GHS Newsletter

Greetings and welcome to all guardians/parents, students, staff and other supporters within the Germantown High School Community. As noted in the September 2023 monthly newsletter, we have switched to the monthly format and away from the bi-annual format for our parent newsletters. The continued goal of these communications is to recognize accomplishments of our students and staff for academic and/or professional achievements and to do so each month within this newsletter.

As the weather transitions to winter-type conditions, I wanted to refer our GHS parents to the information our District Administrator, Dr. Chris Reuter, shared in the November version of the district-wide newsletter. Protocols and procedures regarding inclement weather for the GSD can

be found HERE.

The November version our GHS newsletter is sponsored by the Music-Choir Departments, World

Languages and Student Services. We hope you enjoy the information provided by

three of our departments and for various reminders, important dates and additional information.

Our next installment will be sent out just prior to the break that begins after classes conclude on

Friday, December 22.

Mr. Joel R. Farren

Principal

• GHS ATHLETICS & ACTIVITIES CALENDAR

• 2023-24 SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR

• December 8 - No School - Teacher Professional Development

• December 13 - PTA Meeting 7:00-8:00 PM (IMC/Library)

• December 25-January 1 - Winter Break

It has been a busy beginning to the year in the Choir Department. In June, the 2023-2024 crew of SolTown A Capella held their summer Camp A Cappella for five days of intense rehearsal and team building. Students focused on shaping our ensemble sound and connecting with the vibe of their new songs.

October also had SolTown back in action at the Oak Creek A Cappella Party (OCAP); their set included a solo by GHS freshman Carlo Pietrangelo, which brought the room to its feet!

This month, our choir groups went on an overnight retreat to Camp Whitcomb Mason to learn the Requiem by Gabriel Faure, which will be performed in collaboration with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra in February. They have also started their caroling season with the Germantown Christmas Tree Lighting at Fireman’s Park. Don't miss our December 21st winter concert at 7:00pm in our beautiful PAC!

Spanish students celebrated “Día de los muertos” during the month of October into November. Different classes participated in several activities to explore this culturally rich celebration. Students colored calaveras, made papel picado and calacas, and created piñatas.

Students in German attended the Chicago Christkindlmarkt. They engaged with vendors from Germany and Austria, as well as other countries. They had the opportunity to sample authentic foods, took selfies with Krampus, and enjoyed a few hours browsing handmade craftwork from German speaking countries.

There are three foreign exchange students attending Germantown High School this year. Geeske J. is from Germany, Natalia K. is from Slovakia, and Greta P. is from Italy. They have been busy experiencing all that Germantown and the Milwaukee area have to offer and taking in the high school experience.

Recently, they presented to the different Spanish and German classes about their lives in their home countries. After presenting, all of the students participated in a question and answer session. It was a great experience for our World Language students because they were able to learn about the travel abroad experience and some cultural similarities and differences from other students their own age.

• Now until December 18th- Discussions in classes are taking place regarding course offerings in each department, scope and sequence, and individual recommendations
• Tuesday, December 5th- Presentation to current freshman in PAC during Resource regarding information for selecting classes for their sophomore year
• Wednesday, December 6th- Presentation to current sophomores in PAC during Resource regarding information for selecting classes for their junior year
• Thursday, December 7th- Presentation to current juniors in PAC during Resource regarding information for selecting classes for their senior year
• Monday, December 11th- Skyward opens for students to begin entry of course selections. Instructions will be given via Resource.
• Monday, December 18th- Course selections are due in Skyward. Students should be sure to register for between 6 and 7 credits.
• Wednesday, January 17th- 8th grade Orientation and Registration meeting for parents/guardians and students. Department representation is in room B201 from 6:00- 8:00. Presentation by Admin and Counselors from 6:30-7:30.
• Tuesday, January 23rd- One last check of selections in Skyward.
• Friday, January 26th- ALL CHANGES must be communicated to GHS School Counselors

Grade 12 Students and Families - There are major changes and improvements coming to the 2024–25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. This redesigned and streamlined FAFSA form will be available by Dec. 31, 2023.

