GMSD in Focus
1.22.24
Welcome back after a second winter break
As we experienced last week, it's the time of year for unexpected winter weather events! Make sure that you are receiving our notifications and that your information is current in Skyward Family Access. For tips on receiving communications, you can visit our website at District Notifications. It's also a good time to remind families that GMSD builds inclement weather days into its calendar each year. As of Tuesday, Jan. 23, we have two of those days remaining.
First up, a reminder for parents of students in tested grades: Benchmark progress reports were sent out the week before the unexpected snow and ice. While the winter weather likely stole the lead line, I wanted to take a moment to remind families that these reports offer predictive insights for the upcoming TCAP tests in Spring. We urge you to review these scores closely and collaborate with teachers to support areas needing improvement for your students. I'd also like to applaud our teachers who, across the district, have made incredible progress since our last benchmark. Specifically, I invite you all to congratulate your Algebra I teachers at Houston High School who showed remarkable gains!
Looking forward to being back in session tomorrow,
Jason Manuel,
Superintendent
Germantown Board of Education January Work Session
The Board will hold its January Work Session on Tuesday, January 23, 2023.
All of our Germantown Board of Education Meetings are held in person in our GMSD Board/Community Room. Meetings are also live-streamed on our GMSD Youtube Channel.
Tuesday, Jan 23, 2024, 05:30 PM
3350 Forest Hill Irene Road, Germantown, TN, USA
Work Session tomorrow evening
Tomorrow's board agenda includes approval of a proposal for security glass film purchase, sanctioning a $25 fee for Houston High School's Fashion Club, and discussing Budget Amendment #16 for FY 23-24. Additionally, there will be a session for any further business that needs attention.
We invite our community to explore the Germantown Municipal School District's Annual School Safety Report. This comprehensive document details our latest trainings, innovative products, and key initiatives aimed at enhancing student safety. We understand the importance of a secure learning environment, and this report reflects GMSD's continuous commitment to safety.
Are you interested in virtual education?
What do you do when you have an in-person event planned for prospective parents, but school is closed? You go virtual. That's the perk of GOAL Germantown Online Academy of Learning!
Here is our link: Virtual Prospective Parent Event
Monday, January 22 · 6:00 – 7:00pm
CHECK FOR RESCHEDULED DATES: Discovery Days in GMSD: Mark Your Calendars for Preview Events!
There are several upcoming opportunities to visit our schools during our GMSD Discovery Days. Please mark your calendar to visit our schools during these community events:
What? Germantown Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) Prospective Family Event
Who? Students and Parents interested in virtual learning
When? Jan 22 from 6pm-7:30pm
Where? Streamed Online ONLY
What? Houston High School (Rising Ninth & Tenth Graders) Preview Night
Who? Rising Ninth & Tenth Graders & Parents
When? Jan 25 from 6pm-8pm
What? Houston High School (Rising Eleventh & Twelfth Graders) Postsecondary Prep Night
Who? Rising Eleventh & Twelfth Graders & Parents
When? Feb 1 from 6pm-8pm
What? Houston Middle School (Rising Seventh & Eighth Graders) Preview Night
Who? Rising Seventh and Eighth Graders & Parents
When? Feb 26 from 5:30-6:30
What? Houston Middle School (Rising Sixth Graders) Preview Night
Who? Rising Sixth Graders & Parents
When? Mar 19 from 5:30-6:30
What? 5th Grade Preview Day at Houston Middle School
Who? Rising Sixth Grade Students from FES, DES, and FHES
When? During the school day, Mar 19, 21, and 22
What? Houston High School Mustang 7th Grade Preview Day will explore course offerings
Who? Rising Eighth Grade Students
When? During the school day, May 15
Germantown parents are also invited to join us for GMSD Discovery Days to see firsthand why each one of our schools are a top choice for families. School day tours are available for the 2024-2025 school year. Find out more about school tours, here. Our school teams are hard at work to reschedule all tours scheduled during the snow days!
