USD 265-Explorer Elementary

💙 Welcome back, Tiger Cubs! 💙

It was so great to see all of your smiling faces today! We hope you had an amazing first day back and are ready for a fantastic school year filled with learning, laughter, and lots of Tiger pride! 📚✨

Here’s to an incredible year, Tiger Cubs! We’re so happy to have you back! 💙

Please join us TOMORROW, August 6th, for the Explorer Open House!

This is a come-and-go event; you are welcome to come and meet your child's teacher, drop off school supplies, talk with the fabulous Explorer PTO, meet with the transportation department, etc. If you pre-ordered your child's school supplies, they have been delivered to your child's classroom and are labeled with their name!

🚌📚 LAST CHANCE! Fill the Bus is happening TODAY! 🐄

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! 🙌

https://linqconnect.com/public/meal-application/new
Paper copies are available at the district office.

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 Explorer Elementary: Danielle Vequist

"If you've been blessed to work with Danielle you will know how passionate she is about her profession and the kiddos/family's she serves. Not only does she go above and beyond to make those connections with staff, students and their families while at work, but she does so outside of the school setting as well. Danielle can be found spending time cultivating those relationships outside of the work setting as she is queen of organizing/hosting get togethers with her vast groups of work colleagues. Danielle is one to make others feel at home, their voice heard, and that we can truly all make a difference in children's lives. Danielle wears many hats both at work, at the state level and at home; she beautifully melds these together to advocate for the students she so fervently serves. Danielle's service to our #265 district family is irreplaceable."
- Geri Beatty, Co-Worker

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. Vequist 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/

Multiplying Potential: The GHS Math Challenge

For many young students, a high school building can feel intimidating. But for a group of third through eighth-grade USD 265 students, math teacher at Goddard High School Joel Burgeson’s innovative GHS Math Challenge is creating an avenue for excitement, belonging, and highlighting academic success.

The idea sparked after the GHS Math Club competed in regional college math relays during the 2024-2025 school year. Seeing how much his high schoolers benefited from the STEM-focused environment, Mr. Burgeson, with the help of his Math Club students, designed a localized event to “spark and maintain interest in mathematics” for younger USD 265 students, giving them an opportunity to experience their own math competition.

During the half-day event on May 7th , 161 top-performing math students (approximately 20 students from each K-8th Goddard school) got to take part in a brief math lesson, tackled problems aligned with Kansas Math Standards, completed group mathematical activities, and toured Project Lead the Way labs and math classrooms at Goddard High School; finishing off their field trip with lunch alongside GHS Math Club high schoolers. Elementary teachers praised the event, noting “it was so nice to have an extra incentive that motivated students at the end of the school year and celebrated our top math performers with a fun challenge.”

Beyond test scores, this program builds mathematical confidence in our younger USD 265 students. In fact, freshmen who previously experienced the challenge shared that being in the building made them feel “ more confident that they were prepared to make the transition from middle school to high school.”

“Improving student participation in math and other STEM disciplines was the focus of the GHS Math Challenge,” shares Mr. Burgeson. “Increased effort and math achievement will be the immediate measure that students are learning. Looking forward, this Innovative Teacher Grant provides a powerful investment to expand the program to host even more students from across the District in the future. What do you call that kind of District-Wide dedication to STEM? As Mr. Burgeson puts it: “Answer = SUCCESS!”

Thank you Goddard Education Foundation for helping multiply potential for our !

The deadline to order school supply packs has been extended. Do not wait. Secure your child’s supplies today.
Order here: https://www.educationalproducts.com/ShopPacks/

Explorer Elementary early discount deadline is 6/14/2026.
Use School ID: EXP020

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.

This year I will be running "OPEN MATS" over the summer for Eisenhower-side students entering grades 4-6. I have attached the "Wrestling - Youth Wrestling Dates - Summer 2026" schedule for this to this email and was wondering if you might be able to help distribute this information to your students/parents entering 4th & 5th grade. This will be open for both boys and girls and will be free of charge.

Additionally, we will also be hosting a 3-Day Youth wrestling camp from June 8th-10th. This camp is open for students entering 1st - 5th grade and also includes both boys and girls. I have attached this "2026 Eisenhower Kids Wrestling Camp" document to this email as well and I was wondering if you also might be able to help distribute this information to your students/parents.