The Goddard School of York, PA Breaks Ground on Expansion Project
December 11, 2018
The Goddard School of York, PA is expanding. The new facility will be similar to the current building but will also include an indoor play space, outdoor classrooms, a faculty lounge and a kindergarten classroom.
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Pittsburgh-Area Goddard School Owners Earn National Award for Excellence
December 6, 2018
Bob and Lori Santo, franchisees of The Goddard School of Peters Township, PA, received the Circle of Excellence Award for Operations, which recognizes Goddard Schools with the highest-rated educational programs and exceptional operational efficiency.
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Improve Your Leadership by Improving Your Communications
December 4, 2018
Paul Koulogeorge, Vice President of Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations for Goddard Systems, Inc., shares insights on how to improve leadership through solid, well-understood and easily digestible communications.
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Registered Nurse Fulfills Dream of Opening a Preschool
November 28, 2018
Franchisee Sheetal Patel, a former nurse and long-time resident of the Pearland community, will be opening The Goddard School of Pearland (Pearland Parkway), TX to meet the demand for early childhood education options in the growing community.
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Goddard Systems, Inc. (GSI), Celebrating 30 Years, Awards Franchisees with Top Honors
November 27, 2018
Goddard School franchisees were recognized for exemplary contributions to their communities at GSI’s annual franchisee convention.
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The Goddard School Opens in Woodbury, MN
November 26, 2018
Franchisees Rick and Shannon Gehrmann opened The Goddard School of Woodbury, MN. The School joins the five other Minneapolis-area Goddard Schools, signaling strong growth for the area.
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The Top Four Childcare Franchises of 2018/19
November 26, 2018
Franchise Business Review named The Goddard School one of the top four childcare franchises of 2018/19.
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Six Lessons from Successful Entrepreneurs
November 19, 2018
Joe Schumacher, CEO of Goddard Systems, Inc., offers a pearl of wisdom about the value of failure and why it should be embraced.
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Top Education & Childcare Franchises Over 50 Units
November 12, 2018
With nearly 500 Schools and more than 30 years of experience, The Goddard School has been named one of the Top Education & Childcare Franchises Over 50 Units.
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Baltimore, MD Couple Fulfills Dream of Opening Preschool
October 24, 2018
Franchisees Jim and Mary Wolfrath celebrated the grand opening of The Goddard School of Baltimore (Canton). The School joins the eighteen other Baltimore-area Goddard Schools, signaling strong growth for the area.
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Develop Your Staff Through Team-Building and Team-Learning Opportunities, Part Two
October 17, 2018
His second article in a two-part series about the importance of team-building, Paul Koulogeorge, Vice President of Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations for Goddard Systems, Inc., weighs in on how team-building and team-learning activities can help strengthen relationships between co-workers.
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Local Couple Goes from Working on Wall Street to Owning a Preschool: The Goddard School of Long Hill is Under Construction
October 9, 2018
Sumara and Imran Ahmad, franchisees of The Goddard School of Long Hill, NJ, are opening a School to meet the demand for early childhood education options in the growing community.
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What it Means to Be a Goddard School Franchisee Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow: Three Vignettes of 30 Years in Franchising
October 1, 2018
As The Goddard School celebrates its 30th anniversary, it reflects on what it means to be part of the Goddard system by highlighting three stories of franchisees who embody the Goddard brand.
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Long-Time Educator Opens Goddard School in Millburn, NJ
September 19, 2018
After spending more than a decade as an educator, Laura Kulkarni decided to continue her journey in education by opening The Goddard School of Millburn, NJ.
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GSI EMPLOYEES BUILD BIKES TO HELP CHILDREN IN NEED
Participants Built and Donated Six Bicycles to Children at Valley Youth House
September 19, 2018
KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (Sept. 19, 2018) – Do you remember the wind whipping in your face as you peddled your new bike around your neighborhood? What about the feeling you got when you looked down at the peddles as your feet pumped up and down, propelling your bike forward?
One of the greatest childhood past-times for many adults was riding that brand-new bike most wished for. Yet, for some children, creating memories they can cherish forever don’t come as often.
