Upper Adolescent

GRS Music Presents "Ziggy Stardust Project: A Celebration of the music of David Bowie"

GRS is excited to announce our Ziggy Stardust Project: A Celebration of the Music of David Bowie show! A passionate and talented group of student musicians in grades 8 - 12 have been learning David Bowie’s entire Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust album (plus a few extras for fun) over the past few months and are excited to share their work with you!

We'll be performing at the Amsterdam Bar and Hall on Wed May 10 at 7:00. Doors open at 6:00. Student tickets are $10 now / $15 at the door and general tickets are $15 now / $20 at the door. This is a fundraiser for our music program to help purchase much needed equipment! Donations are welcome at the event as well. See you there!

Tickets available at the following link: https://www.amsterdambarandhall.com/Tickets

Reminder: U of Mn Raptor Center donations, drop off by Friday, May 5th

Hello, my name is Anthony and I’m a senior. I’m running a materials drive for a class assignment to help the University of Minnesota’s Raptor Center continue their mission, which is “to ensure the health of raptors and the world we share.” We would like to have materials by May 5th. Please bring donations to the front desk and drop them off with Holly!

The Raptor Center performs rescues and rehabilitations on all species of raptors, and has requested the following items to help with their rehab work:

-nitrile gloves (size medium)
- paper towels
- hand soap
- 70% isopropyl alcohol
- 2” painters tape
-duct tape
- white printer paper
- fine point Sharpies
- ball-point pens

Thank you for your help,

Anthony

EXTERNAL EVENT: Dunwoody College Food Truck Takeover, May 9

Great River Students,

Dunwoody College of Technology is hosting a Food Truck Takeover at our Tuesday, May 9, Open House, from 3-6 p.m. This will be a great way for high school students to experience what a technical college has to offer before they head off into summer.

The event will include FREE food, prize drawings, campus tours, and hands-on demos.

dunwoody.edu/openhouse

Download the Flyer

We know that many high school seniors haven’t made a final decision on their fall plans, so this will be a good way for them to explore our hands-on programs in high-demand, great paying career fields such as Construction, Computers, Engineering, Automotive, Manufacturing, Robotics, Architecture, and Graphics.

The open house will include free food from five of the best food trucks in Minneapolis, along with a chance to win several prizes including a GoPro, a 3D printer, and an external hard drive.

Here are the food trucks participating in the takeover:

  • Butcher Salt | Chicken Fingers, French Fries

  • Sizzling Wagon | Sliders, Cheese Curds

  • Pharaoh’s Gyros | Gyros, Falafel & Hummus

  • Egg Roll Queen | Eggrolls, Cheesecake Eggrolls

  • Taqueria El Patron | Chicken, Beef, and Veggie Tacos

There is no cost to attend, but students should RSVP in advance. The event will take place at Dunwoody College of Technology, 818 Dunwoody Blvd., Minneapolis.

Bike to School Day Next Wednesday 5/3

Wednesday, May 3 is Bike to School Day! Plan to ride to school.

Students and parents who would like to participate in a group ride are invited to meet-up at the locations below. A map of the meet-up locations can be viewed here! 

Parents can support all riders by joining a group ride. Please plan to ride if your student is a novice rider or needs extra attention. Parent volunteers leading the ride shall not be liable for any damages arising from personal injuries that are a result of student participation in the Great River School National Bike to School Day event. In event of inclement weather, Bike to School Day may be postponed until Wednesday, May 11. Watch school announcements for details. Please notify the site group leader if you need to cancel your participation for any reason.

We are looking for donations of fruit and snacks, and volunteers to help direct bikers and hand out giveaway items. Please sign up at this link.

Helmets required. Notify the group leader at your preferred meet up spot that you plan to ride with them so no one gets left behind. Please make sure to arrange after school transportation with your student and group leader. Arrive early enough to check tire pressure and review group ride basics before listed departure times. 

Horton Park (departing at 8:10am), Hamline Avenue at Englewood. Contact Casy Fath, casy.fath@gmail.com or 651-325-1807.

McMurray Field (departing at 8:00am), southwest corner of Como/Wynne Avenue and Lexington. Contact Karen Solas, ksolas@gmail.com or 651-334-0793.

