Goddard Public Schools 5th and 6th Graders Building Bright Futures with D.A.R.E.!
We’re excited to share an inspiring initiative that took place during Summer Learning with our incoming 5th-6th grade students: the return and expansion of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program!
“This being our first year re-introducing the D.A.R.E. program, we weren’t sure exactly what to expect. But it exceeded our expectations! Watching students grow in confidence, learn how to make positive choices, and truly engage in conversations about peer pressure, responsibility, and leadership was inspiring,” shared Officer Lamar, a Goddard District Police Officer.
During the 2 week program, 48 students participated in the D.A.R.E “Keepin It Real” curriculum, learning how to Define, Assess, Respond, and Evaluate various challenging situations. This included practicing crucial skills like:
Making informed decisions
Managing stress
Communicating with confidence
Active listening
Understanding and addressing bullying
Helping others
What makes this program truly special? It was taught by two of our dedicated Goddard USD 265 Police Officers, Officer Lamar and Officer Heath! This unique approach fosters positive relationships between law enforcement, students, and the community.
“For both Officer Heath and I the best part was building relationships with these students and watching them proudly graduate from the program,” Officer Lamar shared. “We had a few students who were hesitant to engage at the beginning, but by the end of the course they were active participants in the group, one even winning an award at our D.A.R.E graduation.”
Thanks to the amazing support from a Goddard Education Foundation Innovative Teacher Grant, this program is bringing vital life skills and positive decision-making strategies to Goddard students. This year, the grant specifically helped create a special way to recognize our graduating D.A.R.E students with official D.A.R.E. shirts!
A huge thank you to Officer Heath and Officer Lamar for their dedication and truly investing in the future of Goddard Public Schools students! We look forward to seeing the continued impact of this invaluable program.
Learn more about past Innovative Teacher Grants and how you can support future grants at https://goddardpsks.sites.thrillshare.com/o/gef/page/teacher-grants
We’re excited to share an inspiring initiative that took place during Summer Learning with our incoming 5th-6th grade students: the return and expansion of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program!
“This being our first year re-introducing the D.A.R.E. program, we weren’t sure exactly what to expect. But it exceeded our expectations! Watching students grow in confidence, learn how to make positive choices, and truly engage in conversations about peer pressure, responsibility, and leadership was inspiring,” shared Officer Lamar, a Goddard District Police Officer.
During the 2 week program, 48 students participated in the D.A.R.E “Keepin It Real” curriculum, learning how to Define, Assess, Respond, and Evaluate various challenging situations. This included practicing crucial skills like:
Making informed decisions
Managing stress
Communicating with confidence
Active listening
Understanding and addressing bullying
Helping others
What makes this program truly special? It was taught by two of our dedicated Goddard USD 265 Police Officers, Officer Lamar and Officer Heath! This unique approach fosters positive relationships between law enforcement, students, and the community.
“For both Officer Heath and I the best part was building relationships with these students and watching them proudly graduate from the program,” Officer Lamar shared. “We had a few students who were hesitant to engage at the beginning, but by the end of the course they were active participants in the group, one even winning an award at our D.A.R.E graduation.”
Thanks to the amazing support from a Goddard Education Foundation Innovative Teacher Grant, this program is bringing vital life skills and positive decision-making strategies to Goddard students. This year, the grant specifically helped create a special way to recognize our graduating D.A.R.E students with official D.A.R.E. shirts!
A huge thank you to Officer Heath and Officer Lamar for their dedication and truly investing in the future of Goddard Public Schools students! We look forward to seeing the continued impact of this invaluable program.
Learn more about past Innovative Teacher Grants and how you can support future grants at https://goddardpsks.sites.thrillshare.com/o/gef/page/teacher-grants
This year, the Goddard Education Foundation, alongside our Legacy Partners, Lange Real Estate, were thrilled to present the #265Family Award to 15 outstanding educators and staff members from across the district, from nominations submitted by grateful families, dedicated students, and fellow staff members, all eager to shine a light on the incredible work being done every day in Goddard Public Schools. The #265Family Award, honors these finalists who not only embody the spirit of our #265Family but also consistently demonstrate a significant, positive impact on our students, staff, or the entire USD 265 school community.
The Discovery Intermediate School winner was Erin Johnston, a 6th Grade Teacher, who was nominated by Rachel Lange, a parent. Her nominator wrote, "Erin has taken the time to call me to discuss opportunities with my son at school. When I had a concern about him personally and emailed, she called me within an hour. She's sent me multiple emails going above and beyond with communication. Even positive communication and feedback! Which is huge! She's also be so invested in the kids through the extra-curricular group called Wydlife and is helping to facilitate not only a teacher- child relationship but setting them up for true lifelong success with her care and consideration every day for these kiddos!"
