USD 265 Goddard Public Schools -

Today we pause to remember the lives lost, sacrifices made, and human journeys forever affected by the events of September 11th, 2001. As a country, we stand united honoring the memory of the fallen, and reflect together on the spirit of endurance that guides this great nation. This Patriot Day, we want to say THANK YOU to every armed service member, first responder, and all who serve these beautiful United States of America!

Have you purchased your TICKET-TO-RIDE yet?! The Goddard Education Foundation has partnered with local businesses and organizations to host an exciting raffle that helps enhance education in our schools! The winner can choose between a brand new 2024 Chevy Blazer EV ($50,480 MSRP), a $35,000 credit towards the purchase of any vehicle at a Don Hattan dealership, OR $25,000 cash - and 100% of the proceeds stay right here in our community! As a part of the Ticket-to-Ride vehicle raffle, GEF has been on a tour of the school district with Lange Real Estate visiting various staff and families to boost involvement and get our #265Family excited for this opportunity. There’s a complete schedule of all Ticket-to-Ride stops along the tour, simply click the link below to learn more. Spot your school or department in the photos? Give them a shoutout! Ready to purchase your TICKET-TO-RIDE today?! See the link below or call 316-794-4000 to learn more today! https://secure.qgiv.com/for/2024gefraffle/event/2024gefraffle/

"A good mentor can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning." – Brad Henry Congratulations to Mrs. Brandy Lane, Eisenhower Middle School, and Mrs. Carrie McSwain, Challenger Intermediate School, on receiving the District Attitude Award! Mr. Tracy Bauer, Senior Program Consultant with the New Teacher Center, nominated them. Their nominator wrote, “I wanted to shine a light on your Mentoring Program Leaders, Brandy Lane and Carrie McSwain. These two dynamos have taken on the leadership of the mentoring program with such enthusiasm and commitment that culminated in them leading a successful mentoring training last week for all new mentors in the district. Brandy and Carrie have achieved the following in less than a year: • redesigned the program to ensure cohesiveness and a commitment to developing teacher instruction • supported all mentors in the district through professional learning opportunities and one-to-one coaching • learned and prepared a comprehensive mentoring training for an audience of new mentors • effectively facilitated the mentoring training with a diverse group of peer teachers by stepping into the shoes of professional learning facilitators Brandy and Carrie have blown me away with their commitment to this work and their willingness to take on these leadership roles. Their presenter skills showcased their many talents, especially their ability to listen and respond effectively to their fellow teacher mentors. One participant said the following about the training, "Then I realized that I was sitting in the first professional development that I have truly enjoyed in years." Brandy and Carrie are true leaders of education in Goddard; their peers respect them and they deeply understand all facets of education including social-emotional, student-centered instruction, and meeting all learners' needs. They embody the values and vision of Goddard, and I am honored to be their partner in this work.”

"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." - Walt Disney Congratulations to Hunter Noblit, Maintenance Team, for receiving the District Attitude Award! His nominator, Mr. Blake Andrews, GHS Cross Country Coach wrote, “I would like to nominate Hunter Noblit for the District Attitude Award for his immense contributions to the Goddard High School Cross Country Program. Hunter has gone above and beyond his duties as a maintenance worker and has taken extra time out of his work week to mow out our very own 5K Cross Country course to run on campus! Having our own 5k cross-country course on campus has been a dream come true for our athletes and coaches. This accomplishment not only provides a dedicated space for practice but also significantly enhances the training experience for our students. His efforts to maintain and mow the course each week have played a crucial role in preparing our team for our season. Hunter is balancing his responsibilities with the maintenance department and committing his time to ensure our course is in top condition. Hunter exemplifies a level of dedication and teamwork that goes above and beyond what is expected of him. His willingness to take on this task, despite his busy schedule, reflects the positive attitude and commitment that not only benefits the cross-country program, but is a great example for all staff and students. People like Hunter are the reason why I love working at Goddard Public Schools. He has helped make my dream a reality. His hard work and attitude are not only appreciated but truly inspire all of us to strive for excellence. Thanks to his efforts, our cross-country team now has a fantastic place to train, which will undoubtedly contribute to our success. On behalf of everyone on the Goddard High School Cross Country team, thank you to Hunter for his outstanding service and dedication. His contributions make a significant difference, and we are grateful for his ongoing support. This dedication is not just noticed by myself, but also the athletes as stated below: #1 “Running on the campus course is a pleasure. It’s great for me to get ready for cross country and I enjoy it a lot. It never gets old and I always enjoy running on it. Thank you.” #2 “Running on the course provided a nice change of pace from the trails and is easy to track our mileage. It has been a great tool that we have been able to use every week.” #3 “No one should be expected to put that much work in for such a small group of people. People like him go above and beyond out of principle. I don’t think there are proper words to thank Hunter for such a commitment of his work and time. The course has been amazing to run on! Thank you, Hunter!” #4 “I am extraordinarily thankful for Hunter, and how he puts in the work so we can run at the school. We are super luck that he is willing to make the track for us. Thank you, Hunter!”