Newell Park (departing at 8:10am). Northwest corner of Hewitt and Wheelter. Contact Abram Shapiro, abr@mshapiro.com or 650-296-8692.

Longfellow Park (departing at 7:50), corner of east 34th St and 36th Ave S. Contact Randy Lewandowski, randylewandowski@gmail.com or 612-250-5001. 

Parent Coffee Social Wednesday, May 3 from 8:15 to 9:00am

Bike to school with your students and stay for a cup of coffee with other parents!

Bike to School Day Next Wednesday 5/3

Wednesday, May 3 is Bike to School Day! Plan to ride to school.

Students and parents who would like to participate in a group ride are invited to meet-up at the locations below. A map of the meet-up locations can be viewed here! 

Parents can support all riders by joining a group ride. Please plan to ride if your student is a novice rider or needs extra attention. Parent volunteers leading the ride shall not be liable for any damages arising from personal injuries that are a result of student participation in the Great River School National Bike to School Day event. In event of inclement weather, Bike to School Day may be postponed until Wednesday, May 11. Watch school announcements for details. Please notify the site group leader if you need to cancel your participation for any reason.

We are looking for donations of fruit and snacks, and volunteers to help direct bikers and hand out giveaway items. Please sign up at this link.

Helmets required. Notify the group leader at your preferred meet up spot that you plan to ride with them so no one gets left behind. Please make sure to arrange after school transportation with your student and group leader. Arrive early enough to check tire pressure and review group ride basics before listed departure times. 

Horton Park (departing at 8:10am), Hamline Avenue at Englewood. Contact Casy Fath, casy.fath@gmail.com or 651-325-1807.

McMurray Field (departing at 8:00am), southwest corner of Como/Wynne Avenue and Lexington. Contact Karen Solas, ksolas@gmail.com or 651-334-0793.

Newell Park (departing at 8:10am). Northwest corner of Hewitt and Wheelter. Contact Abram Shapiro, abr@mshapiro.com or 650-296-8692.

Longfellow Park (departing at 7:50), corner of east 34th St and 36th Ave S. Contact Randy Lewandowski, randylewandowski@gmail.com or 612-250-5001. 

Parent Coffee Social Wednesday, May 4 from 8:15 to 9:00am

Bike to school with your students and stay for a cup of coffee with other parents!

Folk school update--Yoga on Thursdays!

Yoga for all bodies and abilities (ages 12 and up)

Thursdays, 5:30-6:30 pm, April 27-May 25 (5 sessions)

Instructor: Delany Breitbach

Move, breathe, and sweat for 60 minutes of vinyasa yoga with good tunes and great energy with Delany (Health and Wellness Workshop and Big Canoe Guide). Whether you're a long time practitioner or just getting started, Delany teaches to all bodies and abilities, and empowers her students to move in ways that feel good to them. She is a 200-hour Certified Yoga Teacher and took her trainings in both Vinyasa/Power Yoga and Hot 26 in 2019 through her old home studio of Muddy Feet Yoga in Iowa City before moving to the Twin Cities. Bring a water bottle, towel, and any other item you may want to use in your practice. The only expectation is that you honor where you're at on that day and spend the 60 minutes taking care of you. 

Cost: $75 (5 sessions)

Sign up here.

Update from GRS HS Robotics Team 2491 NoMythic!

The HS Robotics Team, 2491 NoMythic, who is on their way to the FIRST World Championship in Houston, where they will be competing with 622 teams from around the world!  

You can follow the competition at:https://frc.divisions.co/r/south/d/Daly.  

You can support their fundraising at https://gofund.me/c6dbf4ce.

Hello!

NoMythic Team Member Joseph, Phoebe and Eva celebrating!

This is Phoebe, NoMythic's team captain. The last time I wrote a team update was after our win in Duluth in 2020.  Here we are again, my senior year, heading to the World Championships in Houston. We qualified for the World Championships three weeks ago in Minneapolis. I’d like to share with you that adventure!  

As we head to Houston, you can follow our adventure on our team’s instagram @2491nomythic. 

You can also follow the adventures of our team’s mascot Frank:  @franks_travels2491.

