Just when you feel like the school year ended, it’s time to start thinking about the next school year. Okinawa is located in the DODEA Pacific South District and the currently released 2024-2025 school year calendar can be found at the following link.

DODEA Pacific South Calendar

DODEA Pacific South Calendar: https://dodea.widen.net/s/qcqj7gxdgc/pacific-south-calendar-sy-24-25

Make sure to bookmark this page on your phone and your computer as well as print it out to hang on your refrigerator. You will want to refer back to this to plan your family vacations, organize childcare if you and your spouse both work and to remind yourself that every Tuesday is an early release day.

While browsing the DODEA Pacific South calendar you’ll notice the first day of school is AUGUST 19, 2024. That’ll be here before you know it. The exchanges are already bulking up on their school supplies and ready for everyone to prepare for the upcoming school year.

DODEA Pacific South Supply Lists

DODEA Pacific Region has a universal supply list for each grade in the elementary schools. It is recommended you purchase the supplies listed to help out your child’s classroom.

Once you are assigned a teacher you may also receive a modified list from them to help with specific classroom needs. Teachers may tell you your child won’t need certain supplies listed or need supplies not listed and it will all depend on their style of teaching.

Classroom shared supplies on the lists are a safe place to start. These include cleaning and art supplies that will be used by everyone and are usually the supplies you can replenish throughout the year.

Another safe option is purchasing everything on the list and keeping your receipt so you can return anything they may not need once you’ve heard from your teacher.

Backpacks

In addition to the listed supplies, your child will want a backpack that is large enough to carry folders and notebooks. The exchanges carry a wide variety of backpacks and if you prepare and leave yourself enough time, Amazon or any online store is also an option.

Lunches

If you plan to pack a lunch for your child, a lunchbox with freezer packs is a great way to send your kids lunch to school with them. Japanese 100 Yen shops and places like Nitori or Home Tabata have some great options for cute ice packs and reusable lunch containers.

Sneakers

Another item you will want to make sure your child is prepared with is sneakers. They will rotate their Physical Education (PE) Class with other specials but they will be required to wear close toed sneakers the days they have PE.

While you may be in summer mode, make sure your child is prepared for the upcoming DODEA Pacific South school year and set up for success. A current supply list can be found at the following link.

https://dodea.widen.net/s/tpvhvrlxln/pacific-region-es-supply-list-sy-24-25

Looking for more? Check out these other popular articles about schools in Okinawa