Winter solstice has come upon us, but Great River School is already planning for summer camp! Our programs are divided by grades and not age: Pre/K, 1st-3rd, 4th-7th, and 7th-10th.. Some of our Lower Adolescent themes will be art, cooking, theater, pottery, garage band, biking, sailing, robotics and more! The goal is for registration to be open by January 13, so keep your eyes out for future announcements and on our summer camp link (to be updated): https://www.greatriverschool.org/summercamp. You can also contact Brent Cummins with any questions at bcummins@greatriverschool.org. As always, we'll have scholarships available for all!
Summer Camps 2023
Winter solstice has come upon us, but Great River School is already planning for summer camp! Our programs are divided by grades and not age: Pre/K, 1st-3rd, 4th-7th, and 7th-10th. This year we are offering more 1st-3rd grade camps every week! Some of our elementary themes will be art, theater, outdoor survival skills, sports, biking, science, games, animals and the environment, robotics, ninja training and more! The goal is for registration to be open by January 13, so keep your eyes out for future announcements and on our summer camp link (to be updated): https://www.greatriverschool.org/summercamp. You can also contact Brent Cummins with any questions at bcummins@greatriverschool.org. As always, we'll have scholarships available for all!
Calling all baseball and softball players! Winter training sessions at TCA
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).
Where do I find Information for sports and other activities GRS?
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
Broomball Club for All Genders, Grades 5 - 8
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
GRS Annual Meeting, Tuesday, December 13, 2022; 5:30 - 7:30pm
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!
Great River School is hiring: Lower Adolescent Social Studies Guide
Reminder: 7th and 8th Grade Math Night, Wednesday, December 7th
Great River School is Hiring: HS IB Math Long-Term Sub
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.
You are invited! - GRS Alumni Panel 1/6/2023
Support this by spreading the word! Please text fellow GRS friends and join the panel together!
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.
7th and 8th Grade Math Night
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.
Hairdryers needed for Art Department
Art teacher Laura Machacek is in need of 3-4 hairdryers. They can be used, but need to be in working condition. She would love to have a few in the art room to help dry projects. Thanks!