USD 265-Goddard Public Schools

We are so proud to shine a spotlight on five incredible students from Goddard USD 265 who are representing our community this week at the 2026 Wichita Riverfest as Prairie Schooner Mates!

Pictured from left to right: Maddy Watson (USD 265-Eisenhower High School), Riley Schoen (USD 265-Goddard High School), London Heiman (Eisenhower High School), Brody Cole (Goddard High School), and Maddie Clark (Goddard High School).

Each year, Wichita Riverfest selects outstanding high school juniors from schools across the Wichita metro area to serve as youth ambassadors for one of Kansas' most beloved community celebrations. A tradition dating back to 1976, Prairie Schooner Mates assist the festival's Admiral Windwagon Smith, the official figurehead of Riverfest, at public appearances, civic events, parades, and throughout the nine-day festival. It is a prestigious honor, and one that our students have more than earned.

Now in its 52nd year, Riverfest is more than just a festival. It is a celebration of the people, heritage, and spirit that make the greater Wichita community extraordinary, and this year, our Goddard students are right at the heart of it.

We asked Riley Schoen what this experience means to her. In her own words:
"It is truly an honor to represent Goddard High School. I'm not only honoring the school where I will spend four important years of my life, but I am representing the school that has provided me with countless opportunities to grow as both a student and a person. Through programs like Schooner Mates, I have learned the importance of leadership, service, and becoming a well-rounded individual."

On why she volunteers, Riley shared something that speaks to the heart of what we hope to instill in every student across our district:
"There have been countless people who have invested their time and energy in helping me succeed, and volunteering is my way of paying that kindness forward. If I have the ability to make someone's day a little easier or brighter, why wouldn't I?"

And what is she most looking forward to at Riverfest?
"I genuinely enjoy meeting new people and hearing their stories. I think there is something special about bringing people together, and I look forward to being part of an event that celebrates our community in such a fun and meaningful way."

Riley, Maddy, London, Brody, and Maddie, you make Goddard USD 265 incredibly proud. Go show Wichita what our is made of!

Summer is here, and the USD 265 Summer Meal Program has officially launched!

We are dedicated to ensuring students stay fueled, healthy, and ready for summer fun. Eisenhower High School is offering free breakfasts. Check out service times by visiting the USD 265 Nutrition Services page (https://www.goddardusd.com/page/nutrition-services) and click on “Free Summer Breakfast” to get more details!

, it’s time to celebrate our graduates!

The Times Sentinel Newspaper's annual “Senior Salute” has officially arrived, and it is the perfect way to honor the incredible hard work and achievements of area high school seniors. From local standouts to our very own GHS, EHS & Goddard Academy graduates, this special edition is a keepsake you'll want to hold onto forever!

Head over to the Goddard Kwik Shop today to pick up your own copy. Please join us in congratulating the amazing Class of 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.

Little moments, big milestones! If you have a child from birth to age 5, the USD 265 Parents As Teachers (PAT) program is here to support you every step of the way.

Don't miss out on free resources, fun activities, and expert parenting tips. Follow along to stay connected with our amazing PAT community!

https://www.facebook.com/people/USD-265-Parents-As-Teachers/61579594182722/

Please help us celebrate Discovery, EMS, and EHS Orchestra Teacher Pamela Lawson, who has been recognized as one of 50+ music educators honored in the Music Teacher Awards! This is a distinction that celebrates the teachers who go above and beyond to bring music to life for their students.

We are so proud to have Lawson on the Goddard USD 265 team! Her passion for music and her students is evident every single day. Congratulations, this recognition is so well deserved!

Read more: https://sboplus.net/50-music-teachers-who-make-a-difference/

Summer is here, Goddard families! Whether you are looking for camps, activities, or resources to keep your kids engaged all season long, we have you covered. Visit the USD 265 Community Opportunities and Resources webpage to explore everything available to our students and families this summer. From fun activities to important resources, there is something for everyone to make this the best summer yet.

Click the link below to see what possibilities await for you and your family!

USD 265 Goddard Public Schools Home of the Lynx

In honor of Memorial Day, all Goddard USD 265 district and school building offices will be closed on Monday, May 25th, 2026. We take great pause to remember and honor all those who gave everything in service to our country. Thank you to all who have served and sacrificed. Wishing our entire Goddard community a safe and meaningful Memorial Day weekend!

