Today, more than 25 volunteers came together to put the finishing touches on a very special day for Goddard Public Schools.
Students, Hall of Fame Planning Committee members, Goddard Education Foundation Trustees, Community Relations staff and interns, and other volunteers worked side-by-side to create the beautiful spaces and experiences that will welcome our Goddard Hall of Fame, Class of 2026 honorees, their families, friends, and guests tomorrow at Pathway Church.
From setting tables and preparing programs to arranging displays and working through all of the final details, so many hands have helped make this celebration possible. Thank you to every volunteer who gave their time and talents to help us honor the people and stories that have shaped Goddard Public Schools.
But today was also a reminder of why we do this.
During a break for lunch, our volunteers had the opportunity to get a first look at the Hall of Fame honoree videos that will be shared during tomorrow's celebration. Among those watching were current Goddard High School students and our Community Relations interns, young people who are just beginning to imagine where their own lives might take them.
That is an important part of the purpose of the Goddard Hall of Fame. We celebrate the accomplishments of generations who came before us, but we also share their stories to inspire the generations who will come next.
We want today's students to see themselves in these stories. Our honorees once sat in Goddard classrooms, walked these same hallways, learned from Goddard educators, and wondered what their futures might hold. Their journeys remind our students that where they begin does not define how far they can go, and that someday, their stories may inspire the generation that follows them.
And now, we are ready!
Tomorrow, Friday, September 18, we will celebrate the Goddard Public Schools Hall of Fame Class of 2026:
Dan Buchanan
Dr. Mary Cohen (Shinogle)
Jerry Longabaugh
Dr. Michael Vivion
Dr. Christopher Warren
HALL OF FAME BRUNCH & INDUCTION CEREMONY
Pathway Church of Goddard
Brunch & Registration: 10:00 a.m.
Induction Ceremony: 10:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Guests will enjoy a delicious brunch prepared by Heart of Country Catering and served by Goddard and Eisenhower High School students as we share the stories, accomplishments, and lasting impact of our 2026 honorees.
HALL OF FAME TAILGATE
Goddard High School
5:00 to 6:30 p.m.
Join us for Chick-fil-A, snacks, beverages, memorabilia, and an opportunity to reconnect with alumni, retired staff, friends, and members of our #265Family before the Goddard and Eisenhower #ROARon54 football game.
EISENHOWER VS. GODDARD FOOTBALL GAME
District Stadium
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m.
Hall of Fame Recognition: Beginning of halftime, approximately 7:45 to 8:00 p.m.
For 142 years, generations of students, educators, families, and community members have helped write the story of Goddard Public Schools. Tomorrow, we have the privilege of celebrating five remarkable people whose lives and service have become part of that story.
The Hall of Fame is more than a recognition of accomplishment. It is an opportunity to honor our past, reconnect generations of our #265Family, and, perhaps most importantly, show the next generation of USD 265-Goddard Public Schools graduates what is possible.
There is still time to join us! Come celebrate these remarkable honorees and the legacy and future of Goddard Public Schools with us tomorrow.
Purchase tickets for the Hall of Fame at: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/20haofam/event/2026halloffameevent/
Twenty-five years ago, our nation watched history change in an instant. Today, on this solemn anniversary, our #265Family pauses to honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost on September 11th, 2001. We remember the countless first responders, service members, and everyday heroes who ran toward danger to protect others. Their courage and sacrifice remind us what it means to serve something greater than ourselves.
In that same spirit of gratitude, tonight we are proud to honor the first responders and members of our military who continue to serve and protect our communities and our country. All first responders and military personnel, with their ID, will receive FREE admission to tonight’s Goddard High School football game at 7:00 p.m. at the District Stadium, as a small gesture of our appreciation for their service and sacrifice.
Public education has always been one of America's foundational pillars, built on the belief that an informed, engaged citizenry is essential to a free society. Just as those we honor today gave of themselves for the country, USD 265 teachers and staff show up every day to shape the next generation of citizens, leaders, and neighbors who will carry that legacy forward.
Today, we teach our students not just history, but hope for the future; that unity, resilience, and love of country can rise above even our darkest days. It’s with perseverance and a strong sense of gratitude that we look back to reflect, and look forward with resilient hope for a brighter tomorrow and unity ahead.
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 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 .
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.
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!
It takes a village... and our village is the best.
Behind every great student is a dedicated team of teachers, drivers, custodians, and support staff. They are more than just employees; they are the heart of the #265Family.
Is there someone who has made a difference in your life or your child’s life this year? Whether they provide a safe ride to school or a word of encouragement in the hallway, we want to hear about it!
Nominate them for the #265Family Award today. A few minutes of your time could lead to a $100 surprise for a well-deserving staff member!
Let’s celebrate them! Nominate your hero for the #265Family Award. It’s a quick way to say "thank you" and gives them a chance to win a $100 cash prize!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScsMNl3z277aZNiN859FaFgJAPZq79zwU47Oi1uH8pqqESvPg/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=112499309207359684117
