Welcome to Kettering Elementary!

Welcome to Kettering Elementary!

We are looking forward to a year of excellence. Through our school’s vision of Care, Respect, and Trust, our students will continue to grow by engaging in high quality academics and social/emotional learning. Parents, you are our partner and our students’ success depends on you ensuring that they complete assignments, eat a nutritious meal and get a good night's rest. With your continuous support, our students will definitely demonstrate growth.

During the 2022-2023 school year, we developed our Vision and Mission statement as a school community.  Throughout this year, you will be asked to share your input on whether we are meeting our goals or if changes are needed. Provide your input using our form.

• Vision Statement (Long Term Goal) - The vision at Kettering Elementary School is to prepare and empower our students for a globally changing society by instilling in them critical thinking skills, reasoning and a respect for core values of honesty, perseverance, and compassion. Also, to foster curiosity by encouraging a deeper understanding of the world and their role in it.
• Mission Statement (Short Term Goal) - To build a community of care, respect, and trust that enables students to learn and grow through engaging and  high quality instruction. To achieve our mission we will provide:
  • Rigorous and differentiated instruction
  • Inclusive and nurturing learning community
  • Meaningful learning experience that is engaging and fun

Important Information

• Building Hours: 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• Student Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 1:40 p.m.
• Breakfast Hours: 7:20 a.m. - 7:45 a.m.

Parent Communications

There are several methods to stay informed at Kettering. Please ensure that you have signed up. You can also retrieve these sites on the Kettering website as well.

• Join Kettering Elementary on ClassDojo >> Click Here!
• Register for and use your ParentVUE account to view student grades and other information.
• Follow us on Twitter @KESCougars
• To follow our Facebook Page >> Click Here!
• PGCPS Text Messages and Alerts (weather, school closing, etc.) - PGCPS School Messenger

Breakfast and Lunch

Breakfast and lunch are free to all students at Kettering Elementary this school year. Breakfast is served from 7:20-7:45 a.m. daily. Students arriving after 7:45 a.m., who are not bus riders, must be fed prior to reporting to school.

Bottled Water

PGCPS Environmental Office has tested our school for Lead in Drinking Water according to the Maryland Department of the Environment COMAR 26.16.07. These results indicate that the drinking sources that are currently working in our school are safe for consumption by staff and students. As a result of these findings bottled water delivery service will be discontinued for Kettering. Students may continue to bring a bottle of water to school. 

Synergy Family Portal

Prince George’s County Public School is no longer using Schoolmax. All student information is now located in our Synergy Platform. In order to view attendance, schedules, grades, and reports, all parents must activate the ParentVUE account.

Chromebooks

Per the PGCPS technology policy, chromebooks will remain at school and will no longer go home. However, in the event that chromebooks are required for county approved emergencies and/or virtual dates, students will receive a chromebook for home use  and it must be returned the next school day. If it is damaged or not returned, there will be a fee that can go up to $200.00.

School Uniforms

Kettering Elementary has a MANDATORY uniform policy. Many studies have shown that schools where students wear uniforms have significantly fewer discipline problems and student referrals. If students are allowed to be out of uniforms for any reason, parents will be notified. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

• Light Blue, White, Navy collared Shirt or Polo
• Navy Blue pants or shorts – Girls may also wear Navy Jumpers or skirts
• Navy blue, black  or white sweater is permitted during the school day
• Black belt
• All tennis shoes, sandals, crocs, etc. must have a strap around the back of the student’s foot. Open toe shoes are not permitted.

During afternoon dismissal, please have your ID available. The students will be dismissed from the following locations:

• Pre-Kindergarten will be dismissed from their classroom door
• Kindergarten and First Grade will be dismissed from the cafeteria
• Second Grade and Third will be dismissed from the second/third grade door (follow the signs).
• Fourth and Fifth Grade will be dismissed from the side door near the flagpole
• For bus riders, parents should arrive to the bus stop 10 minutes before and plan to stay at least 10 minutes or longer depending on the route

Walkers will be dismissed at 1:40 pm. Please note, there may be a delay with dismissal due to buses. Please be patient during the first week. Parents are not permitted in the classroom or building during dismissal. Also, regular dismissal does not occur at the front entrance for parents unless it is an Early Dismissal. Parking occurs on the street and lower parking lot.

Arrival

Arrival time for students is 7:30 a. m. Please be aware that there is no adult supervision for students who arrive at Kettering before 7:30 a.m. and students will not be permitted to enter the building. Parents are responsible for the students until the doors open at 7:30 a.m.  For safety reasons, please do not send the students to school early and leave them sitting outside. They will not be permitted into the building, this includes inclement weather.

Visitation                                     

• Visitors are required to make an appointment with the school prior to arrival.
• To ensure a safe and secure building, families will not be permitted to walk the students to the classroom. The Classroom Teacher and KES staff will support students during the first week transition.
• In order to enter the school building, you will be required to press the buzzer and present a legal picture ID, such as your Driver's License. Only individuals with appointments will be granted access.
• Classroom visitations will occur by appointment only for no more than 45 minutes between the hours of 8:30 am - 12:00 pm. Only one visitor at a time and all individuals must be identified on the Emergency Contact form.

