Our kitchen is missing much of our silverware, specifically spoons and forks. If your student has accidentally brought home any of this silverware, please return to the kitchen when possible!
IB Senior Visual Art Show
The opening of the Senior IB Art show will be in the performance space on March 23 at 4:30-5:30pm and is open to all. 13 seniors have curated an exhibition with work they have made over the past year and a half. Students have worked across a variety of media, showcasing their skills in ceramics, painting, digital drawing, and more. Each artist has created a body of work expressing what they feel passionate about. Exhibits on display include
The role of memory and storytelling
Comic-book inspired monsters and noir detective panels
Imagining the emotions of adolescents through color and form
Mixed media family portraiture
...and so much more!
Come support these fantastic artists. Can't make it to the opening on Wednesday? The exhibits will be on display during conferences March 24-25.
Learn How To Play Ultimate Frisbee for 5-8th Graders
Are you interested in Ultimate Frisbee but not sure how to play or if you'll like it? Then stay after school one or more of the next three Wednesdays to learn the basics. We'll go over some of the rules, how to play, and work on throwing skills in the gym. With the gender format of play, we are in real need of more girls for our teams. 5 players are on the field at a time (2 male, 2 female, and 1 any gender/non-gender)
-March 16--3:15-4:15--Open to 7th-8th grade girls and non-binary only
-March 23--3:15-4:15--Open to all 5th-8th grade beginning Ultimate players
-March 30--3:15-4:15--Open to all 5th-8th grade girls and non-binary
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Brent Cummins
Outdoor Education and Summer Camp Director
bcummins@greatriverschool.org
GRS Ultimate Fundraiser
From student-athletes:
The GRS Stars are so excited for this season to begin! With spring just around the corner, the season is about to start! We are in need of funds to pay for fields at McMurry, pay our coaches, and possibly get new jerseys this year. With the help of IB art student Sebastian Blue, we have created new limited edition Stars merch. The money made through selling this merch will go straight to the ultimate fund to pay for this season and future seasons. We truly couldn't do it without the support of friends and family and we are so thankful for everyone who has helped us. Because this is limited edition orders will only be available through March 21 so please order it ASAP!
CLICK HERE TO ORDER STARS MERCH
or scan the below QR code:
Call for Wine Donations for the Blue Heron Bash
Blue Heron Bash organizers are seeking donations of wine bottles for the wine pull! Please consider donating one or more bottles of wine in the $20 range for the fundraiser!
You may drop off the wine donations with Holly at the front desk, or when you drop off your student on Monday, March 21 as we’ll have volunteers collecting wine bottles. If you have a large donation, text or call Jennie Hardman (218-213-7476) and she can come pick up from you!
To see more information about the Blue Heron Bash, check out the website!
Lunch Orders Open for March and April
The kitchen has released a new menu for March & April! We’re excited to be highlighting another Heron To Go favorite - Coconut Cauliflower Sweet Potato Curry.
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.
GRS Summer Camp - Outside Camps Available
Do you have a 4th-7th grader that is looking for a camp that is 100% outside? Well, we have loads of them! They are:
June 20-23 from 9:00-12:00, Mtn. Biking Camp at Carver Lake and Lebanon Hills
June 20-23 from 1:00-4:00, Large Group Games at Como Park
June 27-30 from 9:00-12:00, Beginning Ultimate Frisbee at Como Park
June 27-30 from 1:00-4:00, Animal Survival at Como Park
July 11-14 from 9:00-12:00, Experienced Ultimate at Como Park
July 11-14 from 1:00-4:00, Camping 101 at Como Park
July 18-21 from 9:00-12:00, Sports of All Sorts at Como
July 18-21 from 1:00-4:00, Animal Adaptations at Como
Our camps are a fun way for your camper to spend a week exploring, building, learning, moving, creating, and having a blast. At GRS, we treat each other and our environment with respect, and we are focused on being safe while having fun. We are open to all people from everywhere. No Montessori or Great River School experience necessary for a great summer here.
We are dedicated to making summer camp possible and affordable for all through our early-bird pricing, sibling discount, multi-program discount, and our scholarship program.
Check out all our camps at www.greatriverschool.org/summercamp.
Spring Sport Boys Volleyball
(Click here to see a full-size version of the above flyer)
Tryouts are on March 21st and March 23rd - all 7-12th graders who identify as boys welcome!
Interested? Fill out this interest form.
9 to 5 Performances Start This Week
9 to 5 The Musical, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton and book by Patricia Resnick, is based on the seminal 1980 hit movie. Set in the late 1970s, this hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era is outrageous, thought-provoking, and even a little romantic.
Recommended for ages 13 and up. This performance contains adult themes.
As compliant with GRS guidelines, masks are required for audience members. Audience members should be vaccinated or have a negative test result within 72 hours of the performance.
Our actors will be performing unmasked and will be tested daily for COVID-19. The show’s crew will remain masked and the audience will be more than 6 feet from the stage.
Upcoming Calendar Changes
The following are changes to the public school calendar:
March 16th will be a full school day for all grades (previously a half-day for all grades).
April 22nd will stay a no school day for Elementary (grades 1-6), but Adolescent students in grades 7-12 will have school (previously no school for all grades 1-12).
