Reminder! All schools and district offices will be closed on Monday, February 10th, 2025.
Have you heard that Goddard Public Schools will be holding a special election on Tuesday, May 13th, 2025? The community has recently united with a vision for the future: continuing to create optimal learning spaces that inspire curiosity in the classroom, while perserving that warm, family feel that makes our district so special. The bond proposal will continue to help our community collectively shape the district’s future for generations to come. Visit www.goddardusd.com/page/2025-bond to get informed today!
For over a decade, the Goddard Education Foundation (GEF) has empowered USD 265 educators to excel beyond traditional boundaries with Innovative Teacher Grants. Over 175 classrooms have been transformed already! Click the link below to follow along on the GEF’s journey to inspire minds and expand possibilities for each of the staff and students in this #265Family.
https://www.facebook.com/goddardef
Happy School Counselor Week! Please join us in celebrating these fantastic education professionals who help make our hallways and classrooms a brighter space each and every day. School counselors are the heart and soul of student support. They listen and don’t judge - providing guidance, helping turn challenges into opportunities, and championing student potential. They provide resources for college and career readiness and aid students in examining their talents, strengths, abilities, and interests. THANK YOU to all of the amazing counselors who call Goddard Public Schools home!
Please help us welcome Mycah Biering, the newest Community Relations Intern! In her role, Mycah will assist both USD 265 - Goddard Public Schools and the Goddard Education Foundation.
A senior at Eisenhower High School, Mycah is currently involved in many extracurricular activities including National Honor Society, Health Occupations Students of America, and Family, Career, Community, Leaders of America. She sought the internship role seeking to further connect with her hometown community and expand her communication skills.
“Even though I’m not directly seeking a career in communications and community relations, I’ll be using what I learn here to further my future endeavors,” she shared. Mycah pursued this internship with the district’s Community Relations team because she wanted a unique learning experience to conclude her high school career. With plans to attend the University of Kansas in the fall of 2025, Mycah will pursue a major in Biology, with an emphasis on Pre-Dentistry, and a minor in Leadership Studies. She also says that she admires USD 265 for allowing opportunities like this, making it easy for her to grow as a student.
Mycah was recently awarded the Presidential Service Award and wants to continue serving her community to inspire others to do the same. That passion for paying it forward is just one reason she has accepted the position of Co-Chair for the annual “Neighbors United” volunteer initiative. In addition to this role, she’ll be working on numerous district projects. Some of the skills she is excited to hone include photography and videography, technology, creative writing, and campaign organization.
Mycah is a shining example of what our #265Family is all about and we can’t wait to see what she will bring to life in her internship role. Welcome, Mycah!
Stay instantly connected to everything Goddard Public Schools by turning on the push notifications within the USD 265 mobile app! Customize your alerts by selecting which schools you’d like notifications from, and stay in the know without information overload. Updates are just a tap away! The mobile app is curated for your convenience with user-friendly navigation, designed with parents in mind. Check the settings in your USD 265 mobile app today!
Do you know any new families that have moved into Goddard Public Schools looking to enroll for Pre-K or Kindergarten next year? Do you have children ages birth to five and want to learn more about early childhood options in USD 265 - Goddard Public Schools? Attention parents of little learners - mark your calendars for our annual spring enrollment events!
The Kindergarten Enrollment Event will be held from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 3rd, 2025 and will take place at each individual elementary school. Check out school boundaries here: https://www.goddardusd.com/o/gps/page/school-boundaries.
The Pre-K Enrollment Event will be held from 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. (come and go) on Thursday, April 10th, 2025 and will take place at Challenger Intermediate School.
Also available to Goddard’s youngest students is a program called Parents As Teachers (PAT). This no-cost parent education and family support program serves Goddard school district families throughout pregnancy and until the time their child turns four. From personal visits, parent group connections and playgroups to screenings and a resource network, USD 265 PAT is here to serve the youngest learners in our community.
