Welcome to the GMSD Neighborhood
4.11.23
STEM students showcase creative talents at recent TSA State Conference
The Technology Student Association (TSA) State Conference was recently held in Chattanooga, Tennessee from March 29-31, and students from HHS participated in several competitions. The TSA is a national organization that encourages students to explore and develop their skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through various events and competitions.
The HHS students competed in a range of competitions, including dragster design, fashion design and technology, children's stories, extemporaneous speech, board game design, and music production. Most of the students made it to the final round of the competition, showcasing their skills and abilities in front of judges and their peers.
Addison Smith, a student from HHS, placed 2nd in the state in the Children's Stories competition, showcasing her creativity and writing skills. Gabrielle Clay, another student from HHS, took home 1st place in the state in the Music Production competition.
In the Fashion Design competition, Aydenne Hennings, Aubree Richardson, and Ayden Roberts placed 4th in the state, and Ellie Clare Warren and Camryn Eafen placed 5th in the state, demonstrating their creativity and fashion design abilities.
School Coordinated Health brings CPR certifications and goat yoga to GMSD in April
Last week, in partnership with Germantown Methodist Healthcare and the Germantown Fire Department, our schools certified or trained all 9th and 11th grade students in CPR through their gym and personal finance classes at Houston High.
School Coordinated Health also hosted a staff wellness event--bringing GOAT yoga to GMSD. Thirty lucky staff members (and a few students who happened to pass by) enjoyed de-stressing before testing season begins. A special thanks to 901 Goats for helping to make this event possible.
Mark your calendars for GMSD schools' Fine Arts Nights
Forest Hill recently kicked off a series of fine arts nights at each school, showcasing our exceptional orchestras, choirs, music groups, and stunning visual art displays. Trust me, you won't want to miss these upcoming events.
April 11th: Riverdale's Fine Arts Night
April 12th: Dogwood's Fine Arts Night
April 13th: Farmington's Fine Arts Night
April 14th: Houston Middle Band and Choir Perform at Six Flags Over St. Louis
April 14th: Houston High Choirs perform at Handel Masterworks Concert
From April 19th to 22nd, our All-State musicians will be headed to Nashville to perform in the TNMEA All-State concert. Wish all of our young musicians luck.
If you are out and about at any of these events, please post your images using the hashtag, #gmsdfinearts!
Join Germantown and Collierville choir students for a Masterworks Concert on Friday
Due to popular demand, the Collierville High School and Houston High School Choir programs have once again teamed up for a Masterworks concert. The concert offers a unique opportunity for students to challenge themselves by performing complex music with a live orchestra. Typically, only those who make all-west or all-state have access to such experiences. However, these masterworks concerts give ALL the students in each schools' top tier choirs the chance to showcase their talent. Each concert focuses on a composer that has positively impacted the directors. This spring, the spotlight is on Handel. Don't miss out on the chance to witness this incredible performance on Friday, April 14th at 7pm!
"These concerts give our students a chance to experience challenging music, and sing with a live orchestra. But, they are also great for the audience" said Houston Choirs Director Kinsey Healy.
Register NOW for GEF Run for Education 5k & Color Run to Get Your T-shirt!
Act fast and make sure your to share with your families that April 14th is the LAST day to register for the race and still get a t-shirt!
Join us Sunday, April 23, for the annual Germantown Education Foundation (GEF) Run for Education 5k & Family Fun Color Run! Proceeds from the event are given back to each school in two ways – directly to the school based on their registered participation, and through school and classroom grants administered by the Germantown Education Foundation. Last year, the GEF granted $162,000 to GMSD schools and teachers. Your support of this event matters!
Which teachers are currently in the lead for the $300, $200, and $100 gifts?
FHES
- Susan Brooke 39
- Courtney Berggren 33
- Kate Greer 27
Dogwood
- Andrea Adair 33
- Madison Lessley 24
- Lisa Navarro 20
Farmington
- Stephanie Betts 16
- Nicole Barnett 15
- Sarah Lucas 15
Riverdale
- Kelsey Woolfolk 11
- Crista Ponder 10
- Vicki Gabriel 8
Houston Middle School
- Brian Haynes 14
- Juliet Ammons 11
- Julia Hosea 9
Houston High School
- Courtney Brookshire 3
- Gerry Wartenberg 3
More than just a run, the day kicks off at 12:30 with a festival featuring inflatables, fun, food trucks, vendors, and bands.
