
Let It Go! Three simple words that we sometimes struggle to put into practice. Join us for this week's summer challenge, the "Let It Go" challenge, where we encourage you to release the pressures and worries of life and make this week a memorable and carefree experience for you and your family. What are some possible ways to "Let It Go"?
1️⃣ Let Go of Screens: Reduce screen time for both you and your children. Encourage outdoor play, family bonding, and creative activities that don't involve electronic devices.
2️⃣ Let Go of Busy Schedules: Embrace the beauty of free time! Give your family the gift of unstructured moments, allowing for relaxation and exploration.
3️⃣ Let Go of Comparisons: Celebrate your child's unique abilities and growth. Avoid comparing their achievements to others and focus on their individual progress and personal development.
4️⃣ Let Go of Stress: Practice self-care and model a calm and positive mindset for your children. Make time to enjoy quiet moments together.
5️⃣ Let Go of Helicopter Parenting: Grant your children more independence and freedom to make age-appropriate decisions. Foster their confidence and problem-solving skills.
6️⃣ Let Go of Perfection: Embrace mistakes as valuable learning opportunities. Encourage resilience and a growth mindset in your children by allowing them to take risks and learn from failures.
7️⃣ Let Go of Grudges: Foster healthy relationships by letting go of unresolved conflicts. Encourage open communication, forgiveness, and understanding within your family.
8️⃣ Let Go of Fear: Encourage your children to embrace new challenges, try new activities, and step out of their comfort zones. Teach them that it's okay to make mistakes and that growth comes from facing fears.
There are countless ways to "Let It Go". Choose one or more areas to focus on this week and release what no longer serves you. There's no right or wrong way to "Let It Go," as long as you find what resonates with you. Join us as we embrace this week's challenge and "Let It Go".


Did you know that early childhood education, such as Transitional Kindergarten, plays a crucial role in fostering social-emotional development in children. Research suggests that approximately 75% of children who attend preschool demonstrate better social skills, such as sharing, taking turns, and cooperation, compared to those who do not.
As luck would have it, we have openings in our tuition-based Transitional Kindergarten Program. What are you waiting for? Join our Bulldog family today. Call (618)523-4253 or email rbecker@ges60.org for more information. Enrollment is open for 4 and 5 year-olds in Clinton County.
Invest in your child's future by enrolling him/her in our tuition-based Transitional Kindergarten Program today.


Grab the kids, put on your walking shoes, and get ready to take on this week's Summer Challenge, WALK. There are many benefits to walking:
HEART HEALTH - Improve aerobic capacity.
STRESS - Ease stress.
CREATIVITY - Boost creativity.
BLOOD PRESSURE - Lower blood pressure.
METABOLIC HEALTH - Lower blood sugar.
WEIGHT - Improve body composition.
BONE HEALTH - Preserve bone density.
Nature is healing. Get outside, soak up some Vitamin D, and walk your way to a healthier you.


The new entrance along Munster Street is officially open, and the original entrance along Walnut Street is now closed.
This change will be an adjustment for all of us. As we go about our normal business, forget to adjust our route to use the Munster entrance, and frustration starts to set in, let's try to remember that this change is a sign of good things happening in the community. The school is growing which means the community is thriving.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate this transition together.



Do 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 2023-24 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. If interested in the position, contact Athletic Director, Blain Loepker, at ad@ges60.org.


Are you certified to teach first grade and have a BIG heart for little kids? Are you looking for a home away from home where you are empowered to teach creatively and find outside the box ways to meet the needs of today’s children? Does working with a primary team of educators that take teaching and learning to new levels sound like a dream come true? Whether new to the profession and looking for your first teaching job, or you have experience and are considering a change, we want to hear from you.
Germantown Elementary is looking to hire a forward thinking first grade teacher. The incoming first grade class has 35 students, thus there will be 2 sections of first grade for the 2023-24 school year. This position is for the second section of first grade.
Now is an exciting time to join our Bulldog family as we are growing. We recently broke ground for an addition that when completed will include 2 early childhood classrooms. We have some big plans for implementing several new programs next school year, placing an increased focus on SEL. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get a front row seat for all the excitement to come. If you desire to work in a district with a family atmosphere that embraces creativity and a team approach, this is the job for you. If this isn’t enough to peak your interest, our faculty/staff is given the freedom to dress casually every day of the school year. We work hard, have fun, and dress comfortably at GES.
Interested candidates are asked to send a cover letter, resume, and letters of recommendation to Robin Becker at rbecker@ges60.org or 401 Walnut Street, PO Box 400, Germantown, IL, 62245. Interviews will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.


