Gruening News: 26/27
Sept 1st 2026
In This Edition:
- GREETINGS
- UPCOMING EVENTS
- COUNSELOR CORNER
- ASST BOYS BASKETBALL COACH NEEDED
- MATH HELP CLUB INFORMATION
- FAMILY RESOURCE PSA
- CONVERSATIONS WITH THE PRINCIPAL
- GRADE WIDE FIELD TRIPS NEXT WEEK
- 2027 FIELD TRIPS
- SCHOOL NURSE PSA
- SIGNING YOUR STUDENT OUT EARLY? HERE'S HOW!
- IMMUNIZATION EVENT
- 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! 🗓️
- 9/7 -- Labor Day (No School)
- 9/8 -- 2pm Conversations With The Principal (GMS Library)
- 9/9 -- XC Jamboree at Bartlett
- 9/10 -- 8th Grade Field Trip
- 9/10 -- 6th Grade Field Trip (Group 1)
- 9/11 -- 7th Grade Field Trip
- 9/11 -- 6th Grade Field Trip (Group 2)
- 9/15 -- School Picture Day and Fall Sports Photos
- 9/16 -- XC Jamboree at at Kincaid
- 9/19 -- Varsity Basketball Games at Wendler
- 9/19 -- JV Basketball Games at Hanshew
- 9/19 -- C Basketball Games at Central
- 9/23 -- XC Jamboree at Chugiak
- 9/26 -- Varsity Basketball at Wendler
- 9/26 -- JV Basketball at Gruening
- 9/26 -- C Basketball at Begich
- 9/30 -- XC Jamboree at Mirror Lake
💙Counselor Corner💙
September is Suicide Prevention Month: You Matter!
September is Suicide Prevention Month—a time to remind our students that every person matters, every feeling matters, and no one has to face difficult moments alone.
Middle school can bring big changes, challenges, friendships, stress, and emotions that sometimes feel overwhelming. It is important to remember that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Please remind your students to:
- Talk to a trusted adult. This could be a parent, teacher, counselor, coach, or another adult you trust.
- Don’t keep it a secret. If a friend tells you they are hurting or thinking about suicide, tell a trusted adult. Getting help is caring for your friend.
- Check in on others. A simple “How are you doing?” or “Want to talk?” can make a difference.
- Remember that things can get better. Difficult feelings can change, and support is available.
At Gruening Middle School, our counselors are here to listen, support, and help students connect with the resources they need. You never have to have the perfect words, just start the conversation.
In an immediate crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or call 911 for an emergency.
GMS Counselors:
A-G: Ms. Hart: hart_jennifer@asdk12.org, H-N: Amy Jo Rotante: rotante_amyjo@asdk12.org ,
or O-Z: Renae_Hopkins@asdK12.org
ASSISTANT BOYS BASKETBALL COACH NEEDED!
If you are a parent passionate about basketball and are looking for a paid opportunity to participate in your student's school community, please email Burningham_Todd@asdk12.org for more information!
📔Math Help Club😊
GMS will be offering after-school academic support clubs.
Option 1: Math Help Club. If your student needs support with math homework or building math skills, this option is for them. Three of our math teachers will be hosting Monday- Thursday after school. See the attached flyer for more details.
Option 2: If your student needs after-school homework support not specific to math, we have two teachers offering time after school Monday - Thursday from 4:15 - 5:45. This option will require that students bring materials and work that needs completing. The teacher will support that work time. Monday/Wednesday will be in Room 211 hosted by Mrs. Bondarenko, and Tuesday/Thursday will be in Room 201 hosted by Mr. Stout.
📣SNAP Assistance PSA📣
Need Help with Groceries? SNAP Assistance May Be Available
If your family is experiencing food insecurity or having a difficult time putting enough food on the table, help may be available through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
SNAP provides assistance to eligible families to help purchase groceries and nutritious foods.
📱 Need assistance or want to learn more?
Text “SNAP” to 907-891-8913
Conversations With Principal
Our next event will be taking place in the GMS Library during school hours,
9/8/26 beginning at 2pm. Please come visit, mingle, and discuss important topics to you!
Event Information
Beginning of the Year Grade-wide Field Trips
Next week, all grades will be taking their beginning-of-the-year field trip. You should have seen a permission slip from your child. Most permission slips are due by the Sept 8th or 9th to their core class teachers. Once the permission slip due date has passed, no others will be accepted. Payment should be made on Parent Connect if at all possible. Cash is not able to be accepted after the 8th. Look for those permission slips or reach out to the grade-level teacher for volunteer opportunities chaperoning those trips. There is an approval process for volunteering that you will need to complete.
6th grade field trip will be split (see your child's permission slip for details): one half is going on Thursday 9/10/26 to bowl at Center Bowl. The other half on Friday 9/11/26 will go bowling at Eagle River Bowl
7th grade is going to hike Arctic Valley on 9/11/26
8th grade is going to the McDonald Center in Eagle River for a day of activity on 9/10/26
Our Big 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
Back to School Vaccine Clinic
Event Information
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