The pairings for the 62nd Trenton Knights of Columbus 7th Grade Boys Basketball Tournament have been released. In first round action, our Bulldogs take on Albers-Damiansville at 6:15 on Monday, February 2.
From tip-off to buzzer, play STRONG!
From tip-off to buzzer, play STRONG!
Class of 1983 in action! Michelle Ripperda, Melissa Kuhl, and Barb Kalmer made a $250 donation to the Class Challenge—moving The Final Push closer to the finish line. Every gift counts—let’s go Bulldogs!
Ready to be part of The Final Push? Click the link to get started:
https://forms.gle/1LqFu1ok4v1K4NWr8
#STRONGerTogether
Ready to be part of The Final Push? Click the link to get started:
https://forms.gle/1LqFu1ok4v1K4NWr8
#STRONGerTogether
Kindergarten Registration is now open for 2026-27 NEW to the district kindergarten students.
If you live in the Germantown Elementary School boundaries, have a child that will be 5 years old by September 1, 2026, and is NOT currently in the Germantown Elementary School Pre-K or TK Programs, please email dkehder@ges60.org or call (618)523-4253, so we can get your child added to the roster, provide you with the information needed to complete the registration process, and schedule a kindergarten screening.
We already have contact information for families with children that attend our PreK and TK Programs, so there is no need for these families to reach out to us.
If you live in the Germantown Elementary School boundaries, have a child that will be 5 years old by September 1, 2026, and is NOT currently in the Germantown Elementary School Pre-K or TK Programs, please email dkehder@ges60.org or call (618)523-4253, so we can get your child added to the roster, provide you with the information needed to complete the registration process, and schedule a kindergarten screening.
We already have contact information for families with children that attend our PreK and TK Programs, so there is no need for these families to reach out to us.
Have you ever given a simple direction or asked a simple question---”Put on your shoes. How was practice? We’re leaving in 10 minutes.”---and your child completely loses their mind? These moments can be jaw-dropping as a parent, leaving us completely clueless as to what brought us to this moment. What’s actually happening has less to do with listening and more to do with how your child’s brain is working in that very moment.
To help understand, think of your brain as an “upstairs” and “downstairs.”
The downstairs brain is the brain’s alarm system. It controls big emotions and survival responses like fight, flight, or freeze. When it takes over, kids may yell, cry, argue, or shut down.
The upstairs brain is the thinking part of the brain. It helps with problem-solving, self-control, and using words. This part of the brain is still developing well into the teen years and often goes offline when kids are tired, hungry, stressed, or overwhelmed.
When the downstairs brain is in charge, reminders, lectures, or consequences usually don’t work—because the thinking brain isn’t available yet. This isn’t a behavior problem or a parenting failure; it’s brain development.
How you can help at home:
*Connect before correcting - Take a few minutes to sit quietly with them or give them space if they want it.
*Name your child’s feelings - You look/sound really irritated.
*Teach skills when your child is calm - Practice going outside and shooting a basketball, jumping on the trampoline, or taking deep belly breaths. These can help their brains and body feel more in control.
*Remember that behavior is communication - Always be thinking - What are they really trying to say?
When kids struggle, they’re not giving us a hard time—they’re having a hard time. With support and practice, we can help strengthen their upstairs brain over time.
To help understand, think of your brain as an “upstairs” and “downstairs.”
The downstairs brain is the brain’s alarm system. It controls big emotions and survival responses like fight, flight, or freeze. When it takes over, kids may yell, cry, argue, or shut down.
The upstairs brain is the thinking part of the brain. It helps with problem-solving, self-control, and using words. This part of the brain is still developing well into the teen years and often goes offline when kids are tired, hungry, stressed, or overwhelmed.
When the downstairs brain is in charge, reminders, lectures, or consequences usually don’t work—because the thinking brain isn’t available yet. This isn’t a behavior problem or a parenting failure; it’s brain development.
How you can help at home:
*Connect before correcting - Take a few minutes to sit quietly with them or give them space if they want it.
*Name your child’s feelings - You look/sound really irritated.
*Teach skills when your child is calm - Practice going outside and shooting a basketball, jumping on the trampoline, or taking deep belly breaths. These can help their brains and body feel more in control.
*Remember that behavior is communication - Always be thinking - What are they really trying to say?
When kids struggle, they’re not giving us a hard time—they’re having a hard time. With support and practice, we can help strengthen their upstairs brain over time.