For six area children at the Valley Youth House, employees from the Franchise Development Department at Goddard Systems, Inc. (GSI) helped to create a lifelong memory by building and donating brand-new bicycles to each child.
With wrenches in hand, the team assembled six bicycles for children at the Valley Youth House as a part of a program facilitated by Impact 4 Good, LLC., a company that creates teambuilding activities that act not only as bonding experiences across corporate teams to increase employee engagement, but also as a way to provide tangible and meaningful support to those in need.
What started out as a team building exercise at the Centre Square Fire Company in Blue Bell, PA, quickly turned into a once in a lifetime experience for the Franchise Development team. The participants presented the six children with the bicycles they built, along with helmets and locks. Now, those children can experience the same sense of wonder most do when hopping onto a brand-new bicycle for the very first time. The Centre Square Fire Company generously donated the space for the event.
“Giving back to our community reinforces the idea that, as a group, we can do something to make a difference,” said Jim DiRugeris, Vice President of Franchise Development for Goddard Systems Inc. “For 30 years, GSI has strived to make a positive impact by building connections and relationships within our community.”
“I cannot express the overwhelming joy the GSI Franchise Development team brought to the lives of our youth by giving them a sense of freedom, independence and normalcy with their wonderful gifts of times and talents,” said Shawn Mack, Development Officer for the Valley Youth House. “The donation of six bicycles and helmets given to our youth is merely just one example of how caring adults can positively impact the lives of youth on so many levels.”
For more information on The Goddard School, please visit www.goddardschool.com.
The Goddard School Kicks Off 11th Annual Preschooler-Approved Toy Test
Preschoolers nationwide determine the top educational toys that encourage learning through play.
September 19, 2018
KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (Sept. 19, 2018) – Preschoolers nationwide are testing this season’s hottest toys in advance of holiday shopping.
This year, Goddard Systems, Inc. (GSI), the franchisor of The Goddard School preschool system, is holding its 11th annual Preschooler-Approved Toy Test. Preschoolers nationwide will determine the top 10 educational toys available from the world’s leading toy manufacturers for children from infancy to six years old.
Each year, early childhood education experts on The Goddard School Toy Test Committee review submissions from global toy manufacturers. The committee evaluates and scores the entries on how affordable they are, whether they encourage interactive and child-initiated play, whether they inspire creativity and collaboration and how they support skill development during playful learning. Toys with the highest scores are sent to 50 participating Goddard School locations across the country for the preschoolers to test.
The Toy Test, hosted by The Goddard School, will run from Sept. 24 to 28 this year. During this time, preschoolers and teachers will vote for the Top 10 Preschooler-Approved Toys, which will be announced on Nov. 1. The public can then go to The Goddard School’s Toy Test page to vote for the winning toy, which will be announced on Nov. 12. GSI will purchase one hundred units of the winning toy and donate them to Toys for Tots, a program run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve that distributes holiday gifts to children in need.
“The Preschooler-Approved Toy Test gives Goddard School students an incredibly unique opportunity to learn through playing with the best toys on the market,” says GSI’s vice president of education, Dr. Craig Bach. “Not only does the Toy Test center on our core educational philosophy of playful learning, but it is one of the most exciting times of the year for Goddard School students and faculty.”
Past Preschooler-Approved Toy Test winners include brands such as Melissa & Doug, Laser Pegs, K’Nex, Learning Resources and John Deere.
For more information on The Goddard School and the Preschooler-Approved Toy Test, please visit www.goddardschool.com/toytest.
Former Elementary School Teacher Opens The Goddard School of Reunion, CO
September 5, 2018
Franchisee Divya Goel opened The Goddard School of Reunion to meet the demand for early child education options in the growing Colorado community.
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The Goddard School of Woodbury Expected to Open in Late 2018
September 1, 2018
Franchisees Rick and Shannon Gehrmann plan to open The Goddard School of Woodbury, MN in late 2018. The School will join the five other Minneapolis-area Goddard Schools, signaling strong growth for the area.
