LES May Newsletter
Important Dates
1: Pirates the Musical
2: No School (Teacher Training Day)
10: LES Market
16: Field Day
21: Peeking Into PreK 3-4 PM
23: No School
26: No School (Memorial Day)
30: Glow-In-The-Dark Disco
June 10: Last Day Of School!
-10:30 AM Dance Off On the Green
Questions
Front Desk: 01638-52-3721
If you have questions regarding registration, contact Ms. Waybright anna.waybright@dodea.edu
A Note from Mr. Burkett
Dear Families,
As we head into the final stretch of the school year, there's a lot of excitement in the air—and plenty to look forward to! I want to take a moment to thank you all for your continued partnership and support. Let’s finish the year strong together!
We Have So Much to Celebrate!
This year has been filled with meaningful growth and success across our school. Our first-grade math scores have increased, and we’re seeing real progress in closing the reading gap thanks to our teachers’ dedication and their increased opportunities to meet students exactly where they are academically. Our third-grade students deserve a round of applause for the solid work they did on their End-of-Year summative tests—we’re proud of their perseverance and performance! On top of that, we are thrilled to share that at least nine of our educators have been nominated for Teacher of the Year. What an incredible reflection of the heart and talent in our building. I am very proud of all we’ve accomplished together!
Safety First!
With the warmer weather finally here, we’re seeing more students biking and walking to school. Please help us keep everyone safe by reminding your children about bicycle safety—helmets on and eyes up! Additionally, we kindly ask all drivers to use extra caution in our parking lot. Slow speeds, full stops, and careful turns help us all stay safe.
Celebrating Greatness
We’re excited to host our final Principal’s Wall of Fame celebration of the year. It’s always a joy to recognize the outstanding efforts and character of our students. Keep an eye out for pictures and highlights!
Mark Your Calendars
The end of the school year is coming fast, and we’ve got some fun events on the way:
- Glow-in-the-Dark Disco – A night of lights and laughter!
- Dance Off – Our annual tradition on the last day of school in June.
- Field Day – Games, smiles, and school spirit everywhere you look!
- Peeking into UPK – A special introduction for our incoming little learners.
Please note: There will be no school on May 23rd—enjoy the long weekend!
Planning Ahead
A big thank-you to everyone who has already re-registered for the upcoming school year. If your family is PCSing or moving out of the area, please stop by the office to disenroll and pick up student records. This helps us ensure a smooth transition for everyone. Also, please note that class lists for the 2025–2026 school year will be available in August.
Let’s keep the energy high as we close out the year—there’s still so much to enjoy, celebrate, and be proud of!
With gratitude,
David Burkett, Principal
Ms. Batson and Ms. Rodriguez’s Readers’ Theater Troupes performed The Joke Machine and The Wind and the Sun for classmates, parents and administrators. The process included self-evaluation in the areas of expression, fluency, accuracy and voice. Following the performances students engaged in question-and-answer sessions with members of the audience. In response to the question, “How did doing the Readers’ Theater make you feel,” troupe members stated: “Smart! Proud! Happy! Excited! Nervous at first, but proud afterwards.”
Nurses Note
Allergy Awareness
May Menus
Earth Day at LES
A Visit from the Lorax
Earth Day 2025 was extra special at Lakenheath Elementary School, thanks to an unforgettable guest: the Lorax, the beloved Dr. Seuss character who speaks for the trees.
Students from all grade levels had the chance to meet the Lorax, who visited 12 classrooms throughout the day to share his message about the importance of caring for the planet.
The tradition was brought to Lakenheath by first-grade teacher Ms. Washburn, who joined the school earlier this year. Prior to her arrival, Washburn served as a school liaison at Camp Lejeune, where she began the practice of reading The Lorax to students on Earth Day.
“The message in The Lorax is so powerful,” Washburn said. “I believe it’s crucial for students to understand that we need to take care of the Earth, because we only have one. And if we don’t, who will?”
Students greeted the Lorax with excitement as he made his way through classrooms, many exclaiming, “Hey! I know him!” The visit brought joy and enthusiasm, and students eagerly listened as the Lorax shared his story and call to action for protecting the environment.
For many students, the character was more than just a fun visitor — it was a reminder that the world’s trees and animals need help, and that everyone has a role to play in preserving the planet.
“Using characters like the Lorax helps children connect with the meaning behind holidays like Earth Day,” said Ms. Thompson, a kindergarten teacher. “Events like this give the students a purpose. While they might not fully understand the broader concept of environmental stewardship, they understand the importance of helping the Lorax save the trees and animals.”
The event helped students draw tangible connections between Earth Day and everyday actions that support the environment. More than a fun celebration, the Lorax’s visit served as a meaningful learning experience.
As the tradition grows, staff at Lakenheath Elementary hope the celebration will continue to evolve in the coming years. They credit Washburn’s creativity and passion for environmental education with helping students connect with the message of Earth Day in a memorable way.
