volunteers. This training will give participants a general overview of walking and biking activities, and more insight into some of the specific activities GRS is hoping to add this spring, such as a walking school bus and a bike rodeo/skills workshop. A light supper will be provided.
Blue Heron Bash
Ever wanted to give bartending a try? How about styling food in beautiful arrangements? Will you need a short break from adult conversation during the Bash? Then an hour hanging out with kids might be your thing? Perhaps you are longing for the holidays and would like to spend some time with light strings on Friday? There are lots of ways to volunteer. Check out the signup here. If you don’t see something that suits you, send us an email at blueheronbash@greatriverschool.org and we’ll brainstorm more options! We couldn’t pull it off without your help.
Nonviolent Communication Group for Parents
The Nonviolent Communication for Parents introduction and practice group is meeting 7-9pm the remaining Thursdays in March, and 2nd and 4th Thursdays starting in April. Join us, practice seeing inside distress and fear, practice recognizing the universal needs that motivate everyone, see if it helps you find more compassion and trust in your family.
RSVP for further info, and so we bring more materials, or just come and we'll have some extras: greg@whitleymott.net
if you arrive after 7, text 651-646-2007 to be let in (from the north-eastern-most lot just before the traffic light). We're in the science lab, just past the restrooms.
Blue Heron Bash Wine Collection - Tuesday, March 19 - Last Curbside Pickup
We have almost made it to 100 bottles of wine! Can you help us get there? Curbside service in the drop-off line Tuesday morning. You can also drop it in the office any time! Thank you!
Blue Heron Bash - Buy Your Advance Tickets Now!
Deadline for advance tickets to the Blue Heron Bash is quickly approaching. Get your tickets by Wednesday, March 20 to get the advance price of $30 each. Save $10 over the at the door price of $40. Get your tickets here!
Need a spot for your kiddos so you can enjoy the bash? We are offering childcare from 5:30 to 9:30. A donation of $10 per hour is requested with all of the funds going to the GRS annual fund. Another way to help us raise money for this fabulous place that tirelessly educates our children! Reserve spots here.
As the date approaches, our volunteer needs are ever evolving (as does our delicious menu). Check out the sign up and see if something speaks to you.
Please help us be good neighbors!
We've had reoccurring problems with families dropping off and parking in our neighboring lots. This puts strain on our Energy Park relationships and causes liability issues. Pick-up & drop-off can happen ONLY on Energy Lane, to the south of the school. If you need more time or space than the line allows, there is a large public parking lot across Energy Park Drive where your student could meet you. GRS employees will begin supervising our neighboring lots during peak pickup/dropoff times and asking parents to go around to Energy Lane instead. Thank you for helping us make this right!
Looking for Fish Tanks
Hello Great River Community!
Aquaponics is in need of four (4) fish tanks. The tanks need to be able to hold 20-100 gallons of water.
If you have a tank that fits these needs, or you have any questions, please email Michael at mflood@greatriverschool.org . Thank you in advance!!!
Sincerely,
The Aquaponics Team
Blue Heron Bash Update
The Blue Heron Bash is fast approaching. Get your tickets here! The sooner you get your tickets, the better we can plan all of the delicious food and drink!
The Blue Heron Bash wine collection is happening tomorrow (Wednesday) morning in the drop-off line! You give us a bottle or three of wine, then come to the bash and win it back! It’s a fun and easy way to raise money for our fabulous school!!