Elementary

REMINDER: End of the Year Picnic! Tuesday, May 28th, 2024

Celebrate the End of the School Year with a Picnic! Join us for good company, food & fun at the Como Park Playground at the West Picnic Lot across from ComoTown after school on Tuesday, May 28. Food Truck Fare available for purchase or bring your own picnic!

End of the Year Picnic! Tuesday, May 28th, 2024

Celebrate the End of the School Year with a Picnic! Join us for good company, food & fun at the Como Park Playground at the West Picnic Lot across from ComoTown after school on Tuesday, May 28. Food Truck Fare available for purchase or bring your own picnic!

TONIGHT! Join us for the SEAC Committee Meeting, Monday, May 20th; 6 - 7pm

There will be a SEAC (Special Education Advisory Council) meeting on Mon., May 20th from 6 - 7 pm

Join the SEAC meeting on Monday, May 20th from 6-7pm either in person or online (zoom link below) for the topic: Navigating the College transition. 
https://minnstate.zoom.us/j/96213611466

Special guest Nee Na Xiong, Director of Disability Services with Saint Paul College, will share some overview information and be available for Q and A. 

This session is perfect for Adolescents with an IEP or 504 but is open to all parents / guardians of students currently receiving special education services. 

The meeting will be in the media lab at Great River School. If you are unable to attend in person, you can attend via Zoom. Please contact Jeremy Sartain for a Zoom link at sartain.jeremy@gmail.com or 612-414-5224. If you arrive late and can't get into the building on the day of the meeting, call or text Jeremy Sartain at 612-414-5224.

Summer Camp: New camp and Late Worm Discount!

**NEW CAMP**  Vatina (Elementary Art Workshop Guide) is leading our Pride Camp, June 17-20 from 9:00-12:00 for 4th-7th graders.  Campers will learn about LGBTQ activists and artists and make art to honor them. We’ll also learn about the history of Pride parades and make costumes, signs, and art for the following weekend's Pride parade or everyday Pride! Registration Link

We are also offering a “Late Worm” $40 discount for up to two camps.  Simply put in this code at the checkout page: 24LateWorm40 and be sure to click the “Apply Coupon” button to activate it.  

For schedules and registration, go to https://great-river-school.jumbula.com/home 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.

Join us for the SEAC Committee Meeting, Monday, May 20th; 6 - 7pm

There will be a SEAC (Special Education Advisory Council) meeting on Mon., May 20th from 6 - 7 pm

Join the SEAC meeting on Monday, May 20th from 6-7pm either in person or online (zoom link below) for the topic: Navigating the College transition. 
https://minnstate.zoom.us/j/96213611466

Special guest Nee Na Xiong, Director of Disability Services with Saint Paul College, will share some overview information and be available for Q and A. 

This session is perfect for Adolescents with an IEP or 504 but is open to all parents / guardians of students currently receiving special education services. 

The meeting will be in the media lab at Great River School. If you are unable to attend in person, you can attend via Zoom. Please contact Jeremy Sartain for a Zoom link at sartain.jeremy@gmail.com or 612-414-5224. If you arrive late and can't get into the building on the day of the meeting, call or text Jeremy Sartain at 612-414-5224.

End of the Year Picnic! Tuesday, May 28th, 2024

Celebrate the End of the School Year with a Picnic! Join us for good company, food & fun at the Como Park Playground at the West Picnic Lot across from ComoTown after school on Tuesday, May 28. Food Truck Fare available for purchase or bring your own picnic!

Join us for the SEAC Committee Meeting, Monday, May 20th; 6pm

There will be a SEAC (Special Education Advisory Council) meeting on Monday, May 20th at 6pm

All parents / guardians of students currently receiving special education services are invited to attend and share constructive feedback. 

The meeting will be in the media lab at Great River School. If you are unable to attend in person, you can attend via Zoom. Please contact Jeremy Sartain for a Zoom link at sartain.jeremy@gmail.com or 612-414-5224. If you arrive late and can't get into the building on the day of the meeting, call or text Jeremy Sartain at 612-414-5224.

What Is A SEAC?

A SEAC (pronounced “seek”) is an acronym for Special Education Advisory Council, which is a group that provides input on special education issues to its local school district. Its purpose is to advise and advocate, not to decide policy. Minnesota law requires each school district in the state to have a SEAC although it does not specify how the groups should be organized or what duties they should perform. As a result, each SEAC may have a unique mission and structure.

(Source www.pacer.org)

Why Might I Want To Participate On A SEAC?

Parents give many reasons for joining a SEAC, including these:

  • I may be able to help other families and children with disabilities in my school district.

  • I can share what I’ve learned since my child began his education.

  • I can support the school professionals in my district.

  • I will be a good role model for my child.

  • I feel good when I make a contribution to this community.

  • I will learn information and skills that may help me work more effectively with my school district.

  • I will meet others with similar goals, both parents and school professionals.

  • I may build positive relationships with others in my district.

  • I will become more knowledgeable about special education.

  • By sharing my unique perspective and insights as a parent, I may help the school district work more effectively with families and improve outcomes for children.

(Source www.pacer.org)

Some background information about Jeremy Sartain:
”I am currently the Board Chair for Great River School.  One reason I joined the Board is to assure special education (staff, caregivers and students) had representation.  My wife, Jennie, and I are organizing SEAC meetings this year (with help from Brad and Lindsey). “

Summer Camp "Late Worm" Discounts!

We have a few camps that need a few more campers, so we are offering a “Late Worm” $40 discount for up to two camps.  Simply put in this code at the checkout page: 24LateWorm40 and be sure to click the “Apply Coupon” button to activate it.  

For schedules and registration, go to https://great-river-school.jumbula.com/home 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.

Today is the last day to Vote! Great River School Board Elections 2024 - 2025

Today is the final day to vote in the Board Election for the 2024-2025 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 CST Tonight.

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. 

Questions? Email executive@greatriverschool.org

REMINDER: Great River School Board Elections 2024 - 2025, Vote now thru May 10th!

It's time to vote in the Board Election for the 2024-2025 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 10.

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. 

Questions? Email executive@greatriverschool.org

Great River School Board Elections 2024 - 2025

It's time to vote in the Board Election for the 2024-2025 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 opened today, Monday, May 6 at 8am CT.
Voting will close at 11:59pm CT on Friday, May 10.


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. 

Questions? Email executive@greatriverschool.org

GRS Annual Blood Drive, Wed., May 15th

Hello all,

The National Honor Society will be hosting our Annual Blood Drive on Wednesday, May 15th from 8:00 - 2:00 in rooms 251/253. We are inviting all caregivers, Faculty, and staff and eligible students to donate as there is a national blood shortage. The Red Cross is offering gift card incentives to volunteers who are able to donate blood.

Here's the Link for more information and to make an appointment.

If you have questions or would like to help volunteer for the event, please reach out to Director of Student Services, Matt McElrath at mmcelrath@greatriverschool.org.

Best - Matt and NHS Students

Parent Engagement Group partners with Chipotle, May 7th, 2024

Let us help you with dinner and support the GRS PEG community! The Parent Engagement Group has partnered with Chipotle to help you with dinner on May 7th (Tuesday) and raise money for the Parent Engagement group. Win, Win, Win for everyone !

May 7th (Taco Tuesday) at Chipotle from 4 to 8 pm
857 Grand Avenue Saint Paul, MN 55105 Use the code WLFAFXR