On Saturday, Dec. 2nd, we celebrate National Special Education Day! USD 265 is fortunate to have world-class special education staff and students, all of which we do our best to celebrate each and every day. Adaptive lessons, resources and technology help our staff meet all students where they're at and help educate the whole child. By providing specialized instruction, Goddard educators instill life skills, independence and opportunities for students of all abilities. THANK YOU to each and every member of our staff that help our students grow and thrive, and the most special shout out to our Special Education staff members! Your efforts make such a difference and are greatly appreciated by all!
Happy Thanksgiving! We are grateful for our staff, our students, and every person that puts in the effort day in and day out to provide a connected and caring environment for the students of USD 265 - Goddard Public Schools. Thank you, one and all!
Happy Substitute Educator Day! To all of those who answer the call to jump in and lend a hand in times of need, to those who provide staff the flexibility to tend to their needs and the needs of their families - THANK YOU! Whether you're subbing for a half day, or for a few weeks, with your help our school communities don't miss a beat! In the lunchroom, in the classroom, in the halls, you're all such a big part of what makes USD 265 a place of excellence. Thanks to all of the substitute staff members in the Goddard Public Schools family!
Dane Baxa was recently recognized by the Kansas School Public Relations Association (KanSPRA) with the Distinguished Service Award! Check out the full story at https://tinyurl.com/2k9hcrkw
“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement; nothing can be done without hope.” - Helen Keller
Jessica Good, Special Education Teacher at Amelia Earhart Elementary School, received the District Attitude Award! Check out her full story at https://tinyurl.com/3s4hpkxc
Bret Ricke, USD 265 Maintenance, was nominated anonymously for the District Attitude Award. Read Mr. Ricke's full nomination at https://tinyurl.com/ea9huhcz
Rachelle Blue, English Language Arts Teacher at EHS, was recognized for being named the Kansas Association of Teachers of English, Secondary Teacher of the Year, and receiving the District Attitude Award! Check out the full story at https://tinyurl.com/59c49jae
"Dear Veteran,
I wanted to write this letter to thank you for everything you do. Thank you for your sacrifices, for you and your family putting everything on hold, your valor, for the unfair things you carry, for protecting and defending everyone and our rights. With your gratitude and strength, I am thinking of you this Veteran’s Day. 'Honor the soldier and sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country’s cause.' I pray for peace for you and your family…God speed."
One of the nearly 500 letters, drawings, and affirmations that students from across Goddard Public Schools have created that will be distributed to Veterans today to celebrate their service and sacrifice to our nation. If you, or someone you know, served in the United States Armed Forces, please stop by the Goddard Community Veterans Day & Thanksgiving Celebration Lunch TODAY, Thursday November 9th starting from 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Goddard Church (300 N. Cedar St., Goddard, America) for a wonderful Thanksgiving meal and a package of affirmations from our students.
Because of the partnership with the Goddard Lions Club, Goddard Church, and City of Goddard, this event is FREE to attend. Volunteers will be accepting donations for the Goddard Mitten Tree, a service project benefiting over 300 Goddard Public Schools students in need this holiday season.
In celebration of National Parents as Teachers Day today, it is our honor to announce that the Parents as Teachers program at Goddard Public Schools has recently completed the National Quality Endorsement and Improvement Process and has once again earned the highest recognition: Blue Ribbon Affiliate status! Being named a Blue Ribbon Affiliate affirms that the Goddard Parents as Teachers program includes the highest quality members of the home visitation and parent education field, implementing the evidence-based Parents as Teachers model with fidelity and quality. Congratulations to our Parents as Teachers staff for their continued hard work and dedication to Goddard families and our youngest Goddard students!
Susan Ridgway, USD 265 PAT Coordinator, shared, “Parents and caregivers are their children’s first and most influential teachers. We know it is our families who drive our program to success each and every day and we want to thank them for all they do as together we strive to help their child develop, learn and grow to realize their full potential.”
The Parents as Teachers program is a no-cost parent education and family support program serving Goddard School District families. It’s an initiative that serves prenatal to school-age students by providing parents resources, information, screenings and opportunities to expose their children to social interaction through groups and play. “They are an outstanding resource to families within our community,” shared Scott May, Coordinator for Early Childhood & Human Resources.
PAT Families, past and present, be on the lookout for additional details coming soon for an event in honor of this national recognition! If you are a family that would benefit from joining the USD 265 PAT Family, please click the link below to register today: https://www.goddardusd.com/o/gps/page/parents-as-teachers-enrollment-form.
It's National School Psychology Week! School Psychologists connect with students every day and get the opportunity to shine a light on the importance of both personal and shared strengths, as our school communities grow individually and collectively. Thank you to all School Psychologists for the important work you do year-round to positively impact the students of Goddard Public Schools!
Parent Teacher Organizations, or PTOs, help each of the schools in our district achieve success by maximizing opportunities and experiences available to the student population. This is only possible through the voluntary efforts of PTO members. Thank you, Goddard Public Schools PTO Family, for your efforts and involvement!
On Monday, Oct. 23rd, the "Raices de Mi Tierra" (Roots of My Land) dance company visited Goddard High School to present on the cultural significance of Mexican dance and dress to GHS Spanish classes. The troupe has members that age from 5 to 25, and has been a part of all kinds of community events since they started in 2019. Thank you to everyone involved for such an enriching, educational experience!
Happy Halloween from the #265Family!
Have you heard?! USD 265 has a MOBILE APP! Did you forget the lunch menu for tomorrow? Want to be the first to know about snow days? Want to know the latest and greatest events going on in Goddard Public Schools? Download the USD 265 - Goddard Public Schools mobile app today!
Happy Occupational Therapy Day! With the help of our fabulous OT Staff, our school communities have the chance to flourish to their fullest extent. Their efforts and energy are greatly appreciated and something we all strive to duplicate. THANK YOU for all that you do, OTs!!
Each year, at the end of October, many communities celebrate Red Ribbon Week to help spread awareness and information about the harmfulness of drug use and abuse. Get informed and have the discussions today, so that we can all have a safer and drug-free tomorrow! #RedRibbonWeek
Join the EHS & GHS marching bands for the first ever USD 265 Marching Band Showcase at 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 30th, at the District Stadium! Both bands will unite for the performance of a lifetime. You won't want to miss hearing this ROAR on 54! #ROARon54
Be sure to come check out the exciting possibilities at the upcoming USD 265 Teaching Job Fair! The event will be from 6 - 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 26th, at Eisenhower Middle School. Come see what being a part of the #265Family is all about!
"Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness." - Lucius Annaeus Seneca
October is Bullying Prevention Month, and what better time to highlight the resources available to students, staff and parents of Goddard Public Schools. One of these valuable resources is the SPEAK UP Program. This allows students, staff and parents the ability to send anonymous tips through a secure website, app or phone number. This service is generously provided by Crime Stoppers of Wichita and Sedgwick County, a division of The Wichita Crime Commission.
Visit https://www.goddardusd.com/o/gps/page/speakup to learn more about the SPEAK UP Program. For additional information and resources on efforts to eliminate bullying, please visit your school's website, or the district site here: https://www.goddardusd.com/page/anti-bullying.
In order to fuel the future of our district, we need to continue placing dedicated educational professionals in each classroom. Come visit our Teaching Job Fair on Thursday, Oct. 26th from 6 - 8:30 p.m. to learn more about the exciting opportunities for educators in USD 265!
