“Teaching kids to count is fine, but teaching them what counts is best.” – Bob Talbert
Congratulations to Brandon Sommer, Math Teacher at Eisenhower High School, for receiving the District Attitude Award from the USD 265 Board of Education!
Sommer was nominated by Stephanie Robinson, who shared, “I am honored to nominate Mr. Brandon Sommer for the District Attitude Award. As a math teacher, Dive coach, and sponsor of clubs that create an inclusive environment, Brandon embodies the qualities of a dedicated educator and mentor. His impact reaches beyond the classroom, shaping a positive culture in our school and community.
Recently, at a swim meet, I had the privilege of witnessing Brandon’s unwavering support for his athletes, his willingness to assist another coach, and his kindness toward my Yearbook staffer and me. His encouragement and enthusiasm were contagious as he cheered on his students, offering guidance and celebrating their hard work. He not only focuses on his own team’s success but also extends his support to those around him, always lifting people up with his positivity and genuine care. When last year's yearbook came out, he was the first colleague to reach out to me and compliment my students' hard work. I appreciated this so much and it really exemplifies how Brandon goes out of his way to make everyone feel seen, heard, and respected. Even though we are in two different departments and on two different floors, Brandon took the time to reach out to me at the busiest point in the year: the start of school. That is just the kind of person he is!
Beyond coaching, Brandon has been incredibly supportive of the Yearbook staff, taking the time to provide insight into the new swim team while ensuring we felt welcome and informed. His openness and willingness to collaborate have made a meaningful impact on our work, and his perspective has been invaluable in helping us capture this incredible new opportunity for our students with the swim team. Brandon exemplifies what it means to be an outstanding educator, mentor, and colleague. His kindness, leadership, and dedication make our school a better place, and I truly appreciate all that he does. He is incredibly deserving of this recognition, and I am honored to be his colleague!”
Calling anyone who has been positively impacted by a member of our #265Family! This week is your last chance to nominate someone for the #265Family Award. This gives YOU the opportunity to recognize the outstanding faculty and staff who are making a profound difference every day, AND gives them the chance to win $100 cash!
Our community recognizes the vital role each and every USD 265 staff plays in creating a thriving and supportive learning environment for students. Whether it’s a teacher, bus driver, para-educator, administrator, support staff, custodian, or any other valued member of our dedicated team - they are ALL eligible for this award!
Click the link below to nominate your #265Family hero today!
https://forms.gle/7nRTfQbkbem9d18g7
Let’s celebrate and show appreciation for the amazing work and dedication of our USD 265 employees. We truly are better together!
Please join us today, Maintenance Appreciation Day, as we shine a spotlight on the champions who ensure our schools are functional, clean, and inspiring learning environments. Our maintenance team is far more than a support staff—they are the critical infrastructure that makes education possible. These dedicated individuals are the unsung heroes who:
Ensure Student Safety: Meticulously maintain critical systems that protect our students and staff every single day.
Create Optimal Learning Environments: Transform schools into welcoming, comfortable spaces where education can flourish.
Each day, our maintenance team does so much more than repair and clean. They troubleshoot and respond to unexpected challenges with professionalism, immediate action and, foremost, care for the students, staff, and visitors of school buildings and facilities districtwide. From the entire #265Family, THANK YOU for being such a critical part of Goddard Public Schools!
Congratulations to the Goddard High School Wrestling Team for winning the 5A State Championship! Grab a copy of the Times-Sentinel Newspaper to get the full story!
From GHS, nine student athletes qualified for state, and nine placed. Four members of the wrestling team went to the final rounds of the state tournament, and four emerged with individual state championship titles. Pick up this week’s edition of the TSN today!
Goddard Public Schools is seeking an exceptional law enforcement professional to serve as our next USD 265 - Chief of Police. This pivotal leadership position includes the opportunity to uphold our district's high safety standards and create collaborative security initiatives.
As Chief of Police for Goddard Public Schools, you'll lead a dedicated team committed to protecting what matters most—the students, staff, and visitors that inhabit our school buildings and district facilities. Advantages that set this career apart from the rest include:
Opportunity to develop and implement innovative safety protocols for our educational community, that will continue to progress with the district
Build meaningful relationships with students, staff, and families
Collaborate with district leadership to enhance our comprehensive safety strategy and develop a future-focused roadmap for growth
Mentor and lead a team of safety professionals dedicated to educational excellence
Make a lasting difference in the lives of the next generation
Come join our #265Family, and click the link below to learn more and apply today!
https://www.applitrack.com/goddardusd/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Security
MARK YOUR CALENDARS - the USD 265 Special Education Cooperative Transition Services Fair is next week! Join over 25 local vendors and organizations from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 11th, 2025 in the Eisenhower High School Cafeteria. Discover resources, connect with agencies, and explore opportunities for students transitioning to adulthood. Don't miss this chance to plan for future success!
