Goddard Education Foundation

05/29/2026

Growing Beyond the Classroom: How the GHS Pollinator Garden is Rooting Science in Real-World Success

At Goddard High School, science education isn't just about reading text or memorizing formulas, it is about getting your hands dirty.

For decades, GHS has been the home of an Outdoor Wildlife Learning Site (OWLS), a mature, native grass and pond ecosystem. It is a beautiful space to look at, but for some students, just looking isn’t enough. As GHS Science Teacher Darcie Lowry notes, “Since the OWLS area is primarily established native perennials and grasses, it is more to look at than work with.” They need to build, tend, and discover the “fruits” of their labor.

With the help of an Innovative Teacher Grant, Mrs. Lowry aims to cover the upfront funding to build a Pollinator Garden to expand the hands-on, outdoor tactile learning students can experience.

Every year, students at GHS have the opportunity to enroll in Ecology. For many of these students, this course is a practical choice for those eyeing a “career-over-college” pathway. These are students who thrive when learning is tactile and directly tied to real adult life. Unfortunately, meaningful hands-on learning often carries a high material cost. Mrs. Lowry explains, “Gardening of any type is a fantastic way to bridge classroom learning to real-life application. Most adults will eventually find themselves interested in gardening of some variety regardless of career.”

While the existing OWLS site offers an incredible ecosystem to observe, it is largely self-sustaining and doesn’t offer very many hands-on opportunities. To bridge this gap, Mrs. Lowry and the GHS science department envisioned a brand-new, highly interactive space located right in front of the school greenhouse. By establishing a dedicated, semi-maintained pollinator garden, science transitions from a passive lecture into an active workspace. To maximize the grant’s impact, the science department has already partnered with District Maintenance and Facilities to provide the topsoil, rock, and w**d barriers at no cost to the program.

Through this Innovative Teacher Grant, the GHS Pollinator Garden will introduce a structured, collaborative layout featuring a rear bed of native perennials and a front rock bed containing a raised garden bed for every lab table group of 2 to 4 students.

The beauty of the GHS Pollinator Garden lies in its long-term viability. While the upfront grant funding is critical to build the infrastructure, the garden is designed to be completely self-sustaining in the years to follow, requiring little to no additional funding as future classes handle the seasonal upkeep.

What starts as a specialized project for 50 Ecology students will blossom to impact nearly every student in the building. The garden will serve as a core resource for Biology classes, a required class for all GHS students, and will remain open to any class looking to take a restorative brain break or read in a vibrant, natural environment.

The garden is already contributing in big ways to the Goddard Community. GHS students helped propagate, cultivate, and grow plants that were used as part of the Goddard Plant Swap in conjunction with Neighbors United in April. This hands-on experience directly reinforces the real-world value of their hard work.

By funding the GHS Pollinator Garden, you are investing in a tangible, lasting resource that gives hardworking, career-minded students the practical skills, pride, and environmental stewardship they need to grow into the leaders of tomorrow.

05/28/2026

The Goddard Education Foundation is excited to introduce the Goddard Public Schools Hall of Fame Class of 2026!

Established in 2018, the Hall of Fame celebrates, honors, and recognizes the extraordinary service, success, and achievements of our alumni, retired staff, and dedicated friends of education.

Join us in celebrating the Class of 2026:
* Dan Buchanan, Former Educator & Coach
* Dr. Mary Cohen (Shinogle), Goddard High School Class of 1986
* Jerry Longabaugh, Former Educator, Administrator, and Current USD 265 Board of Education Representative
* Dr. Christopher Warren, Goddard High School Class of 1992
* Dr. Michael Vivion, Goddard High School Class of 1962

Save the Date!
Please join us on September 18, 2026, to celebrate the Class of 2026.
Keep an eye out for event details, registration opens in July.
Stay tuned as we highlight each of our individual inductees in the coming weeks. Let's join together to celebrate the past and inspire the future of Goddard Public Schools.

