“Robotics is about us. It is the discipline of emulating our lives, of wondering how we work.” – Rod Grupen
Congratulations to Doug Mann, Rochelle Mann, and Pam Cole, Robotics Coaches at Challenger Intermediate School, for receiving the District Attitude Award from the USD 265 Board of Education!
They were collectively nominated by Carrie Phelps, who shared, “This year marks the third successful year of the Robotics program at Challenger Intermediate, and under the exceptional guidance of Mr. Doug Mann, Mrs. Rochelle Mann, and Mrs. Pam Cole, the program has reached an unprecedented level of achievement. Their exemplary patience, significant investment of time, unwavering dedication, and profound commitment have cultivated an environment where all Challenger Robotics teams have excelled competitively, culminating in the remarkable qualification of four teams for the State Competition.
Specifically, Challenger Team Alpha, comprised of students Caden Enos, Liam VanStrien, Trenton Teel, Caleb Norman, and CJ Decker, has demonstrated outstanding performance and a consistently positive attitude throughout the season. Their achievements under the mentorship of Mr. and Mrs. Mann and Mrs. Cole include securing four consecutive Excellence Awards and their second Tournament Teamwork Championship.
For context, the Excellence Award represents the highest honor within the VEX IQ Challenge. It is bestowed upon a team that embodies comprehensive excellence in the development of a high-caliber VEX robotics program. This team must demonstrate strong potential across various award categories and meet stringent criteria, including Engineering Notebook quality, rankings in the Design Award, Teamwork Challenge qualification matches, Robot Skills Challenge, other judged awards, and overall program quality.
The consistent success and positive demeanor exhibited by Challenger Team Alpha are a direct reflection of the inspiring leadership and supportive atmosphere fostered by Mr. Doug Mann, Mrs. Rochelle Mann, and Mrs. Pam Cole. Their dedication has not only driven competitive success but has also instilled valuable qualities of teamwork, perseverance, and sportsmanship within the students.
Therefore, I strongly believe that Challenger Robotics Team Alpha is highly deserving of recognition with an Attitude Award, acknowledging their exceptional performance and the positive influence of their mentors.”
“Robotics and other combinations will make the world pretty fantastic compared with today.” – Bill Gates
Congratulations to Alivia Gish, 4th Grader at Clark Davidson Elementary School, for receiving the District Attitude Award from the USD 265 Board of Education!
Gish was nominated by Dane Baxa, who shared, “Alivia Gish, 4th-grade student at Clark Davidson Elementary School, was recently named the ‘VEX IQ 2025 Kansas Student of the Year’ for her dedication to excellence in robotics, teamwork, and helping others achieve success. Alivia was recently interviewed by Travis Mounts with the Times-Sentinel Newspaper about this award, and she was able to clearly articulate her answers to questions with grace and humility and told a captivating story about the journey of her first year on the CDS Robotics Team. It was a testament to all of the lifelong skills she learned and implemented from her experience in the Robotics program. Alivia is an outstanding representative of CDS and Goddard Public Schools, and has a bright future ahead of her!”
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more - you are a leader.” – John Quincy Adams
Congratulations to Mason Keeler, Senior at Eisenhower High School, for receiving the District Attitude Award from the USD 265 Board of Education!
Keeler was nominated by Julie Seagraves, who shared, “Mason Keeler, EHS Senior, is a deserving recipient of our district's Attitude Award for his outstanding dedication to inclusivity, leadership, and kindness in the classroom. Mason has consistently demonstrated patience, empathy, and encouragement while working alongside a mixed-ability peer, fostering an environment where both students can thrive. Through Mason’s positive attitude and willingness to support others, he has not only helped his peer succeed academically but has also built his confidence and sense of belonging. Mason’s ability to lead by example, treating all classmates with respect and dignity, makes him an exceptional role model. Mason’s actions represent the values of teamwork, perseverance, and compassion, making a lasting impact on our school community here at Eisenhower High School. One classmate shared, ‘Mason helps me with my work. He is nice and kind.’”
