written by David Núñez, Head of School
Dear GRS community,
I hope you all had a wonderful MEA break last month and a great first set of conferences for the year last week. As it starts to feel like winter is here, we’re settling into the school year and all is well under way!
Fall Key Experiences have wrapped up and they happened without any major hitches. I really enjoyed watching all the elementary students come back from Widji over the past few weeks. Personally, this year I went on the 12th grade canoe trip, and had a fantastic time. Thanks to all who put so much work into making these trips happen!
This month is American Indian Heritage Month, also known as Native American Heritage Month. As always, times like these are times of celebration, intended to remind us to celebrate the rich and diverse contributions, cultures, traditions, and knowledge of Native American people. It's a great opportunity to educate as well. And I don’t just mean here in school, although we will be sending out resources to all our staff, but take the opportunity at home to learn about Native tribes and culture and about the unique challenges Native people have faced both historically and in the present.
We have a dedicated staff here at Great River who are going above and beyond everyday to serve this community. As I reflect on the start of the year and the months to come I want to take this opportunity to thank you all for that. My job would be impossible were it not for the talented and dedicated staff here at Great River. We also have students who are not only working hard for themselves and their own growth, but for the growth of our whole community. I also want to thank each and every one of you for that passion and perseverance. Finally, we have a wonderful group of caregivers here at Great River that support all our students and aren’t thanked enough for all they do. Thank you.
Lastly, Over the next two weeks, you’ll see messages emphasizing the importance of supporting GRS. Remember, your support is essential for us to do the work we do with kids. Financial support of GRS go towards all of the following:
Supporting Key Experiences
Unique classroom opportunities and visiting specialists
Montessori classroom materials
Everyday operating costs
Supporting faculty and staff
The increased costs of transportation and utilities in recent years
I hope you all enjoy the rest of Fall and have a great Fall break this month!
Peace,
David