USD 265 Goddard Public Schools -

“Intelligence and skills can only function at the peak of their capacity when the body is healthy and strong.” - John F. Kennedy Congratulations to Jessica Jackson, Physical Education Teacher at Goddard Middle School, for receiving the District Attitude Award from the USD 265 Board of Education! Jackson was nominated by Ellie Strausberg, a GMS Student, who shared, “Mrs. Jackson is honestly one of the best teachers out there. She’s super respectful and kind, and you can really tell she makes a difference in our lives. From the moment we step into her class, the positive energy she creates is just contagious. Her way of teaching gym is not only effective but also really inspiring. She puts in so much effort to make sure every student is engaged and doing well in the activities. There was this time we were doing our 8 minute run, and we were allowed to take a one minute break in between, and I decided to just keep running, and she made sure I knew she was proud. It’s the small things that can completely change a person's view. What I love about her is that she knows how to challenge us while still giving us the support we need to succeed. She encourages us to push our limits and try new things, and it’s clear she believes in our potential. That kind of motivation makes us want to work harder and strive for excellence. Her feedback is always constructive, which helps us improve our skills. One time, I went into class having a terrible day, and she pulled me over, sat me down, and just talked to me. Plus, Mrs. Jackson creates a real sense of community in the gym. She respects each of us as individuals and takes the time to understand our strengths and weaknesses. That personal connection makes it so much easier to participate because we know she genuinely cares about our well-being. Her kindness creates a supportive environment where we feel comfortable and can actually have fun. In summary, Mrs. Jackson’s dedication, kindness, and respect make her an exceptional gym teacher. She teaches us about fitness and sports while also instilling values like teamwork and perseverance. She definitely deserves recognition for her unwavering commitment to her students and the positive impact she has on our physical education journey.”

“You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation” - Plato Congratulations to Travis Ford, Physical Education Teacher at Apollo Elementary School, for receiving the District Attitude Award from the USD 265 Board of Education! Ford was nominated by Allison Ebert, Bailee Fosse, Abby Jennings and Connor Christensen, who collectively shared, “Travis is always willing to jump in and help whenever needed! Whether it is with a student who is having a tough start to the day or being there to provide some extra one-on-one time with a student, he is happy to help. It is amazing to see all of the wonderful relationships Travis has with students and how excited they are to greet him in the morning and go to PE. The staff and students of Apollo are lucky to have him! Travis Ford is truly deserving of the Attitude Award because of his unwavering positivity and dedication to our students, staff, and school. Each morning, Travis is our car rider greeter. He welcomes each student with a fist bump and a smile. He takes the time to learn students' names and greets many of them personally. He remembers details about them from their sporting activities to their families, checking in on older siblings, or seeing how their games went over the weekend. As one of the first staff members students see each day, his positivity sets the tone, helping them start their day off on the right foot. Travis is also always willing to step in and help in any situation, whether it’s providing extra PE time for a student who is struggling, offering to walk students to class, or being his special helper by helping him set up the gym for the day. Students rely on his positivity and encouragement to get through their day. No matter the situation, he makes the most of it, bringing out the best in those around him and making our school a better place. Mr. Ford is far more than just a PE teacher; he is a true role model of kindness, care, and positivity. His interactions with students always have a genuine warmth. He can often be found offering encouraging words, a high-five, or a listening ear to students of all ages. He creates a safe and supportive environment where every child feels valued and comfortable participating, regardless of their athletic abilities. He goes above and beyond his job description by stepping in to help whenever needed. This includes covering extra classes and providing behavior interventions to students. Apollo is a better place because Mr. Ford is here! Mr. Ford has been a familiar and friendly face at Apollo since we opened in 2010. The number of lives he has impacted is astounding. His impact can be seen throughout each day as he greets each car rider as they enter the building, works hard to connect with students on a personal level, and is always looking for new activities to incorporate into PE. Mr. Ford has taught students many lifelong lessons, including teamwork, conflict resolution, various sports, and even skating! Mr. Ford is also a great support for staff as he can often be seen with multiple classes at a time in order to help make up for any shortages in substitutes. He does all of these things with a smile and a positive attitude! Mr. Ford's selflessness and impact are greatly appreciated!”

Happy School Communicators Day! In the daily life of our school communities, this work often happens behind the scenes, yet its impact resonates through every hallway, classroom, and home districtwide. These professionals are the storytellers of the incredible journey our students and staff embark on throughout the school year. Through meticulously crafted social media posts, thoughtfully designed website updates, timely newsletters, and communications delivered with care, they help share what drives our schools towards excellence each and every day. During celebrations, their cameras capture the moments that families will treasure. In times of uncertainty, their clear guidance provides stability. Through the dedication of our school communicators: Families feel connected to their children's educational experience, School values and mission are clearly communicated, Community engagement thrives through accessible information, and Our students' accomplishments receive the recognition they deserve. Their skills in website maintenance, design, and digital communication platforms are matched only by their interpersonal talents - knowing exactly how to frame a message for maximum clarity and impact. On this School Communicators Day, please know that YOUR work matters profoundly. Please take a moment to help us applaud these education professionals today, and every day!

