As we begin this week, we not only remember the events of 9/11 in our schools last week, but also celebrate Constitution Day and Freedom Week across Tennessee. These observances are dedicated to teaching our students about the significance of the U.S. Constitution and the freedoms we enjoy as Americans. It's a time to reflect on the rights and responsibilities that come with our citizenship, ensuring that patriotism and the love of freedom continue to thrive in our schools.

I'd also like to personally thank our PTO and PTSO Presidents for joining me for our first quarter summit. It's always a pleasure to meet with these parent leaders as we continue to make GMSD the very best district that it can be.

Jason Manuel,

Superintendent

Germantown Municipal School District is thrilled to announce our annual Celebration of Outcomes, set to take place this Thursday night at 6 p.m. as part of our Board meeting. We are inviting classroom teachers whose classes, subjects or grade levels ranked in the top three positions statewide on last year's TCAP/EOC assessments. GMSD consistently ranked in the top positions for proficiency, showcasing that our students are among the most academically prepared in the entire state.

To provide some perspective, there are 145 school districts in Tennessee, and our teachers and students have shown outstanding performance in several key areas. We will be celebrating those who earned a first, second or third-place ranking statewide. This is an opportunity to cheer on the educators whose hard work and dedication have contributed to these remarkable outcomes.

The Celebration of Outcomes will recognize teachers from the following subjects and grades:

• 3rd Grade ELA
• 3rd Grade Math
• 3rd Grade Science
• 4th Grade ELA
• 4th Grade Math
• 4th Grade Science
• 5th Grade ELA
• 5th Grade Math
• 5th Grade Science
• 6th Grade ELA
• 6th Grade Math
• 6th Grade Science
• 8th Grade ELA
• 8th Grade Social Studies
• Biology

Join us this Thursday evening at 6 p.m. in our board room or via livestream to honor the incredible achievements of our educators and students.

In Tennessee schools, Constitution Day and Freedom Week are educational observances that aim to promote a deeper understanding of the principles of American democracy and the historical significance of the U.S. Constitution.

• Constitution Day is observed annually on September 17th to commemorate the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787. Tennessee schools mark this day by teaching students about the Constitution, its history, and its role in shaping the United States. Activities may include age appropriate lessons on the Constitution's creation, its amendments, and its impact on American law and government.

• Freedom Week expands on the themes of Constitution Day and is taking place throughout the week in GMSD. The focus is on American history, civics, and the importance of individual freedoms. During this week, all Tennessee schools incorporate lessons and activities that explore the Founding Fathers, the Declaration of Independence, and the Bill of Rights. The goal is to help students appreciate the freedoms they enjoy as American citizens and to understand the sacrifices made to secure these liberties.

Follow our GMSD coverage of these classroom events on our social media channels.

Students in Houston's Student Government Association marked the 23rd anniversary of September 11th with a tribute to first responders by hosting a "Cop Stop" event on campus. The event welcomed local first responders to the school for lunch. The lunch included food donated from various local businesses including Biggby Coffee, Firehouse Subs, Lenny's Grill & Subs, Mojo Nutrition, Duck Donuts, and Levee Creamery. As we reflect on the events of 9/11, this event served as a gesture of gratitude and remembrance for the bravery and sacrifice exhibited by first responders not only on 9/11, but each and every day. Read about Houston High's Cop Stop Event here.

Recently, the school was awarded a mini grant by the Germantown Education Foundation to enhance phonics instruction in early grades. Reading interventionist Ellen Moak, alongside kindergarten teachers Shelby Morris and Ann Wallace, will use the grant to implement the Heggerty Phonemic Awareness Curriculum, featuring interactive phonics notebooks and take-home leveled readers. This hands-on approach is designed to strengthen phonemic awareness and bridge the gap between classroom instruction and home practice, laying a strong foundation for young readers.

In addition to this boost in early literacy, Dogwood's "Reading Buddies" program, led by Mrs. Guynes and her fifth-grade class, is fostering a love for reading across grade levels. Every month, fifth graders partner with preschoolers, sharing the joys of reading through storytelling and interactive questioning. This collaboration not only helps the younger students develop early literacy skills in a supportive environment, but also enhances the older students' mentoring abilities, building a sense of community and empathy within the school. Together, these initiatives are enriching the educational experience at Dogwood, inspiring a lifelong love of reading.

Last week, we were excited to welcome 2020 alumnus Owen Hardin back to Houston High for an insightful Career Chat on welding. His visit inspired our students and reminded us of the incredible journeys our alumni take after leaving GMSD.

