Congratulations to Shae Enegren (1st Grade Teacher at Oak Street Elementary School) and Elizabeth "Lizzie" Toribio (Mixed Abilities Teacher at Eisenhower Middle School) for being recognized today with the 2024 Kansas Horizon Award! Each school district can nominate one elementary educator and/or one secondary educator. Goddard USD 265 nominated both Enegren and Toribio, and both won!
The Kansas Commissioner of Education, Dr. Randy Watson, took time to individually call each recipient, inform them and congratulate them. Enegren and Toribio are two of only 32 educators in the state to win this award for excellence in their first year of teaching. According to the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE), the Horizon Award "identifies and recognizes representatives of excellent teaching in the elementary and secondary classrooms of the state." Goddard Public Schools could not be more proud of our Horizon Award winners, as well as all of the excellent educators that call USD 265 home. Thank you for all you do to make our school communities an environment of excellence for our students, staff and families!
Please join us in congratulating Shae & Lizzie on this prestigious award - very well deserved!
Thank you to Laura Rainwater, Sedgwick County Election Commissioner and Goddard USD 265 patron, for taking the time to swear in our newly elected Board of Education members Amanda Gish, Nicole Hawkins, Jerry Longabaugh, and Jenny Simmons!
Due to hazardous winter weather conditions, there will be NO SCHOOL on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, for Goddard Public Schools. - Dane Baxa
Congratulations to the Goddard High School theatre students who successfully performed their presentation of "Deadline" for the finale of the Kansas Thespian Festival (Jan. 4th - 6th) at Century II this past weekend. The cast and crew members loaded the entire set of the show, constructed the set on-site, teched the entire performance, performed the show, disassembled the set, reloaded it and then returned it all to GHS - all in one day! The students, as well as Jamie Oettle (Director & GHS Theatre Teacher), received a standing ovation at the conclusion of the performance, and there were numerous ratings of excellence awarded in a variety of categories - including GHS receiving the "Gold Honor Troupe" award. Congratulations again to all involved!
Due to hazardous winter weather conditions, there will be NO SCHOOL on Friday, January 5, 2024, for Goddard Public Schools. - Dane Baxa
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!
Wishing our school community a happy new year from your #265Family! We can't wait to welcome everyone back for the spring semester. Let's make it a fantastic one!
"Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less." -C. S. Lewis
Congratulations to Emily Christensen, 3rd Grade Teacher at Explorer Elementary, for receiving the District Attitude Award!
Her nominator wrote, “Emily is an outstanding educator. She goes above and beyond for each and every student. This is evident in her organization, extensive planning, and daily preparation. She has such a kind and empathetic heart with effective classroom management. Her students really adore her. Emily is also an integral part of the third-grade team. She is our FANTASTIC tech support...we can always count on her to help us with any tech question or problem. We think she needs this attitude award because she truly doesn't see how great she really is....we LOVE her!”
Thank you Emily for going above and beyond to positively impact the students, staff, and families of Explorer Elementary! YOU are greatly appreciated!
“The art of conversation lies in listening.” – Malcolm Forbes
Congratulations to Phil Moorhouse, a Science Teacher at Goddard High School, for receiving the District Attitude Award!
His nominator wrote, “I am a new hire to the district and was 'forced' into a relationship called co-teaching for the first time in my career. Phil has made my first experience with co-teaching wonderful. I talk a lot; he listens a lot (haha). I can tell through our discussions on students, and academics in general, that he has a genuine heart for teaching and students. Phil chooses his words wisely and has a lot to offer when he speaks to me and the students. Phil always has a cup of coffee and a smile.”
Thank you Phil for going above and beyond to help others feel heard and valued. We are proud you are a part of our #265Family!
"Kindness can transform someone’s dark moment with a blaze of light. You’ll never know how much your caring matters. Make a difference." – Amy Leigh
Congratulations to Erin Sweetwood, Discovery Intermediate School Educator, for receiving the District Attitude Award!
Her nominator wrote, “Erin is a steady rock at Discovery, she is always there as a listening ear for teachers to share ideas, frustrations, or questions. The whole building knows that Erin is there to support them. As a building, Erin is our go-to for MTSS ideas and implementation. Erin is not only a person who cares about staff but has amazing relationships with the students she sees and works with on a daily basis.”
Thank you for going above and beyond to serve others and for making our #265Family proud!
As we celebrate National Special Education Day, we have a lot of things to be excited about as we enter our third year of being the host district in the Goddard Special Education Cooperative. Our cooperative serves 1,732 students in 21 school buildings within the communities of Goddard, Clearwater, Conway Springs, and Cheney. Our cooperative also serves students with disabilities who attend St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Wichita, Holy Spirit in Goddard, St. Joseph in Conway Springs, and St. Peter in Schulte. Our staff in these communities do an incredible job of working with all students regardless of their disability. They define the mission of our cooperative, that all students can learn together in a school community and participate meaningfully via inclusive education systems that meet the unique needs of all students.
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.
