Kettering Elementary School

My child had his first and last year at Kettering Elementary for Pre School, after his first day at the new school for kindergarten, he responded it was great nobody pushed him or called him names. I believe there are students with behavioral problems at Kettering, that the administration and teachers cannot control, and unfortunately the parents don't concern themselves enough with their own kids to change that. I did appreciate the hard work from Mrs. Talbert, Ms. Backman, Mrs. Edelen, Mr. Steve, and others there very much. There are no bad seeds, only bad parenting. Kettering has so much potential, if it were not for those bad parents, who are bringing Kettering down.
--Submitted by a parent

I agree with most responses. While we parents have worked hard with students so do the teachers at some degree. Unfortunately, the teaching my received was very uneven. I am still in the process of working with them to make sure my daughter and all kids prosper to there level. No school can afford to loose kids by going too fast and not meeting their needs. The teachers are friendly and I am impressed with the schools aftercare and extra circular activites.
--Submitted by a parent

I agree totally with your comments. I have had three children go thru Kettering. After Mrs. Marr left Kettering changed. My last child only completed third grade at Kettering. I removed my child last year. This school needs to be evaluated at a higher level. I have also tried to call Ms. Talbert with no results. My nephew went there, and I tryed to get him tested for Special Education. They would not test him, because he was A/B student. My comments to them were you are giving him those grades. He is not earning them. Now my nephew is in high school with a grade point average no higher than a 1.40.
--Submitted by a parent

This is my child's first year (kindergarten) and hopefully the last at Kettering. I have identified a problem with a veteran teacher. If Kettering Elementary exceeds anyone's expectations, then those expectations were very low. I have never been in an environment that the teacher insults the kids in front of them on a daily basis. I have heard my child's teacher tell students that they are bad seeds, they are bad because they don't have a man in the house, telling parents that they need to beat the child (while standing in front of the child). The teacher has said things like 'don't bother (to help a student read) he'll never get it.' While walking up to my child's classroom one day, 10 ft away, and all I heard was a door slam and the teacher screaming at kids.
--Submitted by a parent

This is my child s first and hopefully her last year attending Kettering Elementary School. Her Kindergarten class has gone without a teacher for 5 months. The Principal Ms. Talbert says that's she available and parents can come to her at any time with concerns. This is not the case, I have left several messages and received no return call. Everything with this school is very last min. They expect a great turn out at the PTA meetings, but they send the notice home the day of the meeting. No wonder why the parent involvement is so low.
--Submitted by a parent

Kettering Elementary school has the potential to become a great school. The current principal does an excellent job of leading effectively and she committed to the students. Some teachers do not understand the importance of 'teaching' students. My experience with ensuring my child's education has been less than favorable. I would like to see more teaching in the classrooms. This approach will greatly assist the school in reaching the above average educational goals the principal is currently seeking.
--Submitted by a parent

My child has attended Kettering Elementary since Kindergarden. This is a nice school overall. The parent involvement is very low, the academic program is great. I think the extracurricular activities are great to give the kids a small break. This school is a nice school for kids to be a part of, they just need to get more teachers in there who are in there for the love of teaching, and will help students to be successful.
--Submitted by a parent

My Children have attended Kettering Elementary for the past ten years. I have closely watched the progress/transition from Mrs. Marr to the current principal, Ms. Talbert. Overall, the school has been very good. My first child was admitted to a TAG middle school after leaving Kettering Elementary. I believe, for the most part, the principal and teachers try very hard and do an excellent job preparing the students for the next level of learning. If I have any gripe, it would be that I questioned the ability/certification of a few teachers. When you approach the principal with your concerns (and there is a general concensus among serveral parents that these concerns are legitiment) she is sometimes not very receptive to change. But as I said before, overall, I feel the school is one of the best public elementary schools in the county.
--Submitted by a parent

Kettering has had its problems in the past but there has been a definite change. The principal has grown and she and are staff are presently dedicated to providing a superior education for our children. With continued strong leadership, teacher inservicing and dedication, the belief that every child can learn, and and needed volunteers, Kettering will become one of the best Elementary school in the county. In late April, I volunteered to plant flowers along the front of the building. Both Fifth and sixth graders, the building supervisor, his staff, and the secretary help to cultivate the soil and plant flowers. It was a wonderful experience and the evidence is still present.I agree with other writers that volunteers would be a great asset__not only to Kettering but any school.The children need us and if they are to succeed we must get involved. Commit some time to volunteer in 2004-2005, now.
--Submitted by Margaret Miller, a parent

Kettering Elementary has gone above and beyond my expectations of an excellent elementary school. Excellent leadership and hardworking teachers are the major contributing factors.
--Submitted by a parent