What You Need To Know Now

The 2024–25 FAFSA form will expand eligibility for federal student aid.

• 610,000 new students from low-income backgrounds will be eligible to receive Federal Pell Grants due to updates to student aid calculations.

• Use the Federal Student Aid Estimator to get an early estimate of what your federal student aid could be after submitting the new form.

The 2024–25 FAFSA form will offer a new, streamlined user experience for students and their families.

• Applicants will be able to skip as many as 26 FAFSA questions, depending on their individual circumstances. Some applicants will need to complete as few as 18 questions, taking less than 10 minutes.

• Watch the “2024–25 FAFSA FAQs” playlist to better understand what’s changed on the new form.

What You Can Do Now

• Didn’t submit a 2023–24 FAFSA form? Make sure to create your StudentAid.gov account—and remember your username and password so you can access and submit the 2024–25 FAFSA form when it’s available.

• Find out if your parent(s) or spouse will need to be contributors (contribute their info on your FAFSA form).

• If your parent(s) or spouse will need to contribute to your form, make sure each contributor creates their own StudentAid.gov account. Even if a contributor doesn’t have a Social Security number, they will be able to create an account when the 2024–25 form goes live.

• Watch our “Preparing for the FAFSA Form” playlist to understand what information and documents you’ll need to fill out the FAFSA form.

https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/fafsa-support

Students can schedule an appointment with their counselor in Appointy if they have any questions.

https://booking.appointy.com/en-US/emueller/bookings/service

Here is information explaining why FAFSA was overhauled:

https://studentaid.gov/help-center/answers/article/fafsa-simplification-act

The Student Services Department is here to help support students through the process of college planning, testing, career opportunities, academic support, counseling, and more.

When we return from Winter Break, we will have about two weeks until semester exams. You’ll want to go into exams with assignments turned in, review guides completed, questions answered, etc. Use those weeks to schedule yourselves into your teachers’ resource periods if you have questions and/or concerns. Take time to practice self-care. Plan ahead for your schedule on those days. Be sure to sleep well and eat breakfast. Exams will take place on January 17th-19th. The schedule will be released in December.

Student schedules for the second semester will be released in Skyward a few days before the new semester begins. Students may have seen class hours in Google Classroom, but there will be changes to many student schedules. A message will be sent when the final schedules are released. Every effort is made to keep students with their current teachers. We cannot honor many change requests at this time, but if your student’s schedule is missing a period, please be sure to contact your School Counselor.

Wellpoint Care Network:

Germantown School District partners with Wellpoint Care Network to provide outpatient therapy services from licensed, clinical professionals to students within the school building. Contact Stephanie Kaebisch, School Social Worker, for more information about School-Based Mental Health Services through Wellpoint Care Network.

Teen Connections:

In a partnership with NAMI and led by trained facilitators, Teen Connections is for teens ages 13-18 years of age with a suspected or diagnosed mental health condition. This is a safe place for teens to talk with peers and trained facilitators about emotions, symptoms experienced, positive coping strategies, and how mental health is positively/negatively affecting the challenges of being a teenager. Teens receive support and build friendships with peers who understand what they are going through. Snacks and beverages are provided for free. Teen Connections at GHS meets on Mondays during the school day (on a rotating class period schedule). Contact Stephanie Kaebisch (skaebisch@gsdwi.org, 262-502-7121) for more information about Teen Connections at GHS.

Medication Administration Policy

Administration of Non-Prescription Medication Form
Administration of Prescription Medication Form
Self Administration of Prescription Form

Principal: Joel R. Farren

Assistant Principal (A–L): Andrew Rooney

Assistant Principal (M–Z): David Smith

Dean of Students: Alexzander Fischer

Activities Director: Sara Unertl

Location: W180N11501 North River Lane, Germantown, WI, USA
Phone: 262-253-3400