Gruening News: Welcome Back
August 8th 2026

In This Edition:
- GREETINGS
- UPCOMING EVENTS
- CONVERSATIONS WITH THE PRINCIPAL
- SCHEDULE PICK UP NIGHT PSA
- BOY'S BASEBALL
- REGISTRATION INFORMATION
- AFTER SCHOOL PICKUP TRAFFIC GUIDELINES
- SCHOOL SUPPLY LISTS
- IMMUNIZATION EVENTS
- INITIATIVE AND CONTACT INFO
✨We are very excited to see you!✨
The Office at Gruening Middle School extends a warm welcome to every student and their families, new and returning! It is Gruening's privilege to educate the Eagle River and JBER communities for the past 42 years and counting.
Please review our upcoming events to best prepare as we transition into another successful school year:
Upcoming Events − Mark your calendars! 🗓️
- 8/11 -- 6pm-7pm -- Conversations with the Principal
- 8/13 -- 6pm-7pm -- Conversations with the Principal
- 8/14 -- 3pm-7pm -- Immunization Clinic (LOCATED AT ASD EDUCATION CENTER)
- 8/18 -- 4:30pm-6pm -- Class Schedule Pick-Up and Walkthrough
- 8/19 -- 6th Grade First Day of School
- 8/20 -- 7th & 8th Grade First Day of School
- 8/25 -- 1pm-7pm -- Immunization Clinic (LOCATED AT ASD EDUCATION CENTER)
- 8/27 -- 6:30pm-8pm -- Back to School Night
- 9/7 -- Labor Day (No School)
- 9/15 -- School Picture Day
Conversations With Our Principal
Just a reminder that on Tuesday, August 11th at the Two Rivers Youth Center (Building 297) on JBER at 6:00pm, we will have an opportunity for parents to talk with administrators, counselors and transportation. This is designed for new to Gruening Middle School parents and students, but anyone is welcome. It’s an opportunity for you to understand the basics of our school and an opportunity to ask questions.
We will also have the same opportunity on Thursday, August 13th in the Gruening Library at 6:00pm for those that live in the Eagle River area.
We hope to see you at one of the events!
Schedule Pick Up Night PSA
On August 18th, our building will be open to our families from 4:30-6pm to come with their students and pick up their brand new class schedules.
This night you can:
- Tour the building with your student, and follow the steps of their upcoming class routine
- (Your student's schedule will include their Bus Route Information)
- Drop off Medications or Medication Care Plans to Nurse Luna for your student
- Practice opening your student's locker
- Gather important information about our amazing school!
- If you are unable to attend this event, the same information will be available on the 18th via your ParentConnect Portal. If you need assistance accessing the ParentConnect Portal, please contact the front office at 907-742-3600.
*It is important to note that teachers will not be present for meet and greets this night. They will be available for Back To School Night, scheduled on August 27th.*
Event Information
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
⚾️Upcoming Fall Sports 🏃
Boy's Baseball
Boy's Baseball is available for sign up!
First practice is on August 24th
For more information, visit Alaska Legion Baseball's website.
⬇️Apply to play HERE! ⬇️
Cross Country Running
Bring in your student's Sports Physical and pick up an Activities Form from the school during our Office Hours or posted events to sign up for Cross Country running!
HAVE YOU REGISTERED YOUR STUDENT FOR SCHOOL YET?
- All returning ASD students must register each school year.
- Be sure to register your student through the Parent Connect Portal.
- If you need your login information, use the Retrieve My Pin and Password Tab.
- If your student is new/returning from outside the district, please Pre-Enroll your student
- If your student is leaving ASD, families/schools should request records through ScribOrder.
- This will also serve as your students’ proof of transfer to withdraw your student from ASD
- Questions? Contact Ms. Chris at 907-742-3609
🚨❗After-school Student pick-up traffic flow❗🚨
Our driveway and parking lot will be very busy after school. This process will be enforced by staff in the parking lot. In order for everyone to pick up their child safely and efficiently, follow these guidelines:
🚙 Only stop and pick up students from the designated parking lot pick-up area.
🚗 At the beginning of Lee Street, there is a very narrow spot in the road. Do not stop at that narrow point. Buses must get around and cannot fit if cars are stopped there.
🚙 While waiting in line on Lee Street, pull as far as possible to the left to afford our buses ample space to drive past the traffic line on the right. If there is no room for buses to arrive to the school, you will be ordered by staff to move.
🚗 The parking lot is separated into three pick-up areas. See the blue area on map for the 3 lines.
🚙 Parents MUST keep the main entrance to the parking lot/pick up area clear. Do not line up in the parking lot's entrance intersection.
🚗 Please fill in all three pick-up line rows.
🚙 Make sure you pull as far forward as possible.
🚗 Be hyper alert to the crosswalk sections in the pick-up areas. Do not block the crosswalks.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
🐴 6th Grade:
🐴 7th Grade:
🐴 8th Grade:
Back to School Vaccine Clinic
Event Information
Gruening Middle School
Website: https://www.asdk12.org/gruening
Location: Gruening Middle School, 9601 Lee Street, Eagle River, AK, USA
Phone: 907-742-3600
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GrueningMS