Happy Arts in Education Week! From kindergarten to college, artistic methods and mediums foster creativity, critical thinking, and develop a well-rounded education. Whether you’re a student, educator, parent or community member, there are always opportunities to appreciate the crucial role that the arts play in education and in life. From dance to design, the arts are core subjects that enrich the educational experience of all students. What does your family do to support local artistic initiatives? Join us in recognizing the transformative power of the arts, whether at home, in school, or out in the community!

Help us celebrate Literacy Month! This was established as a reminder of the importance of literacy for individuals, communities, and societies around the world. Did you know that the Goddard Public Library provides kits that teach children early literacy skills through a multisensory approach? Additionally, local organizations like Storytime Village provide literacy resources and family programming to help boost literacy efforts and positively impact Kansas families. How do you celebrate reading at all ages with your family? Instilling a love of reading and positive writing practices helps build lifelong learners. Our #265Family is fortunate to have local resources like these to build improved literacy both in our schools and in our community. Happy Literacy Month!

Don't miss out! Pick up this week's edition of The Times-Sentinel Newspaper to check out the 2024 Fall Sports Guide. This 20-page annual publication includes local high school sports schedules, team photos, rosters, and preview stories. Read up about our EHS & GHS football, volleyball, cross country, girls tennis and girls golf teams. Keep an eye out for The Times-Sentinel Newspaper throughout the fall season for coverage on all local teams. Good luck to all the #265Family student athletes competing this season!

Drive the difference! Our #265Family needs bus drivers, van drivers, and bus paras. YOU can help be a part of the solution by joining a team that feels like family. By becoming a school bus driver, you can earn a $500 bonus, $20-per-hour wage, and paid training to obtain your Commercial Driving License (CDL). Want to learn more, or just start the conversation? Follow the link below to connect directly with the USD 265 Transportation team, and start making a difference in your community today! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfIGgOCjTqCLapI3gK6Q_zsci6sBDCjnq4KWp5xfOLXKIjciA/viewform?usp=sf_link Learn more about what it's like to be a part of this team by watching this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tj5Fj1RRULE

Welcome to the Goddard Education Foundation's Ticket-to-Ride Raffle Campaign! We’re thrilled to offer you a chance to support our students and win big! With each ticket you purchase—one ticket for $25 or a 5-pack of tickets for $100—you’re helping enhance education in our schools. Plus, $10 from every ticket can be designated to the USD 265 school of your choice, and 100% of the proceeds stay right here in our community. https://secure.qgiv.com/for/2024gefraffle/event/2024gefraffle/ A minimum of 4,000 tickets must be sold by the GEF for the First Prize Winner to choose from a 2024 Chevy Blazer EV ($50,470 MSRP), a $35,000 credit toward the purchase of any vehicle at a Don Hattan Dealership, or $25,000 in cash! Tickets can be purchased between 10:00 a.m. on August 19th, 2024 and 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, October 20th, 2024, OR until all 8,000 tickets are sold. You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase tickets. The raffle drawing will be conducted at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 24th, at 201 S. Main St. Goddard, KS 67052. Please CLICK HERE, for the Official Rules. The success of our students goes hand in hand with the success of our community. Whether you are a family member of a student in our classroom, a proud community member, an alumni who has benefitted from their education here in Goddard, or one of the 1200 educators dedicated to the success of each student here in Goddard Public Schools, we want to say thank you. We want to thank the Goddard Education Foundation Trustees, all of our benefactors and business partners including Credit Union of America, Hutton, First National Bank of Hutchinson, Building Control Systems, Higgins Group Inc., Equitable Advisors, Holle Homes, the LightHouse Chiropractic & Acupuncture , and Vrana Chiropractic. It's their vision to invest in the Foundation has made this campaign possible. A special thank you to Lange Real Estate's generous support. They will be walking alongside our PTO and Booster Clubs in support as this beautiful vehicle makes its way to events at schools all across the District. Finally, we want to thank our anonymous benefactor and friends at Don Hattan Dealerships, who answered the call for this 'opportunity of a lifetime' to make these prizes possible and positively impact our students. Education is a shared responsibility. With the support of our alumni, friends, families, and businesses, we can transform the educational experience of our students. Click on the link below to purchase your "Ticket-to-Ride" today and join us on this journey to educate ALL students for lifelong success! Good luck! https://secure.qgiv.com/for/2024gefraffle/event/2024gefraffle/

