If you’re a high school student or parent, feel free to stop by Eisenhower High School (EHS) for their career fair event! This will be held from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16th, in the foyer of EHS. This is a great way to learn about different options for life after high school where you’ll get the chance to speak with representatives from a variety of career paths about programs, degrees, scholarships, and more! This is open to ALL USD 265 high school students and parents (EHS, GHS, Goddard Academy, or Goddard Virtual School). For more information, contact the EHS Counseling Office at 316-794-4155.


Is your teen ready to hit the road? Registration for the USD 265 Spring 2026 Driver Education program opens Wednesday, October 22nd at 10:00 a.m.
ELIGIBILITY: Students must be at least 14 years old by Nov. 21st, 2025 and currently attending a USD 265 school.
COST: $275 for current USD 265 students
KEY DATES:
Enrollment opens: Oct. 22nd @ 10:00 a.m.
Payment deadline: Oct. 30th @ 10:00 p.m.
Required in-person meetings: Nov. 10th, 2025
Online coursework: Feb. 2nd - 19th, 2026
Driving sessions: Nov. 22nd, 2025 - May 14th, 2026
ENROLL HERE: https://bit.ly/USD265-DESpring26
Space is limited! Students are enrolled on a first-come, first-served basis. Payment must be received within the deadline to secure your spot. Questions? Contact Jacob Holle at jholle@goddardusd.com or 316-794-4142.


October is Principal Appreciation Month! This month, we celebrate the dedicated principals who lead our #265Family with vision, compassion, and commitment. These motivated educators work tirelessly to create positive learning environments where every student can thrive. They come to school each day ready to face challenges and celebrate wins, alongside students and staff, to advance the mission of Goddard Public Schools and help educate every student for lifelong success.
THANK YOU to each of our school building leaders across the district for your innovation, dedication, and the countless ways you champion students, staff, and families every day!




“I believe one of the most important teaching strategies is instilling a growth mindset in my students. My first priority is to create a classroom environment that feels peaceful, safe and supportive - a space where every child feels valued and is encouraged to grow,” shared Hickey. “If you have a positive mindset, you will become more resilient. There is not a lot that a teacher can control, but we always have the power to control how we respond.”
Hickey was nominated with the full support of the Oak Street school community, including Principal Ashley Miller, who shared her endorsement of Hickey for this award. “What truly distinguishes Mrs. Hickey is her remarkable ability to foster profound emotional and academic growth simultaneously in her young students,” shared Miller. “She is an expert in differentiating instruction, ensuring that students who are ready for advanced academics are challenged while those needing extra support receive targeted, engaging intervention,” Miller continued. “Even during her first year of teaching, she consistently shared her best practices with her department and other staff within the building, demonstrating a dedication to uplifting the entire school's quality of instruction.”
The positive impact that Hickey creates in her classroom extends well past the walls of Oak Street, directly to our #265Family. Cherokee Gale, an Oak Street parent, shared about her experience having Hickey as her daughter’s teacher. “As a parent, you can hope and pray for others to treat your children as good as you can. We could not have asked for a better educator to show our daughter the love and support she can get between the walls of her classroom,” shared Gale. “(Hickey) created an environment that students wanted to learn. The culture within the classroom was clearly built on a passion for making sure all students feel safe and comfortable to grow into who they will be. She is the teacher you want to impact your child's mind as well as their heart.”
Congratulations to Kirsten Hickey, and thank you for fostering high standards and a caring environment, and representing our #265Family with distinction, a positive spirit, and dedication!

“You enter this profession because you have passion and you have skill,” shared Griffith. “You will not match anyone else’s teaching style or personality, and that’s a good thing! There are kids out there that need the ‘you’ that you are. They don’t need your version of another teacher’s style - they need you! So breathe, let the pressure fall away, and go be your best version of you. That’s where the magic is.”
Griffith was nominated with the full support of the GHS school community, including Principal Doug Bridwell, who shared his endorsement. “What distinguishes this remarkable educator as most outstanding is her unwavering dedication to building positive, caring relationships, her innovative teaching methods, and the profound impact she has on at-risk students. Innovation is a hallmark of Mrs. Griffith’s approach. Abbie is continuously implementing projects that go beyond traditional lectures and textbooks.” Bridwell continued, “What makes Mrs. Griffith truly outstanding is her holistic approach to education, one that prioritizes caring relationships, embraces innovation, and champions the success of every student, especially those most vulnerable. Abbie’s dedication not only enhances academic achievement but also fosters resilience, confidence, and hope.”
The positive impact that Griffith embodies in the classroom is likely best told from a student’s perspective. Hailey Nunn, a junior at GHS, shared about her experience having Griffith as her teacher. “I never really liked science or anything like that until I had Mrs. Griffith, and then my whole perspective changed. The way she taught made it interesting and fun, but also productive and easy to remember. She explained things in a way that made sense even if it was complicated.” Nunn continued, “Mrs. Griffith truly cared about all of her students. You could tell she wanted us all to do well and succeed, not just pass the class and move on. What I appreciate most about Mrs. Griffith was that she treated everyone as an equal, no one was above or below anyone. She would never talk down to anyone and she treated everyone with the same respect. By doing so, it made people respect her back. She was also super positive which made her class feel a lot less stressful. I learned so much in her class last year, not just about biology but about how having a good attitude and caring for others can make a huge impact on everything. Mrs. Griffith is the type of teacher you never forget and you hope stays in your life. She's the kind of teacher that makes everything around her better and the kind you'll remember forever.”
Congratulations to Abigail Griffith, and thank you for elevating excellence in education and representing our #265Family with pride, positivity, and enthusiasm!

