Big Canoe Registration is now open for the 2025-2026 school year
Big Canoe child care is available before and after school for elementary students at Great River School. We are open from 7:45 - 8:50 am and 3:50 - 5:45 pm every regular school day. For rates and information, see www.greatriverschool.org/big-canoe-club.
To register your child for Big Canoe next fall, fill out the registration form. You will be contacted to confirm your registration by paying the $30 registration fee.
IMPORTANT: Parking Lot norms and Pick-up/drop-off line safety and awareness
As we all want to ensure everyone gets to where they are going in the morning safely, please be mindful to check your mirrors and surroundings for other cars and student and staff pedestrians prior to exiting the parent pick-up/drop-off line so as to keep our pedestrians and other drivers safe from incident.
Please take the time to review the norms for drop-off/pick-up (specifically in regard to the use of the visitor parking lot) as we wrap up the end of the school year. Only 2 weeks left!
Printmaking- June 23-26, 2025 (Half Day Camp)
Calling all Artists and Makers! If you enjoy learning new techniques and having plenty of creative avenues to explore, join Randi McClure in this awesome Printmaking camp. It will be a great introduction to a variety of techniques and graphic design concepts. You’ll get to create your own artist trading card and tote bag, as well as other pieces of art to take home. Be ready to get a little messy- you and your new artist friends will be making art with paint, ink, and other natural materials. Can’t wait to see you there!
For schedules and registration, go to https://great-river-school.jumbula.com/7th-10th-half-day- or email Brent Cummins at bcummins@greatriverschool.org with any questions. Also, we are dedicated to making summer camp possible and affordable for ALL through our early-bird pricing, sibling discount, multi-program discount and our Pay What You Can program.
Last Chance for Lost and Found!!!
Any unclaimed items in lockers, cubbies and lost and found locations that are not picked up by 5pm on Friday, June 6th will be donated to charity. Please encourage your children to claim their items. Caregivers are welcome to look in the Lost and Found before and after school, during Elementary Workshare, at the End of the Year Picnic on May 29th and after the End of Year Ceremony at noon on June 6th!
Lost and Found Locations:
- On the the Lower Level near the Cafe
- In the Lower Level Entryway
- In the Elementary by the Printer
Support our Garden This Summer! Volunteers needed.
Check out the link below to sign up for this summer volunteer opportunity.
Click HERE to learn more about how to care for our Garden with weeding, watering and general care and sign up for 1 week this summer.
We are happy to announce that our new school garden is up and growing! Adolescents and Elementary Outdoor Ed students have been hard at work getting the raised beds ready for the growing season. Work began in the fall with the clearing of the garden space and building of the raised beds. The spring found students hauling dirt and mulch and weeding the garden space. Beds have recently been planted and the garden is taking shape.
We are excited to invite families to join us in maintaining and nurturing our newly established school garden! This is a wonderful opportunity for parents, caregivers, and students to come together, enjoy the outdoors, and contribute to creating a vibrant and sustainable green space for our school community. Whether it's weeding, watering, or general upkeep, every helping hand makes a difference. Volunteering not only helps beautify our school but also provides a chance to teach our children about the importance of nature, responsibility, and teamwork. We look forward to having you be part of this wonderful space and working together to make our garden thrive!
GameCraft: Play and Design Board Games, Jul 21-24, 2025 (Half Day Camp)
Do you love strategy, problem solving, creativity, and winning? This camp has it all! We’ll be playing a variety of collaborative and competitive board games. While trying out some of these innovative modern games, we’ll also be investigating what makes a game fun. When does a board game get too complex or challenging or boring to be good? This “Fun research” will help campers create their own board games (solo or with friends). Get ready to level up your gaming!
For schedules and registration, go to https://great-river-school.jumbula.com/7th-10th-half-day- or email Brent Cummins at bcummins@greatriverschool.org with any questions. Also, we are dedicated to making summer camp possible and affordable for ALL through our early-bird pricing, sibling discount, multi-program discount and our Pay What You Can program.
Reminder! 2024-25 Yearbook orders! Order yours today!
Hello and happy end of year families! Yearbooks are in! Please come pick up your yearbook at the Front Desk if you pre-purchased. If not, please bring cash or check to Front Office ($30), click on the link below to pay online, or scan the QR code on any of the flyers around the school, like the one here.
https://www.greatriverschool.org/yearbooks
You will get yours as soon as you buy since they have all been delivered and we pre-ordered a good amount. Your Yearbook Club worked very hard on this and are proud of the work they put in to get our yearbook here before school ends so there is time for signatures and connection.
Thanks community!
--Yearbook Club 2024-2025
The Ultimate Camp! Check it out!
–Love Ultimate Frisbee and can’t get enough of it? Want to work on finesse and take your skills to an elite level? A complete beginner and curious about the sport? It’s no wonder that GRS students love this sport that’s all about community, autonomy, and encouragement… so many students play that we have 9 teams this spring! We have a variety of Ultimate Camps for 7th-10th graders (from highly experienced to those that want to learn the game) and camps for 4th-7th as well.