USD 265 partnered with the Goddard Senior Center to host an information session and 'bus tour' for people to see the numerous new housing developments under construction, as well as learn and ask questions about how the bond will impact the future of our community. Thank you to all the individuals who took time to engage in the process!

A perfect alignment of celebrations—School Nurse Day during Teacher Appreciation Week! Let's give a standing ovation to our incredible school nurses who are the heartbeat of our Goddard Public Schools. These healthcare heroes do far more than bandage scrapes and check temperatures. They're our frontline responders, compassionate listeners, and steadfast guardians of student well-being. Day after day, they transform health challenges into learning opportunities, ensuring every child can thrive. The dedication our school nurses bring to their role exemplifies what makes our learning environment so special—where care and connection help educate the whole child. They embody the spirit of service that makes our #265Family truly extraordinary. From all of us at Goddard Public Schools, THANK YOU to our amazing school nurses! Your healing hands and caring hearts make all the difference!

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! Today especially, Teacher Appreciation Day, we honor the extraordinary educators who build futures every single day in our school communities. To those that build confidence, shape futures and minds, and spark passion in all the 6,450+ students across USD 265: You are nothing short of remarkable! Your impact stretches far beyond textbooks and hallway high-fives. You create safe spaces where curiosity and innovation can thrive. You spot hidden talents and nurture potential. You transform ordinary moments into extraordinary learning opportunities that last a lifetime. Even when faced with challenges, you adapt with creativity and perseverance, ensuring that every student—regardless of background or ability—has the chance to shine bright. To all educators who call Goddard Public Schools home: YOU are the heartbeat of our #265Family. The relationships you build today create the community leaders of tomorrow - THANK YOU!

Please help us give the biggest shout-out to every member of our USD 265 - Nutrition Services Department today, on School Lunch Hero Day! These talented professionals serve up hundreds of meals each and every day to the students and staff of Goddard Public Schools, with a smile on their faces and positivity that radiates. Fueling the future with delicious and nutritious meals, these individuals work tirelessly behind-the-scenes to ensure each student gets what they need to succeed. Their contributions go far beyond food - they nurture spirits and school communities daily!

Good leadership sets an example for others, great leadership uplifts others, and the best leadership inspires others. Each of our schools is fortunate to have an incredible leader at the helm, steering students, staff, and families to success. On School Principals Day, we want to recognize the hard work and incredible commitment of each Principal in our #265Family. Whether answering questions about upcoming school events and activities, discussing concerns with parents, helping problem solve challenges that arise in the day-to-day operations of managing a school community, or simply welcoming students every morning with a fist bump or high five - these dedicated educators wear a multitude of hats and represent the very best of what Goddard Public Schools is all about. Their unwavering dedication helps create and maintain safe, productive, and positive learning spaces so that each student can thrive. Please help us say THANK YOU to each of these wonderful leaders, today and every day!

Everything Goddard Public Schools…right at your fingertips! Download the USD 265 mobile app to instantly access school news, event updates, and staff information. STay more connected than ever with your child’s academic journey. Never miss an important announcement or schedule change again - you can even add school events to your own personal iCal, Google, or Outlook calendar! Perfect for parents on the move! Search "USD 265" in the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, or simply visit the link below. Because staying connected shouldn't mean slowing down! https://uqr.to/1jds2

Do you have a plan to vote? The bond election on Tuesday, May 13th, will provide solutions to accommodate the growing student population, as well as a focus on the future to create the best possible learning environment for all students and families. YOU have the chance to help shape the future of USD 265, and impact the experience of existing and future students. Visit the webpage linked below to learn more about how to vote! https://www.goddardusd.com/o/gps/page/2025-bond-how-to-vote-page

DON’T FORGET! This weekend is Neighbors United 2025, where our community comes together to help one another. Students from all across the district will be joining forces to lend a hand to their neighbors. The weather is beautiful and what a better way to spend a beautiful weekend?! Come join us for Neighbors United 2025, and click the link below to learn how you can make a positive, lasting difference in our community. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdPPT5bZjjm_w7_my0VyOAZlAKTlslTg0Ri0F9G4dU-caBRxA/viewform

Within every school community is an extraordinary administrative team! Please join us today in celebrating each of the Administrative Professionals that help keep our front offices a bright and welcoming space for students, staff and visitors. On top of managing schedules, budgets, and events, these dedicated individuals are constantly finding creative ways to swiftly solve problems. Their skills and smiles make all the difference in the world, and our #265Family is truly better because of the dedicated efforts of each one - THANK YOU!