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Q&A with Millie Naik, Franchisee of The Goddard School of Rocklin, CA
September 1, 2018
After many years and many different career paths, Millie and Ash Naik are fulfilling their dream of owning a business that provides a valuable service to their community.
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The Goddard School of Tysons Opens its Doors, Welcomes Young Learners on Their First Day of School
August 27, 2018
Franchisee Laura Dinder recently opened The Goddard School of Tysons, VA, which serves the greater Vienna, Falls Church, McLean, Reston and Washington D.C. areas.
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Develop Your Staff Through Team-Building and Team-Learning Opportunities
August 22, 2018
Paul Koulogeorge, Vice President of Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations for Goddard Systems, Inc., provides valuable information on how team-building and team-learning activities can help strengthen your team.
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19 Ideas on How to Push Yourself to the Next Level
August 20, 2018
Paul Koulogeorge, Vice President of Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations for Goddard Systems, Inc., shares a tip for how listening to podcasts can help spur personal growth and development.
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THE GODDARD SCHOOL CONDUCTS NATIONAL SURVEY WITH THE GOAL OF HELPING PARENTS RAISE KIDS TO EXCEL IN A MODERN WORLD
Early Childhood Education Leader Addresses Executive Function, Financial Literacy and Material Rewards
August 14, 2018
KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (Aug. 14, 2018) – Parents’ involvement and knowledge of executive function, financial literacy and methods of reinforcing behaviors through material rewards in their young children (under 10 years old) were recently put to the test by Goddard Systems, Inc. (GSI), franchisor of The Goddard School, the nation’s premier preschool system focused on learning through play for children six weeks to six years old.
More than 1,000 parents nationwide were surveyed on these topics to help evaluate the extent of their knowledge and involvement in executive function, financial literacy and reinforcing behaviors. The survey was conducted with the overall intent of offering parents practical solutions and insights for raising their children in a 21st-century world.
The data, collected by Hanover Research, will be released over the coming months to help families bridge the gap between what educational research suggests as best practices in child rearing and other common household practices. This well-rounded compilation of information should help parents prepare children for long-term success in school and in life.
Through this survey, The Goddard School was able to identify a few overarching themes. First, there is a substantial gap between when early childhood experts say children should master financial concepts and when parents believe children should master them. Second, most parents use material rewards to shape their children’s behavior, but experts largely agree that this method can inhibit children’s long-term development and intrinsic motivation to learn. And finally, many parents believe that they are educated on the topic of executive function, but many can neither define its components nor recognize the activities proven to help develop it even though they may already be doing these activities with their children and just not realize that they are contributing to the development of executive function.
“As a leader in early childhood education for 30 years, The Goddard School always looks for ways to enhance our approach to important topics that support children in becoming successful and happy life-long learners,” says Dr. Craig Bach, Vice President of Education for Goddard Systems, Inc. “The research we just completed along with the insights and guidance provided by our Educational Advisory Board will inform new practices in our Schools and help us to better meet the needs of the families we serve.”
Over the next six months, The Goddard School will reveal the deeper findings behind the data collected and work with industry experts from its Educational Advisory Board to offer parents valuable and realistic solutions for raising children to be financially literate by finding new ways to encourage proper behavior without the use of material rewards and helping to spur the natural development of executive function in children, both of which help prepare children for long-term success in school and in life.
For more information on The Goddard School, please visit www.goddardschool.com.
The Goddard School Celebrates 30 Years of Continued Growth
August 6, 2018
The Goddard School remains a leader in both early childhood education and the franchise space since it opened its first school 30 years ago. Over the past three decades, the company has demonstrated a track record for success and is a model for responsible, sustained growth.
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30 Years and 500 Schools: How Fulfilling a Demand for High-Quality Childcare Started a Preschool Franchise’s Legacy
August 6, 2018
As The Goddard School celebrates its 30th anniversary, the Goddard franchise system looks back on the values that have helped it succeed and grow.
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Daily Marketing Lessons for the Busy CMO
July 31, 2018
Paul Koulogeorge, Vice President of Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations for Goddard Systems, Inc., shares insights on how listening to podcasts can help spur personal and professional growth.