Rising ninth grade (and current high school) GMSD students
We're thrilled to announce that applications for the Houston High School Honors and Leadership Academies is still open! This is a unique opportunity for your rising 9th-11th grader to join a small, specialized cohort of over 450 students in our Honors Academy, where they will embark on a rigorous academic journey, including Honors, AP, and Dual Enrollment courses. Or, they may become part of the dynamic Leadership Academy, fostering core values, organizational skills, personal responsibility, and of course, leadership.
The application process is detailed, offering students a chance to showcase their academic backgrounds, personal stories, and future aspirations. From the Honors Academy's essay to the Leadership Academy's innovative 60-second video prompt, applicants will engage in reflective and creative exercises that highlight their potential. With a focus on community service, leadership, and academic excellence, these academies prepare students not just for college, but for life.
For more details about the academies and to apply today, visit our website.
This week we shine the spotlight on four kindergarten students in Mrs. Cerda's class at FHES. These budding young innovators have won a prestigious STEM competition with their ingenious creation—a machine designed to feed their beloved pet bearded dragon Ash, showcasing the limitless creativity and brilliance found within the walls of Forest Hill Elementary.
HHS Teacher Jessica Minton being honored as DADD's 2024 Teacher of the Year
GMSD Students Shine in All West Band Auditions
The Germantown Municipal School District is proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our student musicians and dedicated band directors at the recent West Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association (WTSBOA) competition. You most likely hear the short hand description of this competition--All West.
Kudos to our exceptional band directors, Matt Taylor, Kevin Carpenter, Spencer Nesvick, and Megan Woodring, for their guidance and mentorship. Their commitment has led to remarkable performances by our students who auditioned and earned places in these elite groups. GMSD continues to lead the region in placements, giving students the opportunity to learn and perform challenging music and work with guest directors. Many will also go on to participate in All State, a distinction akin to winning a state championship.
First Chair Honors:
A Mark of Musical Excellence Earning the position of 'First Chair' in a band or orchestra signifies a student's exceptional talent and leadership in their section. It's a coveted spot, recognizing the highest level of proficiency and dedication. We're thrilled to announce that several of our students achieved this prestigious status:
Wesley Lim, Principal Flute, 11-12 Symphony OrchestraAndrew Hofmann, Principal Bass Clarinet, 11-12 Band
Roari Lopez-Conover, Principal Baritone Saxophone, 11-12
Cole Swiggart, Baritone Saxophone, 6-8
Asamoah Oppong, Blue Band Guitar
Drew Coffey, Blue Band Drum Set
11-12 Symphony Orchestra
Wesley Lim (Principal Flute)Noelle Middleton (Flute)
Caiden Ross (Bassoon)
Lucas Lumsden (Horn)
Anna Tamura, Flute
Abigail Paz, Flute
Vincent Yao, Clarinet
Sean Chung, Clarinet
Andrew Hofmann, Bass Clarinet
Sam Gilbert, Bass Clarinet
Felix Lam, Contrabass Clarinet
Aubrey Baird, Alto Saxophone
Lukas Harrison, Alto Saxophone
Kathryn Boston, Tenor Saxophone
Roari Lopez-Conover, Baritone Saxophone
Harrison Ferguson, Trumpet
Jack Webster, Trumpet
Emma Tunnell, Trumpet
Charlie Coons, Trumpet
Karishma Jeevan, F Horn
Nathaniel Clark, Trombone
Emma Hernandez, Trombone
Nathan Johnson, Trombone
Kaleb Johnson, Baritone Horn
Upamanyu Shanker, Percussion