A brief summary of the Minneapolis competition:

It was an intense and exciting weekend! Our robot came together and came apart and came together again. We spent time with friends on other teams and made new friends. We were a very purple presence in the pits and the stands. Our alliance ended playoffs in third place. And... I'm still shocked to be saying this... we won the Impact Award, "the most prestigious award in all of FIRST" which means we are headed, once again, to the world championships in Houston, Texas! There were many many tears and so much laughter and joy and I could not be more grateful for your support through the season, helping us get to this moment.

Read their sponsor update, included below

https://www.greatriverschool.org/2023/4/19/triumphant-nomythic-robotics-team-firsthand-account

U of Mn Raptor Center donations

Hello, my name is Anthony and I’m a senior. I’m running a materials drive for a class assignment to help the University of Minnesota’s Raptor Center continue their mission, which is “to ensure the health of raptors and the world we share.”

The Raptor Center performs rescues and rehabilitations on all species of raptors, and has requested the following items to help with their rehab work:

-nitrile gloves (size medium)
- paper towels
- hand soap
- 70% isopropyl alcohol
- 2” painters tape
-duct tape
- white printer paper
- fine point Sharpies
- ball-point pens
Please bring donations to the front desk and drop them off with Holly!

Thank you for your help,

Anthony

Coming this Spring! Great River Folk School!

The Great River Folk School is a new community education initiative open to all: parents, families, friends and connections of Great River School. 

All classes are offered at Great River School. Click the link to sign up!

Contact Karen at kanway@greatriverschool.org with any questions. Scholarships are available to assist with fees, contact kanway@greatriverschool.org for more information. To sign up for any of the classes, click on this link.

Yoga for all bodies and abilities (ages 12 and up)

Mondays, 5:30-6:30 pm, April 24-May 22 (5 sessions)

Instructor: Delany Breitbach

Move, breathe, and sweat for 60 minutes of vinyasa yoga with good tunes and great energy with Delany (Health and Wellness Workshop and Big Canoe Guide). Whether you're a long time practitioner or just getting started, Delany teaches to all bodies and abilities, and empowers her students to move in ways that feel good to them. She is a 200-hour Certified Yoga Teacher and took her trainings in both Vinyasa/Power Yoga and Hot 26 in 2019 through her old home studio of Muddy Feet Yoga in Iowa City before moving to the Twin Cities. Bring a water bottle, towel, and any other item you may want to use in your practice. The only expectation is that you honor where you're at on that day and spend the 60 minutes taking care of you. 

Cost: $75 (5 sessions)

Sign up here.

Archery for Adults

Wednesdays, 4:30-5:15 pm, April 26-May 24 (5 sessions)

Instructors: Hadley Musselman and Lynn Overvoorde

Why should the kids have all the fun? Come learn the point of this rapid-fire sport.  Instructors will help participants improve their technique, accuracy, and coordination. Arrow repair and care of equipment will also be demonstrated. Come learn why so many people enjoy this accessible and fun sport!

Cost: $75 (5 sessions)

Sign up here.

Plant-based eating/nutrition

Monday, May 1, 6:30-8 pm

Instructor: Lauren Robinson

Are you curious about Plant-Based Eating for yourself and/or your family? Do you want to hear inspiring reasons for eating this way? Learn from a mother and Vegan of 9+ years who feeds a family of five 100% plant based meals. You'll get an introduction into the science of the lifestyle that can revolutionize your health and well being from someone certified in Plant Based Nutrition through Cornell University. You'll take home an information packet with tools to help you begin your journey. Vegan treats will be served. 

Cost: $15

Sign up here.

Spoon Carving

Wednesday May 3, 5:30-8:30

Instructor: Lynn Overvoorde

Learn how to carve a spoon using traditional Nordic carving techniques. We cover tree anatomy, axing out a blank (roughed out spoon shape), knife holds for the hook & sloyd knife, drying, and finishing. This class is great for the beginner or the person wanting to learn Sloyd style carving. Please wear closed toed-shoes, as we are going to make some wood chips!

Cost: $65 (includes materials cost)

Sign up here.

