GMSD in Focus
2.5.24
To the moon and back, continuing our celebration of CTE Month in GMSD
Happy CTE Month to our GMSD family! It's an exhilarating time in our district, especially as we dive into the worlds of elementary school STEM and Criminal Justice.
This week, we're spotlighting an electrifying STEM activity that's propelling our third graders at Forest Hill Elementary beyond the ordinary. Their journey through reading has taken a leap into the science of rocketry, blending literature with the thrill of scientific discovery. This hands-on lesson is not just an educational adventure; it's a launchpad for dreams, showing our students that the sky's the limit.
Connecting learning with real-life experiences, Judge Mary Wagner visited with our high school students. A GMSD alum and parent, Judge Wagner shared her inspiring journey through the legal landscape with our Mustangs, illuminating the path to careers in Criminal Justice.
At Houston High, the Criminal Justice program is preparing our students for meaningful careers in several related fields. Students have the opportunity to take three years of courses, ending in a college-credit bearing dual enrollment course. This series is great for students who have an interest in police work, forensics, the justice system, or becoming lawyers. This Spring, we're excited to introduce a special lunchtime series featuring Firefighting and Paramedics/EMT professionals, further enriching our students' learning experiences.
Start exploring course pathways, here.
Let's work together to help students discover their talents and future careers,
Jason Manuel,
Superintendent
Recap of the Germantown Board of Education January Business Meeting
Congratulations to all those who were recognized at the January Business Meeting:
Anna Brignole, GMSD Teacher of the Year, Grades PreK-4
Elizabeth Hume, GMSD Teacher of the Year, Grades 5-8
Jerica Ross, GMSD Teacher of the Year, Grade 9-12
Ashley Brasfield, GMSD Principal of the Year
Ethan Constant, GMSD Supervisor of the Year
The Houston High School Football Team and Coaches, State Champions
The Tennessee School Board Association (TSBA) recognized our Germantown Board of Education as a "Board of Distinction". Being named a "Board of Distinction" by TSBA is a significant honor that recognizes school boards for their exemplary work. School boards that achieve this designation must meet specified requirements in four key areas: planning, policy, promotion, and board development. This program is designed to acknowledge the outstanding performance and commitment of school boards in these areas, highlighting their dedication to enhancing education quality and governance within their districts
Finally, the Germantown BOE passed a resolution celebrating Superintendent Jason Manuel. Within the resolution, Superintendent Jason Manuel is lauded for his decade of superior leadership. Since his appointment in 2014, he has spearheaded the district's ascent to new levels of academic excellence in Tennessee, broadening educational programs across a spectrum of disciplines including CTE. His commitment is further evidenced by over $104 million in capital enhancements, fostering a nurturing environment for both students and staff. Manuel's extensive involvement in community and professional organizations, coupled with numerous accolades are also shared in the resolution. Happy Ten-Year Anniversary, Mr. Manuel!
Germantown Board of Education February Work Session
The Board will hold its February Work Session on Tuesday, February 20, 2024.
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, Feb 20, 2024, 05:30 PM
3350 Forest Hill Irene Road, Germantown, TN, USA
Important Deadlines Approaching TONIGHT!
School Choice/Open Enrollment--Deadline February 5
GMSD's School Choice/Open Enrollment period for the 2024-2025 school year is closing soon! School Choice opened on January 8, 2024 at 10:00am CST, and it will close on February 5, 2024 at 11:59pm CST. School Choice applications will be available to all prospective new transfers and current GMSD students on an intra-district transfer. Please click here to apply and learn more about School Choice.
Houston High School Honors and Leadership Academy Applications--Deadline February 5
Don't miss this unique opportunity for your rising 9th-11th grader to join a small, specialized cohort at Houston High School. 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.
Highlighting GMSD's Preschool Program
Go behind the scenes of one of GMSD's eight preschool classrooms to learn how our staff is providing early educational interventions to children with disabilities.
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? 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!
