“The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible” - Arthur C. Clarke
Congratulations to Collin Taylor and Roy Schoonover, USD 265 Technology, who were presented the District Attitude Award from the Goddard Board of Education!
Their nominator wrote, "On Wednesday, November 29th, we hosted the computer completion half of Regional Business Professionals of America. There were nearly 100 entries from 14 different schools for students who competed in Word Processing, Spreadsheets, Databases, Graphic Design, Web Design, and Programming.
Collin Taylor and Roy Schoonover prepared computers and set up our contest login for the system, printing, and Adobe access. Everything ran quite smoothly. There was much praise from the teachers who brought their students to compete in our building. In fact, we did such a great job, that they would like us to host again next year. I would not have been able to do this without the help of these guys. This was definitely above and beyond their normal job description."
"Family means no one gets left behind or forgotten." - David Ogden Stiers
Mrs. Whelan and Mrs. Truzzolino's 2nd Grade Class at Explorer Elementary School were presented the District Attitude Award from the Goddard USD 265 Board of Education.
"This is our first year to co-teach together. We have chosen to create a schedule that provides an inclusive environment throughout the entire day. With this set-up, all of our students receive individualized instruction in a variety of ways including whole-group lessons, small-group lessons in either of our classrooms, and Walk-To-Learn services provided by our 2nd grade staff and MTSS Reading team. This model allows students with identified special education needs to participate alongside their non-identified peers while having access to grade-level and modified curriculum. Our students are also new to this type of classroom setting. We have been blown away by the amount of grace, understanding, and kindness they have shown each other naturally and without our prompting. One of our students has a very specific set of needs and behaviors the class has learned and accepted from the start of our school year. Without this model, this specific student would not typically spend his entire day in a general education classroom. However, instead of shying away from his needs, our students have embraced them. A few kids have led the way for the entire class to love and care for him. It started with them walking with him to and from recess, playing soccer with him, and building with our hashtag blocks.
It has since blossomed into them taking on a bigger role and following the prompts us teachers have set in place. They ask him yes, please/no, thank you questions, sign and verbalize "help, please" when they recognize he is getting frustrated, sit quietly and patiently when it is his turn to participate in morning meetings and throughout the day and walk him through our different routines just like his teachers do. They give praise and a never-ending amount of hugs and fist bumps. They truly define the meaning of acceptance, inclusion, and the power of love. This solidifies our motives in creating an inclusive co-teaching classroom. So with our overwhelming amount of pride and his mom's permission, we would like to nominate our class for a district attitude award. We know nominating an entire class isn't traditional, but we genuinely believe they are making a difference in his life, their own lives, and ours."
Thank you for inspiring ALL students for lifelong success!
Happy Presidents' Day! Did you know that, while this holiday now celebrates all presidents and their service, it began as a celebration of George Washington's (and later Abraham Lincoln's) birthday? Thank you to all federal employees for everything you do for our communities!
Happy SRO Appreciation Day! School Resource Officers are an integral part of any school community. Want to learn more about the USD 265 Police Department? Visit their webpage at https://www.goddardusd.com/page/usd265police. Thank you to our dedicated SROs for your service!
Happy Valentine's Day, from our #265Family, to yours!
Join us from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 7th, 2024 in the Eisenhower High School cafeteria for the USD 265 Special Education Services Fair! There will be an array of service vendors and support organizations for individuals with special needs, as well as free Chick-Fil-A sandwiches while supplies last. USD 265 staff that attend will even be entered in a raffle for some great prizes! This event is aimed to help provide support, information and connect resources with those that need them. Come help us help our community!
As a reminder, schools and offices will be closed on Monday, February 12th, 2024.
It's National School Counseling Week! This helps celebrate School Counselors and focus on their special contributions within our schools. This group of educators creates such a positive presence and can be so impactful in any student's academic career. From helping them achieve scholastic success, to supporting them as they plan for college or a career, School Counselors are an integral part of our District. We extend our thanks to each and every educator in our #265Family and especially recognize our friends in the Counseling category this week. Thanks for all the good you've done, and all the good you continue to do for the staff, students and families of Goddard Public Schools!
