Alice in Wonderland Tickets On Sale Now

Alice in Wonderland is the story of a young girl thrown into a world where up is down and down is... a pig? Yes, a pig!

Through song, dance, and a mysterious looking glass, we invite you to join Alice as she discovers the rules of a fantastic new world full of queens and mad hatters in this hilarious Broadway classic. Our 7-12th graders have been working hard to put on a great show for you!

Come see Alice in Wonderland on December 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th. Thursday-Saturday performances are at 7pm, with one Sunday matinee at 2pm. Thursday night is a “Pay What You Want” performance, with no one turned away. You can buy tickets now on our website! 

Recommended for ages 6 and up. This performance contains loud noises, bright lights, and some fairy tale violence. As compliant with GRS guidelines, masks are required for both audience and performers. 

Buy your tickets today!

Call for Tissue Donations

It’s beginning to get cold outside - and that means we’re in need of tissue donations! Please bring tissues (all sizes, kinds, and brands welcome) to the front office. Our noses thank you!

Adolescent Fall Play - Alice in Wonderland - Tickets On Sale Now

Alice in Wonderland is the story of a young girl thrown into a world where up is down and down is... a pig? Yes, a pig!

Through song, dance, and a mysterious looking glass, we invite you to join Alice as she discovers the rules of a fantastic new world full of queens and mad hatters in this hilarious Broadway classic. Our 7-12th graders have been working hard to put on a great show for you!

Come see Alice in Wonderland on December 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th. Thursday-Saturday performances are at 7pm, with one Sunday matinee at 2pm. Thursday night is a “Pay What You Want” performance, with no one turned away. You can buy tickets now on our website! 

Recommended for ages 6 and up. This performance contains loud noises, bright lights, and some fairy tale violence. As compliant with GRS guidelines, masks are required for both audience and performers. 

Buy your tickets today!

Calling All Grandparents

This is the week to reach out to grandparents and extended family who might be able to support Great River School. Fall is fundraising time at Great River, and we need help from our extended community to support the unique learning opportunities and life-changing experiences that define the Great River education. This year, fundraising dollars are helping create outdoor learning and dining spaces so that kids can spend more time outside. Please share this link with family—greatriverschool.org/give.

Seeking Caregiver Volunteers to Support Equity Work

We are looking for caregivers/parents who identify as BIPOC, multiethinic, queer, or neurodivergent (or support a student that identifies as such) to help support Great River’s BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) Convergence affinity group, our GSA (Gender & Sexuality Alliance) affinity group, and possible other supportive affinity groups for shared marginalized identity. 

If you are interested, contact the Student Wellness and Equity Coordinator, Asha Erler, at aerler@greatriverschool.org with what group you’d like to support and what identities you or your student hold. We welcome allies reaching out to offer support as well! 

UE Homework Info Session on November 11th

Upper Elementary guides would like to invite you to a virtual homework information session on November 11th at 6pm.  Guides will present information on homework and discuss how to support your child in independently completing and returning their homework folder.  After the presentation, there will be time for Q&A.  If you are not able to attend, this session will be recorded and shared.

The Zoom meeting link was emailed to UE families on November 2nd and will be sent again the day of the Info Session. We hope to see you there!

New School Lunch Menu for November and December

The kitchen has released a new menu for November and December, with the Heron-To-Go favorite Harissa and Chickpea stew as our featured hot lunch option. Please remember to pre-order lunches for your child for these months! Haven’t ordered using our lunch portal before? Find tutorials and helpful links on our Nutrition website.

LIST Basketball Interest Signup for Grades 6-8

LIST basketball will run from December- February this winter. We anticipate offering at least one team, and would like to determine potential numbers to see if we could offer a second team.

Practices will be at Great River Mondays and Wednesdays after school, with games on Fridays.

We will follow the GRS sports Covid protocols (linked in our safe learning plan).

Cost is $135 (league and coach fee, includes T-shirt). Scholarships are available; contact bigcanoe@greatriverschool.org for more details.

