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.
When the school opened it 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.
In 1993-94, the school had 725 students enrolled. By the 95-96 school year, the enrollment had risen to 870 students. 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.
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.
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.
The success of Killin Elementary School is attributed to a strong team of educators and staff, outstanding support from parents and community members, an engaged Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), and their Edward C. Killin RRKS (Respectful-Responsible-Kind-Safe).
The school colors are blue and green, and the school mascot is the Gecko.
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!
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