Educational travel experience: London Summer 2024!

Your Adolescent student is invited to join us on an upcoming educational travel experience to London in Summer 2024!

When students travel, they expand their knowledge of the world around them, discover more about themselves, and grow more confident. These skills are critical for creating the global citizens of tomorrow, and I would love to have your student join me on this adventure.

Come hear all the details, including the itinerary, activities, academic opportunities, and the cost of our trip at our informational meeting on December 13 at 7:30PM. The meeting will take place in Room 251.

Note that this is not a Great River School sponsored trip; students are asked to provide all of the funding for their own travel. It is a well-supported and safe trip.

Please click here to register for the meeting ASAP to save your seat: https://bit.ly/3WSgjAr

There are limited spots on this trip, so we would love to have you attend this meeting to learn more about this exciting opportunity!

BIPOC Caregiver meeting, Thur., Dec. 8, 2022

REMINDER: BIPOC caregiver meeting will be held Thursday December 8th at 7:45pm via zoom. The zoom link can be accessed HERE.

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.

Please email Jordan Samejima (jsamejima@greatriverschool.org) or Anu Dean (adean@greatriverschool.org) if you have any questions.

Winter Gear Donation

Please consider the following donation requests, if you are able, to benefit Great River staff and families.  Gratitude!

Gear library donations for GRS staff:

As we enter into the cold weather of winter and simultaneously see a frequent need to shuffle staff around the building to cover absences, we are reaching out to families to request donations of high quality winter gear.  

This gear would be available for staff to check out as needed if they unexpectedly need to accompany students outdoors.

If your family has used gear in excellent condition that you no longer need, please consider donating the following to Great River:

-snowpants

-boots

-very warm jackets

-very warm mittens/gloves

We are seeking adult sizes XS-XXL.  At this time we do not need child sized gear, our social workers have coordinated the needs of students.

Please message the following three adults to coordinate donation drop off:

Jordan Samejima - jsamejima@greatriverschool.org

Saleha Erdmann - serdmann@greatriverschool.org

Lindsey Hartjes - lhartjes@greatriverschool.org

Gift cards for GRS families:

As families prepare for the holidays and encounter rising costs of basic needs, the social work team is seeking donations of gift cards that can be distributed to GRS families who need them.  

We are requesting gift cards for:

-gas

-grocery stores

-large retail chains like Target

Contact one of our social workers to coordinate drop off of gift cards.

Delia Koolick (Lower Elementary) dkoolick@greatriverschool.org

Angela Gaitas (Upper Elementary) agaitas@greatriverschool.org

Megan Miliaresis (Lower Adolescent) mmiliaresis@greatriverschool.org 

Seth Tupper (Upper Adolescent) stupper@greatriverschool.org

Saleha Erdmann (SEL Coordinator) serdmann@greatriverschool.org

GRS Ultimate Frisbee fundraiser

There is an ultimate frisbee fundraiser on December 6th at the Grand Ave Chipotle. From 4:00 to 8:00pm part of the proceeds from anyone who orders from the Grand Chipotle and says they are part of Great River will go to the Ultimate Program. Everyone should go! If you order online make sure you enter the code KWJYEWF.

Snack donations for Adolescent Students

Hello Parents and Caregivers of UA Students,

Our Adolescent students are hungry during the school day and asking for lots and lots of snacks! Over $50 a week in snacks.

Those caregivers with Costco or Sam’s Club memberships, or in a position to donate snack items for UA students, we will use them. Individually wrapped items work best. Granola bars, Applesauce pouches, Goldfish crackers, Pretzels, or Jerky are good items too. But honestly, students will eat any snack you are able to donate.

Snack donations can be dropped off at the Front Office with the amazing Holly Bell.

Thank you caregivers!

Seth Tupper, UA School Social Worker

GRS Spiritwear, Only two more days left to order for Free Delivery! Order by December 2nd.

Last week for free school delivery

Order your GRS school spiritwear by Friday December 2 to receive free school delivery before winter break.

We have fresh new tee and sweatshirt designs from our logo contest as well as old and new favorite hats, flannels, sweats and more. Each purchase helps support Great River's programming and operations.

Order online here.

BIPOC Caregiver meeting, Thur., Dec. 1st, 7:45pm

REMINDER: BIPOC caregiver meeting will be held Thursday December 1st at 7:45pm via zoom. The zoom link can be accessed HERE.

Please email Jordan Samejima (jsamejima@greatriverschool.org) or Anu Dean (adean@greatriverschool.org) if you have any questions.

GIFTING STAFF for Holidays {coordinated by PEG} Deadline DEC 6th!

Wondering about Teacher Gift Ideas? We asked and got some great feedback from teachers about what they love! 

Contribute to a Group $ Gift: At Great River we have 131 different staff members who all contribute to our community’s success. We are organizing a group gift for our dedicated guides and staff for those parents who wish to participate. We hope to make this a routine for holidays and teacher appreciation week at the end of the school year. We know the teachers will appreciate it, plus parents don’t have to put much thought into an amazing gift. Your contribution to the group gift is completely optional, and if you prefer to give your own gift, that is fine. 

The group gift collection is for all GRS staff. We suggest an amount of $15-$150 that will be divided up equally. You can also choose to contribute whatever amount you’d like to. 

Thank you!

Here is the link to Venmo and Paypal options. Please contribute now as we have a quick turnaround time to make this happen before winter break! Please note PEG in the description.

