THIS MURDER WAS STAGED
Sept. 24,25 & 26 @ 7 pm.
Adults: $7. Students & Seniors $5.
Tickets available at GoFan.co or at the door.
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/
COUNT DAY: THE QUIETLY CRUCIAL TALLY DAY
Mon., Sept. 21 is the day we take an official tally of students in Goddard Public Schools. Because funding and programs are based off that final count, we are encouraging everyone to
BE HERE AND BE COUNTED!
Our boys team won the meet and our girls team took 3rd!
It was a great day for our kids and program! Persevering through the hot weather to begin our season has been a challenge. It was awesome to see all our perseverance and hard work pay off today! We are back in action next week at Buhler and will look to continue to improve our race times.
GO LIONS!
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.
GHS HONORS FIRST RESPONDERS AND MILITARY
WITH FREE ADMISSION WITH ID
Fri., Sept. 11, GHS vs. Salina Central Football Game at 7:00 PM
In honor of all who bravely served on Sept. 11, 2001, and all who continue to serve, GHS extends our gratitude.
Fall sports season is officially here, #265Family!
The new 2026 Fall Sports Guide is officially out in this week’s edition of The Times-Sentinel Newspaper, and you're going to want to grab a copy before they fly off the stands!
Whether you are cheering for Eisenhower and Goddard, we’ve got your Friday nights, match days, and meet days completely covered. Inside this week's Fall Sports Guide special edition, you'll find:
Full season schedules so you never miss a game
- Official team photos and complete rosters
- In-depth preview stories for football, volleyball, cross country, girls tennis, girls golf, and boys soccer
- Let’s pack the stands, cheer loud, and show up for every single one of our incredible student-athletes across both Eisenhower High and Goddard High Schools as they kick off an amazing season!
Grab your FULL copy TODAY at Kwik Shop, Walmart (Goddard), Dillons (135th & Maple), or subscribe to the Times-Sentinel Newspaper by visiting https://publisher1.etype.services/Times-Sentinel
THURSDAY, AUG. 27
Goddard District Stadium
5:00 GMS Events
5:55 GHS Events
Sponsored by Goddard Booster Club
Get ready for a great night of:
The GHS & GMS Football Scrimmages
Fall Sports Teams Introductions
GO LIONS!
Click here for Tickets
GHS Picture Day is Wednesday, August 19
during Lion Launch. Order forms were given to students and can be turned in with cash or check on picture day. Orders can also be made online at strawbridge.net.
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 Goddard High School: Misti Carmichael
"Greetings, my name is Courtney Luong and I am speaking on behalf of Mrs. Carmichael, a #265 Family Hero Nominee. I first met Mrs. Carmichael in my junior year of high school, and I would have never guessed the strong impact she would have on my life.
I would describe a hero, in the #265 community, as someone who I can always look up to and someone who chooses to be a positive impact for the people around them. Fortunately for me, I am very blessed to be able to say that Mrs. Carmichael is my hero.
If I were to describe Mrs. Carmichael in one word, it would be “radiant.” She can light up any classroom she enters, and her bright personality is one that is hard to forget. Mrs. Carmichael has this type of polarizing energy that you can always feel when she’s around. Her positivity spreads to all of our lives; thus, bringing us all together and creating a family.
As a student, I feel like some of my effort can go unnoticed. With so many students at Goddard High School, it is hard to remember every student and account them for what they have accomplished. Mrs. Carmichael shines a spotlight on all of us, not forgetting a single student. She greets every student with their name and asks for updates about things we have told her prior. It amazes me how she is able to remember each and every one of our faces and names and connects us to our own stories. This just shows how deeply Mrs. Carmichael values her connections. It is so easy to just disregard people, especially on a wide scale, but Mrs. Carmichael takes the time to listen and understand each and every one of us and our stories.
A hero doesn’t need a cape. They don’t need a pseudonym. They just need to have a heart. A heart that looks out for everyone, a heart that cares for everyone, a heart that loves endlessly. Mrs. Carmichael has the biggest heart, and is the strongest hero I know. "
- Courtney Luong, GHS Student
"Mrs. Carmichael does all she can to make the students feel cared about and at ease. This makes it easier for them to go to get when they need extra help. My son was having a rough day with a topic in history. Mrs. Carmichael recognized it. She took him aside, gave him a chance to explain and cry a bit, calmed him down and reassured him it would all be OK. She then called me to make me aware of the situation so I could be ready if he was upset when coming home. She's a rockstar!"
- Judith Gutierrez, 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 #265Family Heroes feel seen and valued.
In USD 265 we don’t just work together, we lift each other up. Congratulations Mrs. Carmichael 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/
Data-Driven Performance: Reaching New Heights at GHS
What happens when you mix athletic training with data science? You get Physical Education that connects with math and science.
With the help of an Innovative Teacher Grant from the Goddard Education Foundation (GEF), Jordan Echer, PE Teacher and Coach at Goddard High School (GHS), is completely transforming how Goddard Lions track their fitness growth.
Through his grant, Echer introduced the Just Jump Plyometric System! Previously, testing vertical jumps for massive classes during a single period was incredibly difficult and time-consuming. Now, with this portable, high-tech system, Coach Echer can capture highly accurate, real-time data including jump height, hang time, and ground contact time in just a matter of seconds.
But this isn’t just about athletic development. It’s an innovative academic connection! “What makes this unique is how we’ll use it across every level of physical education, not just with athletes.” Echer shares. “Students will receive real-time feedback, learn to interpret data, and see how effort translates to measurable results.”
By tracking and analyzing their own stats, students are getting a hands-on look at classroom topics like averages, rate of change, and the physics of motion all while sparking some healthy, data-driven motivation in the gym!
“These metrics give us a full view of how students are developing, not just how high they jump, but how efficiently they produce and sustain power,” says Echer. “This approach supports both physical and academic success by showing that data isn’t just something learned in math class, it’s something students can see in action.”
This system will be shared across the entire GHS physical education department, directly impacting over 400+ GHS students each semester as well as 3rd-8th grade summer program participants and athletes.
Thank you, Coach Echer, for bringing real-world data tracking to the gym, and thank you GEF for funding innovative teacher grants that help our students reach new heights!
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 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 #265Family!
Pictured from left to right: Maddy Watson (Eisenhower High School), Riley Schoen (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 #265Family is made of!
Check out the Wichita Riverfest schedule at https://wichitariverfest.com/
#WichitaRiverfest #PrairieSchoonerMates
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 weed 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.
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 .
