WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS! What an incredible weekend for GMSD athletics, and congratulations to our Houston High Girls Soccer Team for capturing the TN AAA State Championship title! With a perfect 23-0 season and ranking #1 in the nation, they’ve brought Mustang pride to new heights. And the GMSD victory doesn’t stop there—our cheer and pom teams are also dominating their fields, having just secured their own state victories and advancing to nationals. Plus, our cross-country teams celebrated some major wins, showing that Mustang strength and determination are unstoppable. Go, Mustangs, go!

Amid all the excitement, I’d like to invite you to be part of what’s shaping up to be the biggest game of the season at Landers Stadium as the Mustangs take on the Collierville Dragons this Friday night. Also, StangFest is coming up this weekend, where we’ll be gathering with all the feeder students to play on the field, enjoy inflatables, carnival games and raise funds for St. Jude.

Let's continue making GMSD a World of Our Own,

Jason Manuel,

Superintendent

Join us on tomorrow night at 6 p.m. for our monthly board meeting, packed with key updates, recognitions and approvals. For those who’d like a behind-the-scenes look at the recent work session, we invite you to watch the video available online, offering more insight into our agenda items.

Meeting Highlights:

• Special Recognition: We’re thrilled to announce the first-ever winners of our GMSD Star Behind the Scenes Award. This award honors a staff member of the year from each school building in a non-teaching role, recognizing those who work tirelessly to support our students and community in invaluable ways. (See our Staff Spotlight for more information)

• Superintendent’s Report: Key items include the 2024-25 Master Facilities Plan, which outlines the district's plan for capital improvements over the next five years.

Highlights from the Agenda:

1. TISA Accountability Report
2. 2024 Local Education Agency Compliance Report
3. FY 25 ESSER 3.0 Application
4. Resolution to Freeze the Corebridge 457 Plan
5. Various Budget Amendments (#12-14)
6. Club Fee Approvals

Mark your calendars for an upcoming event on Wednesday, Dec. 11—our GMSD Parent Academy: Vaping Me Crazy! Join us for an evening session designed to equip parents and guardians with actionable solutions to one of today's most pressing issues facing our youth: vaping. With Michael DeLeon, a renowned speaker on substance abuse prevention, leading the discussion, this session will provide you with the tools to navigate tough conversations with your children about vaping, nicotine, marijuana and the opioid crisis. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how you can prevent vaping in your family and build stronger connections. Let’s work together to keep our students safe and informed—see you there! (Poster Artwork by HHS Student Addie Smith).

>>Just click the link below to let us know you're coming. We’re asking parents to RSVP so we can plan accordingly for seating and materials. Your response will help us ensure we have everything ready for a successful and informative event!

Riverdale K-8 School recently held its annual Art Show and Literacy Night, but this year, there was a twist: the evening was all about animals, art and community impact. In collaboration with local humane societies and animal shelters, the event highlighted both the creative talents of students and the importance of supporting animals in need.

“Sometimes the stars align for a perfect community night,” joked art teacher Tracy Sammons. Along with fellow art teachers Erin Sutton and Melissa Cychowski, Sammons helped plan the art portion of the evening, connecting students’ creative lessons to the theme of animal welfare. The three teachers, known for their award-winning lesson plans, spent the quarter preparing students to create pieces that championed animal needs and awareness.

The younger students’ art projects emphasized the essential needs of animals in the region, while older students (grades 5-8) were paired with real animals looking for forever homes. These students created portraits and unique artwork for each animal, featuring them in a way that would draw the attention of potential adopters. “We wanted to connect our art lessons this quarter to the idea that art can make an impact,” said Sutton, highlighting the transformative power of art and empathy.