Venmo: @Heather-Thomas-190

PayPal: nathatddt@yahoo.com

If you prefer to make a cash donation, please deliver to the front desk in a sealed envelope with “PEG Holiday Gift” on the envelope.

Please participate as you like. Your gift amount is confidential.

Deadline for contribution will be December 6th.We’ll use our PEG meeting to stuff envelopes for each of our staff members, along with a thank you note.

Just to give you an idea........

We have about 800 in our student body and we know some families have more than one student at school.

If each family gave $5, we could give each staff member $25. 

If each family gave $25, we could give each staff member $130. 

If now is not a good time for your family, we can do another gifting time during teacher appreciation week. Teacher Appreciation Week: May 7-13

Gift Ideas from our Survey

If you want some other ideas to do on your own or as a classroom.

Bookstores: Moon Palace Books, Barnes and Nobles, Magers and Quinn, Black Garnet

Grocery Stores: Mississippi Market, Trader Joes

Pizza places: Pizza Luce, John’s Pizza, Red Savoy and Punch

Movie Theaters: Riverview, Alamo Drafthouse, AMC Rosedale

Cafes: So many—If you’d like to know a specific thing, ask your guide or email peg! 

Favorite places, theaters and parks are also in our survey results, ask if you’d like more info:) 

Contact your classroom ambassador or PEG if you’d like to know what your teacher loves and coordinate a special treat for them. We’ve listed some popular ideas for starters!

Please contact Heather or Mary Sage with questions at peg@greatriverschool.org

GRS Spiritwear, Order by December 2nd for Free Delivery!

Last week for free school delivery

Order your GRS school spiritwear by Friday December 2 to receive free school delivery before winter break.

We have fresh new tee and sweatshirt designs from our logo contest as well as old and new favorite hats, flannels, sweats and more. Each purchase helps support Great River's programming and operations.

Order online here.

Youth Summit, Black Men with Stethoscopes

Black youth, ages 12-18: Are you interested in becoming a doctor, dentist, physician assistant or advanced practice nurse? Hennepin Healthcare is hosting a Black Men with Stethoscopes youth summit on December 3rd from 9am-3:15pm. The summit will include a day full of hands-on activities with real medical equipment and opportunities to connect with Black healthcare professionals.

If you are interested in attending or would like more information regarding this event, please visit the link below. 

https://www.hennepinhealthcare.org/bmws/?mibextid=Zxz2cZ

ACE Update: No ACE Monday or Wednesday

In order to re-evaluate the ACE afterschool program, we will be pausing the program for the time being. There will be no ACE on Monday or Wednesday moving forward.

At GRS, we understand there may be a need for an afterschool program for lower adolescent students but we want to be able to deliver and meet the needs of students that attend ACE. Please stay tuned for further information.

Winter Baseball & Softball Saturday Sessions 12/3 and beyond

Good morning, known and hopeful baseball or softball players and families!

This is a reminder that for any students interested in enhancing their baseball or softball skills, we will be holding 10 Saturday winter training sessions at TCA on the following dates:

December 3 and 17

January 7, 21 and 28

Feb 4, 11 and 18

March 4 and 11 (These two dates are going to be at Nova Classical Academy).

All of the training sessions are FREE and will start at noon and end at 1:30. They will be led by current varsity players. Coaches can only supervise.

Batting practice, pitching practice and utilizing the TCA weight room will be the primary areas of focus this winter. Bring your baseball glove and some good athletic shoes and clothes. Feel free to bring a bat if you have one.

Please help recruit some new, young athletes for our programs.

Please reach out to Coach Lindholm or baseball captain Alex Ehlebracht with questions (slindholm@twincitiesacademy.org).

Scott Lindholm
6-12th grade Health & Physical Education and Sports Psychology
Varsity Head Baseball Head Coach (co-op w/ Nova Classical Academy)
Twin Cities Academy
https://twincitiesacademy.org/
690 Birmingham Street, St. Paul, MN 55106

Thank you for Supporting GRS!

Thank you to the many families that have contributed to Great River School during our Fall fundraising drive! Your contributions support the unique learning opportunities and life-changing experiences that define the Great River education. 

Haven’t donated yet? It’s not too late! Join the community in supporting Great River students.

Don’t forget to check if your employer provides matching gifts. Please share with family and friends! 

Logo Contest Winners! Congratulations!

Congratulations to our Logo Contest winners!

We received many beautiful and fun logo submissions in our contest. In the end, we couldn't choose just one winning design, so in true Montessori fashion, we are going to offer two choices!

Nicholas Pearson's (10th grade) river and heron design stood out for being simple, bold, and very true to Great River's traditions.

Lucius Xiong's (12th grade) goat design captures Great River's playful, silly and sweet side in a fun rainbow color scheme.

Honorable mention goes to Rowann Coburn (7th grade), who helped with design of the final selections, and GRS parent and graphic designer Melissa Hickman, who edited and formatted the winning selections for printing.

We hope to feature other logo contest submissions in GRS publications throughout the year, and give a big thanks to all who submitted entries.

Both of the winning designs will be available in our spiritwear store, found on our website at this link. Please note that the Black Friday Weekend Sale features 15% off all orders. The code shoppers will use at checkout is: BFW15OFF22 and it is valid ONLY on new orders placed from 11/24/22 - 11/28/22.