This week, USD 265 proudly recognizes the people who have such an incredible impact on our school communities throughout the year - our amazing school social workers. These dedicated individuals are so much more than support staff; they are transformative advocates, compassionate listeners, and critical bridges between students, families, and success. Our social workers are true education professionals who:
Create Safe Spaces: Provide nurturing, judgment-free spaces where students can share, heal, and grow.
Build Vital Community Connections: Expertly link families with essential resources, ensuring no student or family feels unsupported.
Champion Mental Health: Develop comprehensive support strategies that address the complex emotional landscapes of our students.
Advocate Tirelessly: Stand as unwavering champions for student potential, removing barriers and creating pathways to success.
Each day, our social workers go above and beyond, turning challenges into opportunities. They don't just help students survive—they empower them to thrive. From crisis intervention to long-term support planning, these professionals are the heart and soul of our educational community.
To our remarkable social workers: Your compassion knows no bounds. Your expertise changes lives. Your commitment transforms futures. Our #265Family is profoundly grateful for everything you do. You are not just supporting our students—you are building the foundation for their lifelong success.
Have you heard?! Neighbors United 2025 is underway! This provides an avenue for community members of all ages to come together to help their neighbors in need of a hand. Learn more by reading the article linked below!
https://www.goddardusd.com/article/2050012
Big shout out to the USD 265 Transportation team this week! They strategically utilize regularly scheduled breaks throughout the school year, such as spring parent teacher conferences, to clean our fleet and conduct routine maintenance. The beautiful weather, in stark contrast to last week, made this perfect for the team - THANK YOU!
The USD 265 - Goddard Public Schools Board of Education is excited to announce the hiring of Evan Manning as the new Principal for Eisenhower Middle School, to begin serving on July 1, 2025.
Manning received his Bachelor of Science from Emporia State University in 2010. He earned his Master's of Education in Educational Leadership in 2020 from Fort Hays State University. He has taught in USD 265 at Eisenhower High School (EHS) since the building opened in 2011. He’s taught Communications, English, and Debate. He has been part of the Administration Team at EHS since 2020.
In addition to classroom experience, Manning also has extensive involvement coaching. Previously he has coached the EHS Debate Team for 10 years, and the Boys Tennis Team for five years. He was a part of leading some incredible students and student-athletes to State Championships in both programs.
Manning shared, "I am grateful for the love and support from my wife, Betsy. We are blessed with three wonderful children, Stevan (12), Amsey (10), and Millie (10 months). Outside of my professional duties, I can be found spending time with my family. We enjoy following the kids to their games, fishing, and playing Pitch at Grandma's house. I am humbled to be part of the EMS family. I look forward to working with all students, families, and community members, and I am excited to listen and learn all I can from our world-class staff.”
Reminder! There will be NO SCHOOL Wednesday, Feb. 26th - Friday, Feb. 28th, 2025. Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held at each school from 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. All schools and district offices will be closed Friday.
Happy Digital Learning Day! Today we celebrate how technology empowers our students and teachers to explore, create, and grow together. From virtual learning to collaborative online projects, our classrooms are transforming into dynamic digital spaces where learning knows no bounds. THANK YOU to all of the innovative educators and USD 265 Technology team members here in Goddard, America! Because of you, embracing all of the new opportunities that technological advances provide, our district is able to thrive together.
As our community grows, our school district continues to provide collaborative opportunities, innovative programming, and robust resources for students AND staff. Just a few of the many reasons that the world-class staff here in USD 265 call Goddard Public Schools home is the sense of togetherness in our schools and the family feel in our community. Other amazing benefits include: safe and inclusive environments, competitive salaries, optimal suburban sized district, and strong professional development opportunities. Want to take that next step in your career and join our #265Family? Visit the link below!
https://www.applitrack.com/goddardusd/onlineapp/
“The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows.” - Sydney J. Harris
Congratulations to Brian Dodds, Bus Driver for USD 265 - Transportation, for receiving the District Attitude Award from the USD 265 Board of Education!
Dodds was nominated by an Apollo Elementary School parent, Amy Birkey, who shared, “Brian has been driving our kids to school for years. I was very nervous at first to send my kids on the bus instead of driving them myself. My daughter was the first one to start riding and Mr. Brian made her feel comfortable right away. She has recently gone to intermediate school and told me last week that she misses having Mr. Brian as her driver. My son is a rambunctious first grader who now has the privilege of riding on his bus. Mr. Brian has always been the perfect combination of fun and professional. My husband and I appreciate the rules and expectations that he enforces on the bus. If I cannot be the one to take my kids to school I am happy it is Mr. Brian. He is fun, reliable, and most importantly safe. We are so thankful for him and the care he gives to each of his bus riders!”