The event quickly grew as the Literacy Committee, led by Katie Faught, saw a unique opportunity to join forces. Faught and her team brought a popular Riverdale tradition, Literacy Night, into the mix, giving it an “animal makeover.” "It was so much fun to see all our students excited about reading! Our students had a scavenger hunt to guide them throughout the night leading them to all the fun. They attended classroom read aloud sessions, created bookmarks and reading trackers, picked out reading buddy stuffed animals, listened to a tall tale, participated in a Book Walk (think cake walk with books), visited our book fair, and got to see their own art on display," shared Faught. Riverdale’s librarian, Erin Oldershaw added even more to the experience by combining the school’s book fair with the event. Partnered with Novel Books, students and families had the chance to browse animal-themed titles, and explore stations set up by the Germantown, Memphis, and Tunica Humane Societies.

In addition to the art displays, families enjoyed tasty treats from two food trucks—Taco Nganas and Top Dawgs—while exploring the students’ artwork and the interactive literacy stations. "The response was overwhelming," said Cychowski. The support was palpable as students and their families arrived with donations for local shelters, from dog toys to cat food. “We’re still delivering carloads of donations!” Sutton shared.

A unique part of the event was creating prints of the students’ animal art to promote adoptable pets. One particularly heartwarming success story is Grasshopper, a featured pet who became a school favorite during visits and has since found his forever home. “Who says that art cannot make an impact?!” Sutton exclaimed, reflecting on the difference their work had made.

The Art of Rescue was not only a successful night for Riverdale K-8, but also a powerful example of how creative collaboration and community engagement can address meaningful issues. Through this interdisciplinary event, students learned that even the smallest actions—like making a piece of artwork—can contribute to big solutions in their community.

Riverdale Elementary embraced The Art of Rescue Literacy and Art Family Night, raising awareness and funds for local humane societies—a meaningful cause that brought students, families, and teachers together (see full feature above)! Seventh graders also explored science with a Naked Egg Osmosis experiment, first graders dove into hands-on pumpkin activities and Halloween-themed P.E. games added a festive spirit across campus.

Farmington Elementary kept spirits high, celebrating Red Ribbon Week with themed dress-up days. The school cheered on Falcon 5K state qualifiers and wrapped up Falcon Fest on Sunday with food, vendors, silly string, and an inspiring musical performance from HHS student and rising musical star Walker Campbell.

Dogwood Elementary had an exciting lineup this week! Their cross-country team outperformed at the big state competition, students grooved to a sock hop for the 50th day of school--a timeless classic and community favorite--teachers received GEF grants to enhance classroom tools, and Dogwood families gathered for a perfect movie night over the weekend! Keep swimming, Dolphins!

Forest Hill Elementary joined in the Red Ribbon Week celebrations with dress-up days, held a Flash Cash Friday to support school programs, and are gearing up for a Chick-fil-A spirit night on Tuesday Night if you family plans to eat out.

Houston Middle School students are gearing up for future leadership as applications pour in for the National Junior Honor Society and Beta Club. This annual application period encourages students to strive for academic and service excellence, embodying the core values of GMSD. Go be awesome, Mustangs!

At Houston High School, the inaugural "Seniors with Seniors" event brought the Class of 2025 together with grandparents and respected elders for a morning of coffee and donuts. This cherished tradition was made possible with community partners Grace Evan and Duck Donuts, creating a memorable experience for students and their families. Meanwhile, the excitement continued with both the Houston High volleyball and Girls soccer teams competing in state playoffs. Be sure to read our Sports Headlines below for more information!! Meanwhile, the first of two scheduled Creative Crosswalks are being installed.

Join Us at StangFest!

Get ready for StangFest, Houston High’s ultimate fall festival, happening this Sunday, November 3, from 3-5 p.m. at the Landers Stadium Football Field! This community event promises an afternoon of fun, games and giving back—all while supporting our friend and fellow Mustang, Gates "Gator" Mims, in his fight against cancer.

Here’s what you can look forward to:

• Inflatables & Carnival Games: Obstacle courses, rock climb slides, a bungee run and more!
• Face Painting & Yard Games: With HHS art students showcasing their creativity at the face-painting booth and classic games led by our Mustangs.
• Dunk Tank: Don’t miss your chance to dunk your favorite wrestlers!
• Live DJ & Silent Auction: Dance along to tunes from our student DJ, and check out items from Josef’s Jewelers, Buff City Soap and more in the silent auction.