Rain or shine, the first faces students see each morning and the last to wish them well each afternoon are the dedicated bus drivers that make Goddard Public Schools such a special place. Today, on Bus Driver Appreciation Day, we want to thank each and every member of our amazing USD 265 - Transportation Department for their tireless efforts! Whether it’s cleaning up after a long day of driving students all across the district, maintenance work to ensure top-tier safety on the roads, or training up-and-coming drivers on managing the environment aboard a school bus - the entire Transportation crew goes above and beyond regularly to ensure the safety of students. THANK YOU for serving as a direct link between cul-de-sacs and classrooms, and for all you do to help prepare all students for lifelong success!

This week we’re celebrating a huge part of our school communities - the volunteers! From PTO parents to Booster Club members, this Public School Volunteer Week, we want to say THANK YOU! Whether it’s coming in to help decorate hallways with student artwork, planning bingo night fundraisers, running the merch tent at a game, or helping chaperone an activity trip - our schools thrive with the help of dedicated parent volunteers. Their dedication of time and talent makes such an extraordinary difference for our entire #265Family!

VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS TOMORROW! Your vote is your voice in building a better future for our community! If you live within Goddard Public Schools district boundaries, make sure you are registered to vote prior to the upcoming school bond election in May. The deadline to register to vote is tomorrow (Tuesday, April 22nd). This bond issue provides solutions to accommodate the growing student population, as well as a focus on the future to create the best possible learning environment for ALL students and families. Click the link below to check your voter registration status! https://myvoteinfo.voteks.org/voterview Click the link below to register to vote! https://www.kdor.ks.gov/apps/voterreg/

Do you have questions about how the upcoming bond and what the your family’s investment may look like? Good news! The district website has a bond webpage dedicated to answering financial questions and helping our #265Family see exactly how their vote can impact the future of Goddard Public Schools. Click the link below to learn more today! https://www.goddardusd.com/page/2025-bond-financial-investment-page

The USD 265 - Goddard Public Schools Board of Education is excited to announce the hiring of the new Chief of Police for the USD 265 Police Department, Joseph Camp! Camp has dedicated 30 years to law enforcement, holding a variety of leadership roles with the Wichita Police Department. With a decade of experience as a School Resource Officer, he specializes in juvenile de-escalation and critical incident response. A skilled police instructor, he has trained officers in effective intervention strategies to strengthen community safety. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Park Resource Management from Kansas State University and previously served on the Renwick School Board, contributing to education policy and student well-being. Joe shared, “I am excited for this new challenge and look forward to building relationships with students, faculty and staff to help make Goddard Public Schools the safest schools in the state. I believe in communication and partnership, and my philosophy is safety through respect.”

The USD 265 - Goddard Public Schools Board of Education is excited to announce the hiring of the new Principal for Clark Davidson Elementary School, Allison Ebert! She will begin serving as CDS Principal on July 1, 2025. Ebert has been in education for 14 years and brings a wealth of experience that spans all grade levels. Most recently, she has been serving as the School Counselor at Apollo Elementary School. Prior to that she served as Assistant Principal at Wayside Elementary and School Counselor at Central Middle School (both in Bartlesville, OK). Ebert has a strong background in student development and leadership. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education and a Master of Science in Student Development and School Counseling from Kansas State University, as well as a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Oklahoma Wesleyan University. Allison stated “I am thrilled and honored to join the CDS team. I am eager to work alongside the staff to serve students and families. I am committed to creating a positive and supportive school culture that inspires innovation and empowers both students and staff. I am passionate about providing a high quality education to every student and ensuring our community feels valued and supported.”

We're grateful to the KAKE News team for visiting our district and sharing information about the upcoming USD 265 Goddard Public Schools bond initiative with the community! Interested in learning the details? All the information you need is available on our dedicated bond website: https://www.goddardusd.com/page/2025-bond. Don't forget to mark your calendar and be a voter on Tuesday, May 13th! This bond issue provides solutions to accommodate the growing student population, as well as a focus on the future to create the best possible learning environment for ALL students and families. Your vote is your voice in building a better future for our community. Check out the full story from KAKE by clicking the link below! https://www.kake.com/home/goddard-school-district-looks-ahead-to-vote-on-196-million-bond/article_b06fc309-c75b-491c-be83-3a747f200b41.html

Reminder! All schools and district offices will be closed on Friday, April 18th, 2025.