The Dragon Dispatch
Important Dates
June 10th: All library books are due
June 10th: Field Day/Last Day of School/Early Release
Natural Disasters Projects
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
Reading is the most important skill for our students to learn and become proficient in. Knowing how to read is not a simple task by any means. Learning phonics, decoding words, making sense of what is read, reading fluently, comprehension, and inferencing are just some of the many skills that go into learning to read. One of the greatest gifts you can give your child is reading to or with him or her. When children listen to stories or informational text, they learn how to sequence, process information, recall details, learn new vocabulary, and connect new knowledge to prior learning. When children read independently, they find genres they enjoy, authors’ styles they relate to, and get exposure to different ideas and new ways of thinking. Everything they learn through reading translates into essential life skills needed every single day as they progress through school and life. Reading is truly the key that unlocks their world.
Again this summer AES, in partnership with the RAF Alconbury Base Library, offers an AES Summer Reading program. Shortly, you will be receiving instructions about how to participate and support your child by becoming a lifelong reader. I can’t wait until school starts again in August so I can hear about all the awesome books you and your child read over the summer!
Police Week
A Field Trip to Cambridge
Books & Beyond
Here’s what’s new in our school library:
What's Happening: Students creating art like Mo Willems, learning about endangered animals and National Parks in library this week.
Upcoming Events: All library books are due.
Library Tip: Use the RAF Alconbury Base Library for reading materials now that the AES library is no longer checking books out.
Happy Reading!
May Healthy Habits
Nurse's Note
🌞 School Nurse Newsletter – End of Year Edition 🌞
From the Desk of Nurse Alex Sandoval
Dear Dragon Families,
As we approach the end of the school year, I want to take a moment to share a few important health and wellness reminders to help your children stay healthy, happy, and safe this summer!
🩺 Vaccination Reminder for Rising Middle Schoolers
If your child recently turned 11 or will be turning 11 over the summer, they are due for Meningococcal and Tdap vaccinations. These immunizations are required for middle school registration and can be scheduled by calling the Alconbury Clinic at 01480 842273. Don’t wait—beat the back-to-school rush!
🏃♂️ Stay Active, Stay Strong
Summer is the perfect time to have fun and unwind, but don’t forget to keep your child moving! Regular physical activity—especially outdoors—helps strengthen the immune system, supports mental health, and builds strong muscles and bones.
🗣️ Connection Builds Confidence
Spark conversations with your child daily. Children build healthy self-esteem when they feel heard and valued. Ask about their day, their dreams, and their friendships. Feeling connected to a trusted adult helps children feel safe, supported, and confident.
Looking for fun, family-friendly activities? Check out the 👉 RAF Alconbury FSS Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/RAFAlconburyFSS/?locale=en_GB
🎳 Summer Fun: Kids Bowl Free!
The Alconbury Bowling Alley is offering a Kids Bowl Free promotion all summer long—up to 2 free games per day for children.
🏕️ Summer Camps Available
Want to keep your child engaged and learning during the summer? Check out the CYPBMS Portal for a wide variety of summer camps happening Monday through Friday. There’s something for everyone—from sports to arts and STEM programs!
🛡️ Summer Safety Tips
- Hydration is key! Encourage water over sugary drinks, especially on hot days.
- Sun safety: Use sunscreen (SPF 30+), wear hats, and seek shade during peak sun hours.
- Bike safety: Always wear a helmet and follow traffic rules.
- Stranger safety: Remind kids not to go anywhere with someone they don’t know.
- Swim smart: Always swim with a buddy and follow local pool or beach rules.
Counselor's Corner
As the school year comes to a close, it’s a time of celebration and reflection for many students and their families. Students who began the year filled with questions and excitement are now finishing it with new curiosities and a sense of anticipation for what lies ahead.
In recent counseling lessons, we’ve been exploring what it means to transition to the next grade level. This change can hold different meanings for each student. Some may be preparing to leave Alconbury Elementary for middle school or a new location, while others will be entering classrooms where letter grades are introduced or where academic expectations and responsibilities increase.
One meaningful activity students participated in involved writing notes to incoming students in their grade. For example, fourth graders shared “words of wisdom” with next year’s third graders—offering insights they wish they had known. This reflective exercise encouraged students to think about their own growth and learning throughout the year.
While it’s natural to focus on the worries that come with change, a more productive approach is to emphasize students’ curiosity and hopes for the future. Curiosity can be a powerful motivator, inspiring students to embrace new academic and personal challenges. It also helps them stay engaged, seek out new knowledge, and build confidence as they step into the next chapter of their educational journey.
Parents can support their children over the summer by fostering open conversations about the upcoming transition, encouraging curiosity, and validating any feelings of nervousness. Sharing personal experiences and normalizing change can help children feel more at ease. Promoting a growth mindset—by celebrating effort and setting small, achievable goals—can also build confidence. Keeping learning fun through reading, everyday activities, and educational games helps maintain academic engagement. Gradually reintroducing school routines and encouraging independence with tasks like packing lunches or organizing supplies can ease the adjustment. If you feel your child may have more difficulty with the transition, maintaining consistent routines throughout the summer—such as regular bedtimes, wake-up times, and daily activities—can provide a sense of stability and readiness for the school year ahead.
Our Tiny Visitors
Featured News
Upcoming Events
Activities
Follow us on Social Media
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!