Herbal Salve-Making 

Wednesday, May 3, 6-8 pm

Instructor: Emily Pearson Ryan (www.lowlandplantmedicine.com)

Herbal salves (aka Ointments or Balms) are used topically. They nourish skin, smell lovely and carry strong medicine. Making your own salves/ointments is a great entry point into crafting your own medicine and taking the care of your health and your family's health into your own hands!  

Participants will be given information on some of the many ways to infuse oils with plant material, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different oils, and learn a few easy plants to begin with and what they might be helpful for.  Then we'll try our hand at mixing a 1-oz salve to take home.  

Beginners, including interested children, are welcome! Experienced medicine-makers are encouraged to come and share what they know!

Cost: $40 (includes $10 materials fee)

Sign up here.

Earth Day is almost here!! Join us!

Hello All,

Please join us for 1-3 hours of work on Earth Day, April 22 from 9:00-12:00 here at school.  Kids are welcome!  We will be cleaning up outside, spreading woodchips, fixing fences, adding rocks to our "river", building borders for woodchips and more!  We have 2 truckloads of wood chips and 2 tons of rocks coming and we need your help!  Sign up HERE!  The EggRoll Queen food truck will be here at noon if you want to stay for lunch.  Thanks!

NoMythic Robotics team seeking to go to World Championship!

Hello All!
A few weeks ago, NoMythic, the high school robotics team, competed in our second competition of the year, the 10,000 Lakes Regional presented by Medtronic. We had a blast at this competition working with lots of teams from all across the state and deepening our connections with many teams within the Twin Cities. During playoffs, our alliance placed third overall, a fact we are quite proud of. Perhaps, though, an even greater highlight of the tournament was winning the prestigious FlRST Impact Award, an award that honors the team that best represents a model for other teams to emulate and best embodies the purpose and goals of FIRST. We are so thankful that we got this award, especially because we then advanced to the World Championship through it. 

The World Championship is down in Houston starting April 19th. With this new competition comes a lot more work though, most of which is securing funds so that everyone on the team that wants to can go. Because of the high price tag associated with travel and lodging, NoMythic is hoping to raise $24,910 by the time we leave. Can you contribute $24.91 or $249.10 or $2,491 to help us using this link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/send-team-2491-nomythic-to-world-champs-2023?

Thank you so much!
NoMythic 2491

GRS Food Program Town Hall | Wednesday, April 19; 6:00pm

This Wednesday, April 19th at 6pm we are having a town-hall style webinar meeting about our lunch program.  This is because of the new legislation around free lunch for all MN students and we want to talk about the impact it will have on our nutrition program.  On that evening we will be sharing all the information we have, answering questions, and offering caregivers a survey to collect opinions on this topic.
Here is the Zoom link to join the meeting at 6pm on Wednesday!

Coming this Spring! Great River Folk School!

The Great River Folk School is a new community education initiative open to all: parents, families, friends and connections of Great River School. 

All classes are offered at Great River School. Click the link to sign up!

Contact Karen at kanway@greatriverschool.org with any questions. Scholarships are available to assist with fees, contact kanway@greatriverschool.org for more information. To sign up for any of the classes, click on this link.

Yoga for all bodies and abilities (ages 12 and up)

Mondays, 5:30-6:30 pm, April 24-May 22 (5 sessions)

Instructor: Delany Breitbach

Move, breathe, and sweat for 60 minutes of vinyasa yoga with good tunes and great energy with Delany (Health and Wellness Workshop and Big Canoe Guide). Whether you're a long time practitioner or just getting started, Delany teaches to all bodies and abilities, and empowers her students to move in ways that feel good to them. She is a 200-hour Certified Yoga Teacher and took her trainings in both Vinyasa/Power Yoga and Hot 26 in 2019 through her old home studio of Muddy Feet Yoga in Iowa City before moving to the Twin Cities. Bring a water bottle, towel, and any other item you may want to use in your practice. The only expectation is that you honor where you're at on that day and spend the 60 minutes taking care of you. 

Cost: $75 (5 sessions)

Sign up here.

Archery for Adults

Wednesdays, 4:30-5:15 pm, April 26-May 24 (5 sessions)

Instructors: Hadley Musselman and Lynn Overvoorde

Why should the kids have all the fun? Come learn the point of this rapid-fire sport.  Instructors will help participants improve their technique, accuracy, and coordination. Arrow repair and care of equipment will also be demonstrated. Come learn why so many people enjoy this accessible and fun sport!

