GHS Newsletter
Monthly Family Newsletter #7 | April 2, 2024
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Greetings and welcome to all guardians/parents, students, staff and other supporters within the Germantown High School Community. As we enter April and quarter four of the 2023-24 school year, we are pleased to offer forth the GHS monthly newsletter for March.
On Tuesday, March 19th, we completed the administration of the ACT, Pre-ACT and for some, the Wisconsin Forward exam. We do have some make-ups and will need to finish up the Wisconsin Forward during the April 8 Resource Period. Last year was the first year we attempted to complete the majority of testing on one day. Many other high schools in the area asked about that plan after they learned of it. Prior to this plan, we had Juniors only come in for the ACT, then on different days, we split the alphabet for the ACT ASPIRE (now the PreACT) for Freshmen and Sophomores to test over two days for each class. As a result, we had to cut into more instructional time with that plan versus the current one. Special thanks to Julia Leeson, Director of Instructional Technology, Alex Fischer, Dean of Students/Academic and Career Planning Coordinator and Scott Schubert, Transition Coordinator, for their work and planning for the testing for all of our students.
The March version our GHS newsletter is sponsored by the Math and Music Departments. We hope you enjoy the information provided by two of our departments, along with the various reminders, important dates and additional information. Our next installment will be sent out on or about May 1, 2024.
Sincerely,
Mr. Joel R. Farren
Principal
REMINDERS AND UPCOMING DATES
April 3 - End of Quarter Three
April 8 - Forward testing makeup day (during Resource period)
April 9 - Pre-ACT and ACT Testing Makeup day (email will be sent to students)
April 11 - Sol Town Auditions
April 19 - Full Day-Teacher Inservice (no students)
April 26-28 - Spring Musical - Hunchback of Notre Dame Spring Musical
MATH DEPARTMENT
BRIAN BEAMAN, MICHELLE BETTIN, JAMES CANNESTRA, JARED ENGEL, JENNIFER KLAPPER, KELLY KOREK, JASON KOSANKE, MAGGIE MCCOMACK, LAUREN MEINERS, JESSICA TUMMETT, NATHAN WOLLENWEBER
What is Pi? – A Pi day activity
Lots of everyday objects are circular. Buttons, tires, and pizza to name a few. We know a tire is larger than a button, but how much larger? How do we describe the size of a circle? Two measurements can help with that: circumference and diameter. Diameter measures the distance across the circle and circumference measures the distance around the circle. Not only are these numbers useful to know, they are also connected to each other. How you ask? Mrs. Meiners’s Honors Geometry Classes discovered the exact connection between circumference and diameter on Pi Day (March 14th). Read on to find out what the answer is!
The Honors Geometry classes measured the circumference of everyday objects: such as buttons, cups, wheels, records, and cones. The rule of the day was that students could NOT use a formula to calculate circumference, rather just accuracy of using a tape measure. Students were to measure the circumference and diameter of four different circular objects of their choosing. They then would compare how circumference and diameter have a distinct relationship with one another. Circumference divided by diameter is always equivalent to the number 3.1459265, which is pi. Without the use of a formula, accuracy in student measurements was critical. To sweeten the deal, circular treats (Nothing Bundt Cakes) were the prize to the group in each class period who got exactly 3.14 or close to it! With treats on the line, the students were highly motivated to be as accurate as possible!
MUSIC DEPARTMENT
JONATHAN BELL, JONATHAN BROOKS, ANDREW STONE
March is Music In Our Schools Month and we have much to celebrate at Germantown High School
Music is an important part of everyone’s life. Being involved in music affects every part of the brain and every subject in our school. Music students make up a significant portion of our school honor societies, are involved in nearly every sport and activity offered, and represent our school at local, national and international events.
MSO Performance
The GHS Choirs were selected by video audition to perform Faure’s Requiem with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. The concert took place on February 28th at Bradley Symphony Center, the new home of the MSO. It was thrilling to be able to perform this monumental work with those professional musicians under the baton or Ken Davis Masur.
Winter Band Concert
The GHS Band's winter concert highlighted the work of the students. Each band performed for friends and family. Tone, balance, and intonation are constantly worked on in class. The bands showed this in the music they performed.
Music in Our Schools Month
March is Music In Our Schools Month and we had many activities to recognize the event. We held concerts for the school during the Resource Period. The Concert Choir, Wind Symphony, Pep Band/Washington DC Band and Sol Town performed. Tri-M Music Honor Society made locker decorations for all music students in grades 6-9. Door decorations were given to our staff members who were in band or choir as students. The music hallway was decorated with puzzle pieces with comments about why music is important to them.