Speaking of remarkable alumni, we are also proud to recognize Justice Mary Wagner, a former Mustang, who was recently sworn in as a Tennessee Supreme Court Justice. During the swearing-in ceremony at GPAC, Justice Wagner honored several of her former teachers—retired educators Ms. Karen Garrison, Mr. Jim Smith, and Ms. Lee Tanner—highlighting their lasting impact on her journey. The Houston Band ensemble, which performed in the lobby, added a special touch to the event, as Wagner is a proud band alumna herself.

Stories like both Owen's and Justice Wagner's are powerful tools for our current students. If you know a GMSD alumnus with an interesting career who would be perfect for a Career Chat, please have them contact our College and Career Counselors, Ashley Kreitz and Sara Schmitt. We’re eager to connect our students with inspiring role models!

This week, we are sending a letter home to 3rd grade students' families outlining the importance of 3rd-grade literacy as a key milestone in a child's education. The letter explains that 3rd grade builds on foundational reading skills and details the assessment tools used throughout the year to monitor progress, including the STAR Literacy Report, aimswebPLUS Universal Screener, and Mastery View Predictive Assessments. It also highlights the statewide TCAP assessments and the state law requiring students to score above "Approaching" on the 3rd-grade ELA TCAP to advance to 4th grade. Resources like tiered interventions and tutoring are available to support student success. Parents are encouraged to reach out with any questions or concerns.

View the letter here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zKmG3kNcbIFXPmaK1acWlpRDg0qhHCj1/view?usp=sharing

This spotlight captures the excitement and energy of the 2024 Homecoming Game, bringing you the unforgettable sights and sounds from Friday night.

We are thrilled to announce that nine of our exceptional students have been recognized as Semifinalists in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program. These students have demonstrated academic excellence and are among the top-performing high school seniors nationwide, representing less than 1% of U.S. seniors who entered the competition.

The National Merit Scholarship Program honors students based on their performance on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). Semifinalists will now have the opportunity to compete for National Merit Scholarships by submitting further applications, showcasing their academic and extracurricular achievements.

Congratulations to the following students for this outstanding achievement:

• Bennett Braithwait
• Hunter Cowles
• Lana Jabase
• Niyantha Kaushik
• Shirley Kong
• Wesley Lim
• Mia Mittag
• Fanga Rajan
• Lillian Wu

Let’s celebrate their success and wish them the best as they advance in the National Merit Scholarship Program!

Houston High School is thrilled to announce that several of our students have been recognized by the College Board for their outstanding academic achievements! These awards celebrate the hard work and dedication of students who excel academically and perform well on College Board assessments such as the PSAT/NMSQT®, PSAT™ 10, and AP® Exams.

This year, we are excited to recognize the following students for their accomplishments:

• Aigbomian Omonefe (12th) - National African American Recognition Program
• Lauryn Bonds (12th) - National African American Recognition Program
• Addison Causey (12th) - National Hispanic Recognition Program
• Madison Eaton (12th) - National African American Recognition Program
• Nicholas Ibebuogu (11th) - National African American Recognition Program
• Wesley Lim (12th) - National First-Generation Recognition Program
• Gabriella McAlonan-Serrano (12th) - National Hispanic Recognition Program
• Mackenzie Neely (11th) - National African American Recognition Program
• Yom Patel (12th) - National First-Generation Recognition Program
• Thais Santos (12th) - National Hispanic Recognition Program
• Rehan Thapur (12th) - National First-Generation Recognition Program
• Isabella Walters (12th) - National First-Generation Recognition Program
• Tim Zhu (11th) - National First-Generation Recognition Program

These awards not only honor our students, but also open doors for future opportunities, as many colleges actively recruit awardees through College Board’s Student Search Service™. The National Recognition Programs focus on underrepresented students who achieve academic excellence, recognizing their unique talents and achievements.

In the Germantown Municipal School District, Germantown Police Department resource officers are more than just protectors. These officers become integral members of our school community. They are valued mentors, trusted figures, and positive influences who build strong relationships with students and staff. Their presence goes beyond ensuring safety—they contribute to the supportive and nurturing environment that defines our schools.

A recent example of this bond was seen at Riverdale, where the school honored retiring School Resource Officer Ryan Carter. After seven years of dedicated service, Officer Carter was celebrated for his role as a mentor and a friendly face in the school. His retirement was marked by an outpouring of appreciation from the Riverdale community, with students and colleagues hosting a sendoff parade, presenting heartfelt notes and letters that expressed their gratitude for his impact on school safety, morale, and the lives he touched. Officer Carter's departure is a reminder of the lasting influence that GPD resource officers have within our GMSD family.

