On October 9, the German European School Manila (GESM) Parent Council (called the Gesamtelternbeirat or "GEB") for the academic year 2024-25 officially held its first meeting, marking the start of what promises to be an exciting and productive year. The officers, elected the previous week, were formally inducted, and the council wasted no time diving into their duties with enthusiasm and commitment.
The elected officers for this year are:
Chairperson: Jenn Gruenewald
Deputy Chairperson: Imee Härle
Secretary: Kavitha Subramanian
Assistant Secretary: Jackie Murphy
Treasurer: Kristine Almeida Uy
Chairperson Jenn Gruenewald, in her post-meeting remarks, reflected on the energy and unity felt during the meeting. "It was wonderful to see so many attendees, which shows just how eager we all are to build a fantastic team for our students," she said. The meeting was marked by vibrant discussions and a sense of purpose, as council members collaborated to lay out plans for the year ahead.
Attendees brought a wealth of questions and ideas to the table, demonstrating a collective passion for enhancing the school community. Gruenewald emphasized the eagerness in the room, noting that "everyone is ready to jump in and be part of the solution." The energy and shared excitement set a promising tone for the Parent Council’s work throughout the school year.
Serving as a Parent Representative is no small task, requiring dedication and a willingness to lead by example. As Gruenewald pointed out, the role provides a unique opportunity to model leadership and service to children, showing them the value of helping others without expecting anything in return. Beyond the responsibilities, the meeting also allowed members to strengthen their bonds and forge new friendships, fostering a supportive and collaborative atmosphere.
The GESM Parent Council is looking forward to a year filled with activities, initiatives, and events designed to benefit students and the broader school community. With such a strong start, the council, under Gruenewald's leadership, is poised to make a meaningful impact in S.Y. 2024-25.
As the Chairperson expressed with excitement, "We’ve just kicked things off, and I can’t wait to see what a fun and productive year we’ll have together!"
Stay tuned for updates on the Parent Council's upcoming plans and initiatives!
See GEB Chairperson Jenn Gruenewald's full post-meeting message below:
What a great GEB meeting today [Oct 9]!
I’m so happy to share that our GEB Meeting this morning was a big success! It was wonderful to see so many attendees, which shows just how eager we all are to build a fantastic team for our students.
With our agenda ready, we had some great discussions, and it felt awesome to tackle everything together. There were lots of questions and amazing ideas shared, and you could really feel the excitement in the room. Everyone is ready to jump in and be part of the solution.
Being a Parent Representative takes courage and effort, but the joy of doing this for our kids and school community is truly uplifting. It’s a great way to show our children what leadership looks like—helping others without expecting anything back. Plus, it’s been so nice to meet and get to know new friends along the way.
A huge thank you to all the Officers, Parent Representatives and their deputies for your support. We’ve just kicked things off, and I can’t wait to see what a fun and productive year we’ll have together!
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