As we kick off National Assistant Principal Week, we would like to extend our thanks and appreciation to all Assistant Principals in our District. These dedicated professionals help keep the schools running smoothly from day to day by motivating staff, supporting principals, as well as directing and coordinating athletic events and activities for the schools. This includes sports of all seasons, as well as all clubs and extracurricular activities. From organizing facility usage, to staff scheduling for events, arranging transportation and permissions, these amazing humans are so much a part of the success of our schools. The countless hours, late nights, and early mornings define your dedication to this District and are greatly appreciated. From the entire #265Family, THANK YOU for all that you do!
Friendly reminder that schools and offices will be closed tomorrow, Friday, March 29th, 2024.
The Parents as Teachers (PAT) program at Goddard Public Schools recently completed the PAT National Quality Endorsement and Improvement Process, and has once again earned the highest designation: Blue Ribbon Affiliate status! Being named a Blue Ribbon Affiliate affirms that USD 265 Parents as Teachers ranks among the highest in the nation and is a result of strong teamwork, effective operations, and dedicated service.
In celebration, we'd like to welcome PAT families (past and present) to join us from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 18th at Linear Park (108 N. Main St. Goddard, KS 67052) for a social hour that will include refreshments and reunions. All PAT families are welcome and encouraged to attend this free event! If you have questions and would like to learn more about Goddard PAT, please feel free to attend.
Congratulations to our Parents as Teachers staff for their continued hard work and dedication to Goddard families, and to our youngest Goddard students! Our community is truly enriched by your high service level and excellent programming. Click the link below to RSVP!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScJn1_oWQtA8g4_nKeFFJlZ9QKenqo5Oix2aS9K-IRY5nS2Vw/viewform?usp=sf_link
With the mission of bridging the gap and helping fulfill basic hygiene needs for all students, Rachel Abdulaziz (Social Worker at Clark Davidson Elementary) opened an in-school hygiene clinic that serves over ninety fourth-grade students at Clark Davidson Elementary every month. The hygiene items include shampoos, soaps, deodorant, hair supplies, dental products, and toilet paper. The CDS hygiene closet is supplied by regular donations through Simply Hygiene (formerly Giving the Basics), a nonprofit organization with the mission to empower people with essential hygiene products that promote health and hope within our local communities.
Simply Hygiene currently distributes to over 170 schools and 60 organizations in the greater Wichita area, providing over 65,000 people every month with access to hygiene essentials. Each month, eager fourth graders line the hallway outside Mrs. Abdulaziz’s room, bags in hand, ready to “shop” for their basic needs. Each class comes together to “shop” so nobody feels singled out, giving each student pride and ownership to choose their own products as well as an opportunity to learn responsibility in caring for their basic needs.
"When a student's basic needs are met, it helps create an environment where learning can happen more efficiently," shared Mrs. Abdulaziz. KSN, Wichita-based NBC affiliate, ran a story recently on Simply Hygiene and the positive impact they make in and around the Wichita community. Mrs. Abdulaziz had the opportunity to speak and highlight the difference these products make in the daily life of students. Motivated educators like Mrs. Abdulaziz are just part of what makes Goddard Public Schools a safe, caring and connected learning environment to educate the whole child - academically, physically and socially. Click the link below to check out the KSN video!
https://www.ksn.com/video/nonprofit-washes-away-financial-burden-of-hygiene-items-for-thousands/9392809/
Looking for summertime activities for your Goddard students? Registration kicks off next Tuesday (3/26) for K-7 summer programs. Questions? Call 316-794-4000 or learn more by visiting https://www.goddardusd.com/page/summer-learning today!
Goddard Public Schools has multiple administrative openings 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 salaries 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 big city, 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 Mr. Jess Herbig at jherbig@goddardusd.com, call 316-794-4000 today, or visit: https://www.applitrack.com/goddardusd/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Administration.
USD 265 Goddard Public Schools offices and buildings will be closed next week, March 11th - 15th, for spring break. We hope everyone gets a chance to rest and relax, and come back recharged on Monday, March 18th. From our #265Family to yours, have a fantastic spring break!
Congratulations to Micki Soft-Heim, Goddard High School Registrar and Volleyball Coach, for receiving the District Attitude Award! Her nominator wrote, “Micki has taken on the role as registrar with full force. She is also the Head Coach of the GHS volleyball team and has taken this leadership role to turn around the program and develop a sense of pride in the school and community. She is a leader and brings positivity wherever she goes. She is an active member in the community and cares about Goddard.” - Terri Anderson
Congratulations to Mai Fairchild, Oak Street Elementary Lunch Paraprofessional, for receiving the District Attitude Award!
