The Lion's Roar
Important Dates
SEPTEMBER
23: PTO Lunch with Lions
24: PTO Lunch with Lions
29: Fall Picture Day
OCTOBER
01: Physical Therapy Month
02: School Custodian Appreciation Day
04: Fire Prevention Week
08: PTO Fall Fest
09: Teacher Workday - No School for Students
12: Columbus Day Holiday - No School
12: National School Lunch Week
13: CCR Day - No School for Students
15: Star Student Ceremony (Invite Only)
19: National School Bus Safety Week
20: Fall Picture Make-up Day
21: Unity Day
22: Parent/Teacher Conferences - No School
23: Parent/Teacher Conferences - No School
26: Red Ribbon Week
27: National Occupational Therapist Day
Reminders
-
Tardy Bell rings at 8:30 a.m.
-
No Dismissal Changes after 1:00 p.m.
-
No Student Check-outs after 2:45 p.m.
-
Morning Clubs start at 7:15 a.m.
-
Afternoon Clubs end at 4:20 p.m.
Grade-Level Newsletters
Want to know what your child is learning this month? Click on your child’s grade level below to explore their Weekly Newsletter! Each link is packed with exciting classroom highlights, upcoming projects, learning goals, and tips to support learning at home.
Our Lions have continued to demonstrate outstanding focus and dedication to learning this week! Across all grade levels, students have been actively engaged in meaningful learning experiences, building important skills, asking thoughtful questions, and working hard toward their academic goals. We are proud of the perseverance and enthusiasm our students bring to the classroom each day, and we encourage them to keep up the great work as we continue moving through the school year.
A special thank you goes to our fabulous PTO for sponsoring this week's Scholastic Book Fair! We are incredibly grateful for their support in helping promote literacy and a love of reading throughout our school community. It was wonderful to see so many families attend Family Night last evening. Students of all ages were excitedly browsing, shopping, and purchasing books and literacy tools that will inspire learning long after the fair has ended. Events like these help foster a lifelong love of reading and strengthen the important connection between home and school. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make the Book Fair such a tremendous success!
As we celebrate learning, we also want to emphasize the importance of school safety. At our school, safety is everyone's responsibility, and it is something we take seriously every day. Our goal is simple: to create a safe, welcoming environment where students can learn, explore, and thrive.
To help keep our school secure, all visitors enter through the Front Office using our controlled access procedures. This allows us to know who is in the building and helps us maintain a safe environment for all students and staff. We also follow clear visitor check-in procedures. Every visitor must sign in and present identification before entering student areas or checking a student out. These important measures add an extra layer of security for our entire school community.
Throughout the school day, students follow consistent safety routines during arrival, dismissal, classroom transitions, and other daily activities. These routines help create a predictable environment where students know what to expect and can focus on learning. In addition, we conduct regular emergency drills to ensure that students and staff are prepared for unexpected situations. These drills are designed to build confidence, not fear, helping everyone remain calm and ready should the need arise.
Our staff members actively supervise hallways, playgrounds, cafeterias, and common areas throughout the day. These supervision efforts ensure that students are supported by caring adults wherever they go. Safety is one of the most important ways we help students succeed. When children feel safe, they can focus on learning, building friendships, and creating wonderful school memories.
Thank you for partnering with us to make our school a safe, supportive, and thriving place for every child. We wish all of our Lion families a safe and restful weekend and look forward to another ROARING great week ahead!
GO LIONS! HEAR US ROAR!!!
In Partnership,
Mrs. Thorne, Principal
Mrs. Enyeart, Assistant Principal
Tip from the Front Office
Help Us Get Everyone Home Safely!
✅ Need to change your child's dismissal plan for the day? Please contact the front office before 1:00 p.m. This gives our staff and teachers enough time to communicate changes accurately and ensure your child gets to the right place.
🚗 Remember: Students should have one designated dismissal method on file, and frequent changes are discouraged. If a permanent change is needed, a new Parent Information Sheet must be completed.
⏰ Planning to check out your student early? Student check-outs end at 2:45 p.m. unless approved by the principal for extenuating circumstances.
📞 Important: Dismissal changes will only be accepted through the front office or by a written note sent to the teacher. Voicemails, emails, Facebook messages, texts, smartwatches, and student cell phone messages cannot be used for dismissal changes.
💙 Thank you for helping us keep our dismissal process safe, organized, and efficient. Your cooperation ensures every student arrives at the correct destination every day!