Wednesday, October 15th: 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 16th: 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Friday, October 17th: NO SCHOOL, All School & District Offices Closed
Please take advantage of this valuable opportunity to connect with your child's teachers, discuss progress, and partner in your student's success!

Pick up your copy of the Times-Sentinel Newspaper this week to check out the official 2025 Goddard Fall Festival Guide!
While you're flipping through, be sure to keep an eye out for the important notice from USD 265 tucked inside! It's packed with must-know information:
Details on the upcoming "G Day" event,
How to sign up for your FREE copy of the ROAR on 54 magazine (made possible by the dedicated efforts of the Goddard Education Foundation), and
How to download the official USD 265 mobile app.
Grab your copy and get informed today!


CERTIFIED STAFF CAREER FAIR
04:30 - 08:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 12th
Eisenhower High School (1230 S. 167th St. W., Goddard, KS)
We're hiring for positions including: Early Childhood & Elementary Teachers, Secondary Teachers, Special Education, Speech Language Pathologists, Psychologists & Social Workers, and other support professionals!
Sign up for an on-site interview by clicking the link below!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0B49A5A722A6FF2-59174180-teaching#/
Come be part of educational excellence at USD 265!

To those who inspire, motivate, and guide our students to reach their full potential - both on the field and in the classroom - your commitment and determination make all the difference. Thank you for the countless hours, the life lessons, and the unwavering commitment to helping every member of our #265Family succeed. Your impact extends far beyond the court, classroom, field, library, or lecture hall. THANK YOU!
Tag a coach who's made a difference in your life!

This event is for all the “G’s” in our community: Grandparents, Golden-Agers, or anyone who is simply a Grand and Generous person who wants to give back to the next generation of students. We invite you to join us for a morning dedicated to remembering and experiencing all the amazing things that happen in elementary classrooms. This is more than just a volunteer event; it’s a celebration of generations and a chance to forge new relationships.
Goddard Public Schools will be featuring two of our Elementary Schools, Explorer Elementary and Amelia Earhart Elementary, for these Inaugural G-Day events. The dates are:
- Tuesday, October 21st, 2025 from 8:15 am - 12:00 pm at Explorer Elementary School
- Wednesday, October 22nd, 2025 from 8:15 am - 12:00 pm at Amelia Earhart Elementary School
Please share this with a Grandparent, Neighbor, Community Patron, or friend who might enjoy learning more about Goddard Public Schools.
To Register:
The safety of our students and staff is our top priority, with that in mind, there are only 20 available G-Day participant spots (10 for each elementary school). Interested G-Day participants can complete the application form by clicking the link below by the end of the day on Monday, October 13, 2025, and a representative from the Goddard Education Foundation will be in touch with you. Any interested G-Day representative must meet all the eligibility requirements (listed in the registration form) to be considered for G-Day.
Register Here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfUnhhEx28OQ9YJCj3dmcF4BHpPzV9sDTw6dTjWr6lsk4dKlw/viewform?fbclid=IwY2xjawNMwnNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFkazY4YklMdnZFSkxXaVQzAR6UfyPQYatkT_AyNcQvRLkZwfHbs1F1oe_6WuqxD8t28lj2XSeQbNPxzzzxGA_aem_RtNaUeuMagjPplgUlFi64g
We hope you'll help us celebrate and honor the many "G's" who make our community strong. Thank you for supporting Goddard Public Schools. We look forward to welcoming our guests at G-Day!

Parents as Teachers provides support, resources, and guidance for families with children from pre-natal through the age of three. This no-cost parent education and family support program has been serving Goddard Public Schools families for decades. Follow their page for parenting tips, developmental milestone information, activity ideas, and program updates.
Click the link below and give them a follow today:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579594182722
Together, we're building a strong foundation for our youngest learners!

From front office spaces to clean classrooms, they make a difference every single day in our school communities. Thanks to each and every building engineer for ALL you do to support our #265Family every day.
Please take a moment to thank a building engineer tomorrow, to show our collective appreciation for all that they do!

Did you know that school websites, AND the USD 265 mobile app, make staying connected easier than ever?! You can:
Add school events directly to your personal calendar (iCal, Google, Outlook),
Subscribe to specific school calendars, and
View all events on our website or mobile app.
Don’t miss out - check your school website or download the USD 265 mobile app today!





https://www.facebook.com/goddardef
See how the GEF Innovative Teacher Grants enhance learning opportunities, support innovative programs, and make dreams possible for our students. Through the thoughtful stewardship of GEF Business Partners, and individual donors, students in Goddard Public Schools can continue to not just progress, but thrive in our caring and connected school communities!
The Goddard Education Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2025-26 Goddard Education Foundation Innovative Teacher Grants. This grant offers any USD 265 staff member up to $1,000 to help them fund innovative projects and programs in their classroom or school.
The grant money can be used for supplies, materials, and other resources to create innovative opportunities for students.
How to Apply
To apply for a GEF grant, please use the provided links:
Apply Now: https://5il.co/3mrmb
View Past Grants for Inspiration: https://www.goddardef.org/o/gef/page/schools
Applications are due by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, October 20, 2025. Grant recipients will be notified by December 19th, 2025, to be implemented in the Spring 2026 semester. If you have any questions or need help with your application, please contact Amanda Leivian at aleivian@goddardusd.com or by calling 316-794-4000.
THANK YOU for your continued dedication to educating ALL students for lifelong success!





