DoDDS Okinawa schools open doors to students

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Maeson L. Elleman
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  School bells rang in the new year for students on Okinawa Aug. 30, 2010, with schools pushing for academic success for everyone attending this year.

"Our overall goal is for kids to succeed in their future endeavors," said Terry Gibson, principal at Kadena High School here. "We've had a good, positive start this year, and we couldn't ask for a better school year so far."

Schools across the Okinawa District completed numerous repairs and updates to facilities throughout the summer. Projects ranged from plumbing and roof repairs to improvements to student drop-off and pick-up areas.

Along with new students, Bob Hope Primary and Amelia Earhart Intermediate Schools received new heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) units this year and seven schools across the district added 11 Kindergarten classes to continue lowering student-to-teacher ratios in the early childhood grades, hopefully allowing students to get better individual attention for each lesson.

"As always, our goals are based on improving student achievement," said Jim Journey, principal at Bob Hope. "The underlying goal is for kids to be successful, and to allow them that opportunity with joy and learning."

Welcome back activities or open houses are planned at all 13 schools in the district like the student-teacher "meet and greet" orientation, Aug. 30, 2010, which allowed new Kindergarten students at Bob Hope and their parents to meet their teachers and to get some understanding as to what to expect with the new school year.

Parents who have children in first or second grade may have noticed a change to the typical supply list for their children to bring to class with them: it's much more general than lists for previous school years in order to make items simpler.

"The supply list has become a DoDDS-specific initiative," said Mr. Journey. "Because of this, parents only need to bring more basic items."

"Don't stress. It's going to be okay if you can't find anything for the list," he added. "Kids shouldn't be denied from any activities because of shortage or unavailability of supplies."

Information about the different schools on base including upcoming events for the year is posted at http://www.okinawa.pac.dodea.edu.

With school safety as a major concern, drivers are reminded to be exceptionally cautious in school zones before and after school. Security forces traffic patrolmen will be hitting school zones heavily again this year to ensure the protection of children as they make their way to classes.

"It's no secret," said Tech. Sgt. Peter Stamatakos, 18th Security Forces Squadron NCOIC of Operations Support. "We want people to be careful and not speed. We hit school zones and we hit them hard."

"We're here to ensure school safety," said Mr. Gibson. "We are doing everything in our power to make sure students stay safe."

Gate 5 is now open for school-related traffic from 6:15 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. and from 1:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. during school days.

Talking on cell phones and texting while driving increase hazards for pedestrians and for other motorists and will lead to a 30-day vehicle suspension to the driver.

But, Sergeant Stamatakos said speeding is the number one problem with motorists here.

"The posted speed limit is only for perfect conditions," he added. "You need to actually go slower with worse conditions."

With students returning to school, traffic will increase in the morning and in the afternoon and there will be slower speeds in school zones. People should do everything possible to ensure the safety of themselves and the people around them including giving themselves enough extra time to get to their destinations with possible delays.