USD 265 Goddard Public Schools -

“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!

Huge shoutout to our amazing USD 265 Police Department Officers today on School Resource Officer Day! You’re more than just the uniform - you’re mentors, protectors, positive role models, and a vital part of our school communities. THANK YOU, today and every day, for keeping our schools safe and secure!

Did you know that Goddard Public Schools is the home of several types of athletic and activity programming, including adaptive sports leagues? In 2021, Eisenhower High School expanded their athletic offerings to include adaptive sports such as bowling and basketball. These programs are structured to provide a sports team experience for students with special needs, who may not be able to compete in traditional sports and activities. Student athletes develop skills, pride, and confidence in their abilities to achieve lifelong success. Adaptive sports are just another thing that makes our #265Family extraordinary!

Goddard Public Schools is proud to provide world-class educational opportunities to all students, in a variety of methods and at all grade levels. One point of pride is that USD 265 implements a program called “Capturing Kids’ Hearts” (CKH) districtwide. This process aims at strengthening students’ connectedness to others through enhancing healthy bonds with teachers and establishing consistent rules of conduct. Did you know that USD 265 is one of only 19 school districts in the nation that has achieved National Showcase status? Learn more about the CKH initiative here: https://www.goddardusd.com/page/capturing-kids-hearts.

Goddard Public Schools Staff and Families, There will be NO SCHOOL on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, due to severe winter weather and hazardous driving conditions. Please be safe, and thank you for your continued support. Dane Baxa

Career & Technical Education (CTE) isn’t just a path, it’s where passion meets profession! Students across the district get opportunities throughout the school year to build skills that will meet the demands of future careers in a variety of fields. From business finance to biomedical, healthcare to hospitality - there’s a CTE pathway for everyone here in Goddard Public Schools. Members of our local community help shape this by attending CTE Advisory Council Meetings each semester. Help us celebrate CTE Month by clicking the link below to learn more about what’s offered in USD 265, and how these courses help students of all ages get college and career ready! https://www.goddardusd.com/page/career-technical-education

Every day, incredible #265Family heroes within Goddard Public Schools go above and beyond to inspire, support, and positively impact our USD 265 students. The Goddard Education Foundation recently announced the #265Family Award, which 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! We invite you to nominate an individual who has demonstrated a significant, positive impact on the students, staff, or the USD 265 school community as a whole. For example, nominations could recognize USD 265 staff members who: Inspire a love of learning in their student(s), Provide exceptional support to student(s), Create a positive, caring school environment, Go above and beyond their duties to serve others, and/or Exemplify professionalism and dedication to our #265Family. All nominations received will be packaged and sent to the respective individual(s). Please nominate your #265Family hero today! Complete the nomination form (click the link below) by providing the nominee's name, school, position, and a story of why you believe they are deserving of this award. https://forms.gle/7nRTfQbkbem9d18g7 All #265Family Award recipients will be recognized with a special certificate with your nomination letter, and one nominee from each USD 265 school and department (Transportation, Maintenance, and General Support) will have a chance to receive a $100 prize (15 total $100 awards) provided generously by the Goddard Education Foundation. Let’s celebrate and show appreciation for the amazing work and dedication of our USD 265 employees. We truly are better together!

Reminder! All schools and district offices will be closed on Monday, February 10th, 2025.

Have you heard that Goddard Public Schools will be holding a special election on Tuesday, May 13th, 2025? The community has recently united with a vision for the future: continuing to create optimal learning spaces that inspire curiosity in the classroom, while perserving that warm, family feel that makes our district so special. The bond proposal will continue to help our community collectively shape the district’s future for generations to come. Visit www.goddardusd.com/page/2025-bond to get informed today!

For over a decade, the Goddard Education Foundation (GEF) has empowered USD 265 educators to excel beyond traditional boundaries with Innovative Teacher Grants. Over 175 classrooms have been transformed already! Click the link below to follow along on the GEF’s journey to inspire minds and expand possibilities for each of the staff and students in this #265Family. https://www.facebook.com/goddardef

Happy School Counselor Week! Please join us in celebrating these fantastic education professionals who help make our hallways and classrooms a brighter space each and every day. School counselors are the heart and soul of student support. They listen and don’t judge - providing guidance, helping turn challenges into opportunities, and championing student potential. They provide resources for college and career readiness and aid students in examining their talents, strengths, abilities, and interests. THANK YOU to all of the amazing counselors who call Goddard Public Schools home!

Please help us welcome Mycah Biering, the newest Community Relations Intern! In her role, Mycah will assist both USD 265 - Goddard Public Schools and the Goddard Education Foundation. A senior at Eisenhower High School, Mycah is currently involved in many extracurricular activities including National Honor Society, Health Occupations Students of America, and Family, Career, Community, Leaders of America. She sought the internship role seeking to further connect with her hometown community and expand her communication skills. “Even though I’m not directly seeking a career in communications and community relations, I’ll be using what I learn here to further my future endeavors,” she shared. Mycah pursued this internship with the district’s Community Relations team because she wanted a unique learning experience to conclude her high school career. With plans to attend the University of Kansas in the fall of 2025, Mycah will pursue a major in Biology, with an emphasis on Pre-Dentistry, and a minor in Leadership Studies. She also says that she admires USD 265 for allowing opportunities like this, making it easy for her to grow as a student. Mycah was recently awarded the Presidential Service Award and wants to continue serving her community to inspire others to do the same. That passion for paying it forward is just one reason she has accepted the position of Co-Chair for the annual “Neighbors United” volunteer initiative. In addition to this role, she’ll be working on numerous district projects. Some of the skills she is excited to hone include photography and videography, technology, creative writing, and campaign organization. Mycah is a shining example of what our #265Family is all about and we can’t wait to see what she will bring to life in her internship role. Welcome, Mycah!

Stay instantly connected to everything Goddard Public Schools by turning on the push notifications within the USD 265 mobile app! Customize your alerts by selecting which schools you’d like notifications from, and stay in the know without information overload. Updates are just a tap away! The mobile app is curated for your convenience with user-friendly navigation, designed with parents in mind. Check the settings in your USD 265 mobile app today!

Do you know any new families that have moved into Goddard Public Schools looking to enroll for Pre-K or Kindergarten next year? Do you have children ages birth to five and want to learn more about early childhood options in USD 265 - Goddard Public Schools? Attention parents of little learners - mark your calendars for our annual spring enrollment events! The Kindergarten Enrollment Event will be held from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 3rd, 2025 and will take place at each individual elementary school. Check out school boundaries here: https://www.goddardusd.com/o/gps/page/school-boundaries. The Pre-K Enrollment Event will be held from 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. (come and go) on Thursday, April 10th, 2025 and will take place at Challenger Intermediate School. Also available to Goddard’s youngest students is a program called Parents As Teachers (PAT). This no-cost parent education and family support program serves Goddard school district families throughout pregnancy and until the time their child turns four. From personal visits, parent group connections and playgroups to screenings and a resource network, USD 265 PAT is here to serve the youngest learners in our community.