As we embark on a new school year, I’m filled with excitement and GMSD pride. This year marks a special milestone—10 years of excellence in our schools. Our theme, "GMSD: A World of Our Own," reflects the extraordinary journey we've taken together, always dreaming big and achieving more.

We have much to celebrate as we return to school, from our student leaders stepping up to shape our future, to the incredible professional development our teachers have engaged in over the summer. This year, we'll continue to innovate, inspire and uphold the high standards that have made GMSD the best.

Thank you for being part of our community and for your ongoing support. Together, let's make this school year truly exceptional. I look forward to the incredible achievements and memories we will create in #GMSDaWorldOfOurOwn!

Jason Manuel,

Superintendent

The results are in, and Germantown Municipal School District doubled its number one rankings, moving from four last year to eight this year. This also includes #2 rankings in 4th Grade ELA, 6th Grade ELA, 6th Grade Science and 8th Grade ELA. Also, this includes a #3 ranking in 3rd Grade Math, 8th Grade Social Studies and Biology.

GMSD results at-a-glance:

• Achieved #1 rankings across eight categories in the latest state assessments.
• Ranked in the top ten for 21 out of 25 assessed categories.
• Continuously the highest (#1 ranking) performance in Grades 3-8 in ELA and Math, and ranked #2 in Science in the state.

• GMSD achieved the #1 ranking in the following subjects and grades:

  • 3rd Grade ELA

  • 3rd Grade Science

  • 4th Grade Math

  • 4th Grade Science

  • 5th Grade ELA

  • 5th Grade Math

  • 5th Grade Science

  • 6th Grade Math

We look forward to recognizing all teachers of the top three rankings in the state during our September Board of Education meeting set for Thursday, Sept. 19, and we can't wait to celebrate them.

Access YOUR family report: Tennessee Department of Education’s TCAP Family Portal

This free online resource helps families understand their students' strengths and areas for growth. In the portal, families can view their student's scores compared to grade-level expectations, see whether they met or exceeded expectations, and access personalized Student Video Reports available in multiple languages. The portal also includes an individualized summary of performance in all subject areas and historical data to track academic progress. To access the portal, families can visit familyreport.tnedu.gov using their student’s USID number, which can be found in Skyward Family Access.

Houston High senior Jack Boccher has been selected as GMSD's new Student Board Representative for the 2024-25 school year. Jack's dedication to community service and leadership shines through his involvement in multiple school clubs and teams. As President of Houston High’s community service club and Captain of the varsity soccer team, Jack has consistently worked to make a difference. His goal is to represent his peers and be a strong voice for the student body. Jack also aspires to attend a service academy and pursue a military career. We are thrilled to welcome Jack to this important role. Read more about Jack Boccher.

The Germantown Board of Education will celebrate the start of the school year with a spotlight on our new and outgoing student leaders at their upcoming meeting, Tuesday, Aug. 13. Join us as we bid farewell to outgoing student board representative Eva Fischer and welcome Jack Boccher along with his executive council ambassadors. The Germantown Board of Education will also recognizw the newly named student interns. Don’t miss the full story and the list of students selected to represent GMSD as Ambassadors for the 2024-2025 school year—click through to read more!

First Day of School Album

GMSD's first day was featured in the Daily Memphian.

Read the article and view their First Day Photos here:

Germantown Schools starts a new year, a decade after christening

Senior Sunrise Album

On August 2nd, GMSD officially kicked off the school year with an event that set the stage for another year of educational excellence and the celebration of our 10th year as a District. With a surprise performance that stole the show, Superintendent Jason Manuel - dressed as Willie Wonka - along with students and principals from each school, dazzled the audience with a musical number introducing the year’s theme “A World of Our Own.” Mr. Manuel then delivered an inspiring message, challenging and motivating our educators. He encouraged teachers to embrace creativity, innovation and the magic of teaching. The event reminded our faculty of the transformative role they play in shaping the future. As Manuel put it, our teachers are the true "makers of dreams," inspiring students to reach their highest potential. The morning culminated with game shows where teachers won fantastic prizes. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsor Landers Ford, prizes included high-end items like a Solo Stove, Roomba, Yeti coolers and big screen TVs. The Germantown Education Foundation presented the grand prize of the day as one lucky teacher won a $2,500 getaway! Special thanks to Brian Elder Roofing for sponsoring “Raise the Roof” music from local band Almost Famous, and to Metro Builders for our set design.

As we start the new school year, remember to complete the required health consent form for your child. Log in to the Skyward Family Access Portal, where the form will appear as a pop-up. The deadline to submit this form is Friday, Aug. 16. Thank you for your cooperation in helping us provide the best care for our students.

