The Lion Update
Dr. Lindsay Goldsmith
VES/COST ACC DODDS
Box 23 Unit 28040
APO, AE 09112-8040
United States
Important Dates
September 26
Popcorn Friday
September 29
No school for Students
Hello Vilseck Lions!
It’s been a great week at Vilseck Elementary! Our students had a wonderful time participating in the Book Swap!
🎉 R.O.A.R. Token Celebration
We’re proud to celebrate our students who have earned 100 tokens by consistently following the R.O.A.R. principles:
- Ms. Deverick
- Ms. Gideon
- Ms. Sousa
- Dr. Prater
- Ms. Van Winkle
- Ms. Nell
- Ms. Loe
- Ms. Bull
- Mr. Cochran
- Ms. Coss
- Ms. Sizemore
👏 Congratulations! Keep up the great work and continue to lead by example!
🌟 Grade Level Spotlight: Kindergarten
This week, our Kindergarten students engaged in meaningful and hands-on learning experiences:
🌳 Tree Rubbings – Students explored the texture of trees by creating rubbings, helping them connect with nature and observe details up close.
🗣️ Toothpaste Experiment – In a powerful lesson about the impact of our words, students squeezed out a tube of toothpaste and tried to put it back in. They quickly discovered it was impossible—just like our words, once spoken, they can’t be taken back.
This activity reminded us all to choose our words with care and kindness.
🎨✍️Learning Through Play- In addition, our Kindergarten students got hands-on with playdoh to build fine motor strength and boost letter recognition. From rolling out dough to shape the alphabet to pinching and molding each curve, little fingers were hard at work and having fun! This tactile activity not only supports early literacy but also helps develop the muscles needed for writing. Learning has never been so squishy and satisfying!
💡 Parent Tip of the Week: Supporting Positive Communication at Home
Reinforce the lessons your child is learning at school by encouraging kind and thoughtful communication at home:
- Model respectful language in everyday conversations.
- Use “I” statements to express feelings and needs.
- Create a “Kind Words Jar” – add a token or note each time someone uses kind words, and celebrate together at the end of the week!
These small actions help build a supportive home environment and strengthen your child’s social-emotional skills.
Thanks for being part of our amazing school community. See you next week!
With Lion Pride,
Dr. Goldsmith
Dr. Johnson
Grade/Subject Taught:
Kindergarten, 1st, 4th, Educational Technologist
Currently: Math Specialist
Years in Education:
I’ve been in education for 14 years, and this is my third year at Vilseck Elementary. Every year brings something new, and I’ve loved growing alongside the students and staff.
Favorite Part of Teaching:
My favorite part about teaching is building relationships with students.
In Their Words
"It always seems impossible, until its done". -Nelson Mandela
Fun Facts
- Favorite Book: To Kill a Mockingbird
- Go-to Coffee Order / Snack: No Coffee-but I love a Coke Zero
- Hobbies: Walking, Shopping, Reading
- Something students would be surprised to learn: I am absolutely terrified of bugs, spiders and anything that crawls!
PTSA
Student Illness
Please do not send your student to school if he or she is ill. Staying home to get proper rest, nutrition, and care benefits your child and the rest of our Vilseck Elementary School community. Please ensure that all phone numbers and email addresses are current in ASPEN. This is essential in case your child becomes ill and we need to reach you promptly for pickup.
As school resumes and students are near one another to possibilities of viruses increases. Here is a common virus that occurs during this time of year, hand-foot-and-mouth disease. This is a viral infection characterized by the appearance of painful ulcers and blisters on the mucous membranes on the mouth, hands, and feet. The virus spreads via coughing, sneezing, or contact with contaminated objects and surfaces.
The person affected is contagious during the first week of the illness but can be contagious for days or weeks after the symptoms disappear. Good hygiene such as hand washing can minimize the spread of infection.
The student can return to school once blisters are dried, fever and symptom free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications and if they can fully participate in the curriculum.
This is a common illness in younger children, and symptoms usually resolve in 7-10 days. There is no vaccine to prevent it, and home treatment is supportive: monitor symptoms, prevent dehydration, maintain good hygiene (handwashing), keep children home if they are symptomatic, and consult their healthcare provider for severe dehydration, a high fever, or a worsening condition.
If you suspect your child has any of these symptoms, please contact your PCM.
Student Health Services
https://www.dodea.edu/education/student-services/healthservices
Please contact Nurse Kimberly with any questions.
She can be reached at: kimberly.coghill@dodea.edu
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School Procedures
DoDEA School Dress Code
Students MUST wear:
- Tops with sleeves (sleeveless tops/dresses are permitted for school sponsored formal events such as prom)
- Solid clothing (not transparent or translucent) that fully covers the top and bottom from armpit to mid-thigh
- Shoes (shoes must be safe for the school environment)
- Bedroom slippers shall not be worn, except for school activities approved by the principal
- Open toe shoes with a strap across the heel are allowed
Students CANNOT wear clothing with:
- Language or images promoting violence
- Language or images that depict, promote, or advocate the illegal use or sale of drugs, alcohol or tobacco products; violent conduct; curse words; pornography; that contain threats or expressions which are violent, discriminatory, lewd or obscene; or that advocate or promote any other illegal item or activity or the use of same
- Derogatory speech and/or imagery that targets groups based on race/color, ethnicity/national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, religion, or any other characteristic protected by law.
- Headgear that obscures the face (except as a religious observance or health purpose); clothing items with hoods attached can be worn but must not cover the head
* Teachers/courses can require certain attire as part of the curriculum (for example: physical education, culinary) that may include specific dress
* DoDEA issued athletic uniforms and athletic practice attire outside of the DoDEA school dress code is permitted when worn by participants during athletic practices and sports events
Applicable DoW Policies
School Administrators
Contacts
| Name | Position Details | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Registrar | Registrar | +49 (0)6317-106-6162 |
| School Secretary | School Secretary | +49 (0)6317-106-6161 |
| Attendance | Attendance | +49 (0)6317-106-6160 |