Abhinav Pande, Percussion
9-10 Bands
Lucy McCarrens, Clarinet
Dinith Wijeratne, Clarinet
Tim Zhu, Clarinet
Angela Zhuang, Clarinet
Elyse Leon, Clarinet
Sushrut Pusapati, Clarinet
Ryan Chartouni, Bass Clarinet
Gavyn Westrich, Bass Clarinet
Myron Martin, Alto Saxophone
Ian Heim, Tenor Saxophone
Tucker Gilbert, Tenor Saxophone
Luke Phillips-Low, Trumpet
Owen Ivey, Trumpet
Lukas Boston, F Horn
Thomas Humphrey, Trombone
Sarah Pennington, Trombone
Mateus De Freitas, Trombone
Raphael Buisseret, Tuba
Marco Ovando, Percussion
Ishaan Ramesh, Percussion
Elijah Nguyen, Percussion
9-12 Jazz Band
Asamoah Oppong, Guitar
Drew Coffey, Drum Set
11-12 Alternates
Bailey Later, Piccolo
Luke Meeks, Clarinet
Bryce Duke, Alto Saxophone
Hunter Cowles, Trumpet
Jared McCormick, Trombone
McLain Walls, Tuba
Walker Herrington, Percussion
9-10 Alternates
Scottkey Miller, Clarinet
Brody Bryan, Horn
Joshua Sathongnhoth, Trombone
Shriyansh Gorantla, Baritone Horn
Middle School Bands (including alternates)
Bailey Lim, Flute
Poppy Wong, Flute
Saralyn Gilbert, Flute
Turner Coverdale, Bassoon
Addie Penn, Clarinet
Meghan Buisseret, Clarinet
Emaline Hagan, Clarinet
Anna Ulrich, Clarinet
Daodao Fu, Clarinet Alternate
Taylor Mahmood, Clarinet Alternate
Izzy Langley, Clarinet Alternate
Prady Karuhatty, Alto Saxophone
Lavanya Pisharath, Alto Saxophone
Aaron D'Souza, Tenor Saxophone
Colton Swiggart, Baritone Saxophone
Holden May, Baritone Saxophone
Evan George, Trumpet
Caleb Taylor, Trumpet
Julian Hernandez, Trumpet
Brandon Ivey, F Horn
Brynn Cash, F Horn
Jared Redmond, Trombone
Jude French, Trombone
Owen Ehrhardt, Trombone
Christian Davis, Trombone
Charlie Hicks, Trombone Alternate
Gerald MacNeil, Baritone Horn
Owen Stiles, Tuba
Andrew Camamile, Percussion
If you encounter these young musicians or their band teachers, be sure to congratulate them!
Falcon Footlights at Farmington Elementary Presents: Matilda Jr.
February 21st - February 25th
Witness the magical story of Matilda, a little girl with extraordinary wit, intelligence, and psychokinetic powers. This adaptation of Roald Dahl's classic is a heartwarming tribute to the power of imagination.
Purchase your tickets here: https://www.showtix4u.com/events/falconfootlights
Houston High School Mustang Theatre Presents: Urinetown
February 23rd - March 2nd
Explore a satirical tale of love through this theatrical classic. Urinetown offers a blend of humor, social commentary, and catchy tunes.
Riverdale Raider Theater Presents: SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical
February 29th - March 2nd
Dive into an undersea adventure with SpongeBob, Patrick, and friends. It's a bubbly journey filled with humor, friendship, and infectious music, perfect for fans of all ages!
Houston Middle School Showcases: Into the Woods Jr.
February 29th - March 9th
Embark on a whimsical journey where fairy tales intertwine in unexpected ways. This enchanting musical explores the intersecting paths of beloved storybook characters.
*Our team will continue to update this article as links to purchase tickets become available.
Mustangs Scores and Schedules
Basketball season is in full swing! Boys varsity basketball got another one in the W column with a win over Collierville. The final score was 51-49, and according to Principal Ross, that victory makes Houston’s overall record against the Dragons 34-7 in regular season games since 2006. The next set of games for varsity boys and girls basketball is tomorrow night when they are away at Arlington. Girls play at 6:00pm, and boys start at 7:30pm. This Friday, they are away at Bartlett. Varsity Wrestling is preparing for the Region Dual this Thursday night, and sectionals start this weekend. Varsity Swim is preparing for the Shelby County Championship this Saturday! Let’s Go Mustangs!!
