This award recognizes schools with at least 10% student participation in Beanstack during the school year. We’re so proud of our students for getting involved, logging their reading, and helping us build a strong culture of reading!
Keep reading, keep logging, and let’s see how far we can go! 📖
The first days of a new school year are about so much more than schedules, classrooms, and learning new routines. They are about building positive relationships. Across Goddard Public Schools, educators and staff have worked intentionally to make sure students feel welcomed, supported and excited to be back at school. At Challenger Intermediate School, that has meant everything from music, fist bumps, and big greetings during morning drop-off to hands-on science experiments, classroom activities, and older students stepping up to help younger classmates. Those moments matter. When students know there are adults who care about them and classmates who support them, it creates the sense of belonging that helps them learn, grow and succeed. As a new school year kicks off, a few members of the Challenger team shared about their first-day-of-school experience and what they're looking forward to most this year.
Darrin San Romani, Principal
A new school year means new beginnings, and Principal Darrin San Romani has been proud to see students and staff making connections from day one at Challenger. One of his favorite moments has been watching sixth graders step up to welcome and help incoming fifth graders. Those leadership opportunities are helping create a strong sense of community throughout the building. Creating a welcoming environment is a priority from the moment students arrive. From music playing in the morning to big greetings and fist bumps, Challenger staff prioritizes every student’s sense of belonging.
“Welcome!” That simple message has been on display all week, especially as students who arrived nervous on the first day quickly became excited to jump out of the car and head into school. And there’s plenty more ahead, with student leadership, robotics, family activities, and more giving students and families opportunities to connect throughout the year.
Jaden Wiley, 5th Grade Teacher (1st Year Teaching)
For first-year teacher Jaden Wiley, building relationships was the focus during the first week of school. His fifth graders played games, learned more about their new teacher and had opportunities to share about themselves with their classmates. Those early conversations are already helping build a classroom community where students feel comfortable being themselves. “I am hoping to create a sense of family here in my classroom,” Wiley shared. It’s clear that one of the highlights of the week was seeing students look out for one another, checking on classmates and helping pick each other up when they needed it.
Doug Mann, 5th Grade PLTW Science Teacher
What better way to start the school year than by getting hands-on with science? Fifth-grade science teacher Doug Mann jumped right into STEAM activities and hands-on projects during the first week at Challenger. One favorite was the “Fred the Gummy Worm” challenge, where students worked together to rescue Fred from his plastic cup boat. For Mann, activities like these are about more than having fun, they’re about helping students discover a love for science early on. He’s looking forward to a year filled with STEAM projects, including robotics activities later in the year.
His goal? “Hooking kids to science” and hopefully inspiring them to keep exploring it long after they leave his classroom.
Megan Alexander, School Counselor
The first week of school is full of new faces, new routines and, for some students, a few nerves. School Counselor Megan Alexander has been excited to see those nerves turn into confidence as students settle into Challenger.
Alexander shared that several parents reached out before the first day with concerns about their children feeling nervous. But when she checked in with those students afterward, she heard a very different story, they were doing great and thriving. Seeing staff help students feel comfortable and at home has been especially rewarding.
As the year continues, she is looking forward to watching students build strong connections with their teachers and staff. Alexander shared, “I’m excited to see students continue to make connections with staff.”
Building Connections All Year Long
Excitement and opportunities at Challenger mirror what happens all throughout Goddard Public Schools, educators and staff creating environments where students know they are welcomed, valued, and cared for. Thanks is owed to all teachers, support staff, administrators, and families for making the beginning of this school year such a positive one! And we're just getting started. As the #265Family moves beyond the excitement of the first days, we encourage families to stay connected. It takes all of us working together to create an incredible school year for students. Here's to a year filled with relationships, opportunities, discovery, and continuing to build the #265Family!
Story and pictures contributed by Tessa Carson, USD 265 Intern.
Earlier, we shared the exciting news that one of our 5th grade students, Olivia, earned an incredible trip to South Carolina through the **America’s Field Trip competition** after submitting an impactful piece of writing. Now, we’re excited to share a little glimpse of her adventure! ✈️💙
During her trip, Olivia has visited the **USS Yorktown, South Carolina Aquarium, and International African American Museum**, getting the chance to experience history and learning in a whole new, hands-on way.
It looks like she’ had an amazing time by making memories, exploring new places, and learning along the way. We’re so excited for Olivia and proud to see where her writing has taken her!
Check out our new Challenger apparel. Follow the link below to order! The store will close on August 20th.
https://factory233.com/challenger_intermediate/shop/home
This is your FINAL opportunity to donate school supplies before the bus rolls out! Our GHS & EHS cheer squads are teaming up with Chick-fil-A 21st & Maize to fill the bus for local students — and YOU can help!
📍 Chick-fil-A 21st & Maize (10515 W. 21st St. W)
🕙 TODAY, August 4 | 10 AM – 2 PM
Bring a school supply donation → walk away with a FREE Chick-fil-A sandwich. It's that simple!
Every item collected will be distributed to classrooms across the District to help fill in needs throughout the first semester — your donation goes straight back to local teachers and students. 💙
Most needed:
✏️ Backpacks
✏️ #2 pencils, pens, crayons, markers, colored pencils
✏️ Glue sticks & block erasers
✏️ Folders, notebooks, rulers
✏️ Scissors, highlighters, dry-erase markers
Come see our cheerleaders in action and help send local classrooms into the semester fully stocked. Don't miss this last chance to make a difference! 🙌
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 #265Family 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 Challenger Intermediate: Megan Alexander
"She helped me when I was removed from my family and taken into foster care for 2 days, she helped me heal those wounds and feel comfortable with myself. She tried to make every kids life better even if it hurt her soul to do so. She deserves recognition for truly being an angel."
