BIPOC Caregiver Committee - Surveys For Families

The BIPOC Caregiver Committee is a group of caregivers who meet the first Thursday of each month to talk about ways that the school can be more inclusive for BIPOC students while also focusing on encouraging everyone in the school to explore their identity.

We put together a survey to see what activities students and family would like us to focus on so we have more voices of what the community is desiring to see this year. We are inviting all students & caregivers to fill out the below forms, to gather information and ideas of what activities students would like to do this year to explore their own cultural identity and the cultural identity of others in the community.

• Elementary survey

• Lower Adolescent/Upper Adolescent survey

We are also inviting all community members to participate in a GRS cultural activities and recipe cookbook. There is a survey link below to share a recipe contribution or a specific cultural activity:

• Cultural Cookbook survey

Community Request

Hi dear community!

Our Theory of Knowledge 11th and 12th graders will embark on an exploration of Knowledge and Religion in mid-November. I'm looking for connections to places of worship and religious institutions that might be open to student visitors or speaking with students about how religion shapes the way they understand the world. Here's a link to a document with more of the questions we will explore.

Gratitude, Sarah Garton / sgarton@greatriverschool.org

Harvest Fest This Saturday, October 16th - COVID-19 Protocols and More

Harvest Fest is this Saturday, October 16th, from 2-5pm! We are excited to bring back this annual tradition to campus.

• PEG has drafted and the Pandemic Advisory Team has approved a COVID-19 safety plan for the event. Please read before attending and make sure to bring your face mask!

• We need lots of volunteers to make the event a success. Adolescent volunteers are welcome!  You can donate items, keep the soup fire going, and more! 

• Interested in performing at our Outdoor Coffeehouse open mic? Sign-up for a time slot here!

• We’ll be accepting used winter gear donations for our Elementary Winter Gear Exchange. Look for the marked donation bins at Harvest Fest!

More Harvest Fest Details:

What should I bring? 

• a mess kit (bowl, spoon for eating the soup) 

• prepared vegetables or a small stone to add to our soup (bring pre-cooked veggies or tender greens that cook quickly - make sure they are chopped small or pre-sliced for the soup! Stones should be small & clean) 

• an attitude of hospitality 

What will be happening? 

all free of charge: 

• Bouncy Houses for fun leaping and bounding!

• Body art for wonder and whimsy!

• Coffee House open mic style music 

• Caramel Apple stand

• Leaf Crowns

• Bird feeder making

• Stone soup making

• A chance to buy from student micro-economies (student-made crafts, foods, etc) 

Harvest Fest This Saturday, October 16th - COVID-19 Protocols and More

Harvest Fest is this Saturday, October 16th, from 2-5pm! We are excited to bring back this annual tradition to campus.

• PEG has drafted and the Pandemic Advisory Team has approved a COVID-19 safety plan for the event. Please read before attending and make sure to bring your face mask!

• We need lots of volunteers to make the event a success. Adolescent volunteers are welcome!  You can donate items, keep the soup fire going, and more! 

• Interested in performing at our Outdoor Coffeehouse open mic? Sign-up for a time slot here!

• We’ll be accepting used winter gear donations for our Elementary Winter Gear Exchange. Look for the marked donation bins at Harvest Fest!

More Harvest Fest Details:

What should I bring? 

• a mess kit (bowl, spoon for eating the soup) 

• prepared vegetables or a small stone to add to our soup (bring pre-cooked veggies or tender greens that cook quickly - make sure they are chopped small or pre-sliced for the soup! Stones should be small & clean) 

• an attitude of hospitality 

What will be happening? 

all free of charge: 

• Bouncy Houses for fun leaping and bounding!

• Body art for wonder and whimsy!

• Coffee House open mic style music 

• Caramel Apple stand

• Leaf Crowns

• Bird feeder making

• Stone soup making

• A chance to buy from student micro-economies (student-made crafts, foods, etc) 

Winter Gear Exchange - Donations Open and New Shopping Dates

***To avoid MEA conflicts, we are moving the “shopping” dates to the next week, October 25-29th. We are still accepting donations this week at the Fath household, the front office, and Harvest Fest.***

As a way of supporting the environment and each other, we are hosting an Outerwear Exchange this October. Our vision is to receive any outerwear that the elementary students in your lives have grown out of (coats, jackets, snow gear, rain gear, mittens, gloves, hats, scarves, boots), organize it, and then make it all available free of cost to others in our school community who are able to give those items a second life this season. 