Grateful for another act of kindness—an anonymous gift of $250 to The Final Push. Your generosity helps keep our dream of a new gymnasium moving forward. Thank you!
Want to join The Final Push? Click the link to get started.
https://forms.gle/1LqFu1ok4v1K4NWr8
#STRONGerTogether
Want to join The Final Push? Click the link to get started.
https://forms.gle/1LqFu1ok4v1K4NWr8
#STRONGerTogether
We are pleased to share that an anonymous donor contributed $250 to The Final Push. We deeply appreciate this continued support for our students and community.
Want to join The Final Push? Click the link to get started.
https://forms.gle/1LqFu1ok4v1K4NWr8
#STRONGerTogether
Want to join The Final Push? Click the link to get started.
https://forms.gle/1LqFu1ok4v1K4NWr8
#STRONGerTogether
A huge thank you to Craig and Sarah Ratermann for their $500 donation to The Final Push. Your support keeps our momentum strong and pushes us one step closer to raising the roof.
Want to join The Final Push? Click the link to get started.
https://forms.gle/1LqFu1ok4v1K4NWr8
#STRONGerTogether
Want to join The Final Push? Click the link to get started.
https://forms.gle/1LqFu1ok4v1K4NWr8
#STRONGerTogether
It's Game Day! Our VBB Team travels to St. Boniface Edwardsville for one game at 7:00.
From tip-off to buzzer, play STRONG!
From tip-off to buzzer, play STRONG!
Generosity is alive and well! An anonymous gift of $250 has been given to The Final Push. Thank you for supporting our dream to raise the roof on a new gym for the community children.
To join the final push, click the link.
https://forms.gle/1LqFu1ok4v1K4NWr8
#STRONGerTogether
To join the final push, click the link.
https://forms.gle/1LqFu1ok4v1K4NWr8
#STRONGerTogether
This Wednesday, January 21, is Extra-Curricular Picture Day. All students participating in cross country, basketball, volleyball, bowling, band, chorus, Student Council, Math Team, Brain Games, Scholar Bowl and golf are asked to bring their Picture Day attire, best smile, and order form with payment to school.
A special thank-you to the Pingsterhaus Family—Gerri, Kim, Eric, Brad & Kyle—for their $500 donation to The Final Push. As longtime Bulldog supporters, we appreciate their generosity and commitment to raising the roof for our students.
Join in today:
https://forms.gle/1LqFu1ok4v1K4NWr8
#STRONGerTogether
Join in today:
https://forms.gle/1LqFu1ok4v1K4NWr8
#STRONGerTogether
Last week, $40,250 was raised, keeping our Final Push total at $236,700. When combined with Raise the Roof Rockfest proceeds, we have now raised $651,950 toward our $750,000 goal.
That puts us at 87% of the way there!
Thank you to everyone who continues to support this incredible effort. Every pledge, every donation, and every share truly matters—and it’s inspiring to see this community come together as we near the finish line. Let’s keep the momentum going strong.
Want to join us in our efforts to raise the final $100,000? Simply click the link to get started.
https://forms.gle/1LqFu1ok4v1K4NWr8
#STRONGerTogether
That puts us at 87% of the way there!
Thank you to everyone who continues to support this incredible effort. Every pledge, every donation, and every share truly matters—and it’s inspiring to see this community come together as we near the finish line. Let’s keep the momentum going strong.
Want to join us in our efforts to raise the final $100,000? Simply click the link to get started.
https://forms.gle/1LqFu1ok4v1K4NWr8
#STRONGerTogether
Representing the Class of 1983, Carl & Missy Kuhl have generously donated $250 to The Final Push! Thank you for joining us in our efforts to Raise the Roof.
Join The Final Push today:
https://forms.gle/1LqFu1ok4v1K4NWr8
#STRONGerTogether
Join The Final Push today:
https://forms.gle/1LqFu1ok4v1K4NWr8
#STRONGerTogether
Cheers to Aaron Becker for his $500 donation to The Final Push, helping us Raise the Roof for our students and school.
https://forms.gle/1LqFu1ok4v1K4NWr8
#STRONGerTogether
https://forms.gle/1LqFu1ok4v1K4NWr8
#STRONGerTogether
As a Bulldog school community, we take pride in supporting every child’s growth---academically, socially, and emotionally. An important principle that drives what we do is the difference between equity and equality. Taking this idea and looking for examples outside of school can really help our kids grasp this concept, building empathy and social awareness skills.
