Germersheim ES History
Opened: 1985
Closed: 1992
Germersheim American Elementary School was housed in a brand-new facility that opened in August 1985. The school was located on the Germersheim Military Post, which was about twenty miles southeast of Karlsruhe and twenty-five miles from Heidelberg. The school was located near the post exchange, theater, snack bar, and commissary.
The school building was a relocatable, with four classrooms, a media center, administrative offices, a teachers’ work area, and a supply room. The kindergarten and the speech and learning resources center were located in an adjacent building that was shared with youth activities. All students attending the school were bus students.
The school mascot was the Grizzly Bear, and the motto was “A small school with a big heart”.
Dr. Cynthia Gessling was the principal for the 1988-89 school year. There were about 100 students enrolled in grades kindergarten through six. The school was visited by Dr. Joseph Blackstead, Director of DoDDS schools in Germany. Special activities for the students included a swimming program, the annual Spelling Bee, presentation by the puppet group, “Kids on the Block”, and publishing the school newspaper – GES What – and the school yearbook.
Mr. Charles Ragland became the principal for the 1989-90 school year and remained in this position until the school closed. The enrollment remained at 100 in grades kindergarten through six. Many classrooms were multiage.
The school was closed in June 1992.
Information from DOD School information guides and school yearbooks