Donation drop-offs and the actual exchange will both happen at the Fath household: 1438 Minnehaha Ave W in Saint Paul, an easy walk or drive from Great River School. 

Here's what you need to know:

• Donations will be accepted between October 11th and October 15th. You may leave them at our front door and there is no need to ring the bell; we will go out periodically and grab any items that are out there. You can also drop off donations at the front office or bring items to Harvest Fest on 10/16 and we will transport them to the gear exchange!

• All items will be out for pick up starting October 25th and ending October 29th. Feel free to stop by, take a look, and take anything that your family will use. Follow the sidewalk around to the west side of the house to find tables and racks with available clothes. You DON'T need to donate something in order to "shop." Plenty of street parking is available!

• The outerwear will be out every morning by 8AM the week of 10/25-10/29 and will be taken in each day just before dark. If you need access beyond those times, please let us know. We will not be available during the exchange - think of us just as the family behind the curtain!

• We are looking for freestanding clothes racks to use the week of October 25th. If you have one that we could borrow, please email and let us know!

• Any leftover items will be donated.

We look forward to having you stop by this October! Any questions? Contact parent organizers Theresa Fath (Claude.and.Wilbur@gmail.com) and Kathleen Erickson (kittykaterickson@me.com).

Off Campus Mountain Bike Trail Ride

Derek Damron (Elementary Program Assistant) is inviting *all ages* to come ride mountain bikes at Carver Lake Park on Sunday, October 17th at 2pm (weather permitting).

Here is a link to the trail map - check it out if you have never been there before! We will meet at the skills area to warm up for a bit, then divide into groups for some trail riding! Plan to be there for a few hours. Bring your own snacks, water bottle, bikes, helmets, etc. We will have some tools, a floor pump, first aid, and water in case anyone needs them!

Please reach out if you have any questions about what bikes would be appropriate for this activity. If you NEED a bike in order to join us, please reach out to ddamron@greatriverschool.org and we can try to figure something out. Hope to see you there!

Harvest Fest This Saturday, October 16th - COVID-19 Protocols and More

Harvest Fest is this Saturday, October 16th, from 2-5pm! We are excited to bring back this annual tradition to campus.

• PEG has drafted and the Pandemic Advisory Team has approved a COVID-19 safety plan for the event. Please read before attending and make sure to bring your face mask!

• We need lots of volunteers to make the event a success. Adolescent volunteers are welcome!  You can donate items, keep the soup fire going, and more! 

• Interested in performing at our Outdoor Coffeehouse open mic? Sign-up for a time slot here!

• We’ll be accepting used winter gear donations for our Elementary Winter Gear Exchange. Look for the marked donation bins at Harvest Fest!

More Harvest Fest Details:

What should I bring? 

• a mess kit (bowl, spoon for eating the soup) 

• prepared vegetables or a small stone to add to our soup (bring pre-cooked veggies or tender greens that cook quickly - make sure they are chopped small or pre-sliced for the soup! Stones should be small & clean) 

• an attitude of hospitality 

What will be happening? 

all free of charge: 

• Bouncy Houses for fun leaping and bounding!

• Body art for wonder and whimsy!

• Coffee House open mic style music 

• Caramel Apple stand

• Leaf Crowns

• Bird feeder making

• Stone soup making

• A chance to buy from student micro-economies (student-made crafts, foods, etc) 

Back to School Spiritwear Sale - Ends on Wednesday

Grab some new Great River spiritwear during our Back to School sale!

We’re excited to offer some new merch this year - windbreakers, flannel shirts, baseball caps, & more! Check out what we have on our spiritwear site (always accessible through our website under the “Current Families” tab) and get 15% off everything with code GRSBTS21 now through October 13th.

Outdoor Coffeehouse and Harvest Fest Are One Week Away

We’re excited to announce that our fall Coffee House will be held outdoors at Harvest Fest on October 16th!

Coffee House is an annual open-mic tradition for the GRS community to come together to celebrate our talented students. In the past, we have had lots of music, stand-up comedy, dancing, poetry, and juggling. We welcome all talents from all ages (including family acts).

Please register to perform here and email Zack Scott (zscott@greatriverschool.org) with questions.

More Harvest Fest Details:

We need lots of volunteers to make the event a success. Adolescent volunteers are welcome!  You can donate items, paint faces, keep the soup fire going, and more! 

What should I bring? 

• a mess kit (bowl, spoon for eating the soup) 

• prepared vegetables or a small stone to add to our soup (bring pre-cooked veggies or tender greens that cook quickly - make sure they are chopped small or pre-sliced for the soup! Stones should be small & clean) 

• an attitude of hospitality 

What will be happening? 

all free of charge: 

• Bouncy Houses for fun leaping and bounding!

