End of Year Updates! - Corrected
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.
Oak Street Care Closet: Removing Barriers to Learning
It’s hard to focus on a math problem when you’re worried about a hole in your clothing, a forgotten snack, or a missing essential. At Oak Street Elementary, teachers realized that for many students, the biggest barriers to learning weren’t academic, they were personal.
Thanks to an Innovative Teacher Grant from the Goddard Education Foundation and two teachers, Andrea Douglass and Hallie Rausch, who have a heart for meeting student needs beyond the classroom, Oak Street Elementary launched the “Care Closet”. It’s a simple concept with a profound impact. The closet is stocked with essentials such as socks, shoes, hair ties, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and snacks to name a few.
Before this grant, a student might have to call home or even leave school for the day due to a clothing mishap. Now, a quick, private visit to the Care Closet gets them back to their desk ready to continue learning in minutes.
“A child who feels secure and comfortable is a child who is ready to learn,” the teachers shared. “This is just the beginning!” By meeting these basic needs with dignity and compassion, Oak Street isn’t just giving out supplies, they are gifting students the confidence to enter the classroom ready to succeed.
Oak Street Elementary and the GEF are incredibly grateful for the continued support from the community and benefactors who recognize that sometimes, the best way to support a student's mind is to first care for their basic well-being.