Forest Hill Third Graders launch dreams into orbit
In the latest academic adventures of our 3rd-grade Forest Hill students, guided by the expertise of ELA teachers Gretke, Mitchell, and Shipman, our Foxes have embarked on an exhilarating exploration of space through Module 3 of Wit and Wisdom.
Through captivating tales like "Moonshot," "One Giant Leap," and "Zathura," our young learners have been diving into the vast mysteries beyond our atmosphere, guided by the essential question: “How do people learn about space?” The culminating task of this unit requires students to craft an essay expressing their opinions about the most important thing people have done to learn about space.
But the journey doesn't stop there. Beyond literary pursuits, our students are immersing themselves in the realm of STEM, forging connections between literature and hands-on experience. Collaboratively, they're designing and constructing rockets, honing not just their technical skills but also fostering interpersonal connections as they work side by side.
This interdisciplinary approach isn't just about reaching academic milestones; it's about building capacities—teaching our students to navigate complex projects in manageable steps, enriching their educational journey with personalized, hands-on encounters with the subject matter.
By bringing the wonders of space closer to home, we're not only making texts and writing assignments more relevant but also opening doors to differentiation and enrichment opportunities for every student, ensuring that each journey into the cosmos is as unique as the stars themselves.
Houston High School Lit Mag takes top honors once again
Houston High School's Literary Magazine, "Avatar Floriography: Vices and Virtues," has been awarded the Superior rating by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE). This distinction continues a twenty-year legacy of excellence for the magazine, which consistently garners accolades such as Superior, Excellent, and Distinguished. The recognition places Houston High among the top student publications in a contest that saw 375 entries from across the globe. The NCTE, an organization dedicated to promoting English and language arts education, supports this and other initiatives to encourage outstanding literary work in schools. Congratulations to the Lit Mag students and their sponsor, HHS Teacher NaToya Chandler.
Congratulations to Nicholas Brashier of Riverdale School and Jennifer Brenneman of Forest Hill Elementary for being named January and February Teachers of the Month, respectively, by the Germantown Education Commission.
Nominations for the GEC Youth Excellence Award and Teacher of the Month continue to be accepted online through the end of February.
Youth Excellence Award nomination form - https://forms.gle/Fu257F2FBsGdHQDT9
Teacher of the Month nomination form - https://forms.gle/UdNv42PRJpwUAE6A6
Celebrating GMSD School Counselors during National School Counseling Week!
It is National School Counseling Week, and we are wanting to send a big THANK YOU to all of our school counselors! School Counseling is a huge part of helping a student in their social and emotional development both inside and outside of the classroom, and our counselors at GMSD have a huge impact on our community and school culture. School counselors are critical in helping each child to grow and express themselves, so their job has a wide range of responsibilities.
One of Forest Hill Elementary’s School Counselors, Skylar Workman, can often be seen planning and running the pep rallies at FHES. Part of a school counselors’ social and emotional program is to help engage and grow each students’ social and emotional reach. Counselors try to know each of their students and work to foster a relationship with them all. As Ms. Christy Law puts it, “Counselors work to build happy moments for each and every student in GMSD.”
School Counseling is a huge team effort, and all of our counselors work together to ensure that each and every student is met right where they need to be. Ethan Langston at Riverdale shares, “We develop meaningful connections with our students so we can better support them when they come to talk about other issues in their life.”
We want to share some of the best resources that are available to families to further understand all the aspects of counseling and what school counselors do to help each and every child as they grow. To learn more about the role of a School Counselor, click here. Read more about School Counseling overall here. As we celebrate National School Counseling week, we want to give a big thank you to our GMSD School Counselors and School Counselors everywhere! Read our full coverage here, and if you see your School Counselors in the hall, be sure to thank them for all of the “happy moments” that they work so hard to create!
Help GMSD recruit the BEST teachers for the 24-25 School Year!