Congratulations again Mrs. Johnston, for all you do make Goddard Public Schools a family!
To nominate a staff member for the #265Family Award visit - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScsMNl3z277aZNiN859FaFgJAPZq79zwU47Oi1uH8pqqESvPg/viewform?usp=header
To learn more about how Lange Real Estate serves our #265Family visit https://langere.com/2025/03/14/lange-real-estate-a-proud-legacy-sponsor-of-goddard-public-schools/
Our reading champions celebrated their accomplishments with a perfect day at the ballpark! Discovery students and families enjoyed gorgeous weather and an exciting Wind Surge win as their reward for meeting reading goals. Books and baseball - a home run combination! #ReadingRewards #WindSurge
What a perfect end to our year at Discovery! Students enjoyed Fun Day activities followed by an amazing talent show. The highlight? Mr. Smith surprising everyone with his dance moves! Thanks for a memorable final day together! #SchoolsOut #DiscoveryPride #SummerHasBegun
Wrestlers, don't miss this summer opportunity! Join EHS boys and girls wrestling coaches for an action-packed camp to build skills and confidence on the mat. All experience levels welcome!
Our 6th graders celebrated their Discovery journey in style! Kickball tournament, refreshing sno cones, and dancing to a DJ's beats made for the perfect farewell party. We'll miss these amazing students but know they're ready to soar! #6thGradeGraduation #DiscoveryPride
Ms. Wartick's Creative Arts class took full advantage of today's gorgeous weather by moving their artistic talents outdoors! Our budding artists transformed our campus sidewalks into a colorful gallery of chalk art creations.
#OutdoorLearning #ChalkArt #CreativeArts #DiscoveryPride
Congratulations to all our 5th and 6th grade choir members on a phenomenal final performance! Your hard work and beautiful voices have created lasting memories for everyone who had the pleasure of attending.
#DiscoveryChoir #MusicEducation #StudentPerformance #ProudSchoolMoments
We want to express our HUGE appreciation to all the wonderful parents and family members who volunteered their time to make our Discovery Field Day such a tremendous success! Your enthusiasm, energy, and support created an unforgettable day of fun and friendly competition for our students.
The energy was electric during our 5th grade Tug-of-War finals yesterday! Students from Ms. LeCluyse's and Mrs. McElroy's classes lined up on opposite sides of the rope for an epic contest of strength and strategy. After a thrilling back-and-forth battle that had everyone cheering, Mrs. McElroy's class pulled through to claim the championship title!
#5thGradePride #TeamworkWins #TugOfWarChampions #SchoolSpirit
The competition was fierce and the determination was real at our 6th grade Tug-of-War Championship! Ms. Kinder's class and Mrs. Johnston's class faced off in an incredible display of teamwork and strength. Mrs. Johnston's class pulled through for the WIN! 🎉
#SchoolSpirit #TeamworkMakesTheDreamWork #TugOfWarChampions #6thGradePride
What an incredible display of creativity and talent at last night's Discovery 6th Grade Art Show! We are absolutely blown away by the extraordinary artwork our young artists shared with our community.
#DiscoveryPride #YoungArtists #StudentArtwork #CreativityMatters
Love is in the air at Discovery! Congratulations to five of our teachers on their recent/soon-to-be weddings! (Mrs. Thompson, Ms. Wartick, Mrs. Watson, Ms. LeCluyse, and Ms. Holmes)
Congratulations to our orchestra and band students on their year-end concert! It is always amazing to see the progress they can make in a year.
Congratulations to our Rubik's Cube team for placing third in the Derby tournament. What a great way to end the season!
Thank you Mr. Smith and our lovely lunch ladies for cooking out for the students and staff today! Mr. Smith was rocking the hot dog costume as he spent his time grilling up a delicious lunch!
We are celebrating our Mr. Smith today! We couldn't ask for a better Principal for Discovery Intermediate.
Welcome to Tiger Nation! Come purchase some exclusive booster club gear and hear about all the sports and activities that are offered at EMS for the 25-26 school year! If your student athlete plans on participating in fall sports, please see the information below!
Congratulations to our April Discovery Difference Makers! These students have been nominated by our staff members for making a positive difference in our classrooms and school.
Congratulations to our April Discovery Difference Makers! These students have been nominated by our staff members for making a positive difference in our classrooms and school.