This week's Summer Challenge is about the power of the PAUSE.
In our fast-paced lives, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle, constantly rushing from one task to another. But what if we intentionally hit the PAUSE button every now and then?
PAUSING allows us to notice the beauty in the world around us, appreciate the people we love, and savor the little joys that often go unnoticed.
So, let's challenge ourselves to embrace the power of the PAUSE. Take a deep breath, put down those devices, and be fully present in the here and now.
Let's make space for the PAUSE and reap the incredible benefits it brings. Let's live with intention and gratitude, cherishing every precious moment.
Are you ready for this challenge? Join us on this journey as we practice the power of the PAUSE.


Did you know that children who attend early childhood programs, such as Transitional Kindergarten, are more likely to enter kindergarten with enhanced school readiness skills? According to a study, approximately 80% of children who attended a preschool program demonstrated better pre-reading, pre-math, and pre-writing skills compared to those who did not attend.
As luck would have it, we have openings in our tuition-based Transitional Kindergarten Program. What are you waiting for? Join our Bulldog family today. Call (618)523-4253 or email rbecker@ges60.org for more information. Enrollment is open for 4 and 5 year-olds in Clinton County.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to give your child a head start in their educational journey.


Germantown Elementary is looking for a Cheer Coach for the 2023-24 school year. Practices start in late August/early September. The regular game schedule starts in October and runs through the middle of January. The post-season begins in late January. Most games are held on weekdays and start at 6:00. This is a stipend position. If interested in the position, contact Athletic Director, Blain Loepker, at ad@ges60.org.


Let the fun begin. The Lake Contracting, Inc. project manager and superintendent are on site today for day 1 of the phase 1 construction project. It will be a quiet start to the week and get progressively louder midweek with demolition work on the fence slated for Wednesday.
Stay tuned for weekly updates as, brick by brick, we watch our vision become a reality.


This week's summer challenge is all about READING. Whether reading with your child, to your child, or in the presence of your child, immerse yourselves in the magical world of books together. Set aside dedicated time each day to engage in reading activities, fostering a love for books and creating cherished memories.
Remember, your enthusiasm and involvement in reading will inspire your child to embrace this lifelong habit. So, lead by example and let them see you enjoying books too. By making reading a priority this week and beyond, you are giving your child the gift of knowledge, imagination, and a lifelong passion for learning.
Are you ready for this challenge? Together, let's create memories that will last a lifetime through the power of reading!


The GYA is looking for school-aged children interested in playing soccer. The deadline to sign up is approaching quickly. Simply click the link to get your child(ren) signed up today.
https://clubs.bluesombrero.com/germantownyouthact


This week's Summer Challenge is all about breaking free from the ordinary and creating a defining moment that will be etched in your hearts forever!
It's time to unlock a truly memorable and meaningful experience for you and your child(ren). Think outside the box and piece together a special outing or activity that will make this week unforgettable. Whether it's an overnight campout on the trampoline, a family picnic in the park, or building an epic fort in the living room . The choice is yours!
This challenge is all about embracing the unexpected, trying something different, and discovering the joy that lies beyond your normal routine. Let the puzzle pieces fall into place and the summer magic unfold!
Are you up to this week's challenge? Don't miss out on the chance to create memories that will last a lifetime. Let's break the routine and embrace the adventure together!


