Zukeran Tribune Parent Newsletter
Zukeran Tribune Parent Newsletter
"The Sky Isn’t the Limit—It’s Just the Beginning" - Marine Brigadier General Robert Brodie
Dear Zukeran Elementary Families,
Thank you for another incredible week of learning and exploration! We hope your students have shared the exciting, hands-on experiences they enjoyed with military-connected experts in science, mathematics, and technology on Thursday. From microbiology to drones, robotics, AI, cybersecurity, and aeronautics, our students had the unique opportunity to engage with specialists from our military community.
A highlight of Thursday’s STEM experience was Brigadier General Brodie’s inspiring introduction to our entire school from the cockpit of an F-18 Hornet, reminding students that “The sky isn’t the limit—it’s just the beginning.” Following this, students dove into lessons on aeronautics with him and his team, then moved on to explore rocket engineering with the Space Force, the science of bacteria, problem solving with NCIS, and the technology behind cybersecurity.
As we close out the second semester:
• Progress Reports will be posted electronically on Thursday, along with instructions for accessing them.
• Please contact us if you have any concerns about your student’s progress. Likewise, we will reach out if we have concerns so we can work together to ensure your child receives the best education and mid-year interventions, supplements, and support as needed.
We look forward to welcoming your students back on Tuesday, January 20th for another exciting week of learning!
With appreciation,
Elise Rosch, Principal
Kerwin Jones, Assistant Principal
School Coffee and Connect with the Principals
Every Wednesday from 9:00 to 10:00 at Zukeran Elementary School
Zukeran's Principal's Coffee and Connect is a weekly open forum with our school Principal where various topics are introduced, ideas are shared, and questions are answered. These informative meetings take place inside the school, face-to-face, and parents may join virtually as well via the meeting link.
| Date | Event |
| 19 January | Martin Luther King Day: Federal Holiday - No School |
| 20 January | Quarter 3 Begins |
| 9 February | Teacher Training Day, No School for Students |
Free and Reduced Meals
DoDEA families can apply for free or reduced-price meal benefits during the government shutdown.
The assistance is intended for the duration of the shutdown. Per USDA requirements, free or reduced-price meal eligibility is based on income and family size.
Parents can visit the linqconnect.com/public/meal-application/newsubmit and search for “AAFES DoDEA” to submit an application online.
Our lost and found area is over flowing with unclaimed clothing. Items not claimed by January 29th will be donated to charity. Lost and Found is located in the Commons, to the right, just after the stairs.
We are excited to announce that Zukeran Elementary Yearbook Club will begin in the third quarter! The Yearbook Club is looking for enthusiastic students who would like to help edit pages, organize content, and contribute creative ideas for our school yearbook. If your child is interested, please contact Angela Hess in the K-Neighborhood!
Taiko Team Application Notice Grades 4–5
Please read the information below carefully. This is the only time this year to apply to join the Taiko Team.
Who may apply
Open to: Students in grades 4–5.
Important: Final team selection will include up to 15 students from grades 4–5.
Attendance requirement
Attendance is vital. You are expected to attend every practice unless you are physically unable to do so. Missing three practice sessions will result in dismissal from the team.
Selection criteria
Because the Taiko Team is a volunteer activity led by Ms. Tasaki, selection will be competitive and based on each applicant’s reasons for applying and demonstrated skills and character.
Practice schedule
Grades 4–5 practice: Fridays, 13:45–14:45, in the Taiko room next to the Culture room.
How to apply and deadlines
If you wish to join the Taiko Team, sign up between January 16 and January 23. Applicants who are accepted will be notified by January 30.
All after-school clubs have begun meeting. Year-long clubs will run until the week of May 22nd, 2026. Multi-session clubs will run with start and end dates indicated on our School Activities page. More details, including club sponsor contact info, can be found there as well. If you're new to Zukeran and interested in signing your child up, please reach out to the club sponsor listed or Mr. Kerwin Jones.
Treatment in the school nurse’s office is limited to basic services. A child with a minor complaint or injury is treated and returned to class. If the complaint/injury is more complex, a note detailing the treatment rendered is sent home with the child. In the event of a severe illness/injury, you will be notified immediately by phone. Please keep your contact information current - home, duty, cell, and emergency numbers. If I am unable to reach a parent or emergency contact, it may be necessary to contact the sponsor’s command.
