A new Friday Facebook Feature this year is our SEL Spotlight.
Is it defiance, or is it really a deficiency? When we see kids acting out in rebellious or silly ways, we should always be seeking to understand the “why.” All behavior, positive and negative, is a form of communication. Not all kids (or adults) know how to communicate what they are wanting, needing, and feeling in appropriate ways. While this may look like defiance, or refusal to follow directions, sometimes it is actually a deficiency, meaning they are lacking the needed skills to accept and move on, follow multi-step directions, regulate their emotions, ask for help, etc.. Let’s do our best to take a step back, look at what our children are trying to communicate, and help them meet that need in a more positive and acceptable way.
Are your kids cranky when they get hungry? Try to help them learn how to identify those signs and practice the acceptable way to ask for/get a snack to fill that simple need.
Are you noticing “baby talk,” inappropriate conversation topics, or silly behaviors that are just downright annoying? Could your kids possibly be seeking your attention in all the wrong ways? If so, try to fill that void by spending some one on one time with them. Teach them how to ask the next time when they’re feeling the same way.
Kids are still learning. Their brains are not fully developed, and they are still developing self awareness, problem solving, social awareness, and communication skills. The more explicit we are with our conversations, the better they’ll be able to identify and appropriately seek out what it is they want/need.
Check out this week's publication of the Bulldog Bulletin.
Due to the high heat index forecast for this Thursday, the cross country meet at Wesclin has been postponed.
Please help us welcome the fourth grade Class of 2029 back to school. This group of students plans to make the most of their fourth grade year, so they are ready to make the big step to junior high next year.
Meet the 2nd Grade Class of 2031. This group of students is eager to take on more responsibility and learn everything they need to know so that when the end of the school year rolls around, they are ready to move onward and upward. Here's to an IMPACTful year ahead for the Class of 2031.
Ready to make an IMPACT at GES? We need dedicated community members to step up and run for the Board of Education. With 3 school board members' terms expiring next April, this is your chance to contribute to the future of our school. Petition filing begins tomorrow, so now is the time to pick up your board packet. Join us in our efforts to continue growing and improving as a school district.
Please help us welcome the kindergarten Class of 2033 to school. For our kindergarten students, this marks the first time they will go to school all day together. These students will grow in so many ways this year. We’re excited to see the positive IMPACT they will make at GES as they embark on their growth journey.
Our PreK students enjoyed their first full day of school with all of their classmates. They were excited to explore the classroom, participate in center activities, and engage in gross motor time outside. We look forward to seeing the positive IMPACT they will make at GES as they continue to grow, learn, and develop throughout the year.
Please join us in welcoming our third grade class, the Class of 2030, back to school. This group is very excited to get the new school year started. We look forward to watching them learn and grow along with way. Best of luck for an IMPACTful third grade experience.
Check out this week's publication of the Bulldog Bulletin.
Drumroll please!
We are thrilled to announce another addition to our 'rockstar' lineup of educators for the 2024-25 school year. Please help us give a warm Bulldog welcome to Brad Schroeder. Mr. Schroeder will be serving in the role of supervisor/custodial helper. He is no stranger to Germantown Elementary as he previously served as a 5/6 Bulldog Basketball coach. We are excited to welcome Mr. Schroeder back to GES and look forward to seeing the positive IMPACT he has on our school community.
If you missed the Dick's Sporting Goods shopping event the first weekend in August, there is yet another opportunity to get 20% off your purchase this weekend. Get your shop on at Dick's Sporting Goods this weekend.
Welcome, Bulldog families, to a brand new year,
With hearts full of hope and spirits of cheer.
At GES, we raise the bar.
Small school, BIG IMPACT that’s who we are.
In our halls, magic will grow.
Thanks to the love and patience our staff will show.
Guiding minds, shaping souls,
Impacting lives through our many roles.
Though our school is small, our dreams are grand.
Together we’ll achieve, working hand in hand.
Every smile, every laugh, every moment we share.
Reflects the strong bond of a community that cares.
Challenges will undoubtedly come our way.
With heart and determination, we'll seize each day.
