Ramstein Elementary Celebrates Launch of Universal Pre-K Program
RAMSTEIN, Germany — Ramstein Elementary School, one of DoDEA’s largest campuses serving the Kaiserslautern Military Community — recently completed its first quarter of Universal Pre-Kindergarten, launching more than eight classrooms as part of Phase 2 roll-out. Administrators said the effort required planning, manpower and coordination beyond what is typical for even the largest DoDEA schools, significantly expanding early-learning opportunities for a community of roughly 54,000 Americans.
Teachers, paraprofessionals, AAFES kitchen employees, front office staff and district personnel were credited with helping establish the program, which school officials said has already become a lively part of early learning on campus.
According to the school, UPK classrooms quickly filled with “laughter, curiosity and the joy of discovery” as 4-year-olds settled into new routines. Supported by paraprofessionals, specialists and administrators, students have begun developing early skills meant to support long-term academic growth.
School leaders said the rollout required significant logistical effort. Thirty-eight volunteers provided 254 hours of support, and 46 classrooms and offices were relocated. About 68% of educators began the year in new spaces. The school also received and assembled 11 truckloads of furniture and equipment — more than 8,300 items — and completed several facility upgrades, including a new playground, two modified playgrounds, updated kitchens and pre-K accessible restrooms.
Daily operations include coordinating the arrival of 130 pre-K students from parent drop-off and 55 buses, delivering meals to eight locations across six buildings, and providing additional staffing to cover lunch breaks for more than 20 new team members.
Principal Natalie Horne, Assistant Principals Elizabeth Roybal and Brandi Howard, District ISS Lorell Chalas and front office staff members Rick Bhame, Jackie Lindquist, Crystal Moore and Uschi Weislogel were recognized for overseeing the launch.
Pre-K teacher Nereyda Caceres said the team’s shared effort demonstrated how “when educators lean on each other and lead together, we don’t simply implement a program, we build a future.” Staff celebrated the milestone with a first-quarter bubble dance party for students. Fellow Pre-K teacher Rachel Dwaine said it has been “incredible to watch our students grow in confidence, independence and curiosity.”
With this successful launch, Ramstein Elementary has not only expanded access to early education for hundreds of children across the Kaiserslautern Military Community, it has set a new standard for what large-scale, collaborative early-learning programs can achieve — proving that even the most ambitious initiatives can thrive when a community comes together to invest in its youngest learners.