Sick children are not effective learners. If your child arrives to school sick, becomes sick at school, or returns to school within 24 hours of being sent home with fever, you will be called to pick them up. Per policy, students need to stay home until illness- and fever-free (without fever reducers, such as Tylenol or Motrin) for 24 hours.
Many students who come to the nurse’s office complaining of headache, stomachache, weakness, or “just not feeling well” have skipped breakfast. If your child missed breakfast and suffers from the above-mentioned complaints, you will be called and asked to bring your child a meal. Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day! Breakfast is served here at 7 AM each morning.
Please notify me if your child is taking any medication(s); classroom performance or behavior may be affected. In accordance with DoDEA policy, if your child requires ANY medication (even cough drops!) to be administered during school hours I need:
a. DoDEA Supplement A form signed by the doctor and the parent(s) or prescription label attached to Supplement A and signed by the parent.
b. Prescription meds in a pharmacy labeled container and non-prescription meds in the original container. The medication should be labeled “for school use.”
c. A parent or adult to deliver the medication to the nurses’ office. Students are not permitted to possess medications at school or on the bus without a written order from your doctor.
School Health Services: An overview of the Health Services program to include; immunization, food allergy management, school screenings, and exclusion for illness can be found at School Health Services | DoDEA.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call or email me any time. I am excited about working with your child(ren) and am looking forward to a healthy school year!
Very Respectfully,
Nurse Taylor
Tara B. Taylor BSN, RN NCSN
Zukeran Elementary School
098-970-1211 DSN 645-1211
tara.taylor@dodea.edu
Is your child having a rough go of it at school? Is something getting in the way of their academic success? We want to help!
Counselors
Diane.Jackson@dodea.edu (Grades 3-5)
Justin.Armstrong@dodea.edu (Grades Pre-K-2)
Kenneth.Gamon@dodea.edu (School Psychologist)
MFLCs (Military Family Life Counselors)
- Ms. Cordia Smith - 080-6485-7715 or 571-621-3594 (Lower Grades)
- Ms. Tiffanee Gale - 080-6485-7776 or 571-621-4418 (Upper Grades)
📰 More News from 3–5 Counseling
This school year is off to a strong start with exciting initiatives and student engagement!
🐣 Newcomers’ Groups & Toucan Trailblazers
We welcomed new students through our Newcomers’ Groups and introduced the Toucan Trailblazers—our student ambassadors from grades K–3. These Trailblazers help new students feel at home by:
• Sitting with them at lunch
• Playing together at recess
• Showing them around the studio and neighborhood routines
• Helping them make new friends
🌏 Life on Okinawa & Friendship Building
Students in grades 1–5 met with the Military Family Life Counselor and School Counselors to learn about:
• Life on Okinawa
• Zukeran Elementary routines.
• Strategies for making and maintaining friendships
- 🎤 Meeter-Greeters & Morning Broadcasts
Our 4th and 5th grade Meeter-Greeters continue to welcome new students by escorting them to class and introducing them to peers. They also lead our daily morning broadcast, which covers:
• Zones of Regulation
• Problem-solving strategies
• Coping techniques for everyday challenges
🚫 Bullying Prevention Lessons
We’ve launched our bullying prevention curriculum for October and November. Students are doing an excellent job learning:
• What bullying is—and isn’t
• How to respond and refuse bullying confidently
💌 Friendship Groups
We’ve received an overwhelming number of permission slips for our upcoming Friendship Groups, and we’re thrilled to begin working with students soon! These groups focus on:
• Building positive peer relationships
• Conflict resolution and communication skills
Our SY 25-26 SAC elections have concluded. Positions filled are:
1) SAC Chairperson: Morgan Bates
2) SAC Vice Chairperson: William Rallya
3) SAC Secretary: Mykiah Willis
4) Teacher Member: Carina Castro
5) Teacher Member: Jessie Saunders
6) Teacher Member: Natalie Miles
School Advisory Committee meeting minutes may be found on our Get Involved / Partnership page. Keep an eye on our social media pages for scheduled meetings and minutes postings.
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Featured News
Upcoming Events
Activities
Zukeran STEM Day 2026
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School Procedures
School Administrators
Contacts
| Name | Position Details | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Kerwin Jones | Transportation | 098-970-1042/1019 |