Safety starts with communication. If plans change, call the front office before 1:00 p.m.! 📞🏫
Arrival & Dismissal
🚗 Think you’ve got drop-off and pick-up figured out? Or maybe you’re bracing for your first run? Either way, you don’t want to miss The Art of Drop-Off and Pick-Up: A Survival Guide for Grown-Ups. This animated video is equal parts helpful and hilarious. You’ll learn the do’s, the don’ts, and a few insider tips to keep things safe, smooth, and stress-free for everyone.
Registrar Notes
🏠 LEASE POLICY: Families who have received a 90-Day Housing Letter, kindly remember to submit a copy of your lease to the school upon receiving it.
📦 STUDENT WITHDRAWALS: If you are moving out of the Patton Village neighborhood, please notify the front office as soon as possible. This will allow us to process your student’s withdrawal and get their records ready for their new school.
Star Students Ceremony
⭐ Star Students Spotlight ⭐
Our Star Student program honors the Army Values, recognizing students who demonstrate these important character traits in their daily lives. Loyalty, the first Army Value, was the focus of this month's celebration.
Students were recognized for showing loyalty by being honest, dependable, and supportive members of our school community. Their positive actions help create a welcoming environment where everyone can learn, grow, and succeed.
Congratulations to all of our Star Students! Keep up the great work!
Fall Picture Day is Coming
Get ready to smile, Lions! 😊
Fall Picture Day will be held on Tuesday, September 29. This is an important day because student photos taken on Picture Day will be used for this year's school yearbook.
Parents can help their students prepare by choosing a favorite outfit and making sure they arrive ready with their best smile!
Additional information regarding picture ordering will be shared with families after Picture Day. For updates and reminders, please visit the Lion Pride PTO Facebook page.
We look forward to seeing lots of happy faces and capturing portraits for our 2026-2027 yearbook!
School Counseling Update
Whole-group student success lessons in September will focus on classroom routines and expectations. In October, lessons will cover friendship skills, bullying prevention, and conflict resolution.
Parents who have questions or concerns about their child's participation are encouraged to contact Ginger Ades, School Counselor, at ginger.ades@dodea.edu.
Club News
Our clubs are off to a great start, and students are already enjoying exciting new experiences, building friendships, exploring their interests, and learning in fun ways beyond the classroom.
To help our clubs run smoothly, please remember that morning clubs begin at 7:15 a.m., and Club Sponsors will greet students upon arrival. While other staff members may be arriving at school, students should wait until their sponsor is present before being dropped off.
Afternoon clubs conclude at 4:20 p.m.
We look forward to a great year of learning, friendship, and fun in our clubs!
|
MONDAY MORNING |
WEDNESDAY MORNING |
|
Art Club (Grades 3-5) with Ms. Valentin Cooking Club (Grade 2) with Ms. Messer & Ms. Reed Sports Club (Grades 4-5) with Mr. Davis |
Cursive Writing (Grades 2-3) with Ms. Cyfers Cheer Club (Grades 3-5) with Ms. Young |
|
MONDAY AFTERNOON |
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON |
|
Chorus (Grades 3-5) with Mr. Waterstraat Kids Care (Grades 3-5) with Ms. Belen & Ms. Fleming Sports Club (Grades 2-3) with Mr. Allen and Mr. Jauert Sign Language Club (Grades 2-3) with Ms. Ferry Environmental Club (Grades 3-5) with Ms. Marion and Ms. Annan |
Art Club (Grades 2-3) with Ms. Marion & Ms. Annan Leadership Club (Grade 5) with Ms. Dunk Reading Book Club (Grades 3-5) with Ms. Cyfers Sign Language Club (Grades 4-5) with Ms. Ferry |
Parent University | September Session
Thank you to all the families who joined us for our September Parent University session! Together, we explored practical ways to support student success through literacy development, productive homework habits, and strong school-family partnerships.
A key focus of the session was building strong readers from the very beginning. Parents learned that phonological awareness, alphabet knowledge, and sight word recognition work together to create a solid foundation for reading success. These early skills help children become confident and capable readers.
We also discussed strategies for strengthening reading comprehension. Families learned how comprehension grows when students move from understanding what is written in the text, to thinking about the meaning behind the text, and finally connecting those ideas to the world around them. Parents were encouraged to help children make text-to-self, text-to-text, and text-to-world connections during reading activities.
To support reading at home, we shared simple strategies families can use every day:
- Ask guiding questions that encourage deeper thinking.
- Model "think-aloud" strategies while reading together.
