Our schools are filled with the sounds of the season, and I encourage you to join us for one of our many holiday concerts. This is prime time to experience the incredible talents of our students, so be sure to check the Fine Arts section of our website for exact concert dates and times. From elementary ensembles to high school orchestras, these performances are a fantastic way to get into the holiday spirit and support our young artists.

I also want to take a moment to congratulate our Houston High School football team for an excellent season. Over the weekend, they played a hard-fought game that showcased their determination and teamwork. We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments this year and the heart they brought to every game.

In addition, a huge congratulations to our HHS Pom team, who took home the grand prizes at their competition this weekend!

Let’s close out 2024 GMSD proud!

Jason Manuel,

Superintendent

Parents, don’t miss this important opportunity! Today is the final day to register for our Parent Academy on Vaping, happening soon. This informative session will provide valuable insights on the dangers of vaping, its impact on young people, and how to talk to your children about making healthy choices.

Register now to secure your spot and join us in creating a healthier, safer community for our students.

>>Click this link to let us know you're coming so we can plan accordingly for seating and materials. Your RSVP will help us ensure we have everything ready for a successful and informative event!

At Forest Hill Elementary, magic was in the air as preschoolers wrapped up their kite unit with a day full of wonder and smiles. The young students watched in awe as their colorful kites soared high, learning about wind and flight while their laughter filled the playground. Across the playground—a surprise 'frozen' guest made a frosty appearance in one classroom, delighting everyone with the enchanting gift of snow. With a snow machine adding to the fun, it was a day to remember!

At Farmington Elementary, third graders dove into the wonders of hands-on learning with a fascinating squid dissection activity. Tying science to the stories they’ve been reading, students explored anatomy up close, sparking curiosity and excitement in the classroom.

And, of course, last week’s father-daughter dances at Dogwood and Farmington are always family favorites—two events filled with special memories, smiles, and plenty of adorable photos.

Chasing each other with remote-controlled cars in the gym? Why not! Over at Riverdale, students brought the fun to PE this week with RC Tag, a creative and engaging way to keep kids active. What a fantastic way to combine technology and physical fitness!

Meanwhile, Houston Middle School celebrated academic excellence with the induction of students into the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) and Beta Club. These prestigious organizations recognize students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, leadership, character, and service to their school and community. NJHS honors middle schoolers who exemplify scholarship and a commitment to service, while Beta Club fosters leadership skills and a passion for giving back.

Frohe Weihnachten! At Houston High, our German students added some holiday cheer by baking and sharing authentic St. Nicholas Day treats. Celebrating the German tradition of Nikolaustag, they delighted classmates with festive goodies like Spekulatius and Lebkuchen. It was a wonderful way to blend language learning with cultural appreciation, spreading holiday spirit throughout the school!

Meet Houston High School senior Francis Anyanwu! This summer, he gained invaluable experience as an intern with the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Program, exploring life-saving medical research. Francis also shares how his involvement with HOSA has prepared him for a future in healthcare. Watch to hear his inspiring story and celebrate his achievements!

At Houston High School innovation takes center stage, and no one embodies that better than Bill Houston, the mastermind behind the dual enrollment mechatronics program. From guiding students through the art of problem-solving to sparking curiosity with creative projects like dismantling microwaves, Bill’s lab is where education meets ingenuity.

Yet Bill’s story doesn’t stop there. Before inspiring the next generation, he revolutionized the microwave industry with a game-changing design that’s now an industry standard. His real-world expertise and passion for teaching are setting students up for success in cutting-edge careers like robotics and manufacturing.

Curious about the full story behind Bill’s journey and his impact at Houston High? Don’t miss the chance to learn more about this remarkable educator and innovator. Click here to dive in!

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!

Send a GMSD Gratitude Gram

This holiday season, what better way to get into the festive spirit than by enjoying music made by our GMSD students? From band concerts to choir performances and caroling, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate with our young musicians. Bring your family, friends, and holiday cheer to any (or all!) of these special events and experience the magic of the season, GMSD style:

• 12/10 HHS Choir Winter Concert 7:00 PM @ Germantown United Methodist Church
• 12/10 HMS Band Concert 7:00 PM @ HMS Gym A
• 12/10 HHS and HMS Orchestra Concert 6:00 PM @ GPAC
• 12/11 HHS Fifth Measure Caroling at The Villages
• 12/12 HMS Choir Winter Concert featuring Forest Hill Elementary Choir and String Orchestra 6:00 PM @ HHS Auditorium
• 12/12 RES Choir Winter Concert 6:00 PM @ River Oaks Church
• 12/14 HHS Choirs with Germantown Symphony 7:00 PM @ GPAC
• 12/15 HHS Fifth Measure Caroling Dogwood HOA
• 12/15 Forest Hill Elementary Choir at Carol Festival 6:00 PM @ Germantown United Methodist Church
• 12/17 HHS Fifth Measure Holiday Concert
• 12/17 Dogwood Steel Band and Orchestra concert 6:00 PM @ Dogwood Cafeteria
• 12/17 FarmingTONES Choir, Guitar Club, along with Farmington and Riverdale Elementary String Orchestra 6:00 PM @ Farmington Gym

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.

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. 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.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CONTEST HERE.

Houston’s winter athletes are having a great season! Boys varsity basketball picked up wins over White Station, St. John Bosco, and Center Grove this past week, and they are hoping to continue their winning streak when they face Arlington on December 19 at 7:30 p.m. Girls varsity basketball picked up a win over West Carroll at Dynamix Hoopfest this weekend, and next up they take on Briarcrest tomorrow night at home at 6:00 p.m. Come out and show your support! After hosting a successful tournament this past week, wrestling has JV Duals this afternoon at Collierville, and next up is the Bryce Scheffer Memorial Duals on December 14. Varsity swimming is also gearing up for their next meet at St. George’s on December 14. Let’s go Mustangs!

Congratulations to our HHS varsity pom team on their incredible achievements this past weekend as they competed at the Dance Team Union, TN Invitational. Pom took home first place in both the Pom and Gameday categories, marking a spectacular debut at this competition. Additionally, their Gameday routine earned the prestigious “Wow Award” for being the most crowd-appealing performance of the day!

In the Senior Soloist Division, Isabell Cheshier placed 8th, while Gabrielle Cheshier claimed the top spot, earning the title of champion! Next up for these athletes is the UDA Magic City Dance Championship in Birmingham, AL on January 25, 2025. Be sure to cheer them on as they prepare for what is next!

Celebrate the Houston Mustangs' varsity girls' soccer state championship with exclusive merch! Show your Mustang pride and rep the team’s undefeated season with this limited-edition gear.

Purchase Houston's State Champs Gear!

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

View a digital copy of our ALUMNI magazine.

Register as a GMSD Alumni

Visit our Calendars Page & Select Your Schools

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.