The Dragon Dispatch
Important Dates
May 19th: All AES library books are due
May 20th: Blue Ribbon Tuesday
May 23rd - 26th: NO SCHOOL (Memorial Day Weekend)
May 28th: Blue Ribbon Tuesday
June 4th: Blue Ribbon Tuesday
June 10th: Field Day/Last Day of School/Early Release
Welcome to The Dragon Dispatch
Welcome to The Dragon Dispatch, the official newsletter of Alconbury Elementary School!
This newsletter is designed to keep you informed and engaged with everything happening in our school community. We encourage you to explore each section for the latest updates and important information:
Counselor’s Corner – News, tips, and guidance from our school counselor
Books & Beyond – Updates from the library, including new arrivals and reading initiatives
Nurse’s Note – Health reminders and updates from our school nurse
From the Principal’s Desk – Important messages and announcements directly from school leadership
We hope you find The Dragon Dispatch helpful and informative. Thank you for being a vital part of our school community!
From the Principal's Desk
Think back to your childhood educational experiences. Whether it be elementary, middle, or high school, I am sure that there was one or several teachers that made an impression on you. That could have been the greeting you received in the morning, the feedback on an assignment, the relationship you developed, the help that was provided, or the challenge you were given to prove you could do it. Teachers have a profound impact on who we are today.
This week, May 5th to 9th, DoDEA celebrates Teacher Appreciation Week. Our teachers and teaching staff are the backbone of our school and I can’t say enough about how valuable they are. As every year at AES is, this has been a fantastic school year. Every year is exceptional due to all that our AES educators and staff do to ensure that your child has an exemplary education. The AES staff have accepted all the challenges, risen to meet them, and gone above and beyond to help, support, teach, and care for all of their students.
I am so proud of what the AES teachers have done this school year. I am truly and deeply appreciative of how they have taken on the multitude of challenges on a daily basis. I am also grateful to each and every one of our teachers for making it all work so well day in and day out. Thank you AES teachers and staff for all your hard work and dedication that benefits our students and our community. The work you put in before school, late nights after school, and on weekends show that you continually go above and beyond for our students. We wouldn’t be a National Blue Ribbon School without each of you!
AES students and parents, please take time during the week of May 5th to 9th to show your appreciation for your many AES teachers who keep us safe and academically challenged every single day. You can show your appreciation with a card, poem, note, picture, email, video, flowers, plants, etc. If you choose to purchase a token of your appreciation, please keep the value less than $20.
Thank you AES teachers...you are TERIFFIC and the absolute GREATEST!!!
Camp Air Power
Counselor's Corner
Over the past few days, students have been learning about emotions and strategies to regulate them. While most students can identify feelings such as anger, sadness, happiness, or excitement, many may struggle to recognize the physical and mental characteristics of these emotions. We often enjoy emotions that make us feel "good" and dislike those that make us feel "bad." However, it's important to understand that all emotions, even those that seem to linger, are temporary and provide valuable information to our thinking brains.
Feeling different emotions is perfectly normal. The key issue is how we act when experiencing certain emotions. Emotions are never an excuse to be mean, harm ourselves, or hurt others. So, how can we control our actions? Students have learned various strategies that are effective for regulating stress and enhancing focus. For example, controlled breathing, exercise, and talking to a trusted adult or friend are excellent methods for emotional regulation.
One crucial strategy, which may seem instinctive but often isn't, is to avoid repeating the same mistake twice, commonly referred to as "don't poke the hornet's nest." If we know that yelling hurts others' feelings and doesn't resolve conflicts, we should understand that yelling will only create more problems. Therefore, the next time you feel angry, try using controlled breathing instead of yelling.
Students have been provided with several strategies, and it's not necessary to use all of them every time. Students and their guardians or parents are encouraged to discuss and identify the best strategies for controlling or regulating emotions. Modeling and practicing these strategies at home can help students cope with the natural challenges of living a healthy lifestyle.
Books & Beyond
Here’s what’s new in our school library:Â
What's Happening: This will be our last week to check out books before Summer Break. Please be sure to use the Base Library this summer for our Summer Reading Program, more information will come later.Â
Upcoming Events: All library books are due on the 16th of May.
Library Tip: Students can log in to Classlink to read eBooks and listen to audiobooks on MackinVia. MackinVia will be available all summer for students, as well.
Happy Reading!
May Healthy Habits
Nurse's Note
🩺 From the desk of Nurse Alex
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As we move into the warmer weeks ahead, the forecast shows plenty of sunshine and rising temperatures. With our school building lacking air conditioning, classrooms can become quite warm during the day. To help your child stay comfortable and healthy, here are a few important reminders:
👕 Dress for Comfort
Please have your child wear light, breathable clothing suitable for warm weather. This helps them stay cool and focused throughout the day.
💧 Bring a Water Bottle Daily
Sending your child with a refillable water bottle ensures they can stay hydrated and avoid feeling tired or sluggish during school hours.
🌞 Sun Safety for After-School Play
If your child enjoys playing on the playground after school, we encourage you to apply sunscreen before they leave home. A little sun protection can help prevent sunburn and keep them safe outdoors.
Thank you for your continued support in keeping our students safe and comfortable.
MoMC Clap-Out
Crazy Hair Day
Featured News
Upcoming Events
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School Procedures
School Administrators
Contacts
| Grade | Regular Hours | Office Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PK - 5 |
8:25 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday) 8:25 a.m. - 2:20 p.m. (Wednesdays only) |
7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (Monday - Friday) |
| It is the responsibility of the parents or guardians to notify the school every time a student is absent. |
|---|
We’re excited to share that DoDEA has won the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) Publications and Digital Media Excellence Award – Website Award of Merit for our School Newsletters Project! This NSPRA award honors outstanding school communication efforts that help connect schools with their communities. This wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of our amazing school webmasters. Thank you for keeping families connected with your hard work and heart!