Cheer Nationals Show Night
Houston’s cheer teams are ready to showcase their talents at Show Night! Let’s show up in support of these Mustangs before they head off to compete at Nationals next month. Sunday, February 4, from 4:00pm-6:00pm at Houston High School’s Varsity Gym - come show your support!
Houston Middle Hosts 8th Grade Night
Houston Middle hosted 8th grade night for their winter student-athletes. These Mustangs have led their teams by example in attributes like sportsmanship, hard work, dedication, and academic excellence. We can’t wait to see what they accomplish at HHS next year. Congratulations to these athletes!
GMSD's Athlete of the Month
Voting for GMSD’s January Athletes of the Month is set to close soon! Next Tuesday at noon, voting will close, so make sure you get your votes in. Learn more about our first nominees of 2024 here.
High School Nominees:
Mia Avery - Senior, Pom
Kylan Clark - Senior, Basketball
Lindsey Neas - Senior, Swim
Natalie Page - Senior, Pom
Mckenzie Percoski- Junior, Basketball
Lucy Uh - Senior, Swim
Middle School Nominees:
Duke Gunn - 8th Grade, Riverdale, Basketball
Molly Massey - 7th Grade, Houston Middle School, Pom
Hannah Novarese - 7th Grade, Houston Middle School, Basketball
Tatum Okleshen - 8th Grade, Houston Middle School, Pom
Jared Redmond - 8th Grade, Houston Middle School, Basketball
Lucy Underwood - 8th Grade, Riverdale, Basketball
Germantown Kiwanis Steps Up for Houston High Athletics
A "heartfelt" shoutout to the Germantown Kiwanis for their generous donation of another Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to Houston High School, which was graciously presented at the recent basketball game against Collierville. This life-saving equipment is a game-changer, quite literally, ensuring the safety of our student-athletes as it travels with our sports teams to events. GMSD is well supplied with AED devices, but this one will travel with our teams as they play in other area schools that may not be so fortunate. It's community supporters like Germantown Kiwanis who exemplify the spirit of #GMSDinFocus.
Mustang Madness 2024
The Mustang Bullpen Club is hosting a 21+ event to celebrate Mustang Madness 2024. This soiree will kickoff the HHS baseball season and will feature a silent auction, live auction, live music, and hors' d oeuvres. We are currently seeking auction items for the silent auction and live auction.
Location: Windyke Country Club
Date & Time: Friday, February 23, 2024 from 7:00pm-10:00pm
Cost: $50 per person
To purchase tickets, please visit https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/houston-hs-baseball/mustang-madness
City of Germantown Parks & Recreation Community Enrichment
Community Enrichment is the answer for expanding creativity and learning new skills while having fun with friends in a safe environment with quality instruction. Beneficial for students and convenient for parents! Classes are held at each elementary school and begin the week of January 22 and last 6 weeks unless otherwise noted. Register online at Germantown-TN.gov/Registration. The deadline for registration is January 15.
Location: City of Germantown Elementary Schools
Date & Time: Classes begin on January 22
To register, please visit Germantown-TN.gov/Registration
Check out our cozy Houston Mustang State Championship sweatshirts! Not only do they make a stylish and spirited present, but each purchase also supports our school. Order now and get it delivered straight to your doorstep. Spread the holiday cheer and show your #stangstatespirit! 🚚
Purchase your State Championship Gear here:
https://jhacompany.com/collections/houston-high-school-mustangs
Consider downloading our new GMSD App.
Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/germantown-msd/id6446898026
Google: http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.blackboard.community.gmsdk12
*If either of the two links above are not working, you can also find the app by searching Germantown MSD.
If you have any questions about the contents of this newsletter--or wish to make a submission for our next newsletter, please email kathleen.crowder@gmsdk12.org or visit us at Let's Talk.