*Equality - every student gets the same thing
*Equity - every student gets what they need to be successful
Imagine a group of students trying to see over a fence. If we give every child the same-sized box to stand on (equality, some will still struggle to see, and some will be 2 feet taller than the fence. If we give each child a box just big enough to see, or a few boxes they can stack (equity), everyone can see clearly. The goal is the same---success---but the support may look different.
At our school equity may look like:
*providing extra academic support for some students (RTI, special education, speech, working with a paraprofessional or another teacher in a small group)
*offering check-ins with adults, small groups like Breakfast Club, or the option to go to different space for students who need help managing big feelings
*adjusting expectations, tools, rewards and consequences, or schedules to meet individual needs
*teaching students that fairness doesn’t always mean “the same”
These supports aren’t advantages---they are bridges that help students access learning and other opportunities and feel safe, confident, and included.
*Equality - every student gets the same thing
*Equity - every student gets what they need to be successful
Imagine a group of students trying to see over a fence. If we give every child the same-sized box to stand on (equality, some will still struggle to see, and some will be 2 feet taller than the fence. If we give each child a box just big enough to see, or a few boxes they can stack (equity), everyone can see clearly. The goal is the same---success---but the support may look different.
At our school equity may look like:
*providing extra academic support for some students (RTI, special education, speech, working with a paraprofessional or another teacher in a small group)
*offering check-ins with adults, small groups like Breakfast Club, or the option to go to different space for students who need help managing big feelings
*adjusting expectations, tools, rewards and consequences, or schedules to meet individual needs
*teaching students that fairness doesn’t always mean “the same”
These supports aren’t advantages---they are bridges that help students access learning and other opportunities and feel safe, confident, and included.
It's Game Day! Our Lady Bulldogs play Albers/Damiansville in the championship game of the Class S Region 6 Regional.
From tip-off to buzzer, play STRONG!
From tip-off to buzzer, play STRONG!
Tonight marked the final home game for our 8th-grade Bulldogs, and they finished STRONG with a victory. We are grateful for the memories and for the incredible support from our families throughout the years.
Representing the Class of 1968, an anonymous donor has given $25 to The Final Push! Thank you for supporting our school and helping us Raise the Roof.
Click here to join:
https://forms.gle/1LqFu1ok4v1K4NWr8
#STRONGerTogether
Click here to join:
https://forms.gle/1LqFu1ok4v1K4NWr8
#STRONGerTogether
It's Game Day! Our Lady Bulldogs take on Bartelso at 7:15 in the semifinals of the Region 6 Girls’ Basketball Regional.
From tip-off to buzzer, play STRONG!
From tip-off to buzzer, play STRONG!
We are excited to welcome back Martin Son, who taught at GES from 2018–2020, as our next Superintendent/Principal.
Mr. Son is a passionate and approachable school leader with 16 years of experience as a teacher and administrator. He genuinely cares about students, staff, and families, and brings energy and enthusiasm to creating a positive, supportive school culture where everyone can thrive. With his collaborative approach and focus on people, he is a natural fit for GES. He is committed to building on the successes and momentum already happening in our school community.
During his time at GES, Mr. Son taught junior high math, led a Lego Robotics Program, and facilitated an after-school STEM club and summer STEM camp. Now he returns ready to lead our Bulldog family with vision, collaboration, and innovation. His background includes successes in student achievement, SEL, curriculum alignment, and community engagement.
While Mr. Son will officially start his tenure as Superintendent/Principal on July 1, he will begin connecting with staff and working alongside the leadership team in the coming weeks and months.
Please join us in giving a warm Bulldog welcome back to Mr. Son.
Mr. Son is a passionate and approachable school leader with 16 years of experience as a teacher and administrator. He genuinely cares about students, staff, and families, and brings energy and enthusiasm to creating a positive, supportive school culture where everyone can thrive. With his collaborative approach and focus on people, he is a natural fit for GES. He is committed to building on the successes and momentum already happening in our school community.
During his time at GES, Mr. Son taught junior high math, led a Lego Robotics Program, and facilitated an after-school STEM club and summer STEM camp. Now he returns ready to lead our Bulldog family with vision, collaboration, and innovation. His background includes successes in student achievement, SEL, curriculum alignment, and community engagement.
While Mr. Son will officially start his tenure as Superintendent/Principal on July 1, he will begin connecting with staff and working alongside the leadership team in the coming weeks and months.
Please join us in giving a warm Bulldog welcome back to Mr. Son.