It's 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. 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!

We are thrilled to announce the success of our talented Dogwood Elementary students at the Delta Fair student art contest. Five of our young artists were recognized for their outstanding work, showcasing the creativity. Here are the impressive results:

• Camille Bodkin, Kindergarten - Ninth Place
• Emmie Bouldien, 1st Grade - Ninth Place
• Wyatt Randles, 2nd Grade - Fourth Place
• Reese McBride, 3rd Grade - Fourth Place
• Tatum Barnett, 4th Grade - Fifth Place

The Delta Fair student art contest is a competitive event that features a wide range of artworks from schools across the region. Congratulations to all the students and their art instructor, Ms. Ashley Luyendyk, for this wonderful achievement!

In addition to celebrating academic success, Riverdale's Art program is making waves with its schoolwide project, "The Art of Rescue." Each grade level is contributing to this exciting collaboration, with a special highlight on the 3rd-grade Iris Scott-inspired “Dogs in Motion” projects. The students are putting the finishing touches on these vibrant pieces, and they are shaping up beautifully.

>>Save the date for October 22, when we will unveil "The Art of Rescue" at Riverdale in partnership with the Tunica Humane Society. This event will showcase the incredible power of art and literacy in action.

**It’s Time to Shine, Wildcats!**

Auditions for *High School Musical Jr.* are NOW OPEN!

Whether you’re a Troy, a Gabriella or ready to bring your own unique flair, we want YOU to take the stage! Auditions are open to Farmington, Dogwood, Forest Hill, and Houston Middle students.

https://sites.google.com/gmsdk12.org/falconfootlights

Despite the rain, the Houston Mustangs had a fantastic homecoming game, defeating the Cordova Wolves 42-3. With a huge margin of victory, varsity football is feeling good as they head into this week. Friday at 7:00 p.m., they are back at home to take on Whitehaven. We will also celebrate our HMS JV and varsity football players at this home game, so be sure to come show your support! Varsity volleyball is also celebrating a huge win over Valley View. In the 5-set game, the Mustangs got the victory. Tonight, they are at home vs. Collierville in a rescheduled match - JV at 4:00 p.m. and varsity at 5:00 p.m., so come out and cheer them on in this rival game! Girls varsity soccer took down the ECS Eagles, winning 3-0, and this Thursday, they are away to play the Bartlett Panthers at 7:00 p.m. Cross country had a great weekend at the Southern Showcase, and next up they are headed to Louisville, KY for the Trinity/Valkyrie Invitational. Varsity golf will play Bartlett as well in their matchup tomorrow, and the JV Championship is this Thursday at Irene Country Club at 9:00 a.m. Let’s go Mustangs!

Special thank you to the HHS Sports Marketing club for their coverage at Friday night's game!

Voting for GMSD's September Athlete of the Month is now open! Read what coaches had to say about these incredible student athletes, and cast your vote. Voting is set to close September 30 at noon.

Here are the September High School nominees:

Kenley Henderson - Senior, Volleyball

Garrison Hickey - Junior, Cross Country

Martha Kate Jessop - Junior, Cross Country

McKlain Jones - Senior, Soccer

Ellet Smith - Senior, Soccer

Here are the September Middle School nominees:

Eryn Beaver - 7th Grade, Houston Middle School, Soccer

Lily Brownd - 8th Grade, Houston Middle School, Volleyball

Ann Catherine Elrod - 6th Grade, Houston Middle School, Soccer

Charli Coleman - 8th Grade, Riverdale, Volleyball

Milly Dodson - 6th Grade, Riverdale, Cross Country

Zeke Newhouse - 7th Grade, Riverdale, Cross Country

Houston High School girls varsity basketball is hosting a two day camp over fall break! This camp is sure to prepare students that are headed into their basketball season. Registration is now open.

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, please contact mustangbullpenclub@gmail.com. Pay for your team or company's entrance here.

Germantown Education Foundation 5K & Family Fun Color Run

Saturday, September 28, 2024
Wolf River @ Kimbrough

Bounce Houses & Food Trucks

Opens at 8:00 am
Certified 5k at 9:00 am
Color Run at 10:30 am

New this year: School teams will have their own school color shirts. $10 from each school registration goes to your school in unrestricted donation. Any donation to your school team are designated for your school’s grant funds.

To guarantee your School Color Race Shirt, you must register by Midnight September 15! Registrations after that will receive a shirt, but in the color available in your size.

REGISTER 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.

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.