• Face painting for wonder and whimsy!

• Coffee House open mic style music 

• Caramel Apple stand

• Leaf Crowns

• Bird feeder making

• Stone soup making

• A chance to buy from student micro-economies (student-made crafts, foods, etc) 

GRS is Hiring a COVID Testing Coordinator

The COVID Testing Coordinator is responsible for coordinating our COVID-19 testing program on campus this school year. This position will order and administer saliva tests and ship samples back to the lab. The Coordinator will serve as a liaison between the testing company and the school community. This position is 30-40 hours per week and benefit eligible.

Click here for a direct link to the job description.

To apply, send a resume and letter of interest to jobs@greatriverschool.org.

Winter Gear Exchange - Donations Needed

***To avoid MEA conflicts, we are moving the “shopping” dates to the next week, October 25-29th. We are still accepting donations this week at the Fath household, the front office, and Harvest Fest.***

As a way of supporting the environment and each other, we are hosting an Outerwear Exchange this October. Our vision is to receive any outerwear that the elementary students in your lives have grown out of (coats, jackets, snow gear, rain gear, mittens, gloves, hats, scarves, boots), organize it, and then make it all available free of cost to others in our school community who are able to give those items a second life this season. 

Donation drop-offs and the actual exchange will both happen at the Fath household: 1438 Minnehaha Ave W in Saint Paul, an easy walk or drive from Great River School. 

Here's what you need to know:

• Donations will be accepted between October 11th and October 15th. You may leave them at our front door and there is no need to ring the bell; we will go out periodically and grab any items that are out there. You can also drop off donations at the front office or bring items to Harvest Fest on 10/16 and we will transport them to the gear exchange!

• All items will be out for pick up starting October 25th and ending October 29th. Feel free to stop by, take a look, and take anything that your family will use. Follow the sidewalk around to the west side of the house to find tables and racks with available clothes. You DON'T need to donate something in order to "shop." Plenty of street parking is available!

• The outerwear will be out every morning by 8AM the week of 10/25-10/29 and will be taken in each day just before dark. If you need access beyond those times, please let us know. We will not be available during the exchange - think of us just as the family behind the curtain!

• We are looking for freestanding clothes racks to use the week of October 25th. If you have one that we could borrow, please email and let us know!

• Any leftover items will be donated.

We look forward to having you stop by this October! Any questions? Contact parent organizers Theresa Fath (Claude.and.Wilbur@gmail.com) and Kathleen Erickson (kittykaterickson@me.com).

Harvest Fest Volunteers Needed

Harvest Fest is back!  This is a time for us to come together as a community and celebrate the season.

We need lots of volunteers to make the event a success. Adolescent volunteers are welcome!  You can donate items, paint faces, keep the soup fire going, and more! 

What should I bring? 

• a mess kit (bowl, spoon for eating the soup) 

• prepared vegetables or a small stone to add to our soup (bring pre-cooked veggies or tender greens that cook quickly - make sure they are chopped small or pre-sliced for the soup! Stones should be small & clean) 

• an attitude of hospitality 

What will be happening? 

all free of charge: 

• Bouncy Houses for fun leaping and bounding!

• Face painting for wonder and whimsy!

• Coffee House open mic style music 

• Caramel Apple stand

• Leaf Crowns

• Bird feeder making

• Stone soup making

• A chance to buy from student micro-economies (student-made crafts, foods, etc) 

BIPOC Caregiver Committee Meeting TOMORROW

The BIPOC Caregiver Committee is a group of caregivers who meet the first Thursday of each month to talk about ways that the school can be more inclusive for BIPOC students while also focusing on encouraging everyone in the school to explore their identity. All caregivers of BIPOC students are welcome.

Our next meeting is TOMORROW, October 7th at 7:45pm. Want to join the BIPOC Caregiver Committee? Email Anu (adean@greatriverschool.org) or Cassie (curbano@greatriverschool.org) to get connected!

Looking for Math and Reading Tutors

Make a difference in your community and join our team as a math or reading tutor. Great River School is looking for reading and math tutors (through the Minnesota Math & Reading Corps) to give their time and talent to help kids become successful.

Math Tutor – Minnesota Math Corps

Reading Tutor - Minnesota Reading Corps

Tutors work one-on-one or in small groups with students during school hours throughout the school year. No matter if you’re a recent grad, career changer, stay-at-home parent, or retiree, you can make a great tutor. No experience? No problem. Math Corps provides comprehensive training in strategies proven to help students learn, so tutors are well equipped to help students grow.