Happy School Library Month! From literary legends, to references and resources, school libraries are the place where dreams take flight and imagination can transport readers of all ages to another world. Help us applaud the school library staff of Goddard Public Schools that work tirelessly to provide students with the tools and technology they need to succeed, fostering a love of reading and critical thinking.
Did you know that the USD 265 school district boundaries include 65 square miles of land? Any registered voter inside the district boundaries can vote in the upcoming bond election on Tuesday, May 13th, 2025! Learn more by clicking the link below and visiting the USD 265 Bond Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) webpage today!
https://www.goddardusd.com/o/gps/page/2025-bond-faqs-page
Ready for Pre-K?! Join us TONIGHT for the Pre-K Enrollment Event, which will take place this evening from 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Challenger Intermediate School (325 N. Walnut St. Goddard, KS 67052). We’re here to help answer questions you may have, help with enrollment, and get you everything you need to succeed. Come meet our #265Family today!
Hundreds attended USD 265's 2025 Bond Informational Kick-off Event at Oak Street Elementary School last Monday. District leaders, board members, and staff were on hand to showcase proposed improvements including new buildings for our growing student population, infrastructure upgrades, and enhanced safety and security measures.
The event featured architectural presentation information and detailed funding breakdowns, demonstrating the district’s commitment to fiscal responsibility. Visit the new USD 265 bond website for FAQs, a tax impact calculator, and complete project details: https://www.goddardusd.com/page/2025-bond.
Mark your calendars and make a plan to VOTE on Tuesday, May 13th, 2025! You can help shape the future of Goddard Public Schools! Your support continues the legacy of educational excellence for current and future students. Click the link below to read the full story!
https://www.goddardusd.com/article/2129172
Please join us in congratulating Challenger Intermediate School Robotics “Team Alpha” on making it to the VEX IQ Worlds Championship, and Clark Davidson Elementary School 4th Grader, Alivia Gish, for being named Robotics “Student of the Year” for making a positive impact on her whole robotics team. Grab a copy of The Times-Sentinel Newspaper to get the full story today!
You can also catch the 2025 Spring Sports Guide, a 20-page, semi-annual publication that includes local high school sports schedules, team photos, rosters, and preview stories. Read about the Eisenhower High School & Goddard High School baseball, softball, track and field, boys’ golf, girls’ soccer, girls’ swimming and diving, and boys’ tennis teams. Keep an eye out and pick up a copy of the TSN throughout the spring season for coverage on all local teams.
Good luck to all the #265Family student athletes competing this season!
Please join us as we applaud some very special staff members in our #265Family - our Assistant Principals! These committed educators work tirelessly behind the scenes to support students, staff, and school communities throughout the year. Their hard work, problem-solving skills, and positive attitudes help make a real difference every day. THANK YOU for all you do to positively impact the students of Goddard Public Schools!
Let’s take a moment today to celebrate the incredible school librarians that call Goddard Public Schools home, and go above and beyond every day to enrich students’ educational experiences! Their commitment to providing vital resources, cultivating a supportive academic environment, and guiding classes through literary lessons that they’ll carry with them for a lifetime. Thank you to each of our dedicated librarians for everything you do to continue to empower ALL students to expand their horizons every day!
Don’t forget! Kindergarten Enrollment Events are taking place this evening across the district, at each of the K-4/elementary schools. Need help determining which school your residence aligns with? Confirm by checking the district boundaries by clicking the link below.
https://www.goddardusd.com/o/gps/page/school-boundaries
Today, and every day, we celebrate the work of our amazing para-educators here in USD 265! The dedication, care, and support that these education professionals provide each and every day for our school communities is unparalleled. Their hard work providing individualized support makes a huge difference in the lives of students, and fosters a positive learning environment. From the entire #265Family, THANK YOU for all you do to help educate students for lifelong success!
