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Calling all baseball and softball players! Winter training sessions at TCA

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Happy Monday and 2023 to you all, known and hopeful baseball or softball players and families!

Here's our latest reminder that for any students interested in enhancing their baseball or softball skills, we will be holding 8 more Saturday winter training sessions at TCA on the following dates:

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.  We'd love to see some more of our veteran ballplayers show up and get to know some new teammates. 

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).

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Where do I find Information for sports and other activities GRS?

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Are you wondering how you can support our GRS students on sports teams, theatre, and other activities? Below are a number of ways to keep track of the games and locations via Google Calendar at the bottom of our GRS website homepage and the Twin Cities Academy website. Let’s go teams! Let’s support our Arts and Athletics!

Twin Cities Academy/Great River Tigers
https://twincitiesac.org/public/genie/404/school/1009/

Great River School Website
https://www.greatriverschool.org/calendar

Elementary Clothing for Accidents and Emergencies

Dear Elementary Families, If at some point this year your child has borrowed clothes from the school, please wash and return them so we can continue to supply students with clean clothes in case of accidents. Additionally, if you'd be willing to donate any child-size underwear or leggings so we can add to our stash, that would be immensely helpful! Accidents happen, and having a supply of emergency gear helps students get through the day! Thanks for your partnership!! The Elementary Team

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Broomball Club for All Genders, Grades 5 - 8

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We hope to again offer a broomball club sport this January-February for grades 5-8. 

Great River will organize teams for broomball practices and scrimmages within our own community. What is broomball? Click here to find out!

Coach: Parent volunteer wanted, supported by Big Canoe staff

Practices and games: Mondays and Thursdays (tentative) 3:30-4:45

Location: Como broomball rinks at McMurray fields

Cost: $100.

Requirements: a bike or ski helmet, any skill level

Sign up here if you are interested in participating or to receive more information! 

A Plus Drivers Ed: Take Drivers Ed over the Winter break!

DRIVER’S EDUCATION (Students who are 14 years of age and older) This 30-hour program will be conducted by a certified instructor from the A+ Driving School and will fulfill the state driver’s education requirement. The course will address the “how to” and “whys” of safe driving. The format of the class will be lecture and active discussion. After completion of the program, students will be able to set up and participate in behind the wheel sessions to meet the six hour state requirement. Classes will meet VIRTUALLY through ZOOM Teleconferencing! All registration can be done through: www.APlusDrivingSchool.net

Need to miss a few classes--NO PROBLEM. Easy Make-Up classes! We offer classes all year long with multiple time offerings each day. Take class from ANYWHERE through teleconferencing! LIVE INSTRUCTORS! FUN CLASSES! PAYMENT PLANS AVAILABLE!

CLASS DATES and REGISTRATION: www.APlusDrivingSchool.net

WINTER BREAK CLASS: Dec. 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, Jan. 1

Class Times: 9:30am - 12:30pm and 12:45 - 3:45pm; DEC 22nd ONLY 3-6, 4-7, 6:15-9:15 pm

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Educational travel experience: London Summer 2024!

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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!

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

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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.

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Winter Gear Donation

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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

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GRS Ultimate Frisbee fundraiser

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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.

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Snack donations for Adolescent Students

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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

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

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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.

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

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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.

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

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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