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From Pohe to Childcare, Sushama Patil Reflects on 25 Years of Serving Families
July 28, 2018
Sushama Patil, franchisee of The Goddard School of Dayton, NJ, recounts what made her decide to become a Goddard franchisee 25 years ago and how Goddard’s best-in-class support has been key to her success.
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Here's How That Person with the Perfect Life is Different from the Rest of Us
July 17, 2018
Paul Koulogeorge, Vice President of Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations for Goddard Systems, Inc., shares a helpful tip for prioritizing goals and tasks, which may lead to higher productivity.
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The Goddard School Expands Presence in Baltimore Market with Towson Location
July 12, 2018
Franchisees Chuck and Jocelyn Sabia will be opening The Goddard School located in Towson, MD. The School will soon join the seventeen other Baltimore-area Goddard Schools, signaling strong growth for the area.
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How The Goddard School Adds to Its Franchisee-Only Childcare Network
July 10, 2018
Get the inside scoop on how The Goddard School got its start, how it selects its franchisees and how early childhood care has evolved.
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Goddard Systems, Inc. (GSI) Selected as a 2018 Best Place to Work
July 5, 2018
GSI was selected by Philadelphia Business Journal as one of its 2018 best places to work! GSI has won this award for two consecutive years.
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The Goddard School of Columbus (Grandview Yard) Celebrates Groundbreaking, Marks 16th Goddard Location in the Columbus Market
June 18, 2018
Franchisee Janie Patterson broke ground on The Goddard School located in Columbus (Grandview Yard), OH. The School will soon join the fifteen other Columbus-area Goddard Schools, signaling strong growth for the area.
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Goddard Systems, Inc. (GSI) Headquarters Named a “Cool Office” by Philadelphia Business Journal
June 18, 2018
GSI, the franchisor of The Goddard School, showcases its recently renovated office space, which is designed to foster collaboration and team building.
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The Goddard School Brings Its Play-Based Curriculum to Chamblee, GA
June 15, 2018
Franchisee Akshi Naik celebrated the opening of The Goddard School of Chamblee with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
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A Third-Generation Goddard Franchisee Follows in Family’s Footsteps, Brings Play-Based Education to Up-and-Coming D.C. Neighborhood
June 8, 2018
Franchisee Taylor Pope, the son of franchisee Anne Pope and the grandson of franchisee Don O’Brian, will be opening The Goddard School of Washington, D.C. in the downtown Wharf neighborhood.
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The Goddard School of Woodbury Celebrates Beginning of Construction with Groundbreaking
June 6, 2018
Franchisees Rick and Shannon Gehrmann broke ground on The Goddard School located in Woodbury, MN. The School will soon join the five other Minneapolis-area Goddard Schools, signaling strong growth for the area.
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Goddard School Crushes Reunite for Prom
May 15, 2018
Amanda and Sean, two high school juniors who met as preschoolers at The Goddard School of Hillsborough, NJ, attended their prom together!
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Starting a Business After College? Advice for Entrepreneurial Grads
May 14, 2018
Joe Schumacher, CEO of Goddard Systems, Inc., provides insight on the importance of failure and the valuable lessons learned from it.
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How Military Service Prepares You to Lead a Franchise
May 7, 2018
Janice Kennedy, a U.S. Army Reserve veteran and franchisee of The Goddard School located in Olathe (Northwest), KS, talks about her military service and how it helped prepare her to operate her own business.
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Goddard CEO Highlights Goddard School Growth, Unique Learning Program
April 24, 2018
Joe Schumacher, CEO of Goddard Systems, Inc., provides insight on The Goddard School business model and how its unique program has helped it become an acknowledged leader in the education franchise space.
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Goddard School to Open at Long-Vacant New Jersey Property
April 21, 2018
Nicole Harrison, franchisee of The Goddard School located in West Orange, NJ, plans to bring Goddard’s unique, play-based learning program to the community in 2019.
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Chicago-Area Goddard School Plans Expansion
April 19, 2018
Ellen Ley, franchisee of The Goddard School located in Vernon Hills, IL, plans to repurpose a former bank to feature three larger classrooms, bathrooms, a conference room, storage space and an office.
