Elliott Express
Email for attendance, arrival, and dismissal changes
Please email attendance.elliott@dodea.edu with any communication regarding your child's attendance or changes in arrival or dismissal. This will help to ensure that the front office receives and can respond to your message in a timely manner. Thank you for your cooperation.
There is still time to take the communication survey!
Click the link to fill out our communication survey by 5/16 to help us improve our communication and to help our Egrets earn some fun rewards: 50% Participation: Popsicle Party, 75% Participation: Extra Recess, 90% Participation: Dance Party!
Southeast District Parent/Guardian Feedback Form - Spring 2025
Dear Egret Families,
As we wrap up an incredible school year at Elliott Elementary, I want to take a moment to share my heartfelt gratitude. Although I’ve only had the joy of being your principal for the past six weeks, it has truly been a highlight of my year! From the moment I arrived, I’ve been welcomed with smiles, stories, and the wonderful energy that makes the Egret community so special.
Our students have soared academically, socially, and emotionally this year, and it’s been inspiring to see the curiosity and creativity that fills every hallway and classroom. Thank you to our families and staff for your unwavering support and dedication—together, we’ve made this a place where young learners thrive.
As summer approaches, I encourage all of our Egrets to keep their love for learning alive with some fun and simple activities:
- Egret Explorer Days – Take nature walks and see how many birds, bugs, or plants you can identify. Try sketching them in a summer journal!
- Storytime Adventures – Visit your local library or create a cozy reading nook at home. Let your child “read” to a stuffed animal, a sibling, or even the family pet.
- Math in the Moment – Practice counting change at the store, measuring ingredients while cooking, or playing board games that build number sense.
- Kindness Missions – Encourage daily acts of kindness like writing notes to neighbors, helping with chores, or creating thank-you cards.
Most importantly, make time for play, laughter, and rest. Our little Egrets have worked hard, and they deserve a summer full of wonder and joy.
I’m already excited for the year ahead and can’t wait to continue growing and learning together with each of you. Have a safe, sunny, and sensational summer!
With Egret pride,
At this time of year, we are thinking about Spring. It is a time for new growth, a fresh start, and spring flowers. However, for some of us, this time of year brings other changes. This is also the time of year for families to PCS. Many of you are packing and looking at your next home. This is a big transition for a family, but there are some things you can do to make that transition easier.
· Help your child say goodbye. Get them a throwaway camera and bring it to school on the last day. Your child can take pictures of their teacher and classmates and form a scrapbook of their friends from Laurel Bay. Or, bring a small journal for signatures.
· Have a play date before you leave. This will give your child time to say goodbye and collect contact information from their friends.
· When you get to your new home, try to keep your routine as familiar as possible.
· Help your child keep positive thoughts running through his/her head about the changes. For example, “I know I will make friends.” “I will love my teacher.”
· Encourage your child to talk to a new person each day in their new school. Give them some words to use to help start conversations.
· Attend open house or Meet the Teacher before school starts. Sometimes it is the fear of the unknown that causes the most anxiety. Visiting ahead of time helps out.
If you are moving and you feel your child needs to talk about it, let me know. I would be happy to speak to them about the changes that are coming up.
For those families who are staying, the idea of changing classes and grade levels can produce stress as well. Be sure to keep a positive attitude with your child while talking about a new school year. Remind them that just as there are lots of changes, there are things that stay the same as well such as school expectations and rules. Another way to deal with worries is to attend our Meet the Teacher before school starts.
Jackie Griffing
School Counselor
Last year we had so much fun revisiting some of our favorite memories from the school year on our social media pages, so we decided to do it again this year! So, be sure to follow our Facebook and Instagram pages to be a part of the fun as we take a trip down memory lane and remember our amazing '24-'25 school year together. And, we would love to have you share your memories or photos with us in the comments on the posts as well!
As summer approaches, it’s the perfect time to revisit the idea of digital citizenship—especially what balanced technology use looks like in your family. With more free time and flexible routines, summer offers a great opportunity to set shared expectations and build healthy habits around screen time.
Here are a few conversation starters to help your family plan for a successful, balanced summer together:
1. How much screen time feels right?
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How long is it okay to use devices in one sitting?
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What’s a reasonable total for screen time each day?
The answers may vary depending on your child’s age and your family’s needs. Setting expectations early helps everyone stay on the same page and makes it easier to revisit the topic later.
2. When is tech time?
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Is it okay to use devices first thing in the morning?
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What about during meals, at bedtime, or in the middle of the night?
While devices can be helpful at many times of day, they can also get in the way of sleep, movement, and meaningful conversations. Talk about how your family wants to prioritize these things.
3. Where is tech okay—and where is it not?
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Are devices allowed in the car? In bedrooms? Outside?
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What spaces in your home could be tech-free zones?
The Mayo Clinic recommends creating screen-free areas to protect the kinds of interactions and activities that happen in those spaces. What might that look like in your home?
4. What kinds of tech use are okay?
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Are children expected to stick to educational games?
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Are there certain apps or activities that require adult supervision?
Clarifying which types of content are appropriate helps children make good choices and gives them the freedom to explore within safe boundaries.
While technology can certainly play a role in summer fun—especially when it’s time to cool off indoors—it’s also a great season to unplug a little and reconnect with the world around us.
Wishing all our students and families a safe, happy, and balanced summer break!
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