Sign up here to indicate your interest, and you'll be contacted about officially registering when we have the final details.

Recruiting Volunteers for Relicensing Committee

To all parents and community members,

GRS needs a community member to serve on our relicensure committee.

We are looking for a community member to serve on Great River's district relicensure committee and help guide our faculty through the process of renewing their licenses. This is a great way to complete your family’s yearly volunteer hours while supporting our faculty!

Who: Adult community member

What: Volunteer to help review professional development packets for relicensure (no experience needed)

Why: To help our faculty renew their licenses

When: 2-3 meetings per school year plus time to review documents (10 hours per school year total commitment)

How: Contact Karen Anway at kanway@greatriverschool.org

Thank you for considering supporting this important work!

Mountain Biking at Carver Lake Park This Sunday

Derek Damron (Elementary Program Assistant) is inviting *all ages* to come ride mountain bikes at Carver Lake Park on Sunday, November 7th at 2pm (weather permitting).

**PLEASE NOTE: Weather looks great right now, but if it freezes overnight for several nights in a row, trails will closed, as the freeze-thaw cycle makes the trails easily destroyed. We will post on the GRS Families Facebook page if we have to cancel!**

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!

Chinook Book Fundraiser

One year digital subscription is a suggested donation of $20 or pay what you can. You can always donate a subscription to a GRS staff member!

The Chinook Book app helps you discover more sustainable ways to live, work, and play through inspiring stories, savings, rewards, and prizes. With mobile offers that can be redeemed online or in-store, plus monthly giveaways of gifts, groceries, and more, you’ll always find a new way to save while helping your community thrive.

Use the QR Code to fill out the google form and pay via Paypal OR fill out the google form and drop your payment at the GRS front desk

A special link with access to your subscription will be emailed to the address you provide.

Funds raised go to support the many wonderful programs that make Great River School such a wonderful place!

We Need Your Support

Did you know that Great River is a non-profit institution and receives 87 cents for every dollar that district public schools receive? Donations from families help make up for this difference and provide the unique learning opportunities and life-changing experiences that define the Great River education. This year, fundraising dollars are helping create outdoor learning and dining spaces so that kids can spend more time outside. Click here to donate.

Fall Conferences Coming Up on November 4-5th

Conferences this fall will be held on Thursday, November 4th and Friday, November 5th. There will be no school these days.

Conference Details:

This fall, we will offer a hybrid model of conferences for those families with an increased need for COVID-19 protection. If you are vaccinated, comfortable and able, we request your presence for an in-person conference (everyone must wear a mask and be COVID-symptom free). Should you need a virtual conference over Zoom, you will have that option. We ask that all unvaccinated caregivers sign up for a virtual conference. To see more information on conferences, click here. Sign-up for a conference time at https://bit.ly/grsfallconferences.

Faculty Potluck:

To accomplish this, the teachers will be putting in long days, engaging in focused conversations with all of us. The food that families contribute not only keeps everyone nourished, but serves as an important show of support for all that the guides and staff do for our kids! To volunteer to bring food for the faculty potluck, visit https://bit.ly/grsfacultypotluck.

Fall Conferences Coming Up on November 4-5th

Conferences this fall will be held on Thursday, November 4th and Friday, November 5th. There will be no school these days.

Conference Details:

This fall, we will offer a hybrid model of conferences for those families with an increased need for COVID-19 protection. If you are vaccinated, comfortable and able, we request your presence for an in-person conference (everyone must wear a mask and be COVID-symptom free). Should you need a virtual conference over Zoom, you will have that option. We ask that all unvaccinated caregivers sign up for a virtual conference. To see more information on conferences, click here. Sign-up for a conference time at https://bit.ly/grsfallconferences.

Faculty Potluck:

To accomplish this, the teachers will be putting in long days, engaging in focused conversations with all of us. The food that families contribute not only keeps everyone nourished, but serves as an important show of support for all that the guides and staff do for our kids! To volunteer to bring food for the faculty potluck, visit https://bit.ly/grsfacultypotluck.

