Killin ES History
Opened: 1991
OPEN
E. C. Killin Elementary School opened on Camp Foster in 1991 and is named after Dr. Edward C. Killin who was the Director of Department of Defense Schools, Pacific Region, from 1972 to 1987. He served over thirty-five years as a teacher, administrator, and education and management consultant; additionally, he served in the military as an officer.
The school was a new facility located in the central part of Okinawa on the marine base at Camp Foster. The school was designed for approximately 700 students. When opened, Killin had twenty-eight general purpose classrooms and rooms for host nation, English as a Second Language, art, speech, and music. The school also had a gymnasium, cafeteria, administrative offices, media center, and faculty work area.
The first principal was Angelo Condie, and the assistant principal was Barrie Burrow. There were 620 students enrolled in grades kindergarten through sixth.
In the 1993-94 school year, the school had 725 students enrolled. The school now had grades kindergarten through five. By the 1995-96 school year, the enrollment had risen to 870 students and the sixth grade returned to the school. The enrollment then began to decrease and was only 745 by the 1999-2000 school year.
Administrators during the nineties included principals Al Lohse and Hattie Phipps and assistants Sharon Carter and Donna Della Rocca. The school’s enrollment was over 875 for the 1995-96 school year.
Special events for students included Black History Month presentations, Career Days, Young Authors, and collecting for Toys for Tots. Some of the activities available were student council, safety patrol, ecology club, Young Astronauts, and chess club. Other activities included homework clubs, journalism, yearbook, and physical education clubs.
Ms. Hattie Phillips was the principal for the beginning of the new millennium, and her assistants were Donna Della Rocca and Mr. Behnke. Cherrye Hall became the principal for the 2003-04 school year followed by Gail Waley. The assistants were Mr. Buckley, Mrs. Youngblood, Roger Reade, Allison Peltz, and Rosanna Currier. During the 2001-02 school year, the enrollment reached 800 and dropped by 700 by the end of the decade. The sixth grade was transferred from the school during the 2009-10 year.
Since the 1994-95 school year, the school has focused on ecology through an extensive recycling program. Family events included math nights, literacy nights, music and drama productions, and a yearly Science Fair. Read Across America, Red Ribbon Week, D.A.R.E., 100 Days celebrations, the Geography Bee, a yearly Storybook Parade, and a birthday celebration of Dr. Suess were added to the school’s activities in the 2000s. By the 2014-15 school year students produced the daily announcements—Gecko Video News—through the Gecko Broadcast Club. Cultural activities at the school featured school exchanges and the Soroban (Abacus) club. The parent organizations and volunteers sponsored the Fall Festival, Spring Fling, and the Turkey Trot.
From 2010 to 2014 Mr. Toquero was the principal, and the assistants were Rosanna Currier and later Ms. Jones. Cindy Templeton became the principal for the 2014-15 school year with William Bragg as the assistant principal. Dr. Kendra White was principal starting with the 2018-19 school year, and her assistant was Dr. Jenni Sears. The school’s enrollment consistently fell from the 2009-10 school year through the 2010s. By the 2019-20 school year there were only 435 students in prekindergarten through fifth, and the school now had only one administrator.
Currently, Killin Elementary is a kindergarten through fifth grade school serving about 430 students and their families. Killin Elementary was the recipient of the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program Award in 2017. This award from the US Department of Education celebrates school with high levels of achievement. According to the 2020 yearbook:
We pride ourselves on being Respectful, Responsible, Kind, and Safe, and that's why ECK RRKS!
At ECK, we credit our success to our strong team of teachers, administrative staff, parents, and community, including our active PTO and School Advisory Council. With so many students constantly in transition, it takes a lot of hard work to make it all come together. This is why, no matter where we go, we will always have a little part of Okinawa and ECK with us because we will always carry that GECKO PRIDE!
The school colors are blue and lime green, and the mascot is the Gecko. The first school motto was “Where Children are Special” which has been shortened to “Children are Special”. The motto and mascot are on the school logo.
Every year, ECK welcomes students back with ceremonies and festivities, including the Ringing in Ceremony where the oldest and youngest student ring the gong officially beginning the school year!
E.C. Killin Elementary School Song
(Chorus)
E. C. Killin El-e-mentary
E. C. K. is the coolest place to be!
"Children are special" is our Gecko cry
We wear our green and blue with pride ... there are many reasons why.
(After 3rd chorus just CODA)
(Verse 1)
The people here at Killin ... will have you quite impressed,
We work together ... to make our school the best!
There are many different faces ... from many different lands,
And if you join us ... you'll find many helping hands! OH! (go to CHORUS)
(Verse 2)
Our school is special ... because we share,
We make it extra special... because we really care!
Learning is important... to us it's number one!
Our teachers put us to the test ... and they help to make it fun! OH! (go to CHORUS)
(CODA)
E ... C ... K ... HOORAY!
During the 2021-2022 school year, the students and faculty moved from their old facility into a brand new 21st Century School.
For the 2023-24 school year, there were almost 400 students enrolled. The principal was Gordon Lyn-Cook.
Information from DoDDS School Information guides, yearbooks, and the school website