Watch Ms. Washburn read The Lorax in the video below.
Recycling on Earth Day
On Wednesday, April 16th, we had the privilege of welcoming Keith Barrett, Lance Weybrow, and Mitchell Mitchell from the base recycling facility to do a presentation to our UPK - third grade students in honor of Earth Day. Their mission was to educate the next generation on the importance of recycling and how the recycling center on base plays an integral role in this. They did a smashing job! Students listened attentively, participated in a respectful manner and asked insightful questions as well as shared some pretty “sweet perspectives” on how we can work together to take better care of our planet. Two of the big takeaways from this session was that 1. taking care of the Earth is everyone's responsibility and 2. every action small or big counts. At the end of the presentation every child was given a pencil that was made using either recycled denim and or bank notes, how cool is that! When you get a chance, do visit the recycling facilities on base to learn more about what recycling opportunities are available.
NEW FROM PTA
The information included in this section is from the PTA and is not official communication or representation of DoDEA or LES. Further information or questions should be directed to the PTA.
LES is home to a wonderfully diverse group of learners, including many students with special education needs. To better support them, the PTA is raising funds to help LES create a sensory room—a calm, safe space designed to help children regulate their emotions, reduce stress, and engage their senses in a supportive environment.
Sensory rooms are especially beneficial for students with autism, ADHD, sensory processing challenges, big feelings, and other needs that make the school day overwhelming at times. With the right tools—like soft lighting, soothing sounds, and tactile play areas—students can reset, refocus, and return to learning ready to thrive.
This space won’t just be a room—it will be a lifeline for students who need a moment of calm, a boost in focus, or a safe place to regroup. Every dollar brings us closer to making this vital resource a reality.
How You Can Help the PTA:
If you have a child at LES, one fun and easy way to support our fundraiser is to sign them up for our Glow-in-the-Dark Disco, happening right after school on Friday, May 30th! We recommend a minimum $10 donation per child, but it is not required.
This exciting after-school event features:
✨ A dance party with DJ Dave
🎨 A special glow craft
💫 Glow tattoos
🌟 And plenty of fun for a great cause!
Even if your child isn’t attending the dance, we would still love your support in the form of a donation. It will take all of us—families, friends, and community members—working together to make this dream come true for our LES students.
Let’s build something beautiful for our students. Thank you for helping the LES PTA create a space where every child can thrive.
Click here to sign up and make a donation: https://lesuk.givebacks.com/store/items/1187129
LES MARKET
LES Choir: Pirates The Musical
The stage was awash with talent, energy, and a hearty dose of "yo-ho-ho" as students from the LES Choir Club transported audiences on a high-seas adventure with their spring production of Pirates! The Musical. Directed by LES music teacher Ms. Ainley, the performance was a joyful celebration of student dedication, creativity, and courage.
Choir Club, made up of enthusiastic 2nd and 3rd grade students, is an after-school program that meets one to two times a week to prepare for performances. What began with 20 students last year has grown into a vibrant group of 45 budding performers this year—a testament to the excitement and commitment surrounding music at LES.
“This was such a fun and fulfilling experience,” said Ms. Ainley. “The kids were confident and enthusiastic. They looked adorable in their costumes and sang with joy and gusto! A music teacher couldn’t ask for anything more.”
Though the students were initially hesitant to move away from last year’s musical, Pajama Party, Ms. Ainley encouraged them to try something new. She introduced a few exciting options, and Pirates! The Musical quickly won their hearts. Featuring music by John Jacobson and Roger Emerson—composers known for their dynamic and kid-friendly scores—the show proved to be a perfect fit for the spirited LES crew.
Preparation began in January, with students rehearsing weekly and those with speaking roles meeting an additional day each week starting in March. Their hard work paid off in a performance that dazzled staff, family, and community members alike.
The production featured a lively cast of young pirates, including Autumn Brown, a 3rd grader who played the lead role of the stowaway. “I didn’t think that I would get the main part!” Autumn shared after the show. “I thought—what if I mess up? I was really excited but nervous. Many people are telling me that I did a good job, and it feels good because the nerves just rushed out. It was a pretty fun experience that I’ve had.”
For Ms. Ainley, this production was especially meaningful. “This is actually my first position as a music teacher,” she explained. “I was previously an ESOL Specialist, but I majored in music in college and had my music endorsement. My husband—who’s also a music teacher at LES—has been my inspiration. He’s taught for nearly 40 years and knows how to get quality music out of kids. I’ve learned so much from him.”
Thanks to Ms. Ainley’s dedication and the students’ hard work, Pirates! The Musical was a triumph of community spirit and creative expression. With a growing program and an unforgettable performance under their belts, the future of music at LES is looking bright—if not downright swashbuckling.
“I don’t know how we can top this next year,” Ms. Ainley said with a smile. “But we’ll certainly try!”
You can watch the entire performance in this video!
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