Wristbands for unlimited play on select attractions are available for $10 and can be purchased here.

All proceeds benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation in honor of Gates Mims. We can’t wait to spend this special day with our GMSD family—come out and make memories, support a great cause and have a blast!

Buy Your Advance Tickets Now

BONUS: The BIGGEST Game of the Season – Houston vs. Collierville - Friday, November 1

Don’t miss the highly anticipated showdown between Houston and Collierville on Friday, Nov. 1! In the ultimate Classy vs. Crazies matchup, join us as our towns' two mayors kick off a new, friendly competition dubbed the Mayor’s Cup. There will be plenty of surprises at the game, so come out and be part of the excitement!

Curious about how GMSD’s revamped ACT Tutoring Program is driving student success? Watch our latest spotlight video to see the incredible impact of this program, with tutors sharing insights into the strategies that are helping students boost their scores and gain confidence.

In just the first quarter since launching AspireACT, we’ve reached nearly 250 students through 23 specialized tutoring sessions, clocking more than 580 individual appointments! September and October workshops saw impressive results, with 83% of participants improving scores and 38 seniors securing "Ready Grad" status by achieving a composite score of 21 or higher, qualifying them for the Hope Scholarship.

Our team’s dedication doesn’t stop there: in-school tutoring days, Saturday boot camps and ongoing professional development ensure students have continuous, tailored support. Hear from our tutors and students themselves about how these methods—like subtest-specific sessions and Saturday workshops—are creating powerful, lasting results.

Click to watch the video above and celebrate the achievements, strategies and hard work that make our students unstoppable!

The Germantown Education Commission is excited to announce the October 2024 Teacher of the Month. Please join us in congratulating Teacher of the Month Forest Hill Elementary's Ashley Rotenberry. Everyone is invited to the award presentation during the Monday, October 28, Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting beginning at 6 p.m. at City Hall Council Chambers, 1930 S. Germantown Road. Awards are presented near the top of the agenda.

As we eagerly await the announcement of each school's Teacher of the Year, GMSD is excited to introduce a brand-new recognition—the Star Behind the Scenes award!

Congratulations to this year's Star Behind the Scenes award winners:

• FHES: Peter Giovannini
• HHS: Maria Comas
• FES: Leronda London
• DES: LaKisha (Kisha) Anderson
• RES: Jennie Ewing
• HMS: Hillarie Kerr
• GOAL: Jodi Carnathan

We invite everyone to join us in celebrating these amazing staff members at our upcoming October Board Meeting on Tuesday, October 29, at 6 p.m. Let’s give them the recognition they truly deserve for their tireless efforts behind the scenes!

Send a shoutout 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. Choose to leave your name or remain anonymous. Once your Gratitude Gram is approved, the recipient receives an email with your message and an attached, easily printable graphic they can proudly display. Take a moment to spread some appreciation today!

Join us tonight at 6 p.m. for the Houston Middle School Fall Choir Concert! The talented students of HMS will be performing, and they’ll be joined by a very special guest—the HMS Men’s Chorus, featuring a group of HMS teachers. This unique collaboration promises to be an unforgettable evening of music and community spirit. The concert will be held in the HMS cafeteria from 6 - 7 p.m.

For more details, click here.

The Houston High Theater Department is gearing up for an enchanting fall production of Alice in Wonderland, and they are excited to invite both students and the general public to experience this whimsical adventure. Directed by Kell Christie, the production features fantastic masks, puppets and lively music, making it a perfect show for audiences of all ages—from kindergarteners to adults.

Performances will be held for the general public and for elementary schools Friday, November 8 through Monday, November 11. Bring your family and friends and get ready to follow Alice down the rabbit hole for an unforgettable performance. For tickets, click here.

Attention GMSD students! The Germantown Municipal Council (GMC) PTO is excited to announce that this year's Art and Writing Contest is now officially live! This year’s theme, “What Are Your Big Dreams?”, invites students from all grade levels to showcase their creativity and share their dreams through art and writing.