Perks as A Tutor

•  Receive a stipend every two weeks (comparable to $15/hour)

•  Earn up to $3,172 for college tuition or student loans. Tutors 55 and older may gift the award to their child, grandchild, stepchild or foster child.

•  Free health insurance and child care assistance for those who qualify

Ready to be the change for struggling students? Learn more at join.readingandmath.org. Questions can be sent to join@servetogrow.org or call 866.859.2825. You can also connect with Nicole Anderson at GRS: nanderson@greatriverschool.org

Wednesday, October 6 is International Walk to School Day

On Wednesday, October 6, parent volunteers will make it easier for families to try a “drop and walk”. Students who come to school in family vehicles can receive help from parent volunteers crossing streets near Great River if they are dropped off at McMurray Fields at Como Park or on Taylor Avenue & Hamline Avenue south of school. Students are already familiar with these routes due to frequent walking field trips in the neighborhood. Parents are welcome to walk with students.

North of school/McMurray Fields at Como Park

Gather by 7:55am at the McMurray Fields parking lot in Como Park. Karen Solas and Sam Olson will walk with students all the way to school, assisting at intersections and driveways. There will not be walking support after school. Contact Karen (ksolas@gmail.com) with questions. 

South of school/Taylor Avenue at Hamline Avenue

Be sure to travel westbound on Taylor so your kids can hop out of the car on the passenger side, reducing the number of streets they need to cross. Students may walk along Taylor Avenue to the sidewalk adjacent to Hamline Avenue. Join parent volunteers to find out about helping as a crossing guard at Pierce Butler on a daily basis. Crossing guards will be there from 8:00am to 8:30am. Contact Susan (susan.sochacki@gmail.com)with questions. 

Volunteer Morning at GRS - Tomorrow

Our Outdoor Education guide Brent Cummins is hosting a volunteer morning TOMORROW, Saturday, October 2nd from 9:00am to 12:00pm. Jobs could include spreading wood chips, finishing picnic tables, building a big octagonal bench for community meetings, weeding the garden, and more!

As part of our community-minded mission, we ask that all families give 20 hours of volunteer time per year. Interested in coming to the volunteer morning? Let us know by registering here!

Harvest Fest Volunteers Needed

Harvest Fest is back!  This is a time for us to come together as a community and celebrate the season.

We need lots of volunteers to make the event a success. Adolescent volunteers are welcome!  You can donate items, paint faces, keep the soup fire going, and more! 

What should I bring? 

• a mess kit (bowl, spoon for eating the soup) 

• prepared vegetables or a small stone to add to our soup (bring pre-cooked veggies or tender greens that cook quickly - make sure they are chopped small or pre-sliced for the soup! Stones should be small & clean) 

• an attitude of hospitality 

What will be happening? 

all free of charge: 

• Bouncy Houses for fun leaping and bounding!

• Face painting for wonder and whimsy!

• Coffee House open mic style music 

• Caramel Apple stand

• Leaf Crowns

• Bird feeder making

• Stone soup making

• A chance to buy from student micro-economies (student-made crafts, foods, etc) 

The Great River School Foundation is Hiring

The Great River School Foundation is seeking applications for the position of Great River School Foundation Coordinator. This position will be a part-time, contracted position, and will focus on donor data systems management. For more information and how to apply, check out the job description: Great River School Foundation Coordinator.

Back to School Spiritwear Sale

Grab some new Great River spiritwear during our Back to School sale!

We’re excited to offer some new merch this year - windbreakers, flannel shirts, baseball caps, & more! Check out what we have on our spiritwear site (always accessible through our website under the “Current Families” tab) and get 15% off everything with code GRSBTS21 now through October 13th.

Seeking Substitute Teachers

Know someone looking for a job? There is a national shortage of substitute teachers and we are no exception here at Great River. Having a good supply of substitute teachers helps us ensure that our faculty can take needed time off - all the more important after the last 18 months.

We are looking to hire:

• Multiple full-time substitute teachers to work across all levels (benefit eligible)

• Many occasional substitutes to work as their schedules allow 

Great River offers a competitive benefits package, including free/discounted Big Canoe care and faculty child enrollment preference. For the job descriptions and more information on how to apply, check out our employment page. 

No substitute license? Any adult with a college degree can apply for a substitute license in Minnesota and we will support you in the process. Please share widely with your networks!