05/27/2026

Independence and Adaptive Tools for Mixed Abilities Learners

For many K-4 students in the Mixed Abilities program at Oak Street Elementary, the physical act of handwriting can be an exhausting roadblock; one that often can lead to deep frustration, sensory overload, and a desire to give up.

Thanks to a Goddard Education Foundation (GEF) Innovative Teacher Grant, Oak Street Elementary Mixed Abilities Teacher, Mrs. Bally is tearing down those barriers and redefining what “writing” tools look like. With funding from the grant, her Mixed Abilities classroom introduced adaptive writing tools, specifically specialized letter and number stamps along with flexible, sensory-friendly seating.

By using stamps, students who struggle with fine motor skills can now independently spell words, construct sentences, and solve math problems with minimal staff support. The stamps aren’t replacing pencil and paper but instead, serve as a bridge that allows students to show what they know without being held back by a pencil grip.

Coupled with flexible seating that helps students stay calm, regulated, and in a “ready-to-learn” state, these tools are completely transforming the classroom environment. Best of all, these resources are entirely mobile, traveling with students as needed.

By taking the physical struggle out of the equation, Mrs. Bally is boosting classroom focus and giving students independence in learning.

Thank you Goddard Education Foundation for helping fund opportunities to bridge the gap for all types of learners in Goddard Public Schools.

05/26/2026

The “magic” of USD 265 doesn’t just happen in one place, it happens in our classrooms, hallways, kitchens, and on our buses. The Goddard Education Foundation, alongside our Legacy Partners at Lange Real Estate, was thrilled to present the Award to 15 outstanding staff members who embody the spirit of our District and lead with heart every single day.

Today, we are proud to recognize our winner from Apollo Elementary: Amy Kalinich

My daughter Cora is in Mrs. Kalinich’s 1st grade class this year. My husband and Cora’s dad, Kyle, has been away at pilot training for the Air Force for the whole school year. His birthday was at the beginning of February. I had made a simple Facebook post asking friends and family to send him a card in order to try and make his birthday special, even though he couldn’t be home. Mrs. Kalinich saw my post and decided to incorporate card making into her lesson plans. She let Cora tell the class about her dad and what he was doing, and each student made him a birthday card. Mrs. Kalinich shipped the package of cards to Kyle, and he was so grateful when he opened it and saw a handmade card from each and every student in her class. She went above and beyond not only to help make Kyle’s day special, but to acknowledge what challenges our family has gone through this year. In what has been a tough year with her dad out of town, Cora could not have been more excited to get to share about him with her class and to watch him open and read every card she and her classmates made for him.
- Kaci Kozik, Parent of Student

This celebration is made possible by Lange Real Estate. Their commitment to recognizing the vital role our staff plays in creating a thriving learning environment ensures our Heroes feel seen and valued.
In USD 265 we don’t just work together, we lift each other up. Congratulations Mrs. Kalinich for proving that we truly are !

To nominate a staff member for the Award visit - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfqBYiNp1_fBQ0Mhx_qC5-usWNmkBSCI5eF9Lgui-2ipsJxdw/viewform?usp=publish-editor

To learn more about how Lange Real Estate serves our visit - https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1DCFEnmZU4/

05/22/2026

From Spectators to Scientists: Shattering the Ceiling in Goddard Chemistry Labs

For many high school chemistry students, advanced science can feel overwhelming. While Honors Chemistry students at Goddard High School are capable of grasping complex scientific concepts like intermolecular forces, thermal separation, and purification, their practical experience was hitting a ceiling due to the lack of professional-grade equipment.

With the help of a Goddard Education Foundation (GEF) Innovative Teacher Grant, Goddard High School Chemistry teacher, Jerod Horsch sought to shatter the ceiling by adding professional-grade Liebig condensers to his Honors Chemistry classroom. This project allows him to introduce advanced, multi-step distillation and purification techniques, typically reserved for university-level chemistry courses.

With this equipment, students won’t just read about boiling points; they will actively manipulate them. By having multiple condensers available to students, this innovative grant moves the classroom away from teacher-led demonstrations to true, hands-on collaborative learning.