To our Bulldog parents, your support is key,
Together, we'll build the best school we can be.
Welcome, Bulldog families, to a brand new year,
With hearts full of hope and spirits of cheer.
At GES, we raise the bar.
Small school, BIG IMPACT that’s who we are.
Plans for Grandparents and Special Friends Day have been finalized. Our PreK-8th grade students look forward to welcoming our special visitors to school on Friday, October 11.
10:15-11:15 Fun activities in each classroom
11:15-11:40 Snacks/Refreshments in the cafeteria
11:40 Student Dismissal
Once again this year, instead of starting our day with our Grandparents/Special Friends, we are going to end the day with them. Why? In previous years, some of our youngest students struggled with separating from their special visitors at 9:45 upon the conclusion of Grandparents Day activities. By ending the day with our Grandparents, the children will have the opportunity to go home with them which will make for lots of smiles at dismissal time.
We look forward to a building full of loved ones on October 11.
We look forward to welcoming our PreK-8 students and families back to school this evening for Bulldogpalooza. Meet the teachers, drop off supplies, and stop in the cafeteria for a drink, snack, music, games, and prizes.
Drumroll please.
We are thrilled to announce another addition to our 'rockstar' lineup of educators for the 2024-25 school year. Please help us give a warm Bulldog welcome to Mrs. Sutton. Mrs. Sutton will be working as an individual care aide in the PreK classroom in the mornings and as an RtI paraprofessional in the afternoons.
Mrs. Sutton comes to us with many years of experience working with children. Her background in both daycare and, more recently, in the school setting makes her an excellent fit for our team. In addition, Mrs. Sutton has been trained through her work at Boosting Behavior on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), which equips her with valuable skills in behavior management and intervention strategies. Her passion for children has inspired her to pursue a teaching degree in special education.
We are excited to welcome Mrs. Sutton to GES, look forward to walking alongside her on her growth journey, and anticipate she will make a BIG IMPACT on our school community.
Our back-to-school dates are set, and we're ready to rock. It's time to crank up the volume because our small school is ready to make a big IMPACT this year.
Join our rockin' team for the 2024-25 school year. The following positions are still available:
Supervisor/Custodial Helper
This position entails supervising lunch/recess from 11:00-1:00 followed by assisting with various custodial tasks around the building from 1:00-3:00. Specific job responsibilities and the rate of pay will be discussed with applicants.
JV/V Girls Basketball Coach
Do you have a passion for basketball and a desire to coach young athletes? If so, we have a potential opportunity for you. GES is looking for a JV/Varsity girls basketball coach for the 2024-25 season. Practice starts in September. Games are scheduled for mid-October through mid-January. Most JV games begin at 6:00 with varsity games to follow, so prospective candidates must be available in the evenings and on some weekends.
Cheer Coach
Practices typically start in late August/early September. Regular season starts in October and runs through the middle of January. Post-season begins in late January. Most games are held on weekdays and start at 6:00.
Scholar Bowl Coach
Practices typically start in late November. There are 2 Saturday tournaments. The first one is held at Mater Dei High School in early February followed by a tournament at Central High School in late February/early March. The Regional Office of Education also hosts a tournament in late March. Practice matches may also be set up at the coach’s discretion.
If interested in any of these positions, contact Robin Becker at rbecker@ges60.org.
Join our Bulldog family.
Small School BIGImpactGES#60
Through the years, we have been on the receiving end of numerous Spassfest grants that have served to help us in our efforts to keep the playground across the street from the school safe and up-to-date for use by the community children. We appreciate the generosity of the Spassfest Committee and are big supporters of their Breakfast in the Park.
Mark your calendars for Sunday, August 18. Enjoy breakfast at Schoendienst Park while listening to some German music.
Day 7 of Campaign Chronicles
What if we want to support the cause, but we aren't interested in going to a concert?
Donations to the Raise the Roof Capital Campaign can be made as follows: check written out to Illinois Congress of Parents & Teachers Germantown, Venmo @raisetheroof1, or PayPal @Raisetheroof60, and are tax deductible.