Goddard Public Schools Family,
Every day, incredible #265Family Heroes within the Goddard School District go above and beyond to inspire, support, and positively impact our USD 265 students. The Goddard Education Foundation is thrilled to announce the #265Family Award, which gives you an opportunity to recognize the outstanding educators and USD 265 employees who are making a profound difference within our #265Family and give them a chance to win $100 cash.
Our community recognizes the vital role each and every USD 265 staff plays in creating a thriving and supportive learning environment for students. Whether they are a teacher, bus driver, para-educator, administrator, support staff, custodian, or any other valued member of our dedicated team, they are ALL eligible for this award.
We invite you to nominate an individual who has demonstrated a significant, positive impact on the students, staff, or the USD 265 school community as a whole. For example, nominations could recognize USD 265 staff members who:
Inspire a love of learning in their student(s)
Provide exceptional support to student(s)
Create a positive, caring school environment
Go above and beyond their duties to serve others
and/or, exemplifies professionalism and dedication to our #265 Family.
All nominations received will be packaged and sent to the respective individual(s). Please nominate your #265Family Hero Today!
Complete the Nomination Form (Click the Link Below) by providing the nominee's name, school, position, and a story of why you believe they are deserving of this award.
#265Family Award Nomination Form
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfPtmyI7N56mExQrZnHMavjhh-d3ADYfav3udLPpQSLkMDI0w/viewform?usp=sf_link
All #265Family Award recipients will be recognized with a special certificate with your nomination letter, and one nominee from each USD 265 school and department (Transportation, Maintenance, and General Support) will have a chance to receive a $100 prize (15 Total, $100 cash prize awards) provided by the Goddard Education Foundation.
Let’s celebrate and show appreciation for the amazing work and dedication of our USD 265 employees. We are better together!
✨ Ad Astra Per Aspera ✨
Our beautiful state turns another year older! Annually on January 29th, we celebrate the day our state joined the union. From stunning sunsets to summertime sunflowers, there’s so much that makes Kansas a special place to call home. After all, through difficulty, we can reach the stars!
From seasonal breaks to screenings, stay connected with everything USD 265 by checking out the district calendar on your school’s website. Not only does it include this school year, but it also has next year’s dates - making family planning for the future a breeze! Take it a step further by downloading the USD 265 mobile app. The ‘Events’ section is a helpful guide to all upcoming events at your child(ren)’s school.
PRO TIP: Make it personalized! You can search and even save events from your school’s website or mobile app right to your Google or iCal personal calendar. Subscribe to the whole thing, or pick the dates that matter most for your family - adding events straight to your personal calendar with just a tap!
Visit your school’s website or download the USD 265 mobile app today to start streamlining your schedule!
Did you know that there are over 50 separate residential developments, either in building or planned stages, within the Goddard Public Schools district boundaries? This translates to an expected increase of 1,000 students in the next five year, and 2,000 student over the next 10 years. Learn more about growth in Goddard and the upcoming bond here: https://www.goddardusd.com/page/2025-bond.
As our community continues to grow, so do athletics options across the district. Among the officially sanctioned sports programs added within the past few years is Girls Wrestling (at both high schools, and now offered at the middle school level as well), and a newly formed Swim-Dive team. The Swim-Dive team is currently a combination of student athletes from both high schools, with the boys season taking place currently (winter sport) and the girls season coming up in the spring. As always, we wish ALL of the students athletes representing our #265Family the best of luck - whether it’s on the mat, in the lane, on the court, or out on the field!
“We should never stop learning! That’s what we do this for.”
We are thrilled to announce the first of two exceptional Goddard educators who have been selected as winners of the 2025 Kansas Horizon Award, Tyler Kohlman. Please join us in congratulating Mr. Kohlman on this prestigious recognition, which celebrates exceptional first-year teachers who demonstrate outstanding dedication to their students and make meaningful contributions to their school communities. As a 2nd Grade Teacher at Amelia Earhart Elementary School, Tyler has proven to be a remarkable addition to our #265Family.
