Sasebo ES (formerly part of E. J. King ES/HS) History
Opened: 2003
OPEN
Sasebo Elementary School was created when E. J. King Unit School was split in 2003.
There has been a DoDEA school located in the Sasebo community continuously since 1948. The first school was located in a Quonset hut, and there was a reported enrollment in grades one through twelve of forty-eight students. Most were dependents of Army personnel. In September 1945, the US Marines landed on Sasebo and laid the foundations for the present US Fleet Activities Sasebo. The US Navy arrived and slowly the base and the American community were established in the heart of Sasebo City.
The elementary school is located on the main base, or Dragon Glen housing area, adjacent to Commander Fleet Activities Sasebo. The elementary school shares the campus with E. J. King Middle/ High School. The enrollment for the 2023 school year was 250 students from Sure Start to grade 5.
The residential areas were named Dragon Gulch, Dragon Vale, and Dragon Heights. The school was called the “Dragon School.” A sign with the picture of the Dragon and the name “Dragon School” was built by the Army Engineer Corps and placed on the front of the building.
In honor of the first DoDEA school in Sasebo, the current school adopted the Dragon as its mascot. The school colors are blue and lime green. With the new 21st century school, the Dragon Legacy will continue as a new building goes far beyond the school’s beginnings as a Quonset hut.
The first principal of Sasebo Elementary school was Christy Blevins, and she served in this role through the 2008-09 school year. During this time the school’s enrollment grew from 180 students to over 280. A pre-kindergarten program was added in the 2004-05 school year, and multi-age classes were begun for the 2008-09 school year. The school’s first annual variety show was held in 2008-09.
During the 2008-09 school year the school and community raised funds to provide a water well for a Cambodian community. According to the school yearbook,
The place we found and installed the community well is a combination between a school and a self-help community center, designed in such a way as to promote a sustainable way of life to all the houses in the community. This includes the provision of training and education in agriculture, hygiene, well maintenance and water conservation. The school also offers free classes to local children and currently has over 400 students attending on a daily basis. The impact of this water well will be great in that it will not only provide plentiful fresh water for the children and families living in the community but it will also give the center the opportunity to explore the education and practical training it can offer, especially in agriculture and hygiene.
The well is located in the village of Tau Teia, which is in Krobie Real Commune, Siem Reap District. The Self Help Community Center was established in 2007 and is supported by organization called "This Life Cambodia" whose aim is to help the center become self-sustainable.
Dr. Charles Racek was the principal from 2009 to 2015. During his tenure, students were engaged in activities such as the 100th Day of School, Red Ribbon Week, Science Fairs and as Peer Tutors for the school. Some examples of clubs that were offered were games, Soroban, yearbook, guitar, STEM, coding, and cursive. The school also had regular Family Nights. The school’s enrollment went from 250 students to over 300 students and back to 250 students in Sure Start through sixth grade.
The next principal was Hattie Phipps, and she remained at the school until her retirement after the 2022-23 school year. In the 2015-16 yearbook she wrote,
Being in Japan is a unique opportunity for our students, parents and staff to learn about Japanese culture. Our Host Nation teacher plans many activities from making origami ceramic cranes to study trips to the Saga Space museum and the Sasebo National College of Technology which are the building blocks for our students as they become ambassadors to the world.
Several partnerships were formed with the military units located in the community. The partnership with the USS Green Bay for the 2017-18 school year resulted in the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) Thursday program at Sasebo.
In her last year, Ms. Phipps stated, “This year we have taken study trips to Mikan farms, painted pottery in Arita, and observed Japanese wildlife at the Aquarium and BioPark. We interacted with local Japanese students and teachers, participated in Japanese storytelling and origami folding, tested our skills in top and plate spinning with Sasebo Tops and so much more. We have loved inviting our community into our school this year.”
The 2020 yearbook contains a picture montage of the history of the school.
Hannah Choi became the principal for the 2023-24 school year. That year the enrollment was about 240 students and the following year the enrollment was only 175 students in Sure Start through fifth grade.
Information from school yearbooks