These changes are to accommodate last month’s snow day. Our kitchen staff has added options to order lunch for those days.
Faculty Fundraiser for Ukraine
From Ivanna Pavliuk, EL Coordinator and UA Educational Assistant:
Today (3/4) is the 9th day of war in Ukraine. My family is safe! I'm trying to do anything I can to support my country. I'm an enthusiastic baker and will be selling blue and yellow macarons to raise money to support Ukraine.
I’m offering half a dozen macarons with lemon buttercream for $14, or 20 macarons for $40. All the proceeds will go to the support of the Ukrainian army and Humanitarian Assistance to Ukrainians affected by Russia's Aggression through the National Bank of Ukraine. To order, email ipavliuk@greatriverschool.org. I accept Cash, Venmo (@Ivanna-Pavliuk), or PayPal (ivanna7pav@gmail.com). If using Venmo or Paypal, add Ukrainian flag/colors in the notes for payment.
If you live in the Twin Cities Area, I can deliver those to you, or you can pick those up at school. Let me know if you want to learn more about how to support Ukraine. Stand with Ukraine.
PEG Winter Social This Sunday March 6th
Sunday, March 6th, 1-3 pm
1151 Wynne Ave, St Paul, MN 55103
RSVP to attend HERE - fire keepers and cocoa slinging volunteers welcome.
Bring your own sled, marshies, chocolate, & grahams, plus a roasting stick! Feel free to coordinate in your own small groups to share.
Volunteers to bring solo stoves, firewood welcome.
We will supply the hot cocoa and fixings and the fun! Bring your own mug to help us reduce waste please.
Seeking Junior Parent Volunteers for Organizing Graduation
We are still in need of several more junior parent volunteers to help organize graduation this year!
In the GRS community, it’s a tradition for the 11th year families to plan graduation for the senior class. In turn, that means next year, when your students graduate, you can rest assured knowing everything is being taken care of by the junior class families.
We are seeking 2-4 junior parent volunteers to act as event coordinators for graduation on June 10th, 2022. This involves managing event details, ordering graduation materials, and day-of logistics.
Interested? Email graduation@greatriverschool.org.
9 to 5 - Student Update
What’s going on with 9-5?!?
The upcoming GRS musical is a powerful story of resilience and perseverance with quite a bit of rebelliousness. Within the GRS theater, we are bringing all of these aspects together in our production of 9-5, based on Dolly Parton’s hit. This is a musical that follows three women in the male-dominated offices of the 1970s. From costumes that create lovable (and hate-able) characters to the actors’ portrayals of these personalities and the work being done by lights, sounds, and props to bring this production to life, the performance will be one to remember.
9-5 will be on March 11th, 12th, 17th, 18th, and 19th. We are excited to share this with the community and look forward to seeing you there!
Recommended for ages 13 and up. This performance contains adult themes.
As compliant with GRS guidelines, masks are required for both audience and performers. Audience members should be vaccinated or have a negative test result within 72 hours of the performance.
Lunch Orders Open for March and April
The kitchen has released a new menu for March & April! We’re excited to be highlighting another Heron To Go favorite - Coconut Cauliflower Sweet Potato Curry.
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.
Change to School Board Meeting Start Time
Going forward, GRS Board meetings will now begin at 7pm on the fourth Tuesday of each month - updated from 4:30pm.
All are welcome at Great River Board Meetings! The meeting link for remote attendance may be found on the meeting agenda document in this Google drive link.
To ask any questions, email executive@greatriverschool.org.
Bike to School Planning Meeting Tonight
It’s time to start planning BIKE TO SCHOOL DAY at Great River. Can you help?
Meet up with other parents TONIGHT, Wednesday, March 2nd, 7pm at BlackStack Brewing to help plan!
Girls on the Run Registration Open
Registration is OPEN for 3rd-5th graders who can run and have fun Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:15-4:45. Practices will begin April 11th (after spring break) and go through June 4th.
Registration is open through March 7th and will be a lottery for equity. The lottery will happen on March 8 and families are notified shortly after. Scholarships are available and require no additional documentation so don't let that stop you from registering! Please only register if you are able to commit to both days.
Currently, we have enough coaches for ONE team (20 participants) and if we have additional coaches sign up, there could be a second team. Here's the registration link for runners.
Questions - contact Nadine @ nwetzelcurtis@greatriverschool.org
Donation Call for Testing Mints
MCA testing season is upon us and to improve concentration (and as a treat), students get a mint as they begin their test. Please drop off donations at the front office!
GRS Summer Camp - Full Day Camps Available
Come and join us for a full week of Summer Camp! You can sign up for a morning camp (9:00-12:00) and combine it with an afternoon camp (1:00-4:00) to make it a full day of fun. Campers will need to bring their lunches and will enjoy an outdoor, supervised lunch/recess in between the camps.
Our camps are a fun way for your camper to spend a week exploring, building, learning, moving, creating, and having a blast. At GRS, we treat each other and our environment with respect, and we are focused on being safe while having fun. We are open to all people from everywhere. No Montessori or Great River School experience necessary for a great summer here.
We are dedicated to making summer camp possible and affordable for all through our early-bird pricing, sibling discount, multi-program discount, and our scholarship program.
Check out all our camps at www.greatriverschool.org/summercamp.