WSMA Solo and Ensemble Festival
The WSMA Solo and Ensemble Festival was at Hamilton HS in Sussex. Over 140 students participated, performing solos, duets, trios, and quartets. 52 entries earned the privilege of going to the State Festival in May. The work these students put into their festival entries is a big factor in the improvement of the music ensembles.
Choir Cabaret
Choir Cabaret is an annual choir pops concert and fundraiser which brings the whole community together for a night of song and delicious food. It is heartwarming to see all of the community business support for this event, with food supplied by The Stillery and silent auction donations from The Cocoa Tree, Kesslers, Bandero County Grill, and dozens more. Special thanks to the Choir Parents Organization for organizing the entire event, with special shout outs to Theresa Schneider, Tina Brookens, Vicky Haensgen and Jean Norris who worked tirelessly to make the event a huge success.
Sol Town
SolTown Had a blast performing for the student body at the Music In Our Schools Month concert. The kids are getting geared up for their next engagement “Acapocalypse” at Port Washington High School in April.
Already looking to next year with Sol Town Auditions and WoS Open rehearsals.
Keep your eyes open around school for information regarding Sol Town auditions coming up on April 11th. Follow this link for details. SolTown Auditions.
WASHINGTON DC TRIP
The GHS Bands spent part of their Spring Break in Washington, DC. The highlight of the trip was a performance on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. The students also toured many of the Smithsonian Museums, visited the memorials, watched the changing of the guard at Arlington’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and had a Capitol Tour that included seeing the House Gallery where the State of the Union speech happens. It was a great trip created with the power of music.
SCHOOL MUSICAL
The Hunchback of Notre Dame is the spring musical. Practices, set building, and more have started. Mark your calendars and get your tickets. Show dates are April 26-28.
UPCOMING EVENTS
GHS PERFORMING ART CENTER
GERMANTOWN HIGH SCHOOL PROM INFORMATION
The class of 2025 Enchanted Forest Prom will be held on May 4, 2024. Please https://www.gsdwi.org/prom24 for information regarding the timeline, ticket purchasing, guest dance form if needed and Post Prom.
The students on the Prom Committee are busy getting this event planned. Thank you to those who are stepping up to volunteer for this committee, they have been a pleasure to work with.
Students, watch for an email after Spring Break to vote for Prom Court.
Thank you,
Ms. Diane Seramur
Prom Advisor
CAREER DAY - LOOKING FOR PRESENTERS CLICK BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION
FUNDRAISING EVENTS
Check out the upcoming annual music fundraiser:
FEAST AND FOLLIES 2024 - April 13th
Feast & Follies is Warhawk Band Booster's biggest fundraising event of the year. The event features a catered dinner followed by a first-class variety show performed by the members of the Germantown High School music program. The evening also includes live and silent auctions as well as raffles to help benefit band students and music education in Germantown.
This year’s Feast & Follies is being held at the Germantown American Legion with catering provided by Prime Minister Restaurant & Catering. Visit this link for more information.
14TH ANNUAL RAIN BARREL SILENT AUCTION - GHS
The GHS Environmental Club is holding its 14th Annual Rain Barrel Silent Auction, and bidding is now OPEN!
20 barrels painted by GHS students are currently placed at Pick n Save, Sendik's, and the Germantown Community Library until April 24th. Bidding takes place online at https://www.32auctions.com/GHSRainBarrel until April 25th at 3PM.
This year, donations are going to pond and trail maintenance, Germantown High School Greenhouse and courtyard clean up, and other projects at Germantown High School. Please visit the link above to learn more and start bidding!
GHS Environmental Club will be closing out Earth Week 2024 with a fun 5K run to raise money for a greenhouse at GHS.
Details
When: Sunday, April 28, 2024. Check-in starts at 10am the day of, and the run will start at 10:30am.
Where: Datka Stadium at Germantown High School.
Register by March 31st to receive a free t-shirt! To register and learn more, please click HERE.
Germantown High School
Principal: Joel R. Farren
Assistant Principal (A–L): Andrew Rooney
Assistant Principal (M–Z): David Smith
Dean of Students: Alexzandra Fischer
Activities Director: Sara Unertl
Location: W180N11501 North River Lane, Germantown, WI, USA
Phone: 262-253-3400