Mountain Biking at Carver Lake Park This Sunday

Derek Damron (Elementary Program Assistant) is inviting *all ages* to come ride mountain bikes at Carver Lake Park on Sunday, November 7th at 2pm (weather permitting).

**PLEASE NOTE: Weather looks great right now, but if it freezes overnight for several nights in a row, trails will closed, as the freeze-thaw cycle makes the trails easily destroyed. We will post on the GRS Families Facebook page if we have to cancel!**

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!

Picture Retake Day is TOMORROW, November 1st

Picture retake day is TOMORROW, November 1st. Similar to the first picture day, students being photographed will be distanced from others and have the option of taking their masks for the quick time it takes to take the photograph. If students want retakes to be taken, they should tell their classroom teacher or advisor. Any retake photos will void the original picture and will be used in the yearbook.

Wanting to order photos? You can go online now at inter-state.com, using the school code “60055Z” for pictures taken on 9/27 and “60057F” for photos to be taken on 11/1.

Any questions? Email Stacey Kreger at skreger@greatriverschool.org.

Fall Conferences Coming Up on November 4-5th

Conferences this fall will be held on Thursday, November 4th and Friday, November 5th. There will be no school these days.

Conference Details:

This fall, we will offer a hybrid model of conferences for those families with an increased need for COVID-19 protection. If you are vaccinated, comfortable and able, we request your presence for an in-person conference (everyone must wear a mask and be COVID-symptom free). Should you need a virtual conference over Zoom, you will have that option. We ask that all unvaccinated caregivers sign up for a virtual conference. To see more information on conferences, click here. Sign-up for a conference time at https://bit.ly/grsfallconferences.

Faculty Potluck:

To accomplish this, the teachers will be putting in long days, engaging in focused conversations with all of us. The food that families contribute not only keeps everyone nourished, but serves as an important show of support for all that the guides and staff do for our kids! To volunteer to bring food for the faculty potluck, visit https://bit.ly/grsfacultypotluck.

Become a Sustainer

Families that give monthly make the biggest impact on Great River fundraising by offering a consistent and reliable source of funds. No amount is too big or too small—even $5 a month helps! Click here to sign up.

Winter Gear Exchange - Last Chance to Shop

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. 

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:

• 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!

• 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).

Fall Conferences Coming Up on November 4-5th - Signup Now for the Faculty Potluck

Conferences this fall will be held on Thursday, November 4th and Friday, November 5th. There will be no school these days.

General Conference Information:

This fall, we will offer a hybrid model of conferences for those families with an increased need for COVID-19 protection. If you are vaccinated, comfortable and able, we request your presence for an in-person conference (everyone must wear a mask and be COVID-symptom free). Should you need a virtual conference over Zoom, you will have that option. We ask that all unvaccinated caregivers sign up for a virtual conference. 

• Students in grades 5-12 are with the student, caregiver, & the student's advisor or classroom guide.

• Students in grades 1-4 are with caregiver and the guide only.

• If you require an interpreter for conferences, please email office@greatriverschool.org with the language required so we can set that up.

Sign up Here with your student's advisor (adolescent) or classroom guide (elementary). Unsure who their advisor is? Ask them! Or you can email office@greatriverschool.org and we can look it up for you. 

Multiple Households/Families - if your child splits time between two households and both caregivers want/need to attend the conference, please schedule it together. If this is not possible, exceptions can be made by emailing the Program Director of your level.

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.

More than one child at GRS? Sign up early to maximize your chances of getting back-to-back appointments!

Contribute to the Faculty Potluck!

The fall conference potluck tradition is back! We need families to volunteer their time and provide food for our hard-working staff. 

We need support to pull of a great show of appreciation. Here are some particular areas of need:

• On-site volunteers throughout conferences

• Soups, salads & breads for Thursday lunch

• Sandwich fixings for Friday lunch

• Hearty breakfast items & bagels for Friday breakfast

• Taco fixings for Thursday dinner

• Snacks & drinks

There are plenty of other needs as well—browse the whole signup here!