We have openings in our Transitional Kindergarten Program for the 2023-24 school year. What is Transitional Kindergarten or TK as we call it?
The GES #60 TK Program is a tuition-based program for 4 and 5 year-olds. It provides a one-of-a- kind experience that utilizes play and highly engaging activities to teach the standards and prepare children for kindergarten. Fine motor activities are woven throughout the day. From morning tubs, dramatic play, centers, and movement, our TK students hit those standards and rock their way to Kindergarten readiness!
If you are interested in our Transitional Kindergarten Program or want to learn more, email rbecker@ges60.org for more information. Enrollment is now open for 4 and 5 year-olds in Clinton County.


Three cheers for more opportunities at GES!
Do you have a passion for working with young children? Does the thought of helping children grow socially, emotionally, and academically through play and exploration get you excited? Would you like to work in a school setting with a family atmosphere that embraces creativity and a team approach? Are you interested in working school hours only, so your work schedule is the same as the children in your life? If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, this is a great prospective job for you.
Germantown Elementary is looking for 2 paraprofessionals to add to our early childhood team for the 2023-24 school year, one for our PreK Program and another for our K-4 special education classroom. Candidates must either be paraprofessional certified or be willing to get paraprofessional certified before the start of the new school year. The certification process is relatively simple, and we will help you every step of the way.
Now is an exciting time to join our Bulldog family as we are growing. We started a new Transitional Kindergarten Program in the 2022-23 school year, and later this month we will begin a 2-phase construction project with the first phase being classrooms. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get a front row seat for all the excitement to come.
If this isn’t enough to peak your interest, our faculty/staff is given the freedom to dress casually every day of the school year. We work hard, have fun, and dress comfortably at GES.
The salary will be competitive and discussed with the candidates during the interview process.
Interested candidates are asked to contact Robin Becker via email: rbecker@ges60.org, school phone: (618)523-4253, or cell phone: (618)830-5209. Interviews will begin immediately and continue until the positions are filled.


Introducing our Summer Challenge Series. The weekly challenge will be posted every Monday in June and July. This week's challenge for all of our Bulldog families is to focus on providing your child(ren) with the 13 things they need more of!
Are you up to this week's challenge? Let's dive in together and invest in the social emotional well-being of our Bulldogs.


Do you have a passion for working with children? Would you like to work in a school setting with a family atmosphere that embraces creativity and a team approach? Are you interested in working school hours only, so your work schedule is the same as the children in your life? If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, this is a great prospective job for you.
Germantown Elementary School is looking to fill a full time substitute teacher position for the 2023-24 school year. This position entails covering maternity leaves and any other miscellaneous faculty and staff absences for the 2023-24 school year. While certification to teach in Illinois is preferred, substitute teaching certification meets the requirements of the job.
This position would be great for someone yet to find a teaching placement who would be interested in a secure job at one school as opposed to working in many different schools. It would serve as a stepping stone for other potential teaching opportunities in the future and allow for the candidate to gain experience in a multitude of classroom settings.
It would also be the perfect position for someone that needs a change. Maybe retirement is right around the corner but the demands of being a full-time classroom teacher are just too much. This position is a happy medium between retirement and being solely responsible for a classroom.
Now is an exciting time to join our Bulldog family as we are growing. We started a new Transitional Kindergarten Program in the 2022-23 school year, and on June 5 we will begin a 2-phase construction project with the first phase being classrooms. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get a front row seat for all the excitement to come.
If this isn’t enough to peak your interest, our faculty/staff is given the freedom to dress casually every day of the school year. We work hard, have fun, and dress comfortably at GES.
The salary will be competitive and discussed with the candidates during the interview process.
Interested candidates are asked to contact Robin Becker via email: rbecker@ges60.org, school phone: (618)523-4253, or cell phone: (618)830-5209. Interviews will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.


We would like to thank the Germantown Spassfest, Inc. for making a $1500 donation to the school district for a new walking bridge to be installed on the play structure across the street from the school. Spassfest Committee member, Mike Bruns, is pictured presenting Superintendent Becker with a check in front of the new walking bridge.


Today we celebrate the members of the GES Class of 2019 as they prepare to graduate from high school. Bulldog Country stands proud of you.
#OnceaBulldogAlwaysaBulldog


Thank you to the PTA and our wonderful parents for coordinating and helping making our last day of school extra fun with all of the Field Day activities. It takes a village, and we have a great one in Germantown.