The GERMANTOWN MSD app – Our school district in your pocket. Sync our calendar seamlessly across all your devices. Access student information, attendance, assignments, grades and more – all in one convenient place. Get a personalized feed tailored to your preferences. Choose your schools and news sources for a streamlined experience. Stay informed, stay connected – with the GERMANTOWN MSD app.

You can quickly download the NEW GMSD app to access all of these features. First, you'll search for 'Germantown MSD' in your preferred app store (iOS or Google). As a parent or caregiver, you'll select 'App Login' to access your child's information. The login process includes a one-time passcode that connects to the cell phone or email you have listed in Skyward--so there's no passwords to learn or memorize! If you need assistance logging in, we are standing by to help.

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.

Houston High School is kicking off the school year with a celebration! HHS Junior Drew Bond received first place in the Fourth Annual Civics Contest. This contest invites students to explore significant constitutional topics, and this year’s focus was the Tenth Amendment. The Tenth Amendment was a critical component of the Bill of Rights that delineated the powers reserved to the states and the people.

Drew’s essay provided a unique and rigorous analysis of this amendment, not just in historical significance, but also in how this impacts our modern federalism. His work looked at the Tenth Amendment in contemporary political debates, varying points of view, and the influence it has on state-federal relations.

Drew is passionate about U.S. history, and his enthusiasm for government and constitutional studies is something that he hopes to grow this school year. With plans to take AP U.S. History at HHS, Drew is certain to continue his success on this academic journey. GMSD is proud to have students who are pursuing personal excellence both inside and outside the classroom. Congratulations Drew!

Houston Middle School's Jonah Timmons is proving that a love for learning can extend beyond the classroom. At just 12 years old, Jonah is a passionate choir student and has now embarked on a remarkable journey into the world of competitive Pokémon. This journey has him now headed all the way to Hawaii for the Pokémon World Championships!

Jonah's Pokémon adventure began with casual interest, but it quickly evolved into a full-blown passion. He started by visiting local trading pop-up shops and soon joined a Pokémon club, where he immersed himself in the community. Watching regional championships further fueled his excitement and competitive spirit.

In February, Jonah shared with his mom that he had truly fallen in love with Pokémon. This new hobby led him to discover that Pokémon Leagues host tournaments where players can earn points to qualify for the World Championships. Jonah, who competes in the Junior Division (for players aged 12 and under), decided to take a chance and participate in these tournaments.

He started out at the national competition in Orlando, where he gained valuable experience and learned the ropes of competitive play. Now, after months of dedication and hard work, Jonah is preparing to take on the world's best in Hawaii.

As Jonah gets ready to represent on the global stage, HMS and the entire GMSD community is cheering him on. We are proud of our students who pursue their passions and creativity! Good luck, Jonah!

Germantown Municipal School District is excited to welcome several new leaders as we start the 2024-2025 school year. Zac Percoski will transition from his role as Principal of Forest Hill Elementary to become the Executive Director of Operations after Fall Break.

Megan Jackson, the new Instructional Supervisor at Houston High, will focus on English, Humanities, and ACT preparation. Leigh Ellis takes on the role of ESE Supervisor, continuing her dedicated work in special education. Judson Maxwell steps into the role of School Safety Liaison, leveraging his extensive law enforcement background to enhance school safety. Melinda Henson joins Farmington Elementary as Assistant Principal, ready to support student and teacher growth. Finally, Austyn Scruggs joins Houston High as Assistant Principal, bringing her extensive experience and passion for educational leadership.

In addition to these leadership hires, we are excited to introduce approximately 40 new teachers joining our district (see pictures below!)

As we begin the school year, we are proud that all instructional positions are filled--but GMSD is continuing to seek the following individuals:

• Head Swim Coach (Grades 9-12) 2024-2025
• Day Porter
• Assistant School Financial Secretary (Part-time)
• Study Hall Monitor (Grades 9-12)

Thank you for welcoming all of GMSD's newest teachers to the classroom.

Our GMSD Gratitude Grams are now live! We've made it easy to send shoutouts to your favorite GMSD staffers with four ready-made templates: The MVP, You Are Appreciated, Top Notch Customer Service and Someone Wants to Celebrate You! Simply select the staff member you want to recognize, type your positive feedback in the text box, and be specific about what they did that impressed you or made a difference. You can choose to leave your name or remain anonymous. Once your Gratitude Gram is approved, the recipient will receive an email with your message and an attached, easily printable graphic they can proudly display on a bulletin board or wall. Take a moment to spread some appreciation today!

Make sure that your senior registers with a non-GMSD email address in our Alumni Portal! Click here.

Click here to view a digital copy of our ALUMNI magazine.