- Encourage children to summarize stories and passages in their own words.
The session also highlighted ways to provide homework support without doing the work for students. Families learned the importance of establishing routines, encouraging independence, and using questions such as:
- "Show me what you already understand."
- "What part feels confusing?"
- "What strategy did your teacher show you?"
Finally, we discussed the value of strong partnerships between home and school. Consistent communication, reinforcing school expectations, supporting social-emotional learning, and working collaboratively with teachers all contribute to student success.
Thank you for partnering with us to support our students' growth and achievement. We look forward to seeing you at our next Parent University session on November 17!
Lion Pride PTO
Our Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) is dedicated to fostering a strong, supportive community for our students, teachers, and families. Through various events, fundraisers, and volunteer opportunities, the Lion Pride PTO works tirelessly to enhance the educational experience at E.A. White Elementary.
Stay connected and get involved by following their Facebook page for the latest updates and ways to contribute. Together, we can achieve great things for our school!
Please note: The Lion Pride PTO is a private organization; it is not part of the Department of War or any of its components and has no governmental status.
2026-2027 Lion Pride PTO Board
President: Kayla Good
Vice President: Elsie Petties
Treasurer: Sierra Ostergaard
Secretary: Daisy Lund
💛 Spirit Fridays 💙
Fridays are Spirit Days! Students are encouraged to show their Lion Pride by wearing their favorite school spirit wear or school colors each Friday.
Whether it's a spirit shirt, school sweatshirt, or our school colors, let's fill the hallways with Lion Pride and school spirit. We can't wait to see everyone representing our school community!
🦁 PTO Spirit Night 🦁
Kick off the school year by joining us for our first Spirit Night!
📅 Wednesday, September 23
⏰ 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM
🌐 Visit the Lion Pride PTO Facebook page for more details
🍎 Lunch with Lions 🦁
Join us for our exciting PTO event, Lunch with Lions! On September 23, Kindergarten, 3rd Grade, and 4th Grade students will have their special lunch, while 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, and 5th Grade students are scheduled for September 24. This picnic-style lunch will take place in the amphitheater behind the school. Please bring a blanket and lunch from home, and meet your student directly in the amphitheater—no need to visit the front office. A PTO volunteer will be there to sign you in before your student’s lunchtime.
Remember, reservations are required, and each family must bring their own lunch. At least one person in the family must be at least 18 years or older for the student to participate in Lunch with Lions. The deadline to sign up is Wednesday, September 16.
SEPTEMBER 23 (Only families with a reservation will be allowed to participate.)
Kindergarten Lunch: 11:18-11:48
3rd Grade Lunch: 11:58-12:28
4th Grade Lunch: 12:18-12:48
*Arrive no more than 15 minutes before your child's lunchtime.
SEPTEMBER 24 (Only families with a reservation will be allowed to participate.)
1st Grade Lunch: 11:28-11:58
2nd Grade Lunch: 11:48-12:18
5th Grade Lunch: 12:28-12:58
*Arrive no more than 15 minutes before your child's lunchtime.
To RSVP, visit the Lion Pride PTO Facebook page or check your student's folder for the event flyer.
Important Links & Resources
Attendance
Our front office has a new Absence Excuse Submission Form to help make attendance notes quick and easy!
In accordance with DoDEA Regulation 2095.01, attendance is mandatory, and absences are monitored to ensure continuity of instruction and academic progress. Parents should notify the school of their child’s absence within 30 minutes of the start of the school day.
School Nurse
🧁 CLASSROOM CELEBRATIONS: If parents choose to send a food item for celebrations, it must be store-bought, prepackaged, and individually wrapped. Parents must contact the school nurse, Ms. Pettway siobhann.pettway@dodea.edu, at least ONE WEEK before the celebration if food will be brought in. This ensures we can address any student allergies.
School Advisory Committee
If you have a topic or concern you would like discussed at our next SAC meeting, please use our Google Form to submit your input.
Featured News
Activities
Follow us on Social Media
School Procedures
School Administrators
Contacts
| Name | Position Details | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Front Office | Front Office | 762-524-6560 |
|
Grades |
Regular Hours |
Tuesday Hours |
|---|---|---|
|
Prekindergarten - 5th |
8:30 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. |
8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. |
The 2nd Tuesday of every month is our Early Release Day.
Lunch is served from 11:15 - 12:30 depending on the grade level. Please note that no outside fast food is allowed in the cafeteria.
Office Hours
Monday - Friday: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