What is your favorite memory from school?
Goddard Public Schools is creating a video that highlights some of the most memorable experiences of our students' journey through their Pre-K - 12th grade.
We need your help. Whether you are an alumni, family member, or current student, please complete the Thought Exchange linked below to share your favorite memory, or your student’s favorite experience, from your family’s time at Goddard Public Schools.
https://my.thoughtexchange.com/scroll/525023874/welcome?fbclid=IwAR1RljHrB7SYlxOm95OZwR_BJvqGkWLZxS6-FgjaPoiKe3p7qejLxm-ibAA
Think back to those days spent in the hallways, cafeterias and classrooms of school. What made those experiences most memorable for you, or your child?
Click the link, or scan the code below, to share some of your family's most cherished memories within Goddard Public Schools!
https://my.thoughtexchange.com/scroll/525023874/welcome
Need to double-check the lunch menu for tomorrow? Want to be the first to see announcements, like snow days, or new athletic schedules? To check out the latest and greatest events going on in Goddard Public Schools, download the USD 265 mobile app today!
Did you know that Kansas Day is celebrated every year on the 29th of January in recognition of the state's birthday, as well as the anniversary of the admission of Kansas into the Union.
In addition to sunflowers, our state is also known for the Western Meadowlark, and the American Bison. What's your favorite thing about living in Kansas?
Happy Kansas Day, everyone!
How many careers can offer the opportunity to serve your community, positively impact kids every day AND a fun, family environment?! By being a part of the USD 265 Transportation team, you have the opportunity to earn a competitive wage, enjoy a flexible schedule and be surrounded by coworkers that become like family!
This is a great position for parents, grandparents, retirees or anyone that wants to help their hometown community and serve the students of Goddard Public Schools. To learn more and apply today, call 316-794-4291 or visit: https://www.applitrack.com/goddardusd/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Transportation.
Please help us welcome Karaline Scott, the new Community Relations Intern for Goddard Public Schools and the Goddard Education Foundation!
Karaline Scott is a senior at Goddard High School. During her time at GHS she has been involved in many extracurricular activities including varsity cheer, marching band, and Kansas Association of Youth, but was looking for a unique experience to finish out her final semester with USD 265 before graduation. She reached out, seeking an internship with our Community Relations Department to expand her marketing and communication skills.
Karaline decided to pursue an internship at the Central Administration Center with the Goddard Education Foundation and Community Relations team because of the connection she has with the Goddard community. She has been attending Goddard Public Schools for the past 13 years and is the daughter of an educator in the District. Karaline says she admires USD 265’s ability to recognize and appreciate students and staff, and knows firsthand the impact and importance of the Goddard Education Foundation and public schools in Kansas. She is excited to get involved with innovative educators in the District as well as tell their stories in a creative way. She hopes to learn more about photography and videography as well as enhance her storytelling skills during her time on the team. She will be working on numerous projects and initiatives including Oz, the GEF's fundraising event, the “Roar on 54” magazine, Innovative Teacher Grants, and other school public relations projects.
We are excited to have Karaline Scott join our Community Relations team!
“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they have the heart.” – Elizabeth Andrew
Ray and Amy Hall, Discovery Intermediate School Family, were awarded the District Attitude Award after being nominated by Mary Kloefkorn and Alexa Heim. Their nominators wrote, “Ray and Amy Hall are the most supportive and kind parents you will find. They are the epitome of kindness and generosity. They started volunteering when Kate was in 5th grade and continue that now that she's in 6th. They are involved in many areas of Discovery and have become an invaluable part of the Discovery family. Ray says "yes" even before you've told him what you need. They show up and are involved in any way they can be. They come early, stay late to clean up, and interact with the students and staff in a positive manner. Not only are they kind and helpful, they are modeling this lifestyle for their daughter, Kate, who now looks for ways to help others and jumps in to help wherever she sees a need. If you told them that they would be nominated for this award, they would humbly brush it off and say it wasn't necessary - that they are just happy to be helpful. That's exactly the reason they should be given this award. We are thinking of keeping Kate at Discovery so we don't lose this awesome family. However, knowing the Hall's they will just tell us to give them a call and they would be happy to come and help with whatever we need.”