Her nominators wrote, “Mai has gone above and beyond in the Oak Street Cafeteria. She has positive incentives set for all students and meets individually with struggling students to set goals and personalized rewards. She works hard to develop individual rapport with each student who enters the cafeteria and checks in frequently with teachers to share the positives and areas of need. It is such a relief for teachers to drop their students off knowing that all students matter and are cared for greatly!” - Ann Millar and Tara Johnson
“Well first of all Mai is just the most kind and patient person I have met in a long time. She also takes time to speak to each child when discussing a behavior in the lunchroom calmly and patiently. She is calm and doesn't let circumstances dictate how she responds to the kids. She also has come up with some fun and original group activities the kids can participate in during lunch. Mai is definitely an asset to the Oak Street family!” - Carol Edminsten
“Mai has created an interactive lunch room that includes all students, she plays a sound of the week, joke of the week, etc. She’s very warm and encourages students for good behavior with rewards. She has been a great asset to our school but even more to our students.” - Marge Paolucci
Congratulations to Alexandria Phillips, First Grade Teacher at Amelia Earhart Elementary School, for receiving the District Attitude Award!
Her nominator wrote, “I love Al! She is such a wonderful teacher, friend, and district leader! She is so strong, sweet, encouraging, excited, firm, and fun! She handles every situation with such grace and grit! She has mentored me in teaching with great support and love, and goes above and beyond that with every adult and student she meets! You will always find her searching for the joy in all things, inspiring others to do the same, and never failing to be the poster of positivity and perseverance that our district needs! Everyone deserves an Al, but I sure am glad Earhart has her!” - Danae Martinez
The Goddard Public Schools Board of Education approved a two-year 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 School Year Calendars. To download the 2-page PDF, please visit https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3661/GPS/4068164/USD_265_2024-25_and_2025-26_School_Year_Calendars.pdf
Happy School Social Work(er) Week! Please join us in celebrating the positive impact of social workers in each of Goddard's Public Schools. USD 265 social workers are instrumental in helping students navigate their academic journey with guidance, kindness and strength. By providing a safe space for students, school social workers help families and communities stay resilient through times of difficulty, and shine bright in times of success. We hope that everyone gets the opportunity to thank your school social worker this week. The difference they make is invaluable! Thank you, from the entire #265Family!
One of the pillars of Goddard Public Schools is the belief that ALL students can learn and must have access to resources, which maximize their opportunities for success. In 2021, Eisenhower High School (EHS) expanded their sports programs to include adapted bowling and adapted basketball. These co-ed programs are structured to provide a sports team experience for students with specialized needs. Student athletes develop a strong sense of teamwork, pride, and confidence in their abilities. On Friday, March 1st, the EHS Adapted Basketball team played against Wichita East High School and came out on top with the win (36-26). Athletes in the 12th grade were honored with a Senior Recognition presentation, and fans enjoyed a special halftime performance as well. Coaches, student peers, families and the community all came together to support our adapted basketball team. Moments like these are just a part of what makes this #265Family so special!
Happy Maintenance Worker Appreciation Day! We do our best to recognize our USD 265 Maintenance staff every day, because they do so much for each of the schools. With the help of these behind-the-scene heroes, our schools maintain proper temperature levels and air quality control, and our facilities and grounds stay properly prepared for all of the activities and athletic events that take place over the 65 square miles that are Goddard Public Schools. Our Maintenance crew is top-notch, and we couldn't be more proud to celebrate them today! Want to learn more about the Maintenance team? Visit their webpage here: https://www.goddardusd.com/page/maintenance. From the entire #265Family, thank you!!
Do you or someone you know have questions regarding enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year? Visit our website to learn more: https://www.goddardusd.com/o/gps/page/enrollment.
Also, be sure to mark your calendar for these upcoming enrollment events!
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the annual State of the District Address last evening at Eisenhower Middle School! Over 150 individuals attended to hear from speakers Dr. Justin B. Henry (USD 265 Superintendent of Schools), Mark Richards (USD 265 Board of Education President), and Dane Baxa (USD 265 Director of Community Relations & Executive Director of the Goddard Education Foundation). Staff, parents, community leaders, elected officials, and administrators of schools all tuned in to learn more about the future of Goddard Public Schools. We appreciate every opportunity to share strategies and engage with our #265Family!
Check out these summer learning opportunities offered for our #265Family! Registration kicks off next week for high school summer programs. Questions? Call 316-794-4000 or learn more by visiting https://www.goddardusd.com/page/summer-learning today!
“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!