“This hands-on exposure fosters scientific thinking, strengthens laboratory technique, and bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application," shared Horsch.

Ultimately, this grant isn’t just purchasing glassware, it is investing in confidence. By exposing our Chemistry students to college-level techniques early, we are bridging the gap between high school theory and professional practice, giving them the exact skills and competitive edge they need to become the next generation of STEM innovators.

Thank you, Goddard Education Foundation for your continued investment and support for students and staff of Goddard Public Schools.

05/21/2026

Goddard families, it’s time to prepare for the upcoming sports season! Only during the month of May, Vrana Chiropractic & Homegrown Chiropractic are providing student sports physicals for the discounted rate of just $25.

All proceeds will be donated to the Goddard Education Foundation, so that your support stays local AND helps support our students and school communities. It’s a fantastic way to clear your student-athlete for play, while directly supporting local educators, a true win-win for our !

Ready to schedule? Contact Vrana Chiropractic in Goddard or Homegrown Chiropractic in Wichita to secure your appointment today!

05/20/2026

Toot the Flute that Makes You Tap Your Boot!

For many elementary students, learning to play the recorder in 3rd and 4th grade is their very first introduction to reading music and playing an instrument. But traditional recorders come with a hidden challenge; they require precise finger dexterity to completely seal the tone-holes. For young beginners or students with fine motor challenges, this can quickly turn a fun music lesson into a frustrating experience.

Thanks to a Goddard Education Foundation Innovative Teacher Grant, Apollo Elementary Music Teacher Sarah Ashcraft is changing the game.

With her grant funding, Mrs. Ashcraft purchased innovative Nuvo Recorders. These special instruments feature rubber finger flaps that help small hands easily seal the holes, guaranteeing immediate success for all beginners.

“These will be great beginning instruments for not only learning the recorder in elementary school, but also future instrumental programs as they progress through Goddard Public Schools," shares Ashcraft.

What makes this project truly special is its inclusivity. Because every student uses the same beginner instrument, students in the Special Education program who need a little extra physical support blend right in with their peers, no one stands out, and everyone succeeds together. As an added bonus, the instruments perfectly match the Apollo Panthers and Eisenhower Tigers school colors!

By removing the physical barriers to making music, Mrs. Ashcraft is not only helping 3rd and 4th graders at Apollo Elementary build academic reading and rhythm skills, she’s also paving the way for the next generation of USD 265 band students

05/19/2026

We are thrilled to announce our 2026 Award Winners from across the district. As we know, the magic of USD 265 doesn’t just happen in one place, it happens in our classrooms, hallways, kitchens, and on our buses. These fifteen individuals represent the very best of our district, going above and beyond their daily duties to inspire our students and support their colleagues.

Please join us in congratulating this year’s winners, each representing a different school and department across the District. Each winner has been awarded a $100 cash prize as a token of our appreciation for their profound dedication to the .

Amy Kalinich - 1st Grade Teacher, Apollo Elementary School
Ana Jimenez - Nutrition Services, Clark Davidson Elementary School
Blake Morgan - Science Teacher, Eisenhower High School
Danielle Vequist - Physical Therapist, Explorer Elementary School
Dwane Scheidt - Mechanic, USD 265 Transportation
EHS Building Engineer Team - Building Engineers, USD 265 Maintenance
Jordan Brown & Ben Jervis - Band Instructors, Discovery Intermediate School
King Sanders - Instructional Support Teacher, Eisenhower Middle School
Megan Alexander - Counselor, Challenger Intermediate School
Mellisa Schwartz - Receptionist, USD 265 District Office
Mira Mullen - Speech Language Pathologist, Oak Street Elementary School
Misti Carmichael - Paraprofessional, Goddard High School
Patty Butherus - Science Teacher, Goddard Middle School
Randi Ornelas - Speech Language Pathologist, Amelia Earhart Elementary School
Sara Read - Special Education Teacher, Goddard Academy

A Special Thank You to Lange Real Estate This celebration would not be possible without the incredible generosity of our community partners. We would like to extend a sincere thank you to Lange Real Estate for their partnership with the Goddard Education Foundation. Their commitment to recognizing the vital role our staff plays in creating a thriving learning environment is truly inspiring. Because of their support, we are able to ensure our feel seen and valued.