Congratulations, Mr. Kohlman, for this well-deserved achievement, and thank you for representing our district with pride! Click the link below to view the highlight video.
https://youtu.be/Zn_b4_Ncmpw?feature=shared
Goddard Public Schools Staff and Families,
There will be NO SCHOOL on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, due to dangerously cold wind chill temperatures and hazardous conditions.
Please be safe, and thank you for your continued support.
Dane Baxa
Director of Community Relations
Reminder! All schools and district offices will be closed on Monday, January 20th, 2025.
January is School Board Appreciation Month! Did you know that the USD 265 - Goddard Public Schools district website has tons of information about our local Board of Education? The members, meeting schedule, minutes, core beliefs and more can be found here: www.goddardusd.com/page/about-boe. Thank you to each of the USD 265 BOE members for your service to our school communities!
Eisenhower High School and Goddard High School Orchestra students will be joining forces, along with GHS Band students, to audition for the Kansas All-State Orchestra in Salina this Saturday. This year sets a record number of students trying out at the state level. From the entire #265Family, GOOD LUCK!
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” - Benjamin Franklin
Congratulations to Heather Wood, 2nd Grade Teacher at Clark Davidson Elementary School, for receiving the District Attitude Award from the USD 265 Board of Education!
Wood was nominated by Shanae Riggs, fellow CDS Teacher, who commented, “Heather consistently goes above and beyond, not just for her students but for the entire school community. She organizes incredible activities for both students and staff, fostering a positive and engaging environment. Each week, she sends motivating and uplifting emails, always recognizing the successes of others. Heather exemplifies what it means to be an outstanding educator.”
CDS Principal Matt Cavanaugh said, “Heather Wood exudes a positivity that meshes perfectly with her natural social abilities. She is welcoming to all stakeholders who pass through her classroom and is a catalyst for fun activities for students and staff. Mrs. Wood has been the brains behind activities like our school-wide election activities this year, the 2nd grade Thanksgiving feast that also includes the help of parents and social gatherings that bring staff together during and outside of school hours. Heather Wood maintains a busy schedule developing these extracurricular events but does it all with enthusiasm, good humor, and a positive attitude.”
“Teaching is the one profession that creates all other professions.” - Unknown
Congratulations to Elizabeth (“Liz”) Ewing, 3rd Grade Teacher at Apollo Elementary School, for receiving the District Attitude Award from the USD 265 Board of Education!
Ewing was nominated by Apollo Principal Connor Christensen, who shared, “Mrs. Ewing’s impact at Apollo Elementary in just a short time has been nothing short of extraordinary. Her positive attitude, tireless effort, and genuine love for her students shines through in everything she does. The creativity and thoughtfulness she brings to creating unique and engaging learning experiences have enriched all of our third-grade classrooms and inspired her students (and many others) to thrive. Her dedication to her students' growth and success reflects the heart of what makes an exceptional educator, and we are so grateful to have her as part of our Apollo family. Mrs. Ewing is truly making a difference and is a great example of the Attitude that makes our School and District so great.”
Christina Davenport, another Apollo educator, supported Principal Christensen’s nomination adding, “Liz is a wonderful teammate at Apollo. She goes out of her way to check on everyone- adults and students alike. She is always trying new things to ensure that her students have what they need and feel cared for. Liz is also on several district committees to ensure that all students-not just the ones at Apollo have access to a great education.”
Goddard Public Schools has an administrative opening available, and we want YOU to be a part of our #265Family! Come join a community that promotes positive growth and professional development, with competitive salary and benefits. Goddard Public Schools is a family, and when you're here, you'll feel right at home. As one of the top 20 largest school districts in the state, immediately adjacent to Wichita, you can enjoy both the amenities of a suburban community, with a small town feel. Goddard is growing, and growth brings resources that enhance our mission to educate ALL students for lifelong success!
To learn more, contact Nick Grummert at ngrummert@goddardusd.com, call 316-794-4000 today, or visit: https://www.applitrack.com/goddardusd/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Administration.