The Impact of an Image: Intern Crafts New Look for USD 265 School Logos

When Brandon Johnson walked across the Goddard High School graduation stage, alongside the rest of the Class of 2026, he left behind more than 13 years of memories. He left behind a legacy that will greet students, staff, and families at the front doors of seven USD 265 schools for years to come. During his time as a Community Relations Intern for Goddard Public Schools, Johnson spent the better part of the past school year reshaping the visual identity of every elementary and intermediate school in the district. By the end, he had delivered fresh, unified logo designs that honor the unique spirit of each school community, while simultaneously weaving together the fabric of the entire .

Johnson's internship began with a clear sense of purpose. Tasked with identifying a project that would create a lasting contribution to the district, he quickly zeroed in on an opportunity that combined his creative instincts with a genuine need: the logo redesign initiative. Goddard Public Schools' five elementary schools (serving students in Kindergarten - 4th Grade) and both intermediate schools (serving 5th and 6th Graders) had logos that varied widely in style and design language. Johnson set out to change that, and to help create individual logos that match the culture of each school and instill a consistent feel across the District.

What followed was six months of methodical, relationship-driven design work. Johnson met regularly with the principals of all seven K-6 schools, presenting initial concepts, listening carefully to feedback, and returning to the drawing board when a design didn't yet precisely enough capture a school's identity. Each building brought its own culture, colors, and sense of pride to the table, and Johnson worked to honor that individuality while also building toward a look that fit cohesively. The process was neither quick nor simple, but that, Johnson would come to realize, was exactly the point.

"This past year, I had the opportunity to serve as the Community Relations Intern for Goddard Public Schools, and it has been the most meaningful experience of my school career," Johnson said. "I chose to focus on a logo redesign project intended to modernize and unify the branding of USD 265's elementary and intermediate schools. Over the span of eight months, I met regularly with principals to present concepts, gather feedback, and revise designs to align with each school's individual vision. The collaborative process and the back-and-forth between offices were much more beneficial than designing in isolation; while it presented challenges, the experience was more rewarding because of them."

The announcement to staff and families across each school captured what made Johnson's work so meaningful: this wasn't a design handed down from a paid vendor, or produced without community input. It was student-sourced and shaped by someone who had walked the hallways of Goddard Public Schools, attended its events, built lifelong relationships with educators and staff, and understood its culture from the inside. As the announcement noted, Johnson "approached this work with care and intention, creating a design that reflects each school's unique identity, while fitting within a cohesive look across the ." For each school community, the new logo was described not just as a visual update, but as "a symbol our students, staff, and families can wear with pride."

Beyond the design work itself, the internship reshaped how Johnson saw the institution he grew up in. Gaining behind-the-scenes access to the daily rhythms of school administration, observing the coordination between teachers, support staff, building leaders, and district offices, gave him a new appreciation for the complexity and care that goes into running a public school system. "This internship also gave me a new perspective on public education," Johnson reflected. "Seeing the teamwork that happens behind the scenes every day, between teachers, staff, administrators, and district, was eye-opening. As someone who has attended Goddard Public Schools for nearly my entire life, being able to contribute something that will have a lasting impact, like my logo project and leading the Neighbors United initiative, is incredibly special."

As the new logos begin rolling out across Goddard Public Schools' elementary and intermediate digital platforms (such as websites and social media pages), the goal is to be thoughtful in setting expectations for the transition: making clear that change of this kind happens gradually, and that no immediate overhaul of signage, gear, or school spaces is expected. What matters is what the logos represent: a fresh chapter, thoughtfully begun. For Brandon Johnson, this chapter for the schools is just as impactful as the one he is closing. "I am grateful to everyone who trusted and encouraged me throughout this process," he said. "I look forward to seeing how these logos inspire the next generation of Goddard students and become a chapter of each school's story!"

In a district that prides itself on developing the whole student, Johnson's internship stands as a fitting example of what that development can look like when put into practice: a young person given the trust, tools, and opportunity to contribute something real, lasting, and entirely his own. Please join us in congratulating not only Brandon Johnson for his efforts and contributions, but to each of the USD 265 schools that will be welcoming a new logo. It’s moments like these that define having !