There will be no school for all grades on Monday, January 17th in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Day.
No School for Elementary Grades on January 14th
There will be no school for Elementary grades (1-6) on Friday, January 14th for a teacher grading day.
Voluntary Vaccination Survey
Now that all our students have the opportunity to be vaccinated against COVID-19, Great River School is collecting information regarding its students’ COVID-19 vaccination status. This data will be used by Great River School for the purpose of determining when and for how long students must quarantine if they are exposed to an individual who has tested positive for or otherwise been diagnosed with COVID-19, based on guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health.
This disclosure is voluntary, and there is no requirement for any student to provide Great River School with this information. Find the survey at https://bit.ly/grsvaccinesurvey.
Elementary Summer Camp Registration Open Next Wednesday
Summer Camp Registration to open on Wednesday, January 12! Camps will be divided by the following entering grades: Pre/K, 1st-3rd, 4th-7th, and 7th-10th.
Some of our Elementary themes will be art, outdoor survival skills, fun at Como, sports, science, games, animals and the environment, robotics and more! You can do half days or sign up for morning and afternoon sessions to make it a full-day. New Friday add-on if you want to make it a full week as well.
Sign up soon to get the Early Bird Discounts. You can also contact Brent Cummins with any questions at bcummins@greatriverschool.org. As always, we'll have scholarships available for all! https://www.greatriverschool.org/summercamp.
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!
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 Thursday, January 6th at 7:45pm. Want to join the BIPOC Caregiver Committee? Email Anu (adean@greatriverschool.org) or Cassie (curbano@greatriverschool.org) to get connected!
Lunch Orders Open for January and February
The kitchen has released a new menu for January and February! We’re excited to announce that the kitchen is adding another hot lunch day on Wednesdays and will be highlighting another Heron To Go favorite - Broccoli Alfredo (with, of course, a delicious gluten-free 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.
BIPOC Caregiver Committee Meeting on Thursday
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 this Thursday, January 6th at 7:45pm. Want to join the BIPOC Caregiver Committee? Email Anu (adean@greatriverschool.org) or Cassie (curbano@greatriverschool.org) to get connected!
End of Year Giving
As 2021 comes to an end, please include Great River School in your year-end giving. Great River is proud to be a tuition-free, public Montessori school, open to all students. The school receives 87 cents for every dollar that district public schools receive. Your support is vital—community giving helps close that funding gap and provide the unique learning opportunities and life-changing experiences that define the Great River education.
No gift is too big or too small. Every dollar helps support Great River students. Thank you for your generosity and community!
Winter Break December 20-31
Enjoy your winter break! We’ll see you back on campus on January 3rd, 2022!
Call for Sled and Stump Donations
Are you looking to upgrade your old sled this winter or have your kids stopped using the ones you have? If so, school would love to add to our current sled collection. We prefer heavier duty sleds, but will take whatever you can offer! We use them for PE, CAS, Elementary Workshops, Big Canoe, and class outings. Please consider donating today! You can drop them off at the front office.
Do you have branches, logs, or stumps laying around the yard? If so, our students would love to use them for forts, boats, trading, and other imaginary play. You can simply drop them off anywhere in the play space and students will take care of them from there!
Lunch Orders Open for January and February
The kitchen has released a new menu for January and February! We’re excited to announce that the kitchen is adding another hot lunch day on Wednesdays and will be highlighting another Heron To Go favorite - Broccoli Alfredo (with, of course, a delicious gluten-free 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 League Broomball for Grades 5-8
Grades 5-8 All Gender Broomball Club
We hope to again offer a broomball club sport this January-February for grades 5-8.
Great River will organize teams for broomball practices and scrimmages within our own community. What is broomball? Click here to find out!
Coach: TBD, parent volunteers wanted to help support
Practices and games: Tuesday and Thursday afternoons
Location: Como broomball rinks at McMurray fields
Cost: $100
Requirements: a bike or ski helmet, any skill level
Sign up here if you are interested in participating or to receive more information!
Half Day December 15th
Tomorrow December 15th, school will be dismissed at 11:45am to allow for teacher professional development.
Summer Camp Registration Opening in January
I know we just got our first real snow, but Great River School is already planning for summer camp! This year, our programs will be divided by grades and not age. Camps will be divided by the following entering grades: Pre/K, 1st-3rd, 4th-7th, and 7th-10th.
Some of our Elementary themes will be art, outdoor survival skills, sports, science, games, animals and the environment, robotics, and more! Registration will be open the week of January 10, so keep your eyes out for future announcements and on our summer camp website (to be updated soon with 2022 links). You can also contact Brent Cummins with any questions at bcummins@greatriverschool.org. As always, we'll have scholarships available for all!
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!
No School Tomorrow December 10th
There will be no school tomorrow, December 10th, for teacher professional development.
List League Broomball for Grades 5-8
Grades 5-8 All Gender Broomball Club
We hope to again offer a broomball club sport this January-February for grades 5-8.
Great River will organize teams for broomball practices and scrimmages within our own community. What is broomball? Click here to find out!
Coach: TBD, parent volunteers wanted to help support
Practices and games: Tuesday and Thursday afternoons
Location: Como broomball rinks at McMurray fields
Cost: $100
Requirements: a bike or ski helmet, any skill level
Sign up here if you are interested in participating or to receive more information!
Alice in Wonderland Tickets - Opening Night TONIGHT
There are a handful of tickets available for the Saturday performance at 2pm, otherwise, Alice in Wonderland tickets are completely sold out. If you have not already purchased your tickets, you will be turned away at the door. We expect the Saturday tickets to go quickly - click this link to purchase!
Want to do even more to support our young designers, makers, and actors?
Donate to the GRS Theater Program! Your contributions directly support our adolescent productions and give students more tools and materials to make their designs a reality! Thank you!
Performances are 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.
Half Day Next Wednesday December 15th
Next Wednesday, December 15th, school will be dismissed at 11:45am to allow for teacher professional development.