Welcome to Germantown Elementary School, home of the Bulldogs. I am proud to serve the school community in the dual role of superintendent/principal. This is my 30th year in education, 25 of which have been spent at Germantown. I was hired by Germantown in 1993 to serve as a paraprofessional in a second grade classroom of 40 students. That year, the parents successfully lobbied to have the class split for their third grade year, and I was hired to fill that position. I spent my first 12 years in education at Germantown serving in a multitude of roles: teacher, coach, Student Council moderator, Title I coordinator, and technology director. After earning a Masters degree in Educational Administration from SIUE, I accepted a job at Shiloh Village SD #85 as a principal. While working as a principal at Shiloh, I earned a specialist degree in Educational Administration from Eastern Illinois University. Shortly after earning my specialist degree, the Germantown superintendent position was posted. It had always been my goal to return to Germantown. I interviewed, was offered the job, and 14 years later I continue to serve the school community as superintendent/principal.

I am forever grateful for the opportunity to lead a school community that is so supportive. The Board of Education puts children above politics, supports forward thinking, and empowers district employees by giving them the freedom to do their job without micromanaging. The families are active participants in the education of their children and work with the school in a collaborative effort to make the learning experience a team approach. The students believe in the importance of education and are active participants in their learning. The community is a safe place to raise children and stands strong in its support of the school. Germantown is a great place to call home.

For those interested in learning more about the school district, please feel free to reach out to me at rbecker@ges60.org or (618)523-4253.

With Bulldog pride,

Robin Becker

Germantown Elementary School District #60 is located in a farming community about 45 miles east of St. Louis in southern Illinois. We are a one building district that offers engaging educational experiences to children in grades PreK-8. The original building was constructed in 1969 with an addition completed in 2000. Student enrollment historically ranges between 250-275 with one section of most grade levels, an average class size of 22, and a pupil to teacher ratio of 15:1. Germantown Elementary School feeds into Central Public High School and Mater Dei Catholic High School. Both high schools are located in Breese.

Germantown Elementary School was designated an Exemplary school in 2022. This designation is awarded by the Illinois State Board of Education to schools in the top 10% of schools statewide with no underperforming student groups.

Germantown offers a half day Prek for All Program that meets from 8:15-11:15 every day that school is in session. This grant funded program has an enrollment of 20 students, serves 3 and 4 year olds, and is overseen by a classroom teacher and paraprofessional.

Additional early childhood programming for 4 and 5 year olds includes a Transitional Kindergarten Program. The GES Transitional Kindergarten Program serves as a bridge between PreK and kindergarten with play-based learning being a core component while also incorporating more in the way of structured activities.  Daily activities are theme-based and focus on 7 key areas:  dramatic play, language arts, math, social sciences, writing/fine motor, gross motor, and social emotional learning.  This tuition-based program costs $475/month for in district families and $500 for out of district families.  It follows the school calendar and schedule with a start time of 8:30 and a dismissal time of 3:05.  Bus transportation is available for families that live along the district’s established bus routes. The TK Program is led by a teacher and paraprofessional.

Our K-8 classrooms have a progressive flair with the students being given lots of ownership in their learning, the teachers taking on a facilitator role, and the curriculum driven by hands-on, highly engaging standards-based activities that promote collaboration between and among peers.

The district offers advanced ELA and Math programming for 8th grade students.

The development of the whole child is a major focus at Germantown Elementary School. The district puts an emphasis on Social Emotional Learning through its HOUSE Program. The HOUSE Program involves every student at our school as each student is placed in 1 of 10 colored HOUSES at the start of the school year.  Each HOUSE has representation from PreK-8th grades as well as members of the faculty/staff.  Within the HOUSES, an older student in buddied with a younger student. The HOUSES meet on a monthly basis to engage in activities that reinforce the theme word of the school year.  The theme word for the 2022-23 school year is Bulldog PRIDE.  P - Perseverance, R - Respect, I - Integrity, D - Discipline, E - Empathy.  The purpose of the program is to build relationships between students and staff across all grade levels while promoting good character and focusing on the social emotional well-being of our students and staff.

Germantown Elementary School offers the following extra-curricular activities:

• Band ~ Grades 4-8

• Basketball ~ Grades 5-8

• Bowling ~ Grades 5-8

• Cheerleading ~ Grades 5-8

• Chorus ~ Grades 5-8

• Cross Country ~ Grades 5-8

• Golf ~ Grades 6-8

• Girls Volleyball~ Grades 5-8

• Math Team ~ Grade 8

• Scholar Bowl ~ Grades 5-8

• Student Council ~ Grades 6-8

The Germantown School Community is close-knit. Families are very supportive of the school district and prioritize the importance of education in a child's life. The community is home to:

• 2 parks

• a bank

• a car dealership

• a Catholic church

• a cemetery

• a collision repair shop

• a daycare

• a doctor's office

• a Dollar General

• a fire department

• a fitness facility

• a gas station

• a grocery store

• a Legion Hall

• a post-office

• a vehicle detail shop

• a village hall

• an ice-cream shop

• an insurance provider

• an investment firm

• multiple hair stylists

• several restaurants

• and many other local businesses