Math Club Kickoff Meeting Next Week

Math Club Kick-Off Meeting

Who: 9-12 Grade
When: Tuesday, 11/2
Time: 3:15pm
Location: Room 251

Beverages and snacks served! Come one, come all! Everyone and all levels of interest WELCOME! Find out about all the fun and cool things we’ll do!

Some thoughts about what may take place this year:

• Provide a safe, relaxed, fun, and open space for members to do work

• Math and other STEM speakers and presenters coming to GRS from colleges and universities

• ACT test support, “Tips and Tricks on how to take and the SAT/ACT”

• Games

• Math problems and concepts workshops and discussions

• Anything that the club requests and needs

• Create a collaborative and supportive environment.

Actual activities will be decided by members together.

Student Co-Leader: Annika Fischer
Student Co-Leader: Simon Schmidt
Faculty Advisor: Sarah Hansen
Parent Advisor: Claudia Andriamananjara-Cunderlik
Email Claudia at: cjmanikam@gmail.com

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.

Winter Sports Registration

Interested in playing winter sports? Fill out the forms linked on the Twin Cities Academy website and email them to tiger.hs.athletics@twincitiesacademy.org by November 5th. All links are also available on our website under Student Athletics.

Any questions? Email our Athletic Director, Victor Vondracek at vvondracek@twincitiesacademy.org.

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!

GRS is Hiring a Kitchen Production Assistant

For more information and to apply, check out our employment page or view the job description here.

Lower Adolescent Info Night on Grading and Schoology TOMORROW

LA Program Director Tami Limberg will be holding a virtual info night webinar focused on grading practices and Schoology TOMORROW Wednesday, October 27th at 6pm. The recording will also be emailed to all LA families. 

See below for the webinar link - we look forward to seeing you tomorrow!

You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
When: Oct 27, 2021 06:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Lower Adolescent Info Night
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82079524872?pwd=RzJoRTdQV2xhRllIOWU0SVB2T1lDZz09
Passcode: 509636
Or One tap mobile :US: +13017158592,,82079524872#  or +13126266799,,82079524872#
Or Telephone: Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 301 715 8592  or +1 312 626 6799  or +1 929 205 6099  or +1 253 215 8782  or +1 346 248 7799  or +1 669 900 6833 Webinar ID: 820 7952 4872
International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbJtB6jIbQ

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!

Picture Retake Day is November 1st

Picture retake day is next Monday, 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.

Winter Gear Exchange - Shopping All This Week

***We apologize for the wrong dates being advertised last week! This was a mistake and "shopping" is open this week to not overlap with last week's MEA Break***

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).

PEG Meeting Happening Tomorrow Night

Come join us at the first PEG meeting of the year, happening Tuesday, October 26th from 7-8pm on Zoom. The meeting link will be emailed to all families tomorrow. Want more info? Check out this announcement from last Wednesday.

Winter Gear Exchange - Shopping Starts Tomorrow

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).

Share Your Skills with the GRS Foundation

Are you a writer, a designer, a community builder, an organizer, a numbers person, a photographer? Or maybe you like to talk to people or host gatherings or make phone calls?

Find out how to fulfill your 20 volunteer hours by volunteering for the GRS Foundation, which raises funds for our tuition-free public school. We need people who are willing to share their time and their skills (and get to know other parents too!) in support of Great River School. Join us for a Foundation Info-Social so you can get to know the volunteer needs of the GRS Foundation and see where you can help out.
GRS Foundation Volunteer Info-Social
6:30-7:30 pm, Monday, October 25, via Zoom
RSVP here!

Questions? Email us! Foundation@greatriverschool.org

Winter Sports Registration

Interested in playing winter sports? Fill out the forms linked on the Twin Cities Academy website and email them to tiger.hs.athletics@twincitiesacademy.org by November 5th. All links are also available on our website under Student Athletics.

Any questions? Email our Athletic Director, Victor Vondracek at vvondracek@twincitiesacademy.org.

Lower Adolescent Info Night on Grading and Schoology

LA Program Director Tami Limberg will be holding a virtual info night webinar focused on grading practices and Schoology next Wednesday, October 27th at 6pm. The recording will also be emailed to all LA families. 

See below for the webinar link - we look forward to seeing you next week! 

You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
When: Oct 27, 2021 06:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Lower Adolescent Info Night
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82079524872?pwd=RzJoRTdQV2xhRllIOWU0SVB2T1lDZz09
Passcode: 509636
Or One tap mobile :US: +13017158592,,82079524872#  or +13126266799,,82079524872#
Or Telephone: Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 301 715 8592  or +1 312 626 6799  or +1 929 205 6099  or +1 253 215 8782  or +1 346 248 7799  or +1 669 900 6833 Webinar ID: 820 7952 4872
International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbJtB6jIbQ

GRS is Hiring a Kitchen Production Assistant

For more information and to apply, check out our employment page or view the job description here.

Fall Fundraising

Fall is the time to give to Great River School!  

Your contributions help 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.

If you are able, now is the time to give. Click to donate. 

First PEG Meeting of the Year - October 26th

Come Join us at the PEG Meeting!

Learn about upcoming volunteer needs and connect with others in the school community.

Tuesday October 26, 7-8pm via Zoom (the meeting link will be emailed to families next week).

The guiding principle for PEG  (Parent Engagement Group) is to be Welcoming Ambassadors with a Whole School vision to Cultivate Strong Partnerships. We focus on three main priorities:

• Recruit volunteers for school events

• Build connections between families

• Welcome new and transitioning families

Volunteer for the GRS Foundation from the Comfort of Your Home

Connect with other parents passionate about supporting GRS programs and mission! The Great River School Foundation needs people who are willing to share their time and their skills (and get to know other parents too!) in support of Great River School. Join us for the Foundation Info-Social so you can get to know the volunteer needs of the GRS Foundation and find out more about how we raise funds to support our tuition-free public school.

GRS Foundation Volunteer Info-Social
6:30-7:30 pm, Monday, October 25, via Zoom
RSVP here!

Questions? Email us! Foundation@greatriverschool.org