For schedules and registration, go to https://great-river-school.jumbula.com/ultimate-frisbee-camps or email Brent Cummins at bcummins@greatriverschool.org with any questions.
As always, we are dedicated to making summer camp possible and affordable for ALL through our early-bird pricing, sibling discount, multi-program discount and our Pay What You Can program.
Date Change! End of the Year Picnic, Big Canoe, and Teacher Appreciation Gifts!
Join us at the End of Year Picnic on Thursday, May 29th!
We need your help to make it happen. Volunteer Here!
You can also sign up for a Great Gathering to stamp your own shirt at the picnic with GRS Art Guide extraordinaire Randi bit.ly/GRSBHBTickets25
BIG CANOE BEFORE THE PICNIC
Do you want your elementary-aged child to stay after school until you can pick them up for the picnic?
Big Canoe is offering childcare from 3:50 - 5:00 pm on our picnic afternoon at a cost of $10 for one child, $14 for two children. (There is no extra charge for students who already attend Big Canoe on Tuesday Afternoons) Proceeds from childcare will be used to support programming at Great River School! Children will enjoy a supervised recess playtime with our staff until the picnic begins at 5 pm. To register, use one of the links below to pay the fee and reserve a spot.
Spots are limited. Scholarships are available in case of financial need; Email bigcanoe@greatriverschool.org to inquire.
TEACHER APPRECIATION GIFTS
We are still collecting funds for Teacher Appreciation through the End of Year Picnic on May 29. Last year we raised $7000 to give each staff member a $50 gift. Please donate your gift by dropping off cash or check (payable to Great River School Foundation), in a sealed envelope with PEG written on it, at the front office
OR Venmo to GRSPEG https://account.venmo.com/u/GRSPEG
OR PayPal to GRSPEG https://www.paypal.me/GRSPEG?locale.x=en_US
H.S. Fall Sports Registrations are now Open!
Attention athletes! High School fall sports registrations are now open! Grades 7-12 are eligible to try-out, these are for competitive junior varsity and varsity level teams. If your athlete has never played before, please reach out to Athletic Director Victor Vondracek vvondracek@twincitiesacademy.org for questions.
Sports include: girls soccer, boys soccer, girls volleyball, girls and boys cross country.
All forms are digital, please fill out online and email back (email is on the form). Please be sure to complete your sports physical if you haven't done one in the past three years. Here is the link. Go Tigers!
Registrations are due by Monday, August 4th, 2025.
Open Art Camp (Re-imagined): July 28, 2025 - July 31, 2025 (Half Day Camp)
This is Katie Miesle’s 7th year of running this incredible Open Space Art camp. We’re excited for this year’s upgrade! Feeling creative but want some company? This year's camp is all about repurposing and upcycling. Maybe you’ve always wanted to do a large scale painting? Or make a sculpture with more materials than you can find at home. Maybe you want to explore fashion or costume design and aren’t sure where to start. We'll travel by bus to a local thrift store, where you’ll have money to choose clothing or a piece of furniture or houseware items…??? When we return to GRS, I'll provide any necessary supplies to transform your treasures into take-home art pieces. And, as always, if you have other art projects from home you'd like to bring in to work on, you're most welcome!
For schedules and registration, go to https://great-river-school.jumbula.com/home or email Brent Cummins at bcummins@greatriverschool.org with any questions. We are dedicated to making summer camp possible and affordable for ALL through our early-bird pricing, sibling discount, multi-program discount and our Pay What You Can program.
UA and LA Spirit Week: May 12th thru 16th! Get in the Spirit!
10th grade through 12th grade Spirit Week:
Monday, 5/12: Matt McElrath Monday- grab your tie and dress as Director of Student Services Matt McElrath!
Tuesday, 5/13: Swap Clothes Tuesday- Have a friend with a distinctive style? An outfit you've never had the courage to try? This is your chance- swap clothes with someone to show your school spirit!
Wednesday, 5/14: 80's Wednesday- get ready for the 80s show in the evening by basing your outfit on the titular decade.
Thursday, 5/15: Tropical Thursday- get ready for warmer weather, and channel your vacation self!
Friday, 5/16: Pajama Friday- get ready for a good night's sleep before prom, and wear your pajamas all day!
7th through 9th Grade Spirit Week:
Monday, 5/12: Anything but a backpack. Carry all your things in anything but a backpack! Get creative.
Tuesday, 5/13: Rhyme without reason
Wednesday, 5/14: Advisory colors day
Michael - Purple
Johnny - Pink
Laura - Yellow
Ken - Orange
Alexis- Red
Sarah - Light Blue
Chad - Green
Scott - White
Libby - Black
Elizabeth - Teal
Lisa - Dark Blue
Ava - Grey
Thursday, 5/15: Decades by grade:
7th: 70’s
8th: 80’s
9th: 90’s
Friday, 5/16: Teachers dress like students and students dress like teachers!