Register for the 5k or 1-Mile color run event, or a combination of both. to register, visit https://gefrun2023.raceroster.com/
HMS Boys' Basketball Open Gym
Houston Middle School is hosting a second open gym for rising 6th grade boys who are interested in playing basketball as a Mustang! The first open gym was a success, so come out to meet the coaches and play in the new gym. Go to thehoustonathletics.com for more information, and click here to register!
Find the PERFECT GMSD summer camp at our new Community Hub.
GMSD is hosting so many amazing camps this summer! From football camp, to STEM camp, there really is something for everyone. These summer camps vary in age range, start date, and availability, so be sure to check out each one to see what is right for your student.
To submit a camp or learn more about sponsorship, contact emily.hume@gmsdk12.org. We can't wait to see you all this summer!
Information about the listed tryouts, required paperwork, and athletic camp registrations can be found on thehoustonathletics.com. Select what sport you are interested in, and the information for tryouts and camps will be listed in the Links, Forms, and Announcements sections.
Dogwood's Ellen Moak named the City of Germantown's March Teacher of the Month
The March Teacher of the Month recipient was honored by the Education Commission at the March 27 meeting of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen.
The March Teacher of the Month was awarded to Mrs. Ellen Moak, a kindergarten teacher at Dogwood Elementary School. Parents and peers describe Ms. Moak as passionate, nurturing, knowledgeable, attentive and determined. Most importantly, she is committed to helping her students learn at their own paces and makes sure they reach their full potential. One nominator for this award writes "She consistently displays the desire to clearly inspire each of her students to learn, and her positivity makes a visit to her classroom energizing. She even has a trampoline and pets in her classroom to reward students."
A parent writes "My son comes home from school with stories about how Ms. Moak teaches him new concepts in a fun way, and that speaks values about her capacity to make learning fun. She has been such a blessing to our family this year." Along these lines, many parents wrote nomination letters about how Ms. Moak goes the extra mile to keep them in the loop on their children's progress and offer encouragement and advice in areas where their kids might need some extra help.
Beyond the classroom, Ms. Moak keeps up with her students and their accomplishments and stays involved in their lives. She has spent countless hours volunteering for GMSD PTO events, including Dogwood Movie Night, Dogwood Daddy/Daughter Dance, Haunted Houston and Falcon Footlights, to name a few. She has helped plan many school functions, such as Red Ribbon Week, and also has given multiple tours to new parents during Dogwood's Discover Dogwood days. She is a Mentor Teacher for the University of Memphis and has been a member of the Germantown Education Commission since 2021.
Who found the Golden Egg at your school?
The eggs are hidden in various locations, from classrooms to teacher workrooms, and even outside the buildings. The employee who locates the egg in each building is declared the winner and awarded a treat. But the rewards don't stop there! The winners also get some time off to relax and unwind, allowing them to fully enjoy their sweet victory. This event is a great way for GMSD employees to come together, have some fun, and celebrate the arrival of spring. The Golden Egg Contest is a perfect example of how even the simplest events can bring joy and create a sense of community. Congratulations to this year's winners!
Send someone a GMSD Gratitude Gram
We've made it VERY easy for you to send shoutouts to your favorite GMSD staffers! Here's how it works:
Pick from one of our four ready-made templates; The MVP, You Are Appreciated, Top Notch Customer Service, or Someone Wants to Celebrate You!
Choose the GMSD staff member you would like to recognize. If you don't know their email, select "Don't Know" and we will be able to fill in the details.
Type in your positive feedback in the text box. Be specific about what the staff member did that impressed you or made a difference.
Decide if you would like to leave your name or remain anonymous. If you choose to leave your name, type it in the "Your Name" field. If you add your email, you'll receive a copy of the Gratitude Gram when we send it to the recipient!
Click the "Submit" button to send your message.
If you have multiple staff members to recognize, repeat steps 2-5 for each person.
Our staff reviews and transmits these once a week.
What does the recipient receive? Once the message is approved, the recipient receives and email with your message along with an attached easily printable graphic so that they can share their gram on a bulletin board or wall.
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.