Early and Regular Dismissal

• Kettering cannot accept verbal changes for dismissal and other matters relating to your child, it must be in writing and given to the school no later than 10:00 am on the day of the needed adjustment with a picture ID. If you email permission, you must scan proof of identity. We will not accept an email as proof without a picture ID.
• Early Dismissal will stop at 1:00 pm. For all early dismissals, upon arrival, please ring the doorbell, show ID, and the student will be brought out to you. All students must be signed out by an approved family member. KES will not permit students to leave the building with individuals not identified on the Emergency Contact.
• The dismissal procedures will remain the same as the past two years.

Dismissal Times

• Early dismissal ends at 1:00 p.m.
• Bus Riders -1:30 pm (Dismissed to the bus)
• Van Riders - 1:35 pm (Dismissed to the van room)
• Walkers (Students who walk directly home. Not picked up) - 1:40pm
• Car Riders - 1:40 pm

Before/After Care Program

Kettering Elementary School is the site of Alphabest Before/After Care Program, which provides care for students from 7:00 to 7:30 am and from 1:40 to 6:00 pm. If you are interested in learning more about the program please call Ms. Taylor at 240-209-0372 or click here.

School Buses

If you have any questions regarding your assigned bus stop or times, please contact Transportation at 301-952-6570. Kettering does not assign buses, locations, or times. You may locate designated, comprehensive bus stops using the Infofinder tool by entering the home address to the  Infofinder: https://bit.ly/PGCPSinfoFinderi. For more information regarding transportation, please click on the Transportation Link.

Stopfinder Bus App

PGCPS uses the StopFinder mobile app to allow parents, guardians and caregivers to view information about their child’s bus schedule and where a child’s bus is and to receive notifications about where the bus is. The StopFinder school bus app can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play. Families must have an up-to-date email address in ParentVUE to activate the subscription. If a family's email address in ParentVUE is not current, the app will not work as the student schedule will not populate. Use this link for Stopfinder.

• Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students will be given a vest to ensure they are identified as bus riders and placed on the correct bus. Please return both items daily. If your child loses the vest, there is a $5.00 replacement cost. All vests must be returned at the end of the school year. The vest will be worn daily, to and from school, until June of 2025. Label book bags with the assigned bus number using a permanent marker. In the event that there will be a change at a later date, use tape to write the number on it.
• Parents are not permitted to change bus assignments without contacting transportation and meeting with the Secretary I and Assistant Principal. We will place the students on the bus that was assigned by PGCPS, not the parent’s personal choice. Avoid telling the classroom teacher of a bus change, they are not permitted to accept it. All bus changes must be approved by the Department of Transportation. Once an approval occurs, the school will notify the parent and teacher.
• Parents/Guardians/Relatives are not permitted to get on a PGCPS bus at any time or for any reason. If you have a question or concern, contact the school or transportation office.

Parking

• Parking for morning and afternoon arrival is located in the lower parking lot and street. For the safety of the entire community, cars are not permitted in the upper parking lots from 7:00 - 8:00 am and 1:05 - 2:00 pm.
• Students may be dropped off at the designated spot near the second gate (on the left side). Parents are not permitted to exit the vehicles. This is a “Kiss and Go” location. Students should exit the vehicle on the side that is next to the sidewalk.
• Parents wishing to walk with their child, check their clothing, have them finish eating, etc., must park in a parking space and walk up.
• The parking procedures will remain the same for all weather conditions.

Class Assignments

Student schedules are available in the ParentVUE. 

Supply List

Grade Level supply list can be accessed on Kettering’s Website.

Medicine and Immunization

• No medication will be accepted by school personnel without the receipt of the appropriate “Physician’s Medication Authorization Form” completed by the physician in its entirety without deletion or alteration. Students who are still missing required immunizations will be excluded from school on the first day.
• Immunization - No shots, no school! If you have not done so, please make an appointment for routine immunization.

Parent Conferences and Meetings

Parent conferences and meetings will be held virtually unless you request an in-person meeting. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the classroom teacher or an administrator via email. You may also contact the school and your message will be delivered to the appropriate staff member. We will respond within 48 hours of receiving the message.

Volunteer

To learn how you can become a certified volunteer or to begin the process online visit the PGCPS Volunteer page. 

Celebrations

All birthday celebrations must be approved in advance. To ensure we are in compliance regarding student allergies and other health related concerns, outside foods are not permitted for distribution to other students. Birthday cakes/cupcakes and home created goodie bags are not permitted. Pizzas can be delivered to the school directly from the company only (arranged in advance). Families may not drop off pizza. You are permitted to send in a box of individually wrapped chips and sweet treats in the original box (such as hostess cakes). Items cannot be removed or separated. It must have the original seal. All celebrations must be pre-approved by the school. Please note, items not delivered in the required method will be returned.