Germantown Elementary School District #60

It's Tuesday Tidbit Time. Here's a quick fact worth knowing.

At GES, we turn the ordinary into the extraordinary to spark a love for learning. Join us on Monday, August 11, for Bulldogpalooza, our fun-filled Open House with music, games, snacks, and more. Let’s kick off the year Bulldog STRONG!

Introducing Tuesday Tidbits!

Starting this week, we’re launching a new social media feature called Tuesday Tidbits, quick nuggets of information that serve to tell the story of who we are at Germantown Elementary. From fun facts to powerful stats, each post will give you a peek into the heart of our school district.

Stay tuned every Tuesday to learn more about what makes GES such a special place to learn and grow.

Student Registration is NOW OPEN and will remain open until August 1.

To register your student, new or returning:
1. Log into your TeacherEase account
2. Click on ‘Miscellaneous’ at the top of the page
3. Select ‘Online Registration’

Let’s get ready for a great 2025–26 school year.

The 2025 Bulldog Cross Country schedule has been updated to reflect an additional meet at Franklin Park Middle School on Wednesday, September 17.

We are excited to unveil our theme word for the 2025–26 school year, STRONG. At GES, we believe that strength isn’t just about size or power. It’s about character, unity, and resilience. As a small school, we rely on strong relationships and a strong sense of purpose to serve our students, families, and community.

This year, our HOUSE meetings will center around the traits that make us STRONG:

SUPPORTIVE: To be SUPPORTIVE is to lift others up, offer encouragement, and walk alongside each other through challenges. At GES, we believe in the power of support among students, staff, and families to help every learner thrive.

TEAMWORK: TEAMWORK means working together toward a shared goal. It’s about collaboration, respect, and knowing that we are better when we work as one. At GES, we build TEAMWORK through meaningful connections and shared responsibilities.

RELIABLE: Being RELIABLE means others can count on you. At GES, we teach students the importance of following through, keeping promises, and being someone others can trust in both words and actions.

OPEN-MINDED: To be OPEN-MINDED is to be willing to listen, learn, and consider new perspectives. At GES, we encourage curiosity, empathy, and a growth mindset so students can navigate the world with understanding and respect.

NOBLE: NOBILITY is about doing what is right, even when it’s hard. At GES, we foster integrity and character, encouraging students to lead with their values and treat others with dignity and kindness.

GRIT: GRIT is the strength to persevere, to keep going when things get tough, and to face obstacles with courage. At GES, we build GRIT by helping students develop resilience, determination, and a never-give-up attitude.

Together, these traits will guide us in becoming our STRONGest selves, individually and as a community. We look forward to partnering with our families to make 2025–26 a STRONG and successful school year.

#GES60 #STRONG2025

The JV/Varsity Boys Basketball schedule is set for 2025–26. Mark your calendar and get ready to show your Bulldog pride!

From TK classroom to kitchen window, Everly’s bean plant is proof that growth happens when we take time to nurture.

The 2025–26 Cross Country and Girls Basketball schedules are officially LIVE and have been updated on the school district app and website.

Mark your calendars and get ready to support our student-athletes this season.

Stay tuned - the Boys Basketball schedule will be released soon.

Please extend a warm Bulldog welcome to Miss Kara Grafton, who will serve as the Music and Band Director for the 2025–26 school year. Miss Grafton is no stranger to our school community—she student taught under Mrs. Pat Henrichs in the spring of 2020 and is thrilled to return to the place where her teaching journey began and to a community she grew to love. Over the past five years, Miss Grafton has built a strong and diverse teaching career. She began at Flora Elementary, teaching K–5 general music, assisting with the 4th and 5th grade band, and developing a choir for those grades. In 2022, she joined North Mac Intermediate and Middle Schools, where she continued teaching general music, choir, and band to students in grades 3–8. Miss Grafton holds both a Bachelor's and a Master’s degree in Music Education. Outside of school, she enjoys baking breads, cookies, cake pops, and other sweet treats, and she’s a big Disney fan. Originally from Clinton County and with family in the Highland area, this move feels like a homecoming for her. We are excited to welcome Miss Grafton back to GES as she helps our students grow Bulldog STRONG through the power of music!

Please extend a warm Bulldog welcome to Johnna Paszkiewicz. Mrs. Paszkiewicz will transition into the role of second grade teacher for the 2025-26 school year. She grew up in Oakdale and brings four years of experience teaching 1st and 2nd grade at Oakdale Grade School. A graduate of Nashville Community High School, Mrs. Paszkiewicz went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from SIUE and her master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the American College of Education. Mrs. Paszkiewicz has a true passion for creating exciting, engaging, and creative learning experiences for her students. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys baking, reading, crafting, and spending time outdoors with her husband and his cows. She is thrilled to be joining the GES team and can’t wait to meet all of her students and their families.

The Clinton County Health Department is offering school and sports physicals along with immunizations. Call 618-594-2723 to schedule an appointment.

Today, Danielle Solis, representing the Germantown Fire Department Auxiliary Flames, along with Bulldog students, Emry and Easton, presented Superintendent Becker with a $500 check to support the purchase of school supplies for our students. We appreciate their generosity and partnership in helping ensure every student has the resources they need to succeed.

GES Is looking for a dynamic educator to take on the exciting challenge of music teacher and band director for the 2025-26 school year. Are you certified to teach K-8 music and band and have a BIG heart for 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 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. Now is an exciting time to join our Bulldog family as we are growing. We recently completed Phase I of a construction project, the addition of 2 early childhood classrooms. Phase II will follow at some point in the near future and includes the construction of a new gym. 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 pique 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. In addition, we have recently adopted a policy granting the children of full-time school district employees the opportunity to attend GES tuition-free. This new policy serves as an added incentive for candidates who value the prospect of sharing their child(ren)'s educational journey within the same school community. Interested candidates are asked to contact Robin Becker via email: rbecker@ges60.org. Interviews will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

At GES, we begin every Friday with PLAY. Our students meet with their Houses and have an opportunity to play a game, do a puzzle, build or create, and connect with each other. While cleaning out our supplies from the school year, we realized that some of these supplies are very loved, and it's time for an upgrade. GES is looking for donations to add to our House Buddy Fun Friday supplies. Specifically, we are in need of building toys like Magnatiles, legos, marble runs, K'nex, etc. If you have any of these items taking up space in your home and are looking to give them a new purpose, please reach out to our SEL Coordinator, Kristine Beer, at kbeer@ges60.org. We’d be happy to take them off your hands and put them to good use at school.

Get your shop on at Dick's Sporting Goods this weekend, and use this coupon for 20% off your purchase. Happy shopping!

Looking for some summer reading material? GES has parent resources available to check out. 5 Love Languages for Children and 5 Love Languages for Teens are books that can help you see your child's challenging behavior in a whole different light. These books offer practical strategies to help your child feel loved, which often leads to a greater connection and a more positive relationship. Email Kristine Beer at kbeer@ges60.org to arrange to pick up the books. Resources such as discussion questions, things to consider, and small changes to make today, from our fall book club can also be sent via email.

That's a wrap on a year full of growth, connection, and IMPACT. Happy summer from all of us at GES!

It is our pleasure to recognize the 4th Quarter Honor Roll recipients. This honor is a direct result of hard work and dedication.

Germantown Elementary is looking for a 5/6 Girls Basketball Coach for the 2025-26 school year. Practices start in late August. The game schedule kicks off in mid-September and concludes in late October. Games start at 4:00, so applicants must have a schedule that allows them to be available at 3:15 on game days. This is a stipend position. If interested, contact Athletic Director, Blain Loepker, at ad@ges60.org.