Please help us give a warm welcome to both of the new Oak Street Elementary School teachers joining our #265Family this school year! Oak Street welcomed Amanda Condray and Kirsten Hickey. Welcome to Goddard Public Schools, and we wish you both a fabulous school year!

Please help us give a warm welcome to all of the new Explorer Elementary School teachers joining our #265Family this school year! Explorer welcomed Kelley Ewert, Erin Lawrence, Hannah Moncada, and Jennifer Pounds. Welcome to Goddard Public Schools, and we wish you all a fabulous school year!

Please help us give a warm welcome to both of the new Clark Davidson Elementary School teachers joining our #265Family this school year! CDS welcomed Corrina Crabb and Emma Shurtz. Welcome to Goddard Public Schools, and we wish you both a fabulous school year!

Please help us give a warm welcome to both of the new Apollo Elementary Elementary School teachers joining our #265Family this school year! Apollo welcomed Christina Davenport and Madison Edwards. Welcome to Goddard Public Schools, and we wish you both a fabulous school year!

Please help us give a warm welcome to all the new Amelia Earhart Elementary Elementary School teachers joining our #265Family this school year! Earhart welcomed Tabatha Clark, Savannah Pfeifer, Heather Phillips, and Stacy Timmons. Welcome to Goddard Public Schools, and we wish you all a fabulous school year!

Are you or someone you know looking for a rewarding career? Join our USD 265 Transportation team as a school bus driver, van driver, or bus para! Enjoy a flexible schedule, competitive pay, and the satisfaction of playing such a crucial role in the daily lives of our students. By becoming a school bus driver, you can earn a $500 bonus, $20-per-hour wage, and paid training to obtain your Commercial Driving License (CDL). Want to learn more or just start a conversation? Follow the link below to directly connect with our world-class team of transportation professionals and start making a difference in the Goddard Public Schools community today! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfIGgOCjTqCLapI3gK6Q_zsci6sBDCjnq4KWp5xfOLXKIjciA/viewform?usp=sf_link By becoming a school bus driver, you can earn a $500 bonus, $20-per-hour wage, and paid training to obtain your Commercial Driving License (CDL). Learn more about what it's like to be a part of this team by watching this video: https://youtu.be/WaOLIizMtxQ?feature=shared.

Please help us give a warm welcome to all the new intermediate school teachers joining our #265Family this school year! Challenger Intermediate School welcomed Alexus Covel, Shaylin King, and Katie Strickert. Discovery Intermediate School welcomed Aubri Alexander, Kira Chapman, Bella Holmes, and Courtney Rogers. Welcome to Goddard Public Schools, and we wish you all a fabulous school year!

Please help us give a warm welcome to all the new middle school teachers joining our #265Family this school year! Eisenhower Middle School welcomed Marti Sewester and Traci Smith. Goddard Middle School welcomed Rachel Holmes. Welcome to Goddard Public Schools, and we wish you all a fabulous school year!

Please help us give a warm welcome to the new Goddard Academy certified staff joining our #265Family this school year! Academy welcomed Jessica O'Flannagan. Welcome to Goddard Public Schools, and we wish you a fabulous school year!

Please help us give a warm welcome to all the new Goddard High School teachers joining our #265Family this school year! GHS welcomed Heather Aldrich, Jordan Darkis, Abbie Griffith, Megan Northcutt, Marcus Summers, and Taylor Tollestrup. Welcome to Goddard Public Schools, and we wish you all a fabulous school year!

Please help us give a warm welcome to all the new Eisenhower High School teachers joining our #265Family this school year! EHS welcomed Steve Allen, Meredith Beavers, Dillon Frangenberg, Ashley Monsen, and Julie Weber. Welcome to Goddard Public Schools, and we wish you all a fabulous school year!