All of our GMSD schools are hard at work preparing for their upcoming Snapshots event. School Snapshots is a chance for prospective teachers to visit our GMSD schools to meet administrators/teachers and explore the resources our schools have available for teaching. It’s a great opportunity for applicants to get a feel for the different schools’ cultures, which will help them in determining where they want to apply for a teaching position in GMSD. The dates of GMSD's Snapshots event are listed below! Click here to register and learn more.
And, we need your help spreading the word.
GMSD School Snapshots:
- Forest Hill Elementary: February 28th from 5:00pm-6:30pm
- Houston Middle School: February 29th from 4:30pm-6:00pm
- Riverdale Elementary: March 19th from 4:30pm-6:00pm
- Farmington Elementary: March 20th from 4:30pm-6:00pm
- Dogwood Elementary: March 21st from 5:00pm-6:30pm
- Houston High School: March 26th from 3:30pm-5:00pm
Please share this with your friends and neighbors!
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.
Purchase your tickets here: https://gmsd.schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/3208/370/False/True
*Our team will continue to update this article as links to purchase tickets become available.
Mustangs Scores and Schedules
The regular season for winter sports is winding down, but for some of our Mustangs, the real competition is just beginning. This weekend, February 9, cheer is headed to Orlando, FL to compete in Nationals! With HMS Cheer returning to the mat at Disney after winning Nationals, Worlds, and the Nations cup, this is a huge moment for all of our Houston teams. Be sure to show your support! Varsity swimming is preparing for the State Championship meet this weekend, February 9, in Nashville, TN. For swimmers that qualified for State, this is it!! Varsity wrestling is moving into the next phase of their post season with individual regionals this weekend, February 10. Be sure to cheer on all of these athletes as they strive to bring home more wins for Houston! Basketball is still wrapping up the regular season, and there are only a few chances left to see these Mustangs in action. Boys varsity basketball had a big win over Collierville Friday, and next up they face the Cordova Wolves tomorrow away at 7:30pm. Girls varsity basketball has a packed schedule this week! They face Southwind away tonight at 6:00pm in a makeup game and Cordova away tomorrow at 6:00pm. But this Friday, both teams will host Southwind at home for Senior Night! Come celebrate as we recognize our seniors for all of their hard work throughout their time as a Mustang.
Athlete of the Month: January Winners Announced!
The winners for GMSD’s January Athlete of the Month are here! Learn more about our winners Mia Avery and Hannah Novarese below and how their dedication to their teammates and their sport is being highlighted. Voting for GMSD’s February Athletes of the Month is now open! Click here to read all about our nominees for February 2024, and cast your vote!
Mia Avery - Senior, Pom
Mia was the captain for her 8th grade team that went on to win Nationals, and her successful career has continued to flourish. She is currently the co-captain for the HHS pom team, and they have consistently placed in the top 10 at Nationals. Mia has been dancing for 15 years. She has been on Pom teams for 6 years and has been a competitive studio dancer as well. Mia is known as a loving and caring teammate. She makes it a point to have a relationship with each and every one of her teammates. She strives to always be her best, and she gives 100% effort.
Hannah Novarese - 7th Grade, Houston Middle School, Basketball
Hannah has helped lead the team to a 21-2 record. This is her second year being a varsity starter, and she is the team’s leading scorer. During a strong 6 games district stretch, she scored a total of 89 points, including two games with 6 three-pointers. Hannah is also known as a great team player and an encouraging leader. She is always able to brighten spirits with her witty sense of humor, and she leads by example. She works hard to do her best both on the court and in the classroom. Her basketball career started in the first grade, and she truly loves the game.
Varsity Pom celebrates a fantastic season
Varsity pom is celebrating a huge victory! After having amazing placements at Magic City Dance Challenge in Birmingham, AL, the team was ready to take on Nationals. These athletes were named 2nd place WORLD CHAMPIONS for hip hop at the National Dance Championship in Orlando, FL. They placed 9th in the Nation for hip hop, and they were also named as Gameday semi-finalists. Congratulations to the Houston Mustangs Varsity Pom on another successful year! To read more about their victories, click here.
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
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.