To every staff member who was nominated: please know that your hard work does not go unnoticed. Every nominee will receive a copy of their nomination letter and a special certificate to commemorate the profound difference they make every single day. To the nominators, who took time to shine a light on the incredible work of our staff and educators, THANK YOU! The affirming stories recognizing their impact made a lasting difference to the nominees.

In USD 265, we don’t just work together, we lift each other up. Thank you for proving once again that we truly are better together!

With gratitude,
The Goddard Education Foundation

05/18/2026

Cultivating Inclusion: The EHS Adaptive Accessible Garden

At Eisenhower High School, the Life Skills program serves an incredible group of students with multiple disabilities who require adaptive environments to truly unlock their potential. Because many of these students utilize wheelchairs or other mobility supports, traditional outdoor activities are often out of reach.

With the help of an Innovative Teacher Grant, Brady Helton, Eisenhower High School Life Skills teacher, created an accessible garden space at EHS to create more hands-on learning opportunities for his students. “The reality is that many of our students face unique physical boundaries every day,” explains Mr. Helton. “When a student in a wheelchair wants to participate in an outdoor activity but physically can’t reach it, it limits their learning. This project is all about removing those barriers and providing access to meaningful, engaging activities that support life skills and vocational goals.”

The EHS Adaptive Accessible Garden project is changing the narrative by creating a universally designed outdoor learning space where students of all abilities can actively participate, grow, and thrive.

Unlike traditional gardens, these uniquely shaped wheelchair-accessible raised garden V-beds are engineered specifically for both seating and standing access. By allowing a wheelchair to roll right up under the framework, students with physical disabilities can reach the soil, plant seeds, pull w**ds, and maintain the garden independently or with minimal support.

This project expands upon the Life Skills classrooms’ indoor hydroponics system. Having already mastered seed planting and basic plant care indoors, students now have the opportunity to transition their skills to outdoors. “Our students have done a wonderful job exploring seed planting indoors, but this new outdoor garden will extend that experience,” shares Helton.

The true harvest of this garden will come in the way of social inclusion and tactile learning. This project will directly benefit Life Skills students at EHS, while partnering with the Mixed Abilities program and general education peers to make the garden a shared campus hub.

“We don’t want this to be an isolated project,” Helton emphasizes. “These shared learning experiences will strengthen our entire school community.”

Thank you to the Goddard Education Foundation and donors for establishing an equitable space for ALL USD 265 students to enjoy.

05/11/2026

Building Blocks of Brilliance

For first- year Kindergarten teacher Hannah Moncada, the classroom at Explorer Elementary is more than just four walls, it is a launchpad. But she noticed a common hurdle among her class: many of her students were beginning their academic journey with limited exposure to the foundational building blocks of ready and math.

“I have seen how much my students enjoy hands-on activities,” Moncada shared in her grant application. “They are more engaged and retain more information when they are able to move and manipulate materials.”

Driven by a desire to bridge this gap, Hannah submitted an Innovative Teacher Grant for specialized ELA and Math activity centers. Thanks to the generosity of Goddard Education Foundation (GEF) donors, her vision for an engaging tactile classroom was fully funded.
With the reading and math activity centers, Hannah is moving beyond traditional pencil and paper tasks. These resources ensure students aren’t just memorizing, but truly mastering the materials.

The GEF’s investment in Ms. Moncada’s classroom extends far beyond a single school year. While these resources have helped her current students bridge the gap, these materials are built to last for the next generation of Explorers.

“These materials will be used for years to come. They will benefit not only my current students but also future Explorer students,” shared Moncada.

By partnering with educators like Hannah Moncada, the GEF is doing more than just purchasing supplies; they are building a foundation of confidence and curiosity. Because of this grant, young learners are getting the hands-on tools they need to thrive.

05/11/2026