Gruening News: 26/27
0ct 9th 2026
In This Edition:
- GREETINGS
- UPCOMING EVENTS
- AM DROP OFF PSA
- CONVERSATIONS WITH THE PRINCIPAL
- SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR
- SPIRIT WEEK DAYS
- LOST AND FOUND HOUSEKEEPING
- STUDENT PHOTOS
- COUNSELOR CORNER
- COLT CAREER CONNECTIONS LUNCH
- CHROMEBOOK CARE
- GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
- 2027 INTERNATIONAL FIELD TRIPS
- SIGNING YOUR STUDENT OUT EARLY? HERE'S HOW!
- INITIATIVE AND CONTACT INFO
✨We love our Students!✨
The Office at Gruening Middle School extends a warm welcome to every student and their families! It is Gruening's privilege to educate the Eagle River and JBER communities for the past 42 years and counting.
Upcoming Events − Mark your calendars! 🗓️
- 10/10 -- Debate Tournament at MLMS
- 10/10 -- Varsity Boys' Basketball at Goldenview
- 10/12 -- No School- Indigenous People's Day
- 10/13 -- Picture Make-Up Day
- 10/14 -- 7pm Int/Adv Band Concert
- 10/15 -- 7pm Int/Adv Orchestra Concert
- 10/16 -- No School- Student Release Day
- 10/19 -- Girl's Volleyball First Practice
- 10/20 -- 10am Conversations With the Principal in GMS Library
- 10/20 -- Career Presentation - Underwater Welding!
- 10/28 -- Half Day, Student Release Early at 1pm
- 10/28 -- Parent Teacher Conferences from Afternoon-Evening
- 10/29 -- Half Day, Student Release Early at 1pm
- 10/29 -- Parent Teacher Conferences in Afternoon
- 10/30 -- No School- Student Release Day
- 11/3 -- No School- Election Day
- 11/13 -- Student Gov Fundraiser- Hat Day
- 11/17 -- Student Recognition- Rotary Luncheon
- 11/26 -- No School- Thanksgiving Holiday
- 11/27 -- No School- Thanksgiving Holiday
- 12/1 -- MAP Testing
- 12/2 -- MAP Testing
AM Drop Off Announcement
Conversations With the Principal
The Scholastic Book Fair is here!
The Scholastic Book Fair is coming!! October 21-29 in your GMS library!
Please visit Scholastic's GMS Book Fair Website for more information.
🍂Fall Spirit Week!🍁
Lost and Found Housekeeping
Hello Colt Families! There is an abundance of sweatshirts, gym clothes, water bottles, and other miscellaneous items in our Lost and Found that will be cleaned out at the end of the quarter. The items will be donated to a charitable organization if not claimed.
We will have the items displayed during Parent/Teacher Conferences on 10/28 and 10/29 for parents to take a look at in case something can be recognized and retrieved.
Check Out Your Student's School Photo!
Scan the above QR Code or Visit This Link to access your students' photos.
💜Counselor Corner💜
October is Bullying Prevention Month! This month, we are focusing on creating a school community where everyone feels safe, respected, included, and valued.
Bullying prevention is something we can all be a part of. Students can make a difference by:
- Be Kind: Treat others with respect, even when you disagree.
- Include Others: Look for opportunities to invite others to join in.
- Speak Up: If you see bullying or someone being treated unfairly, tell a trusted adult.
- Be an Upstander: Support someone who may be feeling left out or hurt.
- Think Before You Post: Remember that words and actions online can have a real impact on others.
🔌Colt Career Connections🛠️
Gruening Middle School is excited to launch Colts Career Connections, a new monthly opportunity designed to inspire students to explore unique careers and discover possibilities for their future!
Our first guest will join us on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, to introduce students to the fascinating world of underwater welding. Students will have the opportunity to learn about this specialized career, hear what it is like to work underwater, and discover the skills and training needed to pursue this exciting profession. Students interested in participating can sign up with their school counselor on Thursday, October 15.
Through Colts Career Connections, our school counselors hope to broaden students’ horizons, spark curiosity, and help them begin thinking about career opportunities as they prepare for high school and beyond.
ChromeBook Care
Big Upcoming Field Trips!
We are having parent meetings on the night of September 2nd!
D.C. Trip Meeting- 6pm
Australia Trip Meeting- 7pm
ATTENTION PARENTS! NEED TO PICK YOUR STUDENT UP EARLY FROM SCHOOL?
Did you know, there are 4 different easy ways you can notify the office that you need your student removed from class!
ParentConnect Reporting:
- Log into your ParentConnect account and select from the upper menu “Report Absence”
- Select the name of the student you will be picking up early
- Detail the timeframe that you would like your student pulled from class
- It is optional, but appreciated to write a small note in your submission
- Be sure to submit your report using the “Submit” button
- The Office monitors all ParentConnect reports throughout the day.
o If using this option, please give us an hour notice. You may submit these requests as early as the day before they are needed.
o Feel free to reference This Website for more In-Depth tutorials on accessing ParentConnect
Email:
- Compose an email to GrueningAttendance@asdk12.org
- Please detail your name and your child’s name, and the time you’d like your student removed from class for pick up
o Please give us an hour notice using this option. You may submit these requests as early as the day before they are needed as well
Attendance Line:
- Call the GMS phone line, 907-742-3600 and select Option 1
- This leads you to a voicemail box that is managed constantly throughout the day
- Please detail your name and your child’s name, and the time you’d like your student removed from class for pick up
o Please give us an hour notice using this option. You may submit these requests as early as the day before they are needed as well
Short Notice:
- Emergencies happen! If you need to pick up your child early short notice, please give the office a call at 907-742-3600 as soon as you know you’ll need them.
- It is important to note that without time to prepare, a wait time of 10-15 minutes may occur upon the office being notified
o We appreciate your patience and understanding as the staff of GMS do their best to assist you
Helpful Tips:
- All of these options can be used to excuse your student’s tardy, unexcused absence, or planned extended absences
- Save Gruening’s phone number as a contact in your phone
Gruening Middle School
Members of the Gruening Middle School staff and student body strive to be responsible and cooperative members of a community where achievement is valued along with hard work and civic engagement.
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