The Lion Update
Dr. Lindsay Goldsmith
VES/COST ACC DODDS
Box 23 Unit 28040
APO, AE 09112-8040
United States
Important Dates
September 25
UPK Open House
September 26
Popcorn Friday
September 29
No School for Students
October 10
No School
October 13
No School- Columbus Day
Hello Vilseck Lions!
We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Goldsmith, our new Principal, will officially arrive this Monday! Her leadership, experience, and passion for education make her a wonderful addition to our community.
Please join us in giving her a warm Vilseck welcome as she becomes part of our school family. We’re excited for the journey ahead and look forward to the positive impact she’ll bring to our students, staff, and families.
Welcome to Vilseck, Dr. Goldsmith!
🎉 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. Kellar
- Mr. Clearwater
👏 Congratulations! Keep up the great work and continue to lead by example! Let's see if we can make it to the next 100 tokens and earn Music and Movement!
🌟 Grade Level Spotlight: First Grade
Lights out, learning on! Even a surprise blackout couldn’t stop our first graders from diving into math. Powered by natural light and bright minds they kept the math magic alive!
Students teamed up to count everyday items in groups of ten, then explored the patterns they discovered--all while building number sense and having fun. It was a glowing example of how learning never stops at Vilseck Elementary!
💡 Parent Tip of the Week: Math Moments at Home!
While cooking, cleaning, or even during a walk, ask your child to count objects in groups of ten—like spoons, socks, or leaves. Then, challenge them to spot patterns in their counting. It’s a fun way to build number sense and spark curiosity outside the classroom! Here are a few fun ways to help your child practice counting and pattern recognition at home:
- Sock Sorting: Ask your child to count socks in groups of ten while folding laundry. Can they find a pattern in colors or sizes?
- Snack Math: Use cereal, crackers, or fruit snacks to make groups of ten before eating. Ask, “How many groups do we have? What do you notice?”
- Toy Tally: Have your child organize toys (like blocks or cars) into tens. Then ask, “How many tens? How many leftovers?”
- Nature Numbers: While outside, collect leaves, rocks, or sticks. Group them into tens and talk about what patterns they see.
- Book Count: Choose a picture book and count objects on each page in tens. Ask, “Do you see a pattern from page to page?”
These small moments build big math confidence—and they’re fun, too!
Huge thanks to our incredible PTSA team for treating us to a delicious taco lunch and refreshing lemonade! Your thoughtfulness and effort never go unnoticed. While not everyone is pictured below, please know how truly grateful we are for all that you do today and every day!
Thanks for being part of our amazing school community. See you next week!
With Lion Pride,
Dr. Goldsmith
Ms. Van Winkle
Grade/Subject Taught:
1st Grade
Years in Education:
This is my 9th year of working in elementary education and my 5th year at VES. I have taught first and second grade. I have also worked an additional 7 years for Child and Youth Programs supporting military connected students, ages 6 weeks to 18.
Favorite Part of Teaching:
I truly enjoy when a child gains confidence in their skills, and you can see their eyes light up when they master a new concept. As a teacher, I feel like I am always planting seeds, and so it is awesome to see one of those seeds sprout before your eyes.
In Their Words
“Every child deserves a champion – an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be.” – Rita Pearson
Fun Facts
- Favorite Book: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
- Go-to Coffee Order / Snack: Sugar Free Vanilla latte with nonfat milk (hot)
- Hobbies: Gardening, reading, watching movies, traveling
- Something students would be surprised to learn: : I have lived in 3 different countries and 7 different states.
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 |