USD 265 is proud to provide elevated classroom opportunities to all students! One point of pride is that Goddard Public Schools offers Project Lead The Way (PLTW) courses and modules - available at all grade levels, districtwide. PLTW provides transformative learning experiences through engaging, hands-on, STEM-based coursework. USD 265 has 40 different PLTW options that help students with college and career readiness.
Want to learn more? Click the link below!
https://www.goddardusd.com/o/gps/page/project-lead-the-way
Don’t forget to join us TONIGHT from 4:30 - 7:00 p.m. (come & go) at Oak Street Elementary School (501 N. Oak St. Goddard, KS 67052) for the Bond Informational Kick-Off Event! There will be details on the upcoming bond, ways to stay informed, and other opportunities to get involved. Come learn more solutions for the future of Goddard Public Schools!
Have you heard?! To assist prospective families interested in moving into Goddard Public Schools or considering the Non-Resident Student Application process, the District is hosting a “Family Tour Day,” on Thursday, May 22nd, 2025. You can attend one school tour, or the whole day. All members of your family participating in the Family Tour MUST be pre-registered by the end of the day on Wednesday, May 14th, 2025 to attend. Register for Family Tour Day by clicking the link below!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSczQw2jHiTJkLqnOb5BEqWp_4IvTByct6zEhG_8tRO_2nYTVg/viewform?usp=sharing
The USD 265 Strategic Plan for 2025 - 2030 has been finalized, and is available on the district website! This robust roadmap represents countless hours of collaborative planning, community input, and innovative thinking to ensure every student receives a world-class education. More than just a document, the USD 265 Strategic Plan is a blueprint for action that includes measurable goals, educational best practices and belief statements, and resource prioritization and allocation methods to maximize impact.
At USD 265, we believe education is a shared responsibility and that we must continue to pursue educational excellence by providing connected and advanced opportunities for ALL students. We invite every member of our Goddard family to explore the details of this plan and join us in bringing this vision to life. Together, we're building something remarkable: an educational legacy that will benefit generations to come! Click the link below to visit the district website and check out the 2025 - 2030 Strategic Plan for Goddard Public Schools.
https://www.goddardusd.com/documents/boe/426408
Recently the Goddard Education Foundation wrapped up a Staff Appreciation Breakfast tour, serving ALL schools and departments of USD 265. From January through March, GEF staff and business partners came together to say THANK YOU to all 1,200+ staff members of Goddard Public Schools. It’s moments and memories like these that make our #265Family such an amazing thing to be a part of!
SAVE THE DATE! Mark your calendars for next Monday, March 31st, to learn more about the upcoming bond election for Goddard Public Schools. Open to the public, come-and-go style, this informational gathering will provide the community with the detailed list of projects and how they will impact students. The Bond Informational Kick-Off Event will be held from 4:30 - 7:00 p.m. next Monday, March 31st, 2025 at Oak Street Elementary School (501 N. Oak St. Goddard, KS 67052). We can’t wait to see you there!
Welcome back, #265Family! We’re excited to announce the finalized USD 265 District Calendar for the 2026-2027 school year. This calendar can always be found on your school’s main website, or the district website, any time. It provides exact dates for seasonal breaks, first and last days of school, screening days, graduation dates, and more. Download and print yours today!
Goddard Public Schools has an administrative opening available, and we want YOU to be a part of our #265Family! Come join a community that promotes positive growth and professional development, with competitive salary and benefits. Goddard Public Schools is a family, and when you're here, you'll feel right at home. As the 17th largest school district in the state, immediately adjacent to Wichita, you can enjoy both the amenities of a suburban community, with a small town feel. USD 265 seeks educators with a commitment to high achievement for all students, and the ability to build a stimulating, supportive, and caring educational environment. Goddard is growing, and growth brings resources that enhance our mission to educate ALL students for lifelong success!
To learn more, contact Nick Grummert at ngrummert@goddardusd.com, call 316-794-4000 today, or click the link below!
https://www.applitrack.com/goddardusd/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Administration
