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!
Pandemic Advisory Team - Community Q&A TONIGHT
The Pandemic Advisory Team is inviting the wider community to attend their next meeting TONIGHT, Monday, November 22nd at 6pm. The Zoom link was emailed to all families last Wednesday. The Pandemic Advisory Team will update the community on their work and answer any questions families bring. We will share the recording with all families.
The Pandemic Advisory Team is made up of Great River caregivers, faculty, and community members who want to be involved in the school’s COVID-19 policy decisions. Interested in joining PAT? Email dnunez@greatriverschool.org!
Box Tops for Education
Yes - we do collect Box Tops! Yes - they DO contribute to our school!
We're coming to the holiday season and there might be extra cooking happening at your house. Remember to scan your receipts so GRS can earn Boxtops for Education points.
You can follow the new-ish scanning method (see the how-to for a primer on scanning your shopping receipts) AND we still collect any box tops that you can find that you can still cut from the box. Please give those to Holly at the front desk. Any questions? Email Holly at hbell@greatriverschool.org
Attendance and RoboTexts Reminder
(The below email was sent to all families on 11/8/21. Click here to read the entire message on our website.)
We are exceptionally grateful for your continued caution this year as you keep students home if they are not feeling well. One impact of this (in addition to keeping us all healthier) is that the attendance tracking workload is much heavier than it has ever been.
To manage this increased workload while still preserving the integrity of our communications around attendance, we are instituting a few changes effective Tuesday, November 9th.
Robo-Texts
At 9am, we will be sending robo-texts to caregivers of ALL students marked absent, whether or not we’ve heard from you. This notification will let you know if your child is not at school for attendance in the first hour.
If you have already reported your absence, you do not need to do anything.
If you haven’t reported the absence at this point, send an email to attendance@greatriverschool.org to let us know the reason for the absence.
Any student with an absence that was not reported by a caregiver will be marked as “Unexcused.”
Want to opt-out of all texts from the school? This video shows you how to manage your alert preferences. We want to hear from you if your student is absent. The reason for the absence is important so that we can help support your student if necessary.
Lower Adolescent Spirit Week
LA Student Leadership presents Spirit Week!
Monday - PJ Day
Come to school in your cozy PJs and enjoy the warmth.
Tuesday- Twins Day
Find a partner (or two) and dress up the same or as close as you can.
Wednesday - Wacky Wednesday
Let’s get wild! Show off your craziest style!
Thursday - Decade Day
Pick a decade and dress like you’re living in it.
Friday - Origin Day
Share your culture and where you’re from.
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!
Donation Drive
Hi GRS Community!
Two GRS seniors are organizing a donation drive running from next Wednesday, November 24th to Wednesday, December 8th. We will be collecting non-perishables and personal care items, options will be listed below. Donation boxes will be located in the front and back entrances and under the table in the Orange Lobby. All items will be donated to Keystone Community Services.
Non-perishables include:
Milk alternatives (soy/almond)
Prepared/boxed meals
Oil
Jelly
Rice
Canned meat/fish
Sugar
Flour
Soup
Snack items
Canned fruit and veggies
Beans (canned or dry)
Personal care items include:
Toilet paper
Paper towels
Dish soap
Laundry soap
All-purpose cleaner
Clorox wipes
Trash bags
Shampoo/Conditioner
Body wash/bar soap
Lotion
Deodorant
Tampons/Tampax
Toothbrushes/toothpaste
Razor/Shaving cream
Size 4, 5, & 6 diapers
Baby wipes
Baby food
Formula
Email rperkl@greatriverschool.org and mhayes@greatriverschool.org with any questions!
Lower Adolescent Spirit Week
LA Student Leadership presents Spirit Week!
Monday - PJ Day
Come to school in your cozy PJs and enjoy the warmth.
Tuesday- Twins Day
Find a partner (or two) and dress up the same or as close as you can.
Wednesday - Wacky Wednesday
Let’s get wild! Show off your craziest style!
Thursday - Decade Day
Pick a decade and dress like you’re living in it.
Friday - Origin Day
Share your culture and where you’re from.
Pandemic Advisory Team - Community Q&A
The Pandemic Advisory Team is inviting the wider community to attend their next meeting on Monday, November 22nd at 6pm. The Zoom link will be emailed to all families this week. The Pandemic Advisory Team will update the community on their work and answer any questions families bring. We will share the recording with all families.
The Pandemic Advisory Team is made up of Great River caregivers, faculty, and community members who want to be involved in the school’s COVID-19 policy decisions. Interested in joining PAT? Email dnunez@greatriverschool.org!
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.
Lower Adolescent Spirit Week
LA Student Leadership presents Spirit Week!
Monday - PJ Day
Come to school in your cozy PJs and enjoy the warmth.
Tuesday- Twins Day
Find a partner (or two) and dress up the same or as close as you can.
Wednesday - Wacky Wednesday
Let’s get wild! Show off your craziest style!
Thursday - Decade Day
Pick a decade and dress like you’re living in it.
Friday - Origin Day
Share your culture and where you’re from.
Lower Adolescent Spirit Week
LA Student Leadership presents Spirit Week!
Monday - PJ Day
Come to school in your cozy PJs and enjoy the warmth.
Tuesday- Twins Day
Find a partner (or two) and dress up the same or as close as you can.
Wednesday - Wacky Wednesday
Let’s get wild! Show off your craziest style!
Thursday - Decade Day
Pick a decade and dress like you’re living in it.
Friday - Origin Day
Share your culture and where you’re from.
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.
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.
J-Term Theater Intensive Info Night on November 16th
Check in with Tami Limberg about Theater Intensives (formerly known as J-Term) on Tuesday, November 16th from 6-7pm to hear how J-Term is changing this year and what to expect. You'll hear about the programs, the goals, student experience, and family roles. We highly encourage all caregivers to attend or watch the video which will be sent out afterwards!
This event will be recorded and shared with families. We hope to see you there.
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
When: Nov 16, 2021 06:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Topic: LA Theatre Intensive Info Night
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81161023542?pwd=YjBDU2U1S2tkN090MkM2K2szZ3hHdz09
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.