Dover AFB school bells ring again

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  'Ring-a-ling' sounds the bell and the children line up smartly outside their class rooms all eagerly waiting to meet their teacher and classmates. It's here ... the summer break has passed and school is back in session on Dover Air Force Base and throughout the Caesar Rodney School District.

Tuesday was orientation for Welch Elementary and Dover AFB Middle Schools. Wednesday was the first day of school.

Orientation morning at Welch was highlighted by chitter and chatter of excited children as the school posted class rosters at 11:30 a.m. Swarms of children hurried to the school doors to find out who their teacher and classmates would be.

Some parents swung by the school on their lunch break and called the rosters back to their children eagerly waiting at home.

Indeed, the excitement of the children Tuesday morning spelled 'e-a-g-e-r' to onlookers. Still, after spending nearly three months away from studies, some children have mixed feelings about returning.

"The summer was boring," said Saaya Loucks, a 5th grader at Welch Elementary School and daughter of Sgt. E.J. Loucks, a local Marine Corps recruiter. "I'm excited to go back to school but not so excited about the school work. I know I have to work hard because when I graduate, I'm going to be a doctor."

Being a doctor is a lofty goal for the elementary school child, but a goal that would make her mother, Miko, proud, she said. The pride that Mrs. Loucks feels seems to be a recurring theme around Dover Air Force Base schools.

"I am the proudest principal of the proudest school in the state of Delaware," said Ernestine Adams of Dover AFB Middle School during her school' s new student orientation Tuesday. "We're number one in the Caesar Rodney School District for reading and writing, and number two for math. Also, our sixth grade curriculum is over-all number one in the district."

Though boasting about her school' s success, the principal conceded that without the unwavering support of parents, her school couldn't be successful.

The children returning to school brings to mind a different message for Tech. Sgt. Gary Stansberry, 436th Security Forces Squadron police services.

With children walking to and from school again, Dover AFB members are reminded to be cautious of speed limits and of the presence of children.

"Once school starts, we have patrols set up in the mornings and afternoons, Monday through Friday," said Sergeant Stansberry. "Security Forces will be conducting traffic and speed enforcement. Keep in mind, although the Housing Speed limit is 20 mph, the School Zone speed limit is 10 mph."

Indeed, safety is always the primary concern in any endeavor on every world-wide Air Force base. With safety in mind, and pride and excitement overflowing, Wednesday kicked off what is promising to be another terrific year for the schools on Dover AFB.