Experience GMSD 2026
10.26.26
We Want Your Feedback on our TISA Plan
GMSD continues to build on strong student performance while setting ambitious targets for the years ahead. This year’s TISA Accountability Report focuses on four key areas: third grade ELA, math and Algebra I readiness, literacy, and college and career readiness. Current results provide the baseline for targeted work in early literacy, small group intervention, tutoring, math instruction, expanded early postsecondary opportunities and ACT preparation as GMSD works toward its 2029 goals.
As part of the annual TISA Accountability Report, GMSD is seeking community feedback on the district’s funding plan. The Germantown Board of Education will also welcome public comment at its meeting Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 6 p.m. at the GMSD District Office, 3350 Forest Hill Irene Road. Community input helps guide how we support our students and schools.
Houston High: A Hometown Author Inspires Future Storytellers
Houston High’s Creative Writing students welcomed Collierville native and published author Michael Cox for a behind-the-scenes look at the writing process. From first drafts to publishing his suspense novel Montecito, Cox shared his journey with the next generation of writers.
Last Week to Donate! Houston High Student Seeks 474 Books for Germantown Library
Houston High senior Matthew Durkin is making it easier for fellow students to give back through Opening Doors, a new student led club connecting students with different service opportunities each month. The club’s first big goal is collecting 474 books by Oct. 31 to support the Friends of the Germantown Community Library, and Durkin is inviting schools and organizations across GMSD to help.
→ Meet Matthew, learn about Opening Doors and find out how you can help with the book drive.
Farmington Elementary: Learning Makes Perfect Sense!
Farmington’s kindergarten and preschool Falcons put all five senses to work during a field trip to the Children’s Museum of Memphis! After studying the senses in class, students explored hands-on exhibits that brought their learning to life.
Dogwood Elementary: Hard Hats, Big Ideas and Poetry Under Construction!
Fourth graders at Dogwood traded pencils for hard hats as they became poetry builders for the day! Inspired by Love That Dog, students explored rhyme, rhythm and figurative language by taking poems apart and rebuilding them, one stanza at a time.
➜ Step inside the poetry construction zone
Farmington Elementary: A Breath of Fresh Science
Fourth graders at Farmington got an inside look at how our lungs work when Dr. Mattox, a pulmonologist, visited their classroom to bring respiratory science to life and answer students' questions about the human body.
➜ Take a closer look at this science lesson
Forest Hill Elementary: The Genre Café Is Back on the Menu!
Forest Hill Elementary’s library is serving up a fresh love of reading as students explore different literary genres through the return of its popular Genre Café.
STUDENT READINESS AND SAFETY
Houston Middle: More Than a Game, A Place for Everyone
At Houston Middle School, Adaptive PE is making sure every student gets in the game! Through modified sports, teamwork and individualized activities, students are building confidence, developing new skills and celebrating each other's successes.
➜ See how Adaptive PE is making a difference
BUILDING COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
Join us in November to Learn How to Help Kids Navigate a World That Never Logs Off
If you missed our first parent workshop, you have another chance to join us! Designed for parents of children of all ages, this conversation with licensed clinical social worker Stephanie Cole Farris offers practical insight into helping kids build healthy relationships with phones, social media and the always connected world around them.
→ Get the details and make plans to join us for this important parent conversation.
Houston High: Learning on the Job, Growing in the Community
From prepping smoothies to stocking shelves, Houston High’s Transition Academy students are gaining real-world job skills, building independence and discovering their strengths through partnerships with local Germantown businesses.
Forest Hill Elementary: A Tug of War for a Great Cause!
Mrs. Gretke’s and Mrs. Small’s classes went head-to-head in a spirited tug-of-war battle after reaching a GEF Run registration milestone! These Foxes are proving that a little friendly competition can go a long way toward supporting their school.
Board of Education to Celebrate Top Scholars This Tuesday!
It's a big night for GMSD! At the Oct. 27 Board of Education meeting, we'll celebrate 27 Houston High School seniors named Top Scholars from the Class of 2027 with our annual signing ceremony, recognizing exceptional ACT scores and National Merit achievements. We'll also honor seven of last year's School-Level Teachers of the Year with a special $5,000 gift each from Janice and Kent Ritchey of Landers Ford Collierville. That's $35,000 celebrating the teachers who make a difference!
GMSD: Grandparents, Generations and Growing Connections
GMSD is celebrating the special role grandparents play in our schools and community! From a new Grandparents microsite and Dogwood’s popular Games with Grandparents to Houston High’s pom squad and Houston Hearts bringing DrumFit and hands-only CPR to local retirement communities, we’re connecting generations in exciting ways. Plus, the Board of Education has passed the second reading of a new open enrollment priority for students with grandparents living in Germantown or parents who graduated from Houston High or Germantown High (before August 2014). Enrollment remains subject to available space and district capacity.
➜ Explore our grandparent connections and new enrollment priorities
Houston Middle: For Ephraim Ringo, Service Is Always on the List
From fixing broken backpacks to keeping an entire school running, Houston Middle plant manager Ephraim Ringo has become someone students and staff can always count on. Named HMS's 2026 RISE Award winner, Ringo proves that sometimes the biggest impact comes from taking care of the little things.