Cost: $75 (5 sessions)

Sign up here.

Plant-based eating/nutrition

Monday, May 1, 6:30-8 pm

Instructor: Lauren Robinson

Are you curious about Plant-Based Eating for yourself and/or your family? Do you want to hear inspiring reasons for eating this way? Learn from a mother and Vegan of 9+ years who feeds a family of five 100% plant based meals. You'll get an introduction into the science of the lifestyle that can revolutionize your health and well being from someone certified in Plant Based Nutrition through Cornell University. You'll take home an information packet with tools to help you begin your journey. Vegan treats will be served. 

Cost: $15

Sign up here.

Spoon Carving

Wednesday May 3, 5:30-8:30

Instructor: Lynn Overvoorde

Learn how to carve a spoon using traditional Nordic carving techniques. We cover tree anatomy, axing out a blank (roughed out spoon shape), knife holds for the hook & sloyd knife, drying, and finishing. This class is great for the beginner or the person wanting to learn Sloyd style carving. Please wear closed toed-shoes, as we are going to make some wood chips!

Cost: $65 (includes materials cost)

Sign up here.

Herbal Salve-Making 

Wednesday, May 3, 6-8 pm

Instructor: Emily Pearson Ryan (www.lowlandplantmedicine.com)

Herbal salves (aka Ointments or Balms) are used topically. They nourish skin, smell lovely and carry strong medicine. Making your own salves/ointments is a great entry point into crafting your own medicine and taking the care of your health and your family's health into your own hands!  

Participants will be given information on some of the many ways to infuse oils with plant material, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different oils, and learn a few easy plants to begin with and what they might be helpful for.  Then we'll try our hand at mixing a 1-oz salve to take home.  

Beginners, including interested children, are welcome! Experienced medicine-makers are encouraged to come and share what they know!

Cost: $40 (includes $10 materials fee)

Sign up here.

Q&A Session with the Board: Becoming a Board Member | Wed., April 12; 3:30pm

Just a reminder that the application deadline has been extended the application deadline to Friday, April 21st and postpone the elections from April 10-14 to May 1-4. Please consider applying!

As of April 10th, we are in need of at least 2 more teacher applicants, and 3 more caregiver or community applicants.  Maintaining a staffed board is an important part of maintaining our charter.

For More Information: GRS Board Information 2023
To apply complete this link or scan the QR code to the left: GRS Board Application Form

Great News! GRS Board application deadline has been extended to April 21st!

Due to our need for members next year, and the convergence of the Blue Heron Bash, Conferences, and Spring Break, at the same time as our planned communication and recruitment, the GRS Board voted to extend the application deadline to Friday, April 21st and postpone the elections from April 10-14 to May 1-4. Please consider applying!

As of March 29th, we are in need of at least 2 more teacher applicants, and 3 more caregiver or community applicants.  Maintaining a staffed board is an important part of maintaining our charter.

For More Information: GRS Board Information 2023
To apply complete this link or scan the QR code to the left: GRS Board Application Form

Great News! GRS Board application deadline has been extended to April 21st!

Due to our need for members next year, and the convergence of the Blue Heron Bash, Conferences, and Spring Break, at the same time as our planned communication and recruitment, the GRS Board voted to extend the application deadline to Friday, April 21st and postpone the elections from April 10-14 to May 1-4. Please consider applying!

As of March 29th, we are in need of at least 2 more teacher applicants, and 3 more caregiver or community applicants.  Maintaining a staffed board is an important part of maintaining our charter.

For More Information: GRS Board Information 2023
To apply complete this link or scan the QR code to the left: GRS Board Application Form

Ultimate is looking for more players! Is that you?

We are looking for a few more High School Ultimate players so we can have enough for a Varsity and JV team in the Open/Boys Division!  We need you to register as soon as possible so MN Ultimate can create a JV schedule for us.  Please check out our GRS Ultimate Website to view the schedule and learn how to register.  Email Brent Cummins (bcummins@greatriverschool.org) if you have any questions.