“The road must eventually lead to the whole world.” - Jack Kerouac
Congratulations to Dwane Scheidt, Lead Mechanic for USD 265 - Transportation, for receiving the District Attitude Award from the USD 265 Board of Education!
Scheidt was nominated by USD 265 Interim Director of Transportation, Sean Hollas, who shared, “Dwane was hired as our lead mechanic in the spring of 2024, and his impact on the Transportation Department has been nothing short of transformative. After joining our team, he immediately got to work organizing and cleaning the shop, which had been without a full-time mechanic for some time. Dwane quickly established order, brought structure to the shop, and ensured that our priorities aligned with the needs of our drivers and the students we serve. As an excellent mechanic and leader, Dwane has taken charge of our small but mighty team, effectively prioritizing work and keeping our fleet in top condition. His expertise has saved the district thousands of dollars by completing tasks in-house that previously required outsourcing to external shops. Beyond his technical abilities, Dwane is always willing to go above and beyond for others. During the severe winter storm in early January, he didn’t hesitate to take our shop truck out and personally assist in pulling multiple buses stuck in ice and snow, ensuring our students and staff remained safe.”
Hollas continued “What makes Dwane truly exceptional is his positive attitude and generosity. In addition to being a skilled mechanic, he is a key contributor to the culture of our department. Dwane consistently goes above and beyond to foster camaraderie and appreciation among the team. He grills hamburgers and makes pancakes for us on special occasions, shares vegetables from his garden and homemade treats, and even invited many of us to his annual chili feed this past fall. Dwane exemplifies the spirit of teamwork and community in our department. When I was hired as the Interim Director of Transportation, my goal was to transform our department into more than just a team—I wanted it to become a family. Dwane has been one of the most instrumental figures in making this vision a reality. His leadership, kindness, and dedication to our staff and students make the Transportation Department a truly great place to work. For these reasons, Dwane Scheidt is a highly deserving nominee for the district’s Attitude Award. His contributions, both technical and personal, have left an indelible mark on our team, and we are fortunate to have him as part of our transportation family.”
Goddard Public Schools Families,
Due to ongoing dangerously low wind chill temperatures and the challenges this creates with our buses, there will be NO SCHOOL on Thursday, February 20, 2025, for students.
Thank you for your continued support.
Dane Baxa
“Victory is the beautiful, bright-colored flower. Transport is the stem without which it could never have blossomed.” - Winston Churchill
Congratulations to Sabrina Hill, Bus Driver for USD 265-Transportation, for receiving the District Attitude Award from the USD 265 Board of Education!
Hill was nominated by an Explorer Elementary School parent, who shared, “I wanted to let you know something that made me smile today. My son, Sam, rides Bus 8 from Explorer and the driver is Sabrina Hill. Today was his birthday, and Sabrina made sure to start his day off right. She even sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to him. As someone who also works in public education (USD 259), I know how important the start of the day can be. She has always greeted him by his name and with a smile. Bus drivers have the ability to start so many kids off on the right foot by creating a welcoming environment on their way to school. She has done just that. Today made him so truly happy, and he felt so loved. I just wanted to share because in education we don’t always hear the positives.”
Due to ongoing severe winter weather conditions, there will be NO SCHOOL on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, for students.
USD 265 Educators will have a Virtual Professional Development Day on Feb. 19, 2025.
Thank you for your continued support.
Dane Baxa
Goddard Public Schools Staff and Families,
Due to the forecasted severe winter weather conditions, there will be NO SCHOOL on Tuesday, February 18, 2025.
Congratulations to Rochelle Mann, Music Teacher at Amelia Earhart Elementary School, who has been selected as a 2025 Kansas Master Teacher! For over a decade, Mann has inspired countless members of our #265Family through the power of music. Her dedication to scholastic achievement, innovative instruction, and the ability to bring out the best in every student leave a positive impact each and every day in the halls of Earhart and beyond.
In addition to planting the seed for a lifetime of musical appreciation, Mann has been a mentor, guide, and champion for students’ creative expression. Her classroom is a place where confidence grows and melodies soar. Since 1954, Emporia State University has recognized excellence in education through the Kansas Master Teacher Awards program, which awards teachers who demonstrate exemplary performance in the classroom and make a positive impact on their school community.
Please help us congratulate Mrs. Mann on this prestigious recognition, and for representing USD 265 - Goddard Public Schools with #265Pride!