"School bus drivers are the people who transport children to their future."
Kristy Evers, Transportation Trainer, received the District Attitude Award after being nominated by Mr. Robert Rehse. Her nominator wrote, “As tends to happen every year, the district is short on bus drivers. That shortage is especially acute for activity drivers for sports. When the district put out feelers at the beginning of the year for coaches to sign up, lots of people were interested. At least until they saw how in-depth the training is and how much information you are required to learn. I decided to dive in anyway and once I did, I discovered Kristy was the perfect person to teach prospective drivers. She has made everything as user-friendly as possible and shows you exactly what you need to know and what are the best ways to learn it. The average person can't parallel park a car. Kristy has a method that if you simply follow the steps, you can parallel park a bus. She has a very calming presence about her teaching style and is very encouraging in her feedback. She understands that you'll make mistakes but helps you learn from them instead of dwelling on them. She made the process very bearable and helped me pass the CDL test on the first try. She is an asset to the district that often goes unnoticed so I believe she deserves this recognition.”
"Teaching kids to count is fine, but teaching them what counts is best." –Bob Talbert.
Kaleigh Kear, Challenger Intermediate School Teacher, received the District Attitude Award after being nominated by a Challenger Family. Her nominator wrote, “Mrs. Kear excels with the inclusion of all types of learners and allows students in her math class to be themselves. She did not shy away from my son’s different learning styles and his different wiring. Instead, she reached in to meet him right where he was at. She brought in puzzles and challenges of all kinds. She created a Math Menu that allowed her students to take ownership of their learning and tailor it to their personal strengths and learning styles. But the most impactful thing she did was to just love him. She saw his differences as strengths and she helped him see himself from her perspective as well. By the end of his time with her, my son had learned so much more than just math. He learned to be proud of being a different type of thinker, he learned to feel hope toward his future and he learned to love himself just as he is, because she sure did.”
As we conclude National School Board Appreciation Month, a special thanks to all who joined the USD 265 Goddard Board of Education for last night's BOE Meet & Greet. What a great show of support and engagement from the Goddard community! Discover more about the Goddard Public Schools Board of Education here: https://www.goddardusd.com/page/about-boe.
Did you know that the Goddard Education Foundation helps support USD 265 educators directly, helping them make a difference right in the classroom? They've awarded over 125 Innovative Teacher Grants to classrooms all across the District. The GEF is an independent, nonprofit, community-based organization with a mission to provide resources and enrich educational opportunities for the students and staff of USD 265. Learn more by visiting the Goddard Education Foundation's website directly, or just click the link below!
https://www.goddardef.org/o/gef
Did you know that our Board of Education Members set four Core Beliefs outlined to guide them in leading the District? To celebrate School Board Appreciation Month, please join us for a Board of Education Meet & Greet to visit and learn more about our Goddard USD 265 Board of Education members including Amanda Gish, Nicole Hawkins, Jerry Longabaugh, Mark Richards, Ginger Rose, Jenny Simmons, and Ruth Wood.
Join us for snacks and soft drinks from 6:15 - 6:45 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 22nd, at the Central Administration Center (201 S. Main St. Goddard, KS 67052). This event is open to the public. Let’s celebrate the pride, growth, and excellence of our #265Family!
To view the list of Core Beliefs for the Goddard USD 265 Board of Education, and learn more about what the BOE does for Goddard Schools, visit the Goddard Public Schools website, or click the link below!
https://www.goddardusd.com/page/about-boe