Contest Categories

The contest offers two main categories: Art and Writing.

Students can choose to participate in either category, or both, but can only submit one entry per category.

• Writing: Let your words bring your dreams to life! Options include personal narratives, fictional stories or poetry. Length and format requirements vary by grade level:

  • High School: Personal narratives and stories (500–1000 words) or a set of 3 poems with a minimum of 10 lines each.
  • Middle School: Personal narratives (200–800 words), fictional stories, or a set of 3 poems (minimum of 6 lines each).
  • Elementary School: Personal narratives or fictional stories (100–200 words), or 1 poem with at least 6 lines.

• Art: Visual creativity shines in categories such as painting, drawing, photography, and digital art (middle and high school only). Entries should reflect the theme and be original pieces created by the students themselves.

Submission Guidelines

Each submission requires a completed entry form attached to the back of the artwork or included with the writing piece. Digital art files must also be emailed to GMCPTOContest@gmail.com. For specific submission locations at each school, refer to the contest flyer or check with your school's designated drop-off area.

Many of our Mustangs have moved into the postseason and fall sports are winding down.

Our girls varsity soccer ended their season UNDEFEATED, and after a huge win over Bearden, they were named the State Champions. Senior goalkeeper Laila McNamee was named the MVP of the TSSAA Class AAA state tournament for her tremendous efforts throughout the final game, particularly following the 2-1 PK shootout victory. Congratulations to these incredible athletes, many of whom will continue play at the collegiate level.

Varsity cheer is also celebrating after starting their season off strong being named Mid-South Regional Champions! Congratulations, and we look forward to cheering you on for the rest of your season!

For varsity football, after a huge 41-0 win over White Station, it is time for senior night. This Friday at home at 7:00 p.m., we take on the ❌ollierville Dragons, and we need the stands to be packed! Help us celebrate our seniors from Cheer, Pom, Stang Gang, Football and Band.

Varsity cross country has had a wildly successful last few meets being named MYA, JV and Freshman Champs this past weekend. Next up, some of our Mustangs are headed to state on November 8. Go Mustangs!

Meet your October Athlete of the Month Nominees! Read what coaches have to say about these student athletes and their incredible work ethic both in athletics and in the classroom, and be sure to cast your vote! This is one of the closest races we have had, so each vote counts! Voting is set to close Thursday, October 31 at 12:00pm.

October High School nominees:

Lindsey Barnes - Senior, Cross Country

John Gavin - Senior, Golf

Zerina Markovic - Senior, Soccer

Erin McDonald - Senior, Golf

Laila McNamee - Senior, Soccer

Tyler Schmitt - Sophomore, Cross Country

October Middle School nominees:

Kailey Askins - 8th Grade, Riverdale, Soccer

Julia Hight - 6th Grade, Riverdale, Cross Country

Owen Manguso - 8th Grade, Riverdale, Cross Country

Piper Olswing - 7th Grade, Houston Middle School, Soccer

William Pressler - 8th Grade, Houston Middle School, Cross Country

HHS Baseball is hosting their 21st annual golf tournament! This event is on Friday, November 8 with an 11:00 a.m. start time, and there are multiple ways to get involved. To register for this event and for any questions, contact mustangbullpenclub@gmail.com. Pay for your team or company's entrance here.

The Germantown Education Commission is thrilled to bring back the Battle of the Brains, a one-of-a-kind STEM competition for high school students that’s open to the community. This Saturday, November 2, from 9 a.m. to Noon at Houston High School, come see students from Houston High, Germantown High and other Germantown-based homeschoolers as they showcase their innovative projects in science, technology, engineering and math.

The event will feature team presentations to university professors, who will evaluate each project. The top team will walk away with a $300 prize for each member, and the coveted Einstein Trophy, a tradition of excellence since 2009.

This is a fantastic chance to see the next generation of scientists and engineers in action and support the talents of our local students. We hope to see you there! For more details, visit Germantown-TN.gov/BattleoftheBrains.

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

View a digital copy of our ALUMNI magazine.

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, 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.