End of the Year Picnic, Big Canoe, and Teacher Appreciation Gifts!
Join us at the End of Year Picnic on Thursday, May 29th!
We need your help to make it happen. Volunteer Here!
You can also sign up for a Great Gathering to stamp your own shirt at the picnic with GRS Art Guide extraordinaire Randi bit.ly/GRSBHBTickets25
BIG CANOE BEFORE THE PICNIC
Do you want your elementary-aged child to stay after school until you can pick them up for the picnic?
Big Canoe is offering childcare from 3:50 - 5:00 pm on our picnic afternoon at a cost of $10 for one child, $14 for two children. (There is no extra charge for students who already attend Big Canoe on Tuesday Afternoons) Proceeds from childcare will be used to support programming at Great River School! Children will enjoy a supervised recess playtime with our staff until the picnic begins at 5 pm. To register, use one of the links below to pay the fee and reserve a spot.
Spots are limited. Scholarships are available in case of financial need; Email bigcanoe@greatriverschool.org to inquire.
TEACHER APPRECIATION GIFTS
We are still collecting funds for Teacher Appreciation through the End of Year Picnic on May 29. Last year we raised $7000 to give each staff member a $50 gift. Please donate your gift by dropping off cash or check (payable to Great River School Foundation), in a sealed envelope with PEG written on it, at the front office
OR Venmo to GRSPEG https://account.venmo.com/u/GRSPEG
OR PayPal to GRSPEG https://www.paypal.me/GRSPEG?locale.x=en_US
Reminder! 2024-25 Yearbook orders! Order yours today!
Hello Great River Community! The Yearbook Club which only met 20 minutes a week pushed really hard to get a yearbook created and delivered before the end of the school year so students can have it and get it signed by friends before summer.
Pre-sale is going on now. Only $30 for yearbook covering all grades 1-12. Order on our website!
They are set to be delivered Thursday, May 29th.
Please buy now so we know if we need to order more:)
Yearbook Club 2024-2025
Donate to our Period Product Drive for National Tampon Day!
Hello GRS Community,
We are a group of 7th and 8th graders who have created the WaM. Club! (WaM. stands for Wellness and Menstruation) We are organizing a Period Product Donation Drive to raise awareness for National Tampon Day on May 12.
Please donate boxes of pads and tampons to the Front Office of Great River School. We will be accepting donations from now until May 31. We plan to give half of the products to a women’s shelter and save half for our Great River School students who menstruate.
We have recently learned about the impacts of disposable products on our environment and health benefits from using reusable products and would welcome any reusable products to be donated as well!
Thank you for your support!
Thank you for making the Blue Heron Bash a success!
Donors, sponsors, volunteers, those who attended, and others who bid online…
Thank you for participating in the 2025 Blue Heron Bash!
Together we sold 1911 raffle tickets and raised almost $33,000 for our school!
Important Reminders
Great Gatherings with openings are now available online until they sell out or their date has happened. bit.ly/GRSBHBTickets25
It’s not too late to participate! The Goats & Grounds Fund A Need is still open if you missed the auction.
There are a few items that didn’t sell that will be available to purchase through this week. And don't forget to pick up your items! Reach out to blueheronbash@greatriverschool.org with any questions.
2024 - 2025 Yearbook orders! Order yours today!
Interested in treasuring your GRS school memories in a beautiful keepsake? Want a great way to leave your lasting legacy on the pages of a book that will live on through your friends? Yearbooks are on sale right now and we want to make sure that everyone who wants a yearbook can order one! Everyone from Elementary to the Adolescent are highlighted in these pages so order today!
If you are interested in a yearbook, visit our yearbook website to order a yearbook for yourself for just $30! Order on our website!
The first 250 pre-orders will receive their yearbook by the last week of school. Late orders will have to pick theirs up over the summer. (instead of the last sentence)
Teacher Appreciation Week!
Last week, Teacher Appreciation Week! This national celebration is a meaningful opportunity to honor the best of the best at GRS.
Please join us in showing tangible gratitude for the INCREDIBLE Guides and Support Staff at GRS. Your contribution, of any amount, will make a significant difference – we are asking for donations of at least $15 per child to reach our goal of gifting $50 to each staff member. Not every family will be able to contribute monetarily, so please consider doubling your donation to help us reach our goal!
Donate by May 20 to Venmo @GRSPEG or Paypal
Thanks to all of you for making our community so special.
REMINDER: Great River School Board Elections 2025 - 2026, Vote now thru May 7th!
It's time to vote in the Board Election for the 2025-2026 school year! Thank you to all of our candidates for being willing to serve on the board! We have a great group of candidates. Caregivers and Faculty, please check them out here!
Voting will close at 11:59pm CT on Friday, May 7th.
If you have questions, feel free to reach out to executive@greatriverschool.org.
All parents, faculty, and board members are able to vote. Voting is open digitally from Monday through Thursday this week! cast your vote here! Election results will be shared the following week after voting closes.
Questions? Email executive@greatriverschool.org.