GMSD: Meet Our 2027-28 School-Level Teachers of the Year!
Seven outstanding educators have been selected as GMSD's School-Level Teachers of the Year! Help us celebrate these incredible teachers by clicking their names below to watch their surprise announcements and leave a congratulatory message!
Dogwood Elementary: Susan Berry
Farmington Elementary: Chloe Quinn
Forest Hill Elementary: Skylar Workman
Riverdale School (Elementary): Camryn Luckey
Houston Middle School: Lauren Timmerman
Riverdale School (Middle): Aaron Ledbetter
Houston High School: Melissa Ducey
And the celebrations aren't over! Stay tuned as GMSD announces our District-Level Teachers of the Year later this week!
Jennifer Chandler (Houston Middle School) was recognized by a student for making enriched English language arts engaging and enjoyable. Her ability to bring fun into the classroom while remaining calm and patient makes a lasting impression on her students.
Anna Brignole (Farmington Elementary School) was recognized by a student for being a wonderful teacher who makes learning fun. Her positive energy helps create a classroom students enjoy being part of.
Lindsay Bounds (Houston Middle School) was recognized by a student for providing meaningful support throughout the school year. Her kindness and guidance have helped make a difference in the student's experience.
Grace McKinney (Dogwood Elementary School) was recognized by a former student who still misses being in her classroom. The heartfelt message reflects the lasting connections she builds with her students.
Kathryn Lee (Houston Middle School) was recognized by a student for her kindness, helpfulness and encouragement throughout the school year. Her support has made a meaningful difference in helping the student navigate challenges.
Jennifer Word (Dogwood Elementary School) was recognized by a former student who still remembers how much fun it was to be in her classroom. Her kindness and enthusiasm have left a lasting impression.
Maria Comas (Houston High School) was recognized by a colleague for providing invaluable assistance during this year's audit. Her willingness to spend the day helping ensure everything went smoothly made a challenging process much easier.
Know a GMSD staff member who deserves a shoutout? Families, students and staff are invited to submit a Gratitude Gram recognizing someone who made a difference, lent a helping hand or simply made your day a little brighter. Your message could be featured in an upcoming newsletter!
Houston High: Kinsey Healy Hits a High Note with CMA Honors!
Houston High choir director Kinsey Healy got the star treatment in Nashville as one of the Country Music Association's Music Teachers of Excellence! The national recognition celebrates her impact on young musicians and includes a $5,000 grant to support music education.
➜ See Kinsey Healy's star-studded CMA experience
GMSD Fine Arts: Three Talented Artists, One Big Vote!
Meet our October Fine Arts Student of the Month nominees: Jocelyn Stricker and Cady Tinsley from Riverdale School and Jules Lawson from Houston Middle School! These talented young artists are making their mark through creativity, imagination and artistic achievement. Voting closes Friday, Oct. 30, at noon.
For some of our fall athletes, their seasons have come to a close after another great year! But for others, this is the most serious time of their season. Varsity girls soccer has continued their undefeated season with a huge Regional Championship win over Collierville, and their season continues this week after another win over Clarksville. Varsity cross country is headed to the Regionals this week, and varsity football has the Mayor’s Cup game vs. Collierville this Thursday. Come out and support these Mustangs!
Tuesday, October 27
- Varsity Girls Soccer vs. Oakland @ 10:00am - Chattanooga, TN, State Tournament
Wednesday, October 28
- Varsity Cross Country @ Regionals
Thursday, October 29
- Varsity Football @ Collierville @ 7:00pm
GMSD Cross Country Teams Celebrate Strong Seasons and State Qualifiers
GMSD's Alisha Dumas State Farm Athlete of the Month: October Voting!
Voting for our October Athlete of the Month is still open! Check out our nominees, and be sure to cast your vote before it closes this week, October 30 at noon.
HHS Varsity Pom brings home multiple awards
Let's give a BIG congratulations to our Houston High School Varsity Pom Squad for earning 3rd Place in the Varsity Pom Division and receiving the Best Choreography Award for their Pom routine, choreographed by their very own coaches, Ms. Yorubah Banks and Ms. Calista Elliott! We are incredibly proud of these talented young ladies and their continued dedication and hard work! This is just the beginning of an exciting competition season, and we can't wait to see what lies ahead! Stay tuned as our Mustangs prepare for their next competition, the Dance Team Union State Championship in Nashville on December 5th! GO MUSTANGS!
GMSD Cheer Teams take home First Place Across the Board!
All You Need to Know for GMSD's Youth Lacrosse Season 26-27
GMSD is excited to get ready for our Youth Lacrosse league for the 26-27 year. This program has seen tremendous growth and success in the last few years. With multiple playoff appearances at the high school level, that training starts here with our 3rd-6th grade students. Here's what you need to know to prepare for the season ahead.
Parent Information Sessions will be held TODAY October 26th and TOMORROW October 27th at 7:00PM in the Houston High School Library.