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The Fine Art of Information
April 1, 2018
Three VPs of Goddard Systems, Inc., Jim DiRugeris, Vice President of Franchise Development; Rich Agar, Vice President of Operations; and Paul Koulogeorge, Vice President of Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations, share insights on how franchise brands use data analytics to help franchisees run their businesses better.
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Goddard Systems, Inc. (GSI) CEO Offers Pearls of Wisdom about the Value of Making a Mistake
March 29, 2018
GSI CEO Joe Schumacher and former General Electric CEO Jack Welch have something in common: they both know the value of turning a mistake into a learning opportunity. The difference? Welch learned said value after accidentally blowing up a GE factory.
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The Goddard School Taps into History in Long Hill Township
March 28, 2018
The Goddard School located in Long Hill Township, NJ makes history as it incorporates part of a historical landmark into the construction of its building.
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The Goddard School Expands its Presence in Minneapolis Area with Woodbury School
March 23, 2018
Recently approved to begin construction, The Goddard School located in Woodbury, MN will soon join the five other Minneapolis-area Goddard Schools, signaling strong growth for the area.
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Get Inspired by Borrowing These Innovative Ideas in 2018
March 12, 2018
Paul Koulogeorge, Vice President of Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations for Goddard Systems, Inc. (GSI), shares steal-worthy marketing strategies.
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The Goddard School Plans Springfield Location for Private Preschool
March 12, 2018
Franchisee Barbara Burrows, who also owns The Goddard School located in Edwardsville, IL, plans on opening a second location in Springfield.
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The Goddard School Introduces Fun Learning Experience to Historic Manhattan Neighborhood
March 9, 2018
Franchisee Rami Singh opened The Goddard School in Manhattan’s up-and-coming Murray Hill neighborhood.
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The Goddard School Emphasizes Learning through Play in Oakland County, MI
February 27, 2018
The Goddard School located in Rochester Hills and The Goddard School located in Novi both celebrated their grand openings, signaling strong growth in Oakland County, which is in the greater Detroit area.
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Digital Thought Starters for 2018
January 3, 2018
Paul Koulogeorge, Vice President of Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations for Goddard Systems, Inc. (GSI), draws on decades of marketing and advertising experience to provide ways to up your marketing game in the new year.
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The Goddard School is Now Accepting Applications for the 11th Annual Anthony A. Martino Memorial Scholarship
The Nation’s Leading Preschool System Invites Alumni to Apply for $10,000 College Scholarship
January 1, 2018
KING OF PRUSSIA, PA – January 1, 2018 Goddard Systems, Inc. (GSI), the national franchisor of The Goddard School® preschool system, which is focused on learning through play, has begun accepting applications for the 11th annual Anthony A. Martino Memorial Scholarship, which is awarded annually to one high school senior who graduated from The Goddard School prekindergarten or kindergarten program. This distinguished scholarship honors an alumnus whose work ethic and overall demeanor parallel that of Anthony A. Martino, founder of The Goddard School franchise system.
Finalists are selected based on expressed goals and aspirations, academic record, participation in school, community service, work experience and a video submission. Through the awarding of $100,000 to date, the Anthony A. Martino Memorial Scholarship allows The Goddard School Franchise the opportunity to help college-bound alumni in their pursuit of higher education.
“For more than 30 years, our mission has been to help children become school ready, career ready and life ready. We are thrilled to continue supporting our alumni in communities throughout the country with the Anthony A. Martino scholarship program,” said Joseph Schumacher, CEO of Goddard Systems, Inc. “To date, we have awarded $100,000 through the scholarship, which has been as rewarding for us as it has been for the students who received the support for college.”
Applications must be submitted by March 12, 2018, to be considered for the scholarship. The finalists for the scholarship will be selected and notified on or before April 3, 2018, and announced on Goddard System, Inc.’s social media accounts by April 23, 2018. The winner of the Anthony A. Martino Memorial Scholarship will be selected and notified by before May 1, 2018.
For more information on The Goddard School and the Preschooler-Approved Toy Test, please visit www.goddardschool.com/toytest.