- Former 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 #265Family Heroes feel seen and valued.
In USD 265 we don’t just work together, we lift each other up. Congratulations Mrs. Alexander for proving that we truly are #BetterTogether!
To nominate a staff member for the #265Family 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 #265Family visit - https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1DCFEnmZU4/
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.
Learn more about the Goddard Hall of Fame and read about past Honorees HERE or https://www.goddardef.org/o/gef/page/hall-of-fame .
We are looking forward to our upcoming Field Day on Monday, May 11th! If you are planning to take your student out for lunch during the event, please ensure you complete the Google Form linked below:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd-aDiB61rT6YaEf0cHKscuLSFuBWmC3vBCSM3dCyNoeSbQkA/viewform?usp=publish-editor
Field Day Lunch Sign-Out Form
Important Transportation Notice:
If your student will be leaving school with an adult who is not their legal parent or guardian, you must send an authorization email to the office at aparks@goddardusd.com and apowers@goddardusd.com. Please include:
The name of your student
The full name of the adult they are leaving with
Deadline:
All forms and authorization emails must be submitted by Friday, May 8th. Please note that we will be unable to process phone calls or emails regarding lunch or transportation changes on Monday during Field Day.
Thank you for your cooperation in making this a safe and fun day for our students!
Best regards,
May Mission Report Newsletter has launched! Please click the link below to stay in the know.
Dear Goddard Public Schools Staff and Families,
Neighbors United Goddard is happening tomorrow, Saturday, April 25, 2026, and we would love for you to be part of this incredible day of service and community connection.
We are still looking for volunteers to join us. Registration will take place at the Goddard District Stadium from 7:00 to 7:30 a.m., and there are still plenty of project sites available for individuals and families to serve together. Click below for more details:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1499152881939945
Volunteers can expect a meaningful and fun experience, along with a free event t-shirt, breakfast, and lunch. Whether you come on your own or bring the whole family, this is a great opportunity to give back while spending time together in service to our community.
In addition to volunteer projects, there are two special opportunities taking place at the Goddard Linear Park Pavilion, 108 N. Main Street:
Plant and Seed Swap Event, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Bring a piece of your garden to share, such as plant cuttings, divided perennials, seeds, or small garden items. Participants can drop off items as early as 8:00 a.m. and then “shop” beginning at 10:00 a.m. It is a fun and simple way to trade plants and grow something new while connecting with others in the community. In addition, students from the Goddard High School Ecology and Biology programs, under the leadership of teacher Darcie Lowry, have cultivated 100 indoor houseplant starter kits that will be given away to community members who stop by. This work is an extension of a Goddard Education Foundation Innovative Teacher Grant, bringing classroom learning to life while giving back to the community in a meaningful way. CLICK HERE for more details:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1784640216043365
Sports Equipment Donation and Pickup
Drop off gently used sports equipment between 7:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Families in need are invited to pick up equipment from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. All remaining donated items will go back into our community through local junior league programs, helping ensure every child has access to the equipment they need to participate. A special thank you to the Summer Ball Showdown for coordinating this opportunity. Click below for more details:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/2189421978525736
We encourage everyone to follow the Neighbors United Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NeighborsUnitedGoddard for updates. In the event of severe or dangerous weather, any cancellation will be announced by 7:00 a.m. If the event has already begun and conditions change, volunteers will be safely dismissed and further communication will be provided.
Thank you for continuing to make Goddard Public Schools such a strong and caring community.
Running club is CANCELLED today, Thursday 4/23 due to expected severe weather. Students were notified by their teacher that it is cancelled, and that they need to plan on taking their normal transportation home.
Our LAST WEEK is next week. Last day is Thursday, 4/30.
Event Details:
Goddard High School (GHS)
Monday, April 13th
1:00 - 1:30 p.m.
Goddard High School Parking Lot
Eisenhower High School (EHS)
Thursday, April 16th
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Eisenhower High School Parking Lot
During these times, community members in the area may notice a significant presence of emergency vehicles, including police, fire, and other first responders, with active lights and sirens. This activity is part of a planned simulation and training exercise.
We want to reassure our community that these events are fully coordinated, controlled, and focused on student education. There is no active emergency, and students and staff are not in any danger. We’d like to additionally take this opportunity to express our gratitude to all of the agencies involved in bringing this experience to our school communities:
D.U.I Victims Center of Kansas
Garden Plain Police Department
Kansas Highway Patrol
Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department
Sedgwick County Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Wichita Fire Department
Wichita State University Police
USD 265 School Police
USD 265 Transportation
We appreciate your understanding and support as we work together with our community partners to provide meaningful learning experiences that help keep our students safe. Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting the well-being of our students and schools!
This recognition is a testament to the incredible dedication of our staff and the culture we've built together. Thank you to everyone who pours their heart into making our school a place where kids truly feel seen, valued, and loved.
We're grateful to Capturing Kids' Hearts for this recognition and even more grateful for the team that made it possible.
#CapturingKidsHearts #NationalShowcaseSchool #CKH #SchoolCulture #ChallengerIntermediate
Today is Paraprofessional Appreciation Day, and we want to give a massive shout-out to the heart and soul of our classrooms. 🍎
From providing one-on-one support to being the ultimate "extra set of hands," our paras show up every day with patience, kindness, and dedication. You don't just help our students learn—you help them thrive. Thank you for the endless energy and heart you pour into our school community. We truly couldn't do it without you! 💙
