It's School Secretary Appreciation Day! School secretaries are the first face visitors to our school see, they keep us organized, and they deal with so many day-to-day details like attendance, enrollment, subs, purchasing, and much more! We are very grateful for them!
Bringing ‘Dewey’ to Life in the GMS Library!
The Goddard Middle School library is transforming into a living laboratory where books are no longer just static objects on a shelf. In this space, knowledge is something students touch, observe, create, and even wear. This innovative project, “Bringing Dewey to Life,” led by GMS Librarian April Karber, reimagines the traditional Dewey Decimal System, moving it from a quiet organization method into a vibrant, sensory-driven experience.
Middle School is a pivotal crossroads where voluntary reading typically declines. “Bringing Dewey to Life” meets students where they are, reversing this trend by bridging the gap between “real-world” experiences and non-fiction subjects, such as science, the arts, and history. By integrating hands-on artifacts and interactive stations directly into the shelving sections, Mrs. Karber is sparking the type of curiosity that transforms a casual reader into a lifelong hobbyist or a future professional.
“Reading is a fundamental skill used in all content areas and so many professions post-high school; therefore, it is easy to see how libraries and reading play an important role in the school community. The library and the “Bringing Dewey to Life” initiative is uniquely poised to impact this important skill and contribute to students becoming lifelong learners,” shared Karber.
With the support of this innovative teacher grant, the GMS Library now offers tactile exploration in three key areas:
500s Section (Sciences): Students become botanists and ecologists through Hydroponic Gardens and a “Bookworm” farm, allowing them to monitor and cultivate plant growth and study the “sound of soil” sciences in real-time.
700s Section (Arts): Creativity takes center stage with Watercolor Stations.
900s Section (History): History moves off the page with immersive History Kits. These kits, filled with realistic props, and period-accurate costume pieces, allow teachers to check out kits to enhance their lessons.
When a student picks up a costume piece or harvests a flower, they aren’t just visiting a library, they are participating in their own education. Through this Innovative Teacher Grant, the GMS Library is ensuring that the “Dewey” system isn’t just a way to find a book; it’s a way to find a passion.
A huge thank you to April Karber and the Goddard Education Foundation for helping us bring Dewey to life